Recommended Ethernet Cable Brands

[MikePA]

Noob question...

I noticed there are a lot of posts about what Ethernet cables not to buy, e.g., any so called Cat 7 or Cat 8 cable, but I have not seen any posts which recommend specific Cat 5e cables. Perhaps I've missed them, however I searched this forum for the word 'recommended' and found one thread applicable for the UK.

What cables do people recommend?

 

[Tech Junky]

Any cheap cable without bad reviews.

 

[NXIL]

Monoprice is a great place for patch cables.

HDMI Cable, Home Theater Accessories, HDMI Products, Cables, Adapters, Video/Audio Switch, Networking, USB, Firewire, Printer Toner, and more! - Monoprice.com

Monoprice, Inc. (DBA. MonoPrice.com) specializes in the wholesale distribution of world class cable assemblies for home theater, PC, and high technology industries. MonoPrice.com offers a wide range of products from standard PC products, network cables, and HDMI cables to custom cable assemblies...

www.monoprice.com

This is the version I like best:

Monoprice Cat6 6in Blue Component Level Patch Cable, UTP, 28AWG, 550MHz, Pure Bare Copper, Snagless RJ45, SlimRun Series Ethernet Cable - Monoprice.com

Trusted RELIABILITYMonoprice™ SLIMRUN™ CAT6 UTP ETHERNET PATCH CABLES are designed for high density environments where space is a premium. SlimRun's ultra‑slim 0.149‑inch d

www.monoprice.com

"I noticed there are a lot of posts about what Ethernet cables not to buy, e.g., any so called Cat 7 or Cat 8 cable, but I have not seen any posts which recommend specific Cat 5e cables"

You do NOT need Cat 7, 8, or 9 even.

Cat5e is plenty, Cat6 is fine, no need for Cat6A. No need for shielding, foil, etc.

If you want to go lowest cost:

Products no longer Available

Cat5e, no boot (those kind of get in my way), lots of colors and lengths to choose from.

If you want higher quality

Data Cables at Blue Jeans Cable

They will custom make them for you--and I noticed the UK comment, they ship internationally.

Monoprice UK:

Monoprice UK

Monoprice specializes in high-quality, affordable electronics and accessories. Since 2002, Monoprice offers a variety of products such as home office equipment, gaming accessories, 3D printing and outdoor gear to professionals and consumers worldwide.

www.monoprice.uk

 

[MikePA]

Thank you!

 

[L&LD]

Monoprice is a great example of what not to buy.

Say No to Cat7 Ethernet Cable

Quality Ethernet Cable and Jacks

Monoprice Cable - Not Ok


When I suggest 'quality' cables that usually means avoiding all the 'price too good to be true' offers.

Quality is about buying once, with tested cable specs, and only then... at the lowest price you can find/haggle.

 

[MikePA]

Monoprice is a great example of what not to buy.

Say No to Cat7 Ethernet Cable

Quality Ethernet Cable and Jacks

Monoprice Cable - Not Ok


When I suggest 'quality' cables that usually means avoiding all the 'price too good to be true' offers.

Quality is about buying once, with tested cable specs, and only then... at the lowest price you can find/haggle.

Would you post a link to the Ethernet cable you bought most recently?

 

[L&LD]

I haven't bought any Ethernet cable for the last decade for myself. What I did buy back then was from a custom cable manufacturer (local) that specialized in many different kinds of cables, Ethernet being one of them. I chose the best Cat5e cable they had then. Now, out of business.

If I was to buy today, I'd listen to what @Trip advises.

 

[bluzfanmr1]

Monoprice is what I've used for years and years for many things, especially cables. They are made well, reasonably priced, and if you ever have an issue they will take it back no questions asked.

 

[follower]

I haven't bought any Ethernet cable for the last decade for myself. What I did buy back then was from a custom cable manufacturer (local) that specialized in many different kinds of cables, Ethernet being one of them. I chose the best Cat5e cable they had then. Now, out of business.

