If you are an avid gamer, then you know that to avoid lag and get the best refresh rates, you also need a very speedy and reliable internet connection. The best way to ensure that is to invest in an Ethernet connection as this can increase the capacity of connectivity especially if you are using a laptop or a PC.
Your Wi-Fi experience will get enhanced considerably and you will be on top of your game just with a change in the speed that you will get. However, just because you know you need a decent quality Ethernet cable, this does not mean that you’ll get one if you don’t have the right kind of experience. This is because it is quite technical to get these.
Therefore, to help you find the Best Ethernet Cables for Gaming, we have compiled this review for your convenience. If you don’t have the time at the moment to go over this review at the moment of our 8 picks, we recommend that you take a look at the Cat 8 Ethernet Cable by Dacrown which will boost up your data transmission by an impressive 40GBPS and offers quite a few options for cable lengths.
Top 10 List - Best Ethernet & LAN Cables For Gaming
For more information on the technical side to this, keep reading on, and be sure to check out our buying guide that is at the very end. If you need to know more, keep reading on to make the best decision and before you start reading, take a look at our handy comparison chart as this will inform you of the main features of each product.
To start today’s list, we are looking at the Cat8 Ethernet Cable which is the perfect device if you are looking for the fastest speed for data transmission. This is because Cat8 shielding is made from high-quality materials which not only cuts out interference which reduces signal quality but it also means less noise and crosstalk in the overall signal quality.
This is also one of the best products if you wish to pair it to a high-performance network as it can get you top speeds. It is also one of the best Ethernet cables of gaming because it is fully compatible with gaming devices such as Xbox and all DSL Modems, Network adapters, Routers, Switches, and Hubs.
Other than gaming, the Cat8 is also an excellent choice for the office as it is made with super high quality and heavy-duty UV-resistant PVC which grants it quadruple protection. This allows it to be buried underground for a tangle-free situation or to withstand all kinds of temperatures.
The next product we have is called the Smolink Ethernet Cable which is best if you have a very high-speed internet connection. It can support bandwidths up to 2000MHZ and data transmission speeds of 40Gbps.
The Cat8 cables are reliable as they are tested by professional Cable Analyzers. The material they are made with isa UV-resistant PVC jacket, which means it can survive in direct sunlight and extreme cold weather without taking any damage.
Another benefit to this product is that the material with which it has been made is 100% oxygen-free copper and the STP is completely an environmental protection material that is not only thinner but is also completely durable.
Finally, with this product, you will get a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a lifetime warranty and customer service as well.
The next product we have is called the Smolink Ethernet Cable which is best if you have a very high-speed internet connection. It can support bandwidths up to 2000MHZ and data transmission speeds of 40Gbps.
The Cat8 cables are reliable as they are tested by professional Cable Analyzers. The material they are made with isa UV-resistant PVC jacket, which means it can survive in direct sunlight and extreme cold weather without taking any damage.
Another benefit to this product is that the material with which it has been made is 100% oxygen-free copper and the STP is completely an environmental protection material that is not only thinner but is also completely durable.
Finally, with this product, you will get a 30-day money-back guarantee along with a lifetime warranty and customer service as well.
Pros
Supports up to 2000MHZ and 40Gbps transmitting speed
The Tera Grand CAT7 10 Ethernet is next on today’s list and this is a high-performance choice as it can work with 10 Gigabit Ethernet. This results in speeds as fast as 600MHz and up to 10Gbps. The cables are also made to be flatter so they can get the best performance as compared to earlier versions.
The cables are also extremely flexible and slim so that they can fit under any carpet or crevice so you have a clear space. They also can be easily camouflaged behind or underneath furniture. Their thickness is only 0.1 cms.
The material that they are made with are50 Micron Gold Plated RJ45 Connectors and since gold is naturally better at conducting, this means you get better connectivity and 20 percent more efficiency.
Next, we have the Smolink Ethernet Gaming Cable which is undoubtedly one of the best Ethernet cables meant for gaming as this is a flat wire cable that can support bandwidths up to 2000MHZ and data transmission speeds of 40Gbps. These are also great for both indoor and outdoor use.
