So, what is the best ethernet cable for gaming? Serious gamers know that stable and faster internet connections are critical for their performance. Besides that, they also know that the type of connection matters. For them, a wired connection is the most appropriate alternative compared to the wireless one.
While Wi-Fi usually offers a wider area of coverage, it’s less reliable and it can’t effectively support heavy gaming. It’s known to notoriously get weaker with heavy use. Wired connection normally offers the best gaming experience due to its high data transfer speeds and reliability.
The 10 best ethernet cables for gaming at a glance:
1. DbillionDa Cat 8 2000Mhz with Gold Plated RJ45 Connector, Gaming Modem Ethernet Cable
This cord is currently rated as the best ethernet cable for gaming. Its premium design and functionality in data transfer makes it ideal for use by heavy gamers who use consoles such as Xbox Series X, PS5, and PS4 Pro. DbillionDa Cat 8 delivers heavy-duty speeds of up to 2000 MHz. additionally, its data transmission speeds can reach up to 40 Gbps.
It should be noted that it features a quadruple-shielded cord that helps to reduce signal interference. As a result, it allows you to play your favorite games at hyper speeds, stream videos in HD, and surf the net among other things.
This Cat 8 cord is known to provide the highest level of fidelity when it comes to data transmission over a long distance. It’s designed with an upgraded PVC material that makes it durable and able to withstand heavy mechanical force.
2. DaCrown Cat 8 Ultra-Fast Cable Weatherproof Rated for Router, Modem, Gaming
Just like its name suggests, this rounded and shielded ethernet cord offers ultra-fast speeds. It’s precision-twisted and can operate at frequencies of up to 2 GHz. this facilitates higher bandwidth and it’s now considered as one of the best options for the latest 25GBase-T and 40GBase-T type of networks.
For efficiency, this Cat 8 Patch cable has a backward compatible design. This means that it can be used with all the previous types of RJ45 cabling and equipment. It’s the perfect ethernet cable that offers versatility in terms of connection and use. This is because you can use it with small and middle-enterprise LANs.
Its durable construction makes it ideal for indoor and outdoor use. Well, this is because it’s designed with the premium UV-resistant type of PVC jacket. As a result, it can easily withstand mechanical forces.
3. MATEIN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable Flat LAN Wire for Xbox PS4 Gaming
Matein’s Cat 7 is one of the fastest ethernet cables thanks to its shorter length. Measuring 50 ft. long with a flat design, this cable gives heavy gamers who use PS5 consoles or Xbox Series. The best snag-less connection thanks to its efficient connector that comes with RJ45 clips.
It’s quite efficient and can effortlessly deliver up to 10,000 Mbps in addition to a 600 MHz bandwidth. So, not only is it ideal for gaming but also multitasking. You can use it for cloud computing, video streaming, and server applications among others.
For durability and elimination of latency, Matein Cat 7 Flat Ethernet Cable is made with a 100% bare copper wire that offers protection. It, therefore, offers less interference and minimal chances of noise.
4. DanYee Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
DanYee Cat 7 ethernet cable is designed to support a high bandwidth of up to 600 MHz. Additionally, it has high data speeds of up to 10 Gbps and it effectively connects to the LAN/WAN network segments. This makes it a good ethernet cable that offers maximum speeds and hence it’s ideal for heavy gamers.
The fact that it comes with RJ45 universal connectors makes it ideal for use with a broad of equipment and network components. Whether it’s a switch box, Wi-Fi router, a gaming console, or a router, this cable will quickly fit.
For efficiency, DanYee Cat 7 LAN Cable comes with a shielded-twisted pair of copper wires. As a result, it offers better protection against noise, interference, and crosstalk.
5. UGREEN CAT 7 Ethernet Cable Compatible for PS5 Gaming, Xbox, PC
UGREEN Cat 7 is a high-speed Ethernet cable that’s compatible with a broad range of gaming consoles as well as Switches, and Smart TVs, etc. Cat 7 is a high-speed Ethernet cable with a data transmission rate of up to 600 MHz and syncing speeds that can reach the highs of 10 Gbps.
It’s designed with universal compatibility. This makes it ideal for use with a wide range of devices. UGREEN cat 7 comes with better shielding. The RJ45 patch cable is made with a 4-shielded twisted pair of copper wires. The additional shielding design offers improved data protection. Besides that, it’s highly effective in reducing interference, noise, and crosstalk that normally degrade the signal quality.
6. Jadaol Cat-7 Shielded Ethernet Cable for Router, Modem, Gaming Hub
Jadaol CAT-7 is an excellent flat cable for gamers. The UL-listed and high-performance Cat 7 cable with an RJ45 Ethernet patch is effective in providing universal connectivity for all your LAN network components. This includes computers, PCs, switch boxes, and network media players among others.
