Best Ethernet Cable For 2025

best ethernet cable
CategoryProductPriceKey Features
Best OverallDbillionDa CAT 8 Cable$6.89-$75.99Gold-plated connectors, Quadruple shielding, UV resistance
Best Braided Ethernet CableDanYee CAT 7 Braided Ethernet Cable$8.99-$39.99Braided flat design, Gold-plated connectors, Four colors
Best ValueAmazon Basics CAT 7 Cable$5.99-$12.99Gold-plated connectors, Durable PVC jacket, Cat 7 speeds

Our choice: Which Ethernet cable is the top option?

DbillionDa’s Cat 8 Ethernet cable is a top pick. It meets the latest Category 8 (CAT 8) standard and supports speeds up to 40Gbps.

Though perfect for data centers with high-speed needs, we chose it for its ability to boost your connection, whether placed along baseboards or buried underground.

Top 5 Ethernet cables:

  • DbillionDa: Best overall

  • DanYee: Best braided cable

  • Jadaol: Best flat cable

  • UGREEN: Best extension cable

  • Amazon Basics: Best value

Compare Ethernet Cable Specs and Costs

BrandBest forPriceLengthCategorySpeed
DbillionDaOverall$6.89–$75.993–150 ft.CAT 8Up to 40Gbps
Amazon BasicsValue$5.99–$12.991–50 ft.CAT 7Up to 10Gbps
DanYeeBraided$8.99–$39.991.6–100 ft.CAT 7Up to 10Gbps
JadaolFlat$6.99–$78.991.5–200 ft.CAT 7Up to 10Gbps
UGREENExtension$15.99–$16.993–6 ft.CAT 8Up to 40Gbps

What to Look for in an Ethernet Cable?

When shopping for an Ethernet cable, speed is key. Avoid buying a 100Mbps cable if your internet connection is 400Mbps. The CAT 8 cable offers the fastest speed, while the CAT 5 cable is the slowest.

Look for an Ethernet cable with shielding. This protective layer prevents interference from electromagnetic sources (EMI) and crosstalk, which can reduce performance.

CAT 7 and CAT 8 cables have shielding, but many CAT 6 cables and older versions do not.

Lastly, pick an Ethernet cable with gold-plated connectors. They are conductive and resistant to corrosion.

What to Look for in an Ethernet Cable

Best overall DbillionDa

DbillionDa’s CAT 8 shielded Ethernet cable is excellent for home or office use. It features oxygen-free copper (OFC) for superior electrical conductivity, providing better performance over long distances.

The cable has twisted-pair wires (26 AWG), each wrapped in Mylar-based aluminum foil shielding.

These wires are bundled in a 90% aluminum braid shielding, protecting them from external interference. A UV-resistant PVC jacket surrounds the cable, making it suitable for outdoor use.

While DbillionDa’s CAT 8 network cable may be excessive for even the fastest residential fiber plans, its design and performance make it perfect for:

  • Local area network gaming

  • Streaming media from a local server

  • Transferring files to and from a network-attached storage device

At the very least, use this Ethernet cable to connect your standalone router to your modem.

Top Pick

DbillionDa CAT 8 Cable

Price: $6.89–$75.99*

Specs:

  • Type: CAT 8
  • Bandwidth: 2,000 MHz
  • Data Rate: 40Gbps
  • Length: 3–150 ft.
  • Connectors: Gold-plated
  • Shielding: Quadruple
  • Usage: Indoor and outdoor

Is Gigabit Internet Necessary for You?

Check our guide on Mbps vs. Gbps to find out if you need gigabit speeds and where to get a gigabit internet plan.

Alternative:

If DbillionDa’s cable is unavailable, Dacrown’s CAT 8 Ethernet cable is a great substitute. It’s also ideal for outdoor use.

Advantages:

  • Supports speeds up to 40Gbps
  • Offers extra shielding

Disadvantages:

  • Available only in black

DanYee Best Braided Ethernet Cable

DanYee’s CAT 7 Ethernet cable offers a solid option for indoor use. Its semi-flat design makes it ideal for running along baseboards or under rugs.

The cable stands out with its nylon braiding, which provides more strength and flexibility than the typical PVC or rubber jackets used in Ethernet cables.

The nylon resists damage from corners, edges, and general wear that usually harms PVC and rubber.

Stranded copper conductors (30 AWG) receive protection from a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) jacket inside the cable.

An aluminum foil shielding layer adds further protection. The twisted wire pairs get wrapped in a thin PVC casing, followed by the nylon braided exterior.

Buy the cable in black, blue, white, or gold.

DanYee CAT 7 Braided Ethernet Cable

Price: $8.99–$39.99*

Specs:

  • Type: CAT 7
  • Bandwidth: Up to 600 MHz
  • Data rate: Up to 10Gbps
  • Length: 1.6–100 ft.
  • Exterior: Braided nylon in black, blue, white, or gold
  • Connectors: Gold-plated

Looking for a Router that Supports Gigabit Speeds?

Check out our guide on the fastest routers we’ve tested if your current router is too slow.

Advantages:

  • Supports speeds up to 10Gbps
  • Lays flat against baseboards
  • Available in four colors

Disadvantages:

  • Not designed for outdoor use
  • It does not come with mounting clips

Jadaol’s Best Flat Cable

Jadaol’s CAT 7 Ethernet cable offers a more affordable, non-braided option if you don’t need a braided flat cable.