The cables have been tested by professional Cable Analyzers for reliability. The material on the outside is a sturdy and UV-resistant PVC jacket, which means that it can stay in direct sunlight and extreme cold weather without it having any effect on the efficiency.
Finally, this flat LAN cable comes with a lifetime warranty, excellent customer service, and of course a 30-day money-back guarantee in case of any issues and queries.
Since it allows users to work with bandwidth speeds of up to 2000MHz bandwidth and grants them 40Gbps data transmitting speed, the Veetop CAT8 Ethernet Cable is one of the best Ethernet cables for gaming.
Not only is it excellent for gaming but because it is compatible with Amazon Alexa, Siri, and Google Home among other smart home products, it is excellent for the home and office. However, it truly is a pro atgetting you high-speed transmission for your time on the X Box or PlayStation.
The warranty is not as long as most others on this list as it only lasts for 24months but users can benefit from lifetime customer service support which is a pro.
The UGREEN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable is a product that’s thin and flat and is therefore super flexible and easier to hide or place strategically under carpets or furniture. Not only will you save space but will effectively avoid tangling.
This patch cable has been manufactured with 4 shielded twisted copper wires and that is why as opposed toprevious models, it has additional shielding which results in less noise, less interference, and less crosstalk as well!
The material which it is made out of is a 24k gold-plated connector which is also made to have complete strain-relief and the result is a product that will last you a considerable amount of time.
To end off with today’s list, we have the Veetcom Cat8 Ethernet Cable and of course, since this is a category 8 design, it is far superior to both Cat7 and other types of Ethernet cables. This is because it has been fitted with a double shield design which ensures that there is less twisting of wires which are of better quality. This aids in less interference, loss of signals, and crosstalk which leads to better performance.
Other than this, it has been made out of a very durable material which is a PVC jacket that won’t deteriorate fast. It is also designed as snag-less so that it deters any cracking or breaking so that the cable can move with the guarantee that it won’t get damaged. Other than this it is also fitted with snag-less moldings that ensure a carefree installation and no damage to the RJ45 plug.
The design of this cable is just the way you like it! It has been made with a rounded shape so that it fits perfectly with the environment where it is placed and thanks to the black color, it won’t stick out as a mess of wires all over your gaming space. The cable has a complete length of about 30m and is super easy to install.
The coolest feature, however, is that the brand offers you a lifetime warranty which ensures that you will get a complete refund or replacement if something is unsatisfactory. Other than that you will also get free technical support online for any queries or questions.
Buyer's Guide - How to find the best Ethernet Cables
Now that you have gone through our extensive reviews for products of the Best Ethernet Cables for Gaming in terms of their features and drawbacks, you might feel like you are far better equipped to make a decision. However just because you may feel like you know which device is right for you, doesn’t mean that’s accurate. That’s why it is still recommended to go over this detailed buying guide as well to properly understand the technicalities of these devices.
This buyer’s guide will be helpful for first-time users that have no experience since it can be daunting to buy the best Ethernet cables for gaming for yourself. To start, we are going to look at the main questions that you should always ask before you buy an Ethernet cable, and then we will answer a few of the most frequently asked questions.
What is your current network speed?
The first question you should ask yourself is of course what the speed and status of your current home internet connection. If it falls in the category of gigabit internet which is 1Gbps, you may get an older Ethernet cable model. Alternatively, if your connection is slower than that, then you can invest in any category 5 or above with ease.
Checkout this guide by CNET on How to decrease ping in online gaming. With higher ping its difficult to compete in online gaming.
The best thing about advancements in technology is that routers are becoming better and better and this makes them able to be compatible with and complement network speeds that are faster than ever. This is one reason why, whenever you seek to change your Ethernet connection, it is advisable to get a recent version or updated model because the networks can handle them. This includes but is not restricted to Cat 6a or a Cat 8 cable.
What is the length of the cable?
The next most important question is about the length of the cable or the LAN. This is because it is directly proportional to the quality of the signals that you will get. While it is not constant, it is true that in most cases, the more the length of the cable, the less the quality of the signal. This is why you might experience worse network performance and slower transfer rates as well.
