Are you an avid gamer, looking for the best Ethernet cable for a seamless gaming experience? Surely, slow streaming and network issues are the last things you want during a gaming session. These cables vary in size, speed, and security, so you just cannot go and buy an Ethernet cord in the market. The question is, which is the best ethernet cable for gaming on a PC, PlayStation, and Xbox.
We are going to provide a roundup of our top five carefully selected and reviewed Ethernet cable products for you to pick the best one. However, before you head over to that, take a look at our buying guide given below to familiarize yourself with the essentials of the best type of Ethernet wire for gaming.
We tested and thoroughly examined a wide array of Ethernet cables to find out the most authentic brands. Our handpicked high-performance Ethernet cables are best suited to meet the diverse and unique gaming needs of a wide range of gamers. I am sure this will make the task of picking your own perfect Ethernet cord more convenient and hassle-free.
Buyer’s guide you may also like:
- Gaming Projectors https://dimble.games/best-gaming-projector/
- Gaming Tablets https://dimble.games/best-gaming-tablet/
Editor’s Overview
It is definitely hard to pick the best ethernet cable for gaming among different high-quality brands offering gamers support for high data transfer speeds and high bandwidth, flexible design and good cord length amongst others. Some of the cables like Amazon Basics RJ45 and The TBMaxx CAT 6 really impressed us. These are a bit expensive compared to others on the list but are high on functionality when it comes heavy data streaming. The Belkin Snagless Ethernet Patch Cable is best for short distance connectivity. It is inexpensive featuring an aesthetically pleasing design.
Our editor’s pick is evidently the Mediabridge Ethernet Cord. This great cord for gaming is built to offer fast data transfer and a seamless, more error-free connection. Choosing the finest Ethernet cable will certainly depend on your specific needs. However, we put this on the top for all types of gaming environments; whether you are a beginner, an experienced gamer or networking professional, you will not have any trouble using this.
5 High-Performance Ethernet Cables for Gaming
Here are Dimble’s recommendations for the first-rated Ethernet cables.
For a Category 6 Ethernet cord, we found the AmazonBasics RJ45 very efficient. The gaming cord offers high data transmission rates at an affordable price tag. Costing only $11.00, this cord offers a high bandwidth of about 250MHz along with Amazon’s 1-year limited warranty. You can easily plug this into your router and connect your gaming console for a fast and uninterrupted connection. You can connect anything from computers, printers, servers, routers, and switch boxes to network media players, network-attached storage devices, and VoIP phones with this reliable cord. It can handle data transfer speed up to 1,000 Mbps.
Dimble’s Review
If you are looking for the fastest cable, then I would suggest you go with this high-speed CAT 6 cord. The short length and RJ45 connector guarantee a reliable connection so you can enjoy downloading heavy games and stream multiplayer sessions without any interference. With Amazon’s warranty offer, this cord is worth every dime.
Technical Specs:
- Length: 15.2 m (50 feet)
- Category: RJ45 Cat-6 E
- Data Transfer Speed: 1,000MBps.
Pros
- Durable and very flexible allowing easy connectivity
- Comes with a nice sleek diameter and aesthetically pleasing design
- The short length offers good signal quality
- Supports 1GB per second data transfer for a seamless gaming session
Cons
- A bit expensive compared to Belkin and Huacom brands
TBMax Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable rules the list of high-speed cables offering connectivity over longer distance and support for linking multiple devices including routers, switch boxes, network printers, and network attached storage devices. This can truly be classified as one of the best ethernet cables for gaming around. The 100 feet cord is built to reduce noise, minimize interference, and facilitate a fast connection, which comes handy while playing multiplayer titles entailing heavy action and intense battle play. The Category 6 cord supports download speeds of up to 1,000Mbps. It has been designed using 100% bare copper wire with a focus on smart design, which is reflected through the flat-cable look. This improves portability and allows you to connect devices without tripping over or experiencing any tangled sections.
Dimble’s Review
A rather expensive option, I would suggest purchasing the TBMax Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cord if you want to connect your router and gaming console over a long distance. The cord offers support for downloading heavy gaming content. The 100% bare copper wire does a great job at keeping noise and interference away, so you can benefit from a seamless gaming experience. Ideal for both home and office environments!