You can mount the included explicit clips along baseboards and bend them around corners safely. It works well for long runs between rooms.

The cable features 100% OFC conductors covered in an HDPE jacket and an extra aluminum foil shielding layer.

The outer PVC jacket is not for outdoor use but is durable enough to prevent internal conductor damage. Gold-plated connectors ensure a reliable, corrosion-free connection.

Jadaol CAT 7 Flat Ethernet Cable

Price: $6.99–$78.99*

Specs:

  • Type: CAT 7
  • Bandwidth: Up to 600 MHz
  • Data Rate: Up to 10Gbps
  • Length: 1.5–200 ft.
  • Design: Flat
  • Includes: Mounting clips

Looking for a Gigabit Cable Modem?

Avoid slow modems. Check out our guide on the best modems for gigabit internet.

Advantage:

  • Offers high-speed support up to 10Gbps
  • It fits neatly against baseboards

Disadvantage:

  • Limited to three length options
  • Available only in black and white

UGREEN Extension Cable

If your Ethernet cables are too short to reach your devices, UGREEN’s Ethernet extender cable could help. It features one male connector and a female Ethernet port, compatible with CAT 8 and earlier cables.

The extender contains 26AWG pure copper wires wrapped in plastic and aluminum foil. A metal mesh shield and a flexible PVC jacket protect the twisted pairs.

The coat can bend 10,000 times without damage. The male connector features gold contacts with nickel plating.

UGREEN CAT8 Ethernet Cable Extension

Price: $6.99–$9.99*

Specs:

  • Type: CAT 8
  • Bandwidth: Up to 2,000 MHz
  • Data Rate: Up to 40Gbps
  • Length: 3–6 ft.
  • Connector: Gold-plated
  • End: Built-in female end

Advantages:

  • Offers 40Gbps speed
  • Works with CAT 8 and earlier cables

Disadvantages:

  • Available in just two lengths

Best Value: Amazon Basics

Amazon Basics offers excellent value with this CAT 7 cable. It features a simple design with standard HDPE shielding, gold-plated contacts, and gold-plated sides on each connector.

A PVC jacket protects the twisted wire pairs for added durability. This cable is cost-effective for long Ethernet runs without spending too much.

Amazon Basics CAT 7 Cable

Price: $5.99–$12.99*

Specs:

  • Type: CAT 7
  • Bandwidth: Up to 500 MHz
  • Data Rate: Up to 10Gbps
  • Length: 1–50 ft.
  • Jacket: Durable PVC
  • Contacts: Gold-plated

Advantage:

  • Supports 10Gbps
  • Features a durable PVC jacket

Disadvantage:

  • No foil shielding
  • Available only in white

Ethernet Cable Specifications and Features

Using an Ethernet cable instead of Wi-Fi has many benefits. Here are some examples:

  • Connect a modem or fiber ONT to a router
  • Quickly transfer large files between PCs or to a NAS
  • Stream videos from a local server or the internet at a high speed
  • Reduce latency in gaming

First, determine your needs before buying a cable that might be too fast or slow.

Speed

Speed is the most critical factor. If you pay for gigabit internet, avoid an Ethernet cable that supports only 100Mbps. A 40Gbps Ethernet cable might be excessive if your connection is 100Mbps or slower.

If you don’t need wired connections beyond the modem/router patch cable, match the Ethernet cable to your plan’s speed.

A CAT 5 cable works for 100Mbps or slower plans, while CAT 5a and newer cables are best for 200Mbps and faster.

High-speed cables are perfect for transferring large files to a server or NAS device. They also offer the best experience in multiplayer games, providing quick uploads, downloads, and low latency.

Durability

You need a cable that can withstand a busy environment. Pets, children, and daily wear can damage wires. Even simple bends can break the copper wires inside over time.

Most Ethernet cables of the same length have similar prices. For example, DbillionDa charges $14 for its 10-foot CAT 8 cable, while Amazon Basics charges $12 for its CAT 7 cable.

However, DbillionDa adds better shielding, waterproofing, UV resistance, and gold plating for a slightly higher price.

Shielding

Shielding protects the copper wires from electromagnetic interference caused by other cables, appliances, and motors.

It also prevents crosstalk, which happens when signals leak from one wire to another, reducing performance and causing errors.

Shielding may be braided or foil-wrapped around each wire. Some cables use braided material and foil around all the wires for extra protection.

While CAT 6 cables introduced shielding, some CAT 6 cables don’t. Older cables like CAT 5 don’t have shielding.

Connectors

Gold-plated connectors are ideal because they are durable and resist corrosion. While many cables use gold-plated connectors, others targeting value over performance might not.

Non-gold connectors wear out quicker, requiring more frequent replacements.

Manufacturers measure gold plating in microns. The thickest plating is 50 microns, ensuring a stable, fast connection.

Thinner plating wears down quickly and causes connection problems. Some listings include this measurement, while others do not.

Design

Ethernet cables can clutter a room, especially if they run along baseboards or multiple rooms. One solution is flat Ethernet cables.

These blend in better along white baseboards or door frames. Many cables come with precise clips to hold them in place.

Check if the manufacturer offers different colors if you don’t mind visible cables. You may find a cable that matches your room’s decor, such as a brown cable against a wooden stand.

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