Today, the trend and requirements of the internet have increased to an extent. A lot of devices and appliances have been introduced that are run through the internet. Thus, it is vital to have a proper internet connection in your house.
However, while getting a new internet connection, many people ask about which network cable is the best for their home, especially which is compatible with smart devices.
Ethernet cables are considered the fixtures of the internet, but you’ll still find several versions of Ethernet cables, including the best Cat6 cable and Cat7 Ethernet cables. A wrong selection of network cable can cause issues in internet proficiency and speed.
So, I have brought an elaborate comparison between the Ethernet Cat6 vs Cat7 cables to help you opt for the best one for a new internet connection.
What is Cat6 Cable?
Cat6 is known as Category 6 Ethernet cable, which comprises four pairs of copper wire that support up to 10 Gbps of Ethernet connection. It typically supports the transfer of up to 1 Gbps within 100 meters.
Depending upon the crosstalk, the Cat6 cable supports up to 37 to 55 meters with a speed of 10 Gbps. Just like other versions, Cat6 also uses an RJ45 connector to get working with the internet.
What is Cat7 Cable?
Category 7 Ethernet cable is called the Cat7, which supports high-speed Ethernet communication of up to 10 Gbps.
Although the Cat7 Ethernet cable holds a different GG45 connector, it was backward compatible with Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 cables. It has a 100-meter cabling length that comes in the shielded form, yet it has the capability to transfer the signals at 600 MHz frequency.
Cat6 vs Cat7: Difference in Cables
The main difference between the Cat6 vs Cat7 is the frequency and speed that have already been tested and evaluated by many researchers.
However, you will find below how Cat6 is different from Cat7 Ethernet cable and the pros and cons of each product.
Structure
The Cat6 cable comes in two forms; shielded and unshielded. As Cat6 cable became more advanced and you can buy a shielded cat6 cable from a nearby store or from amazon. The shielded cable is used for areas with electronic interference.
However, the non-shielded one is for regular use, such as in residential areas, but if you’ve decided to buy an ethernet cable for gaming then make sure that it comes shielded. Because you don’t want your FPS games to lag or drop signals.
Moving towards the Cat7 cable, it only comes in a shielded form that handles higher frequency and greater speed.
Maximum Distance
Both Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet cables are recommended to have a channel length of up to 328 feet. Nevertheless, as per the TIA standards, the maximum distance to run the cable should be 100m which means there should be no difference here.
Short-Distance Performance
Cat6 cable is now improved to perform 10Gbps at a shorter distance. However, Cat6 goes just fine with 1Gbps at short distances. It means that there should be some appropriate conditions for perfect speed, such as proper connection, environment, and distance.
So, if you want 10 Gbps with a Cat6 cable, the distance should be 55 meters. However, the distance for 10Gbps in cat7 needs to be longer.
Connectors Usage
Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet cables though do not come with the same connector. Cat6 cable comes with the RJ45 connector which provides an amazing execution.
On the other hand, the Cat7 cable offers a GG45 connector that was not successful in gaining admiration in the market. But fortunately, Cat7 is also compatible with the RJ45 connector which you can buy from amazon easily.
Cat7 vs Cat8 Ethernet Cable Comparison
Cat8 Ethernet cables are another version that can also be compared with its other versions. However, its transmission frequency and cable lengths can be compared with the Cat7 cable along with its usage.
The Cat8 cable delivers a performance of up to 2000 MHz which is much higher than the Cat7 frequency. Hence, the best Cat 8 Ethernet cable delivers faster performance than its previous versions.
Pros and Cons of Cat6 and Cat7 Cables
Since every product has both benefits and shortcomings, below are the plus points and downsides of Cat6 vs Cat7 Ethernet Cables so that you could decide which cable you should opt for your internet connection.
Cat6 Cable
| Goods | Bads |
| High-grade insulation | Not able to handle multiple applications at once |
| Meets most household requirements | Less durable |
| Cheaper than the Cat7 cable | Its bandwidth is lesser than the Cat7 cable |
| TIA/EIA recognition and standards | |
| Installation is easy |
Cat7 Cable
| Goods | Bads |
| Provides more speed and frequency smoothly | A bit more expensive than cat6 |
| Backward compatible | Installation is difficult |
| Ideal for innovative home technology | No TIA/EIA recognition |
| Very durable | |
| It has more bandwidth |
Which Ethernet Cable is Better?
Now that we have compared the Cat6 vs Cat7 Ethernet cables regarding their frequency, speed, structure, and overall performance. However, if you have a budget problem, you may need to opt for the Cat6 cable.
But again, which one should you go for in terms of a general execution?
For a household internet connection, the Cat6 cable is ideal because that performs efficiently with an average internet.
Additionally, it provides adequate speed for downloading and playing online games. So, if you are a hardcore gamer, the Ethernet Cat6 cable is good to go.
Nonetheless, if your house includes intelligent devices which are operated with the internet, such as a smart camera or doorbell, then the Cat7 cable should be an excellent choice.
This cable is compatible with innovative and multiple technologies with great speed and frequency.
FAQs
Here are some of the frequently asked questions that I have been asked in the comments.
Is Cat7 Better Than Cat6?
The significant difference between the Cat6 and Cat7 Ethernet cables is the frequency and connectors.
However, the higher the frequency, the higher the bandwidth. Thus, the Cat7 cable is considered better.
Are Cat6 and Cat7 Connectors the Same?
Cat6 used the RJ45 and Cat7 used GG45 connectors.
However, the GG45 connector was not much appreciated by many people because of its poor performance. Thus, the Cat7 ethernet cable is also compatible with RJ45.