Cat 4, Cat 6 or Cat 7a? Ethernet cable categories: Complete overview and parameters

2026-06-29

In the age of widespread Wi-Fi, it might seem that traditional cables are becoming a thing of the past. Nothing could be further from the truth. A stable, fast and secure Internet connection still relies on copper. Whether you play online, work remotely, or are designing a network in a new home, you may find that at some point you will face a dilemma: which Ethernet cable should you choose?

In this guide, we will analyze all categories of network cables – from historical versions to the latest standards. You will learn what the individual parameters mean and why the highest category number will not always be the best choice for your wallet and equipment.

What is an Ethernet cable and how does it work?

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An Ethernet cable (often called a network cable, computer cable or twisted pair) is a cable used to transmit data in local area computer networks (LAN). At its core are usually four pairs of copper conductors.

Why are the cables twisted?

The name “twisted pair” is not accidental. The pairs of wires are tightly twisted together to minimize crosstalk, i.e. mutual electromagnetic interference generated by flowing current. The higher and more modern the cable category, the denser the twisting and the more advanced the insulation.

Where are network cables most commonly used?

In homes and offices: For connecting computers, consoles, Smart TVs and printers to a router.
In concealed installations: Hidden in walls during renovations, forming the backbone of a modern Smart Home.
In Data Centers and server rooms: Where every millisecond of latency and massive bandwidth of several dozen gigabits per second matter.

Ethernet cable categories: Complete overview and parameters [TABLE]

Network cable standards are constantly being developed by the TIA/EIA and ISO/IEC organizations. Each new category (denoted as Cat or Cat.) brings higher speed and a wider frequency band.

Here is a complete, chronological overview of technical parameters:

Category	Max. speed (Speed)	Frequency (Bandwidth)	Max. length
Cat 1	Up to 1 Mbps	0.4 MHz	—
Cat 2	Up to 4 Mbps	4 MHz	—
Cat 3	10 Mbps	16 MHz	100 m
Cat 4	16 Mbps	20 MHz	100 m
Cat 5	100 Mbps	100 MHz	100 m
Cat 5e	1 Gbps (1000 Mbps)	100 MHz	100 m
Cat 6	10 Gbps / 1 Gbps	250 MHz	55 m / 100 m
Cat 6a	10 Gbps	500 MHz	100 m
Cat 7	10 Gbps	600 MHz	100 m
Cat 7a	40 Gbps / 10 Gbps	1000 MHz	50 m / 100 m
Cat 8	40 Gbps	2000 MHz	30 m

How to read LAN cable parameters?

When searching for the perfect cable in a store, you will certainly come across additional markings. What do they mean for an ordinary user?

Speed (Mbps / Gbps): Defines how much data the cable can transmit in one second. For a home fiber connection with a speed of 600 Mbps, a cable offering at least 1 Gbps (Cat 5e or higher) will be ideal.
Frequency (MHz): This is the bandwidth (“highway width”). The higher the frequency, the more resistant the signal is to speed drops over long distances.
Shielding (UTP vs STP/FTP):

UTP (Unshielded): Flexible, inexpensive, excellent for home indoor use.
FTP/STP (Foil/mesh shielded): Has a metal shield. Essential when the cable is laid in a wall near 230V electrical wires, which prevents inductive interference.

LAN cabling

Is the highest cable category (number) always the best?

Intuition suggests that buying a Cat 7a or Cat 8 cable will give us the most “future-proof” and fastest Internet. This is one of the biggest myths. In reality, the highest number does not necessarily have to be the best choice. Why?