Technical Specs:
- Length: 100ft with Cable Clips & Sticky Label
- Category: CAT 6
- Data Transfer Speed: 1,000MBps
Pros
- Top quality cord offering support for high bandwidth and data transfer
- Twisted pair wires ensure a secure and reliable connection
- Flat cord design with cable clips makes connecting devices easier
Cons
- The wire length is a bit long, not appropriate for shorter applications
This tops the list in our reviewed products because of its affordable price tag of $9.99 and the flexibility to connect your devices placed far away from your router. Use the 100 feet cord to connect various devices to set up your own home network. This Category 5 cable can be used to connect new and old consoles like Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 as well. With its minimalistic design and high data transfer rate, this is surely the cool cable for gaming.
Dimble’s Review
The hottest Ethernet cord in Cat5 category, the HUACAM HCM07 Cat5 Patch Cable does not offer high data speeds compared to CAT6 cables like AmazonBasics RJ45 or Mediabridge cord. However, it does offer good signal quality and minimal interruption. Get this awesome product for yourself if you need device connectivity in a home gaming environment.
Technical Specs:
- Length: 100 feet
- Category: Cat 5 Patch Cord
- Data Transfer Speed: above 100 Mbps
Pros
- Affordable and comes with a flexible design
- The cord length allows long-distance connectivity
- Can be used for, streaming, gaming, downloading & networking
Cons
- The wire length could be a hindrance when it comes to portability
- Data Transfer rates are only up to 100 Mbps
- May not be ideal for enterprise applications
Recommended as the best Ethernet cable for gaming for its classic set of features, we found the Mediabridge Cat6 Cable to be highly efficient for diverse gaming needs. With a $10.99 price tag, the cable has been designed using 24AWG Stranded conductors that support high data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gigabits per second. What more could you ask for? Supporting 550MHz bandwidth, you can use it for server and security applications, cloud computing and in surveillance video processing. The cord guarantees seamless data transfer for your gamification. With 50 feet of wire, you can easily connect your PC, Xbox1/PS4 with your access point with no tangles or hurdles. The high data transfer rate for this CAT cable also allows you to enjoy video streaming and multimedia content on your home theater.
Dimble’s Review
We highly recommend this cable owing to its support for backward compatibility with any existing Fast Ethernet and Gigabit Ethernet. You can use it for low and high bandwidth applications. If you plan to set up your own gaming server environment or a private home network that is secure, seamless and stable, then opt for the Mediabridge cord without a second thought.
Technical Specs:
- Length: 50 Feet
- Category: CAT 6 with support for Cat5e / Cat5 Standards
- Data Transfer Speed: up to 10 Gigabits per second
Pros
- A very affordable ethernet cable for gaming guaranteeing convenience
- High data speeds make it ideal for intense gaming environments
- Can be used for commercial applications that require high bandwidth and data transfer
Cons
- There is nothing we did not like about this
We would suggest buying the Belkin Snagless Ethernet Patch cable if you are looking for a highly functional cord for a light, less intense gaming environment. This Category 5e cable is built with a unique design featuring 50-micron gold plated connectors that ensure secure and fast data transfers. Belkin also offers a lifetime warranty on this Ethernet patch cable. With the cable measuring only 3 feet, you can easily connect your console or PC with your router. The UTP standard copper wire and micron connectors work well to reduce interference and provide fast data transmission. This cable has the ability to transfer data at a speed of up to 1,000MBps with the built-in prowess to exceed CAT5e standards. All this adds up to a more enjoyable and stress-free gaming session.
Dimble’s Review
The Belkin Snagless Ethernet Patch cable is for gamers who are looking for a cheap, more functionally competent cable. Although the short cable length is a hindrance to wiring your console far away from the access point, we recommend it for close networking. Use this handy cord for a close pairing of network devices and for on the go connections.
Technical Specs:
- Length: 3 feet
- Category: RJ45 Category-5e Snagless Ethernet Patch Cable
- Data Transfer Speed: over 1,000MBps
Pros
- Highly affordable and functionally efficient
- Best for short distance connectivity and using lighter applications
- Gold-plated connectors and twisted pair wires offer a stable connection with minimal interruption
- Highly portable due to its short length
Cons
- It is just 3 feet long, so you cannot connect distant devices
Buying Guide
What is an Ethernet Cable?
Before digging into the essence of what Ethernet cable is best for gaming, let me clarify first what an Ethernet cord is. It is a wire enclosed in encapsulated layers designed to transmit data between connected devices like a computer and a router. Good quality cables offer high-speed data transfers as well as a strong and reliable connection. When used for gaming data transfer, you benefit from an interrupted gaming session without any delays, lags, or interference.