If I was to buy today, I'd listen to what @Trip advises.

So, you just learned about cables from the text right? Monoprice sucks. But it's ok for home users. Any cheap cables are ok for home users though.

 

[MikePA]

Noob question...

I noticed there are a lot of posts about what Ethernet cables not to buy, e.g., any so called Cat 7 or Cat 8 cable, but I have not seen any posts which recommend specific Cat 5e cables. Perhaps I've missed them, however I searched this forum for the word 'recommended' and found one thread applicable for the UK.

What cables do people recommend?

To assist future readers of this thread so they know what not to buy and at least one cable which works.

I bought these cables ---> Click Here and replaced the cable from the modem to the router and from my Mac Mini to the router and I am seeing 823 Mbps down and 24 Mbos mb up. I am paying for 900/25. I will also replace the other Ethernet cables with these new ones and toss the ones I replace.

Thanks all for your assistance. Lesson learned: All Ethernet cables are not created equal.

 

[follower]

To assist future readers of this thread so they know what not to buy and at least one cable which works.

I bought these cables ---> Click Here and replaced the cable from the modem to the router and from my Mac Mini to the router and I am seeing 823 Mbps down and 24 Mbos mb up. I am paying for 900/25. I will also replace the other Ethernet cables with these new ones and toss the ones I replace.

Thanks all for your assistance. Lesson learned: All Ethernet cables are not created equal.

Home use.
1. If you can spend enough money you can buy expensive cables.
2. If you don't want to spend money you can buy cheap cables.
3. If you just want to use expensive cables you can buy them.
4. There is no expensive cable on Amazon.

Proved and Quality cables are here. They are not for Home use but for Enterprise.

Cables

CommScopes high-performance cables ensure minimal signal loss and maximum bandwidth. Explore our extensive, versatile portfolio today.

www.commscope.com

AT&T Cabling | Products | CopperLine

The latest Enterprise/Wholesale products & services and solutions

cabling.att.com

 

[MikePA]

I had been using so-called Cat 7 cables for years with no issues. About a month ago, I could not get more than 100 Mbps. I asked the initial question and was advised to use Cat5e/Cat6. (Thanks, again for this advice)

Then, instead of searching Amazon and randomly buying a cable, and maybe buying another cable which would not solve my problem, I thought I'd ask for a specific cable recommendation. The only specific recommendation was from @NXIL who mentioned Monoprice which was quickly pooh poohed as junk.

Then the advice was any cheap cable without bad reviews. OK. Display a list of all Cat5e/Cat6 Ethernet cables, select one, look for 1 star reviews and if found go to next product. Yeah, this might take a while. So, I asked again.

Reminds me of what our internal customers thought of IT (and Network), "Ask IT what time it is and IT tells you how to build a watch."

So I picked one and again, I posted an Amazon link to the cables which solved my problem. I hope it helps others.

 

[L&LD]

So, you just learned about cables from the text right? Monoprice sucks. But it's ok for home users. Any cheap cables are ok for home users though.

Wrong. I have a lot of experience with bad cables from many of my customers that think cheap is good enough.

 

[Clark Griswald]

@MikePA
I looked at the specs of the cable I required, then started looking by price. I found a deal on 10-pack 15ft CAT6 for $14 on Amazon. I tested each cable, prior to installation, with the thought of easy return if not correct.

 

[BreakingDad]

I used Cat5e in 2001

 

[Tech9]

I used Cat5e in 2001

Still good in 2022.

 

[L&LD]

I used Cat5e in 2001

Still better than Cat7 in 2022.

 

[follower]

Short range is fine. But long range is nope.

 

[BreakingDad]

I only use patch cables no long runs, and Cat8

 

[GHammer]

I only use bespoke, artisan crafted cables.

Unless the artisan is busy. Then I go to Amazon and search for cat 6 sort by ratings. Pick the cheapest of them, buy.
If it suck when it arrives, return it and search again.

Haven't had cable problems in years.