This is why if you want the fastest speeds and performance, you should invest in a cable that is as short as possible and comes with a connector already attached. This can be done by manually measuring the distance between the router and your gaming station. For any Ethernet cable, the optimal length that you should be investing in should not exceed 100 meters.
What is the capacity of the Wireless Access Point?
Next, always consider what your access point is. This is important because you need to make sure you are aware of the limitations and benefits of your wireless access point before you buy a cable. This is where the point about capacity comes in. this will be super important because you need to make sure the device is following the minimum requirements.
Is it compatible with your equipment?
Our final question has to do with compatibility and this is especially important for gamers because most internet cables that they use will be of the same brand as their equipment provider. The most common of all of these is the OEM brand and the reason for their popularity is that these cables are meant to be compatible with almost all gaming consoles. To make sure you get the right cable, simply check what ports and jacks the gaming console you own are good
Now that you have all the information regarding the Best Ethernet Cables for Gaming, It's time to choose the best one according to your own preferences. The list of unbiased reviews is designed to help you pick the right product for your needs. Other than that, we have suggested a top pick that you can choose quickly to save yourself some time with the research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Ethernet cable is best for gaming?
This is a question that will be best answered when you know what your requirements and the limitations of your gaming system are. The most commonly used ones are both Cat5e and Cat6 as these are the popular choices when it comes to gaming over Ethernet connections.
Out of these two, Cat6 cables are the winner but you will be surprised why that is. This advantage doesn’t only have to do with the speed this cable provides, but it is alsobecause Cat6 cables have been engineered to handle interference better than other models.
Is a shorter Ethernet cable faster?
As we have discussed before, yes there is truth to the idea thata shorter Ethernet cable will be faster? However, there are other more important factors to consider such as placement. The cable has to be attached in a way that ensures it is going to your console or PC from the upside.
This is because the bytes work best when gravity is on their side and this allows them to travel faster. However, alternatively, if it is faster upload rates you are looking for, then the cable should ideally come from the downside up.
In terms of the question about length, you shouldn’t be too worried because the actual effect that this has on your transmission speed will be quite minimal. This means that for every 100 feet of cable, you will only get 100 ns of delay, so that’s not a lot.
What is the fastest Ethernet cable?
Of course, the latest category which is Cat 8,is the fastest because it is also the next generation of Ethernet cables. However, since it is not widely available, this means that the previous Cat 7a still its rightful spot as the fastest performing Ethernet cord available right now. The Cat7a along with the Cat 6a and Cat 7 models all can support speeds up to 10,000 Mbps.
Does longer Ethernet cable slow down the internet?
Hypothetically, sure.Practically? Not really. All of the cords on our list are 100 feet or less, and while our longest model may see a little bit of slowdown when compared to a five-foot alternative, it’s largely going to be negligible. Once you start looking at 300-foot cords, you may start to perceive noticeable effects, but you should be perfectly fine in the range of models that we’ve highlighted on our list.
Are expensive Ethernet cables worth it?
Since cheaper Cat6 cables can be bought at lower prices, these are usually the ones uninformed buyers will opt for. This means that you will be getting the cheaper and also less quality cable just because it is affordable. This is a rookie mistake that only inexperienced installers will suggest.
The worst part is that these crooks will even charge you more even though they are installing the much cheaper option just to make a profit. Unsuspecting users will be scammed and in the long run, will be at a disadvantage. You will only catch up to their scheme when you finally try to run your data and network only to realize that the speeds are much slower.
Another reason to stay away from cheaper cables is that these have not been manufactured with the same fire safety codes and this is a health risk. Another issue that arises is that the longer cable runs end up being non-functional. You will end up having to install new cables all over again as there is no other fix. You may even get more damage if the cheaper cables catch on fire.
Ryan is a 27-Years-Old Tech Blogger from California. He is also a Professional Technical Analyst, Specially Gadgets and Computer Stuff. Ryan loves Gaming and is currently working as a full time Blogger.
Trusted Perks is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.