Ethernet cables are classified according to their speed, size, security, and performance. When selecting the cable, you need to consider factors like your specific network connection, length of cable you require, and your ISP’s data transfer speed amongst others. Let me highlight each aspect in more detail for you.
Things To Look In An Ethernet Cable Before Buying:
Ethernet Cable Types
Like said earlier, these cords are grouped or standardized into various categories that usually reflect a cable’s specific features and abilities. Most household applications make use of a CAT 5 or CAT 5e because these are inexpensive and take care of domestic needs. TVs, computers and home theaters make use of such cables as they are built to provide data transfer speed from 100 Mbps (for Cat5) to 1,000 Mbps (for Cat5e). If you are looking for faster data connection speeds, then opt for a Cat-6 and Cat-6A. These are mostly used in large enterprises and commercial applications because they offer speeds up to 10 Gbps. Currently, CAT 7 and CAT 7A are trending in the market as they offer the highest speeds above 10gbs. However, do keep in mind that these are more expensive compared to CAT 5 and Cat 6. Additionally, different cables have different bandwidth limitations such as Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6 are rated at 100 MHz, 350 MHz, 550 MHz respectively.
Length Of The Cord
When purchasing the best ethernet cable for gaming, it is vital to consider the length of the cord. The length of the cable is strongly linked to the signal quality. Longer the length of the cable, lower is the signal quality. This leads to slow network performance, thus slow data transfer. We suggest you select the shortest possible length, maximum 100 meters, for high data transfer rates. A good idea is to measure a distance between your router and the gaming console and buy a cord according to that.
Cross-Compatibility
The best ethernet cable for ps4, xbox one or for any other platform must be compatible with different devices. Generally, these cables are designed by original equipment providers and they include support for all types of gaming consoles. Most gaming enthusiasts tend to buy the OEM cables available in the market because they offer compatibility for multiple devices. However, you should check which type of jack your gaming console supports and select the cord accordingly.
A Compatible Router & Its Capacity
Since you will be connecting your cord to a router or a wireless access point, it is important to consider the right type of router that meets the minimum requirements. Check for the capacity of the access point and see if it complements with the ethernet cable’s specifications especially data transfer rates. If you have no idea about it, ask an expert or search online.
Current Technology
We suggest you look for a cable that supports the latest technology. For example, if you have a new gaming console like Xbox One or PlayStation 4, then opt for CAT 6 instead of 5 as the former is rated at 550MHz bandwidth. You could always buy a good quality CAT 5E to save a little money but keep in mind that it supports up to 350MHz bandwidth. If you are planning to play action-packed Battle Royale titles like Fortnight on the internet and download heavy games, then we suggest you buy a CAT6 for high data transfer with no interference.
Upgrading To CAT6 Ethernet
As a gaming aficionado, we are sure you would want your gaming experience to be more exciting, stress-free and devoid of any interruptions or lagging. If you are considering upgrading to CAT 6, make sure you upgrade all the cables in your network. Otherwise, your network will become slow, and this will affect your efficiency. If you have a DSL modem, you will need a crossover cable to connect to it. All modern Ethernet cables come with RJ45 gold plated male jacks, which are good to connect with any device. If your network needs patch and crossover cables, make sure you use different colors to recognize them.
Make sure you keep these pointers in mind while buying yourself the perfect Ethernet cable for gaming.
FAQs
What is the best quality Ethernet cable?
Any CAT 5, CAT 5e, CAT 6 or CAT 7 cord manufactured by a reliable vendor who conforms to the define networking standards is good quality. The OEM mark guarantees secure and fast connections.
What is the fastest Ethernet cord?
Although 6A cables are capable of delivering data transfer speeds of up to 10 gigabits per second, the fastest cables in the market currently are CAT 7. They are perfect for gigabit networks offering a performance of up to 600 Mhz.
What is a CAT 7 cable?
CAT 7 is the latest ethernet cable to hit the market. It offers 100 Gbps at less than 15 meters and up to 10 Gbps at longer distances. It requires a GigaGate45 connection and is primarily used in high-end commercial applications.
What is the difference between CAT 5 and CAT 6?
The CAT 5 cable can deliver up to 100 Mbps maximum over 100 meters and is not shielded while the CAT 6 cable and its variant 6a are built with shielding to offer speeds of up to 10gbps over longer distances.