Hardware limitations (Bottleneck): Your cable is only as fast as the slowest device on the network. If you have a home router with 1 Gbps ports and a network card in your computer with the same speed, connecting a Cat 8 cable (capable of transmitting 40 Gbps) will not speed up your Internet by even one megabit. The network will still operate at a maximum speed of 1 Gbps.
Installation and stiffness: Higher-category cables (Cat 7, Cat 7a, Cat 8) are usually thick, heavy and stiff due to powerful shielding. Laying them in tight apartment corners or in small sockets can be tiring.
Grounding issue: Shielded cables (STP/FTP) require properly grounded devices (e.g. switches) and metal plugs. An incorrectly grounded shielded cable acts like an antenna – it picks up interference from the surroundings and, paradoxically, may perform worse than a regular unshielded cable (UTP).
Costs: Cat 7 and Cat 8 cables are many times more expensive than Cat 6. You pay for parameters that standard home equipment will never use.

Interior design hits: When is it worth choosing flat Ethernet cables?

Traditional network cables are round and quite thick, which makes them difficult to route discreetly. The answer to this problem is flat Ethernet cables (most often available in Cat 6 and Cat 6a categories).

Why are they so popular and extremely convenient?

Discretion and aesthetics: They are only about 1–2 mm thick. They can easily be hidden under floor panels, skirting boards, and even under a rug or carpet. They are practically invisible and do not create dangerous bulges.
Passing under doors: A flat cable is flexible and thin enough to be pulled through a gap in a window frame or under closed interior doors without having to drill holes in the walls.
Easy coiling and no tangles: The special design makes these cables less likely to tangle than their round counterparts, which makes it easier to manage cabling behind an RTV cabinet or desk.

Good to know

Due to their construction, flat cables rarely have advanced shielding (they are usually unshielded UTP cables). They work great at home for connecting a console or TV, but avoid laying them in walls directly next to thick electrical wires.

FAQ

Which Ethernet cable should you choose for home use in 2026?

The best and most future-proof choice for a home network is a Cat 6 or Cat 6a category cable. If you are looking for a flexible cable to connect a TV or console standing next to the router, Cat 6 (supporting up to 10 Gbps over a distance of up to 55 m) will be ideal. However, if you are renovating and laying cabling in the walls, choose Cat 6a – it will provide full 10 Gbps speed over a distance of up to 100 meters and excellent resistance to interference, so your home network will be ready for the standards of future decades.

Does Ethernet cable length affect Internet speed?

No, as long as you do not exceed the maximum distance specified for a given category. For most standard cables (Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a), the maximum length without any loss of speed and signal stability is 100 meters. The exception is the highest Cat 8 category, which, due to its very high frequency, maintains its parameters (40 Gbps) only up to 30 meters.

Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi – which is faster for gaming and downloading?

An Ethernet cable is always faster, more stable and offers lower ping than a Wi-Fi connection. A wired connection is not susceptible to interference caused by walls, furniture or other wireless networks nearby. It provides consistent bandwidth and minimal latency, which is crucial in e-sports online games and when downloading very large files.

What does the abbreviation RJ45 mean and does every network cable have it?

RJ45 (Registered Jack 45) is the standard designation for the 8-pin plug found at the ends of the vast majority of Ethernet cables. It is used to plug the cable into a router, computer, switch or console. Almost every home network cable has an RJ45 plug, so cables of older and newer categories (e.g. Cat 5e and Cat 6a) fit the same sockets.

What does the AWG parameter on a network cable mean?

AWG (American Wire Gauge) is a standardized measurement system specifying the thickness of the copper conductor inside the cable. In the AWG system, the rule is: the lower the number, the thicker the wire. Standard Ethernet cables usually have markings from AWG 23 to AWG 26. A thicker cable (e.g. AWG 23) has lower electrical resistance, which ensures better signal quality over long distances and is crucial when powering devices through a network cable (PoE technology).

What is the maximum length of an Ethernet cable without signal loss?

The maximum length of an Ethernet cable without signal loss for the most popular categories (Cat 5e, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7) is 100 meters. After exceeding this limit, latency increases and transfer speed drops drastically. If you need to transmit a signal over a longer distance, it is necessary to use a signal-boosting device (e.g. a switch) or switch to fiber-optic technology.