The Cat 7 standard is ideal for providing a premium performance of up to 600 MHz. This makes it ideal for use between 10Base-T to 10gbase-t (up to 10 gigabit Ethernet). For a gamer to experience a high-performance session, this Ethernet cable is made with an STP patch design. Its RJ45 connectors are gold-platted and come with 100% bare copper wire. This helps to deliver seamless internet connectivity with minimal noise and interference.
7. Zosion Cat 8 Gold Plated Ethernet Cable for Gaming
It’s the best Ethernet cable for gaming that offers high-performance. Zosion’s 100 ft. RJ45 Ethernet cable is a premium fit that effectively connects to different network components to computing devices. Its effectiveness for gaming is based on the fact it can transmit data at speeds of up to 40 Gbps.
Its speed and reliability are quite much better than what the basic Cat 7 cables offer. This product is effective in promoting faster and consistent internet connection. It can efficiently support a bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz. So, it’s certainly a game-changer that allows you to easily connect to WAN/LAN network segments.
Whether you are streaming a game in HD or what to migrate your gaming information to the cloud, this is a great product to have in your arsenal of gaming tools.
8. CableGeeker Cat 7 Shielded Ethernet Cable
CableGeeker’s Cat 7 is one of the best ethernet cables for gaming that delivers high speeds. You can use it with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5, and PS4 Pro, etc. It can support up to 600 MHz of data transfer. This makes it effective for use for HD video streaming, gaming, cloud storage, and server applications among others.
It’s designed based on current cabling standards and it meets all the CAT 7 requirements. CableGeeker Cat 7 can handle up to 10 Gbps data speeds and has a high compatibility rate. This means that you can easily use it with other equipment and type of network categories such as Cat 6, Cat 5e, and Cat 5.
As a cable that belongs to the Class F channel, this product does a perfect job in minimizing system noise and cross talk. Its flat and neat design makes it super flexible and as a result, you can easily run it around and beneath desks, carpets, and corners.
9. Vandesail Cat 7 Network Cable
Vandesail Cat 7 ethernet cable is your best gaming companion, especially if you want a LAN cable that promotes multitasking. You can use it with your gaming consoles, streaming video, and surf the net without worrying about the speeds slowing down.
with its two RJ45 connectors, it can effectively support a bandwidth of up to 1000 MHz. besides that, its transmission data can reach up to 10 Gbps. note that it also connects to LAN/WAN segments to ensure that your network has the maximum possible speeds.
The standard RJ45 cable has an additional shielding with a premium type of twisting. So, the wires are shielded against electromagnetic interference as well as noise and crosstalk. As a result, it guarantees users of precise data transfer and reliability.
10. Veetop Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
This cable uses the latest Cat 7 protocol for ethernet cables. As a result, it delivers high data speeds with a bandwidth of up to 750 MHz and 10 Gbps high-speed data transmission. This makes it the best ethernet cable for gaming. It’s ideal for heavy internet use and you can use it for multi-player games, surf the internet, and stream HD videos among others.
Its gold-plated RJ45 connector guarantees users of durability and reliability. The flat cable’s connector is shielded with a twisted pair of STP copper wires. So, it can efficiently provide premium data protection against transmission damping, interference, crosstalk, and noise.
It’s efficient for use in tiny spaces due to its flat and slim design. You simply need to roll it out and fit it next to the wall with clicks, behind desks, under furniture, or carpet.
How to Optimize Ethernet for Gaming
Optimizing your ethernet cable for gaming is essential, especially if you want to get the lowest pings and the lowest packet loss. This is a simple and straightforward process and you can do it using the following steps:
- Click on your start menu and then go to network connections
- Under advanced network settings, click on “change adapter options”.
- Click on your LAN adapter
- Right-click your LAN adapter, go to properties, and the configure
- Go to the advanced tab and disable all the properties that you don’t need, especially Interrupt Moderation, Flow Control, Receive Side Scaling, UDP Checksum Offload (IPv4), and TCP Checksum Offload (IPv4). This helps to reduce the CPU load and facilitates faster data transfers.
- Thereafter, go to the Power Management tab and uncheck “ Allow the computer to turn off the device to save power”. This will allow your adapter to disable and enable itself, leading to better ethernet optimization.
Wireless (Wi-Fi) vs Wired (Ethernet) Connection for Gaming
We are to first look at the wireless connection, there are two main types of connection bands that are normally used, 2.4 GHz bands and 5 GHz bands. 2.4 GHz band is good in providing long-range cover, however its data transmission rate of quite slow.
On the other hand, the 5 GHz band normally has a lesser coverage. But it transmitters data faster. So, it’s ideal for downloading and uploading files faster. So, if you are to choose between the two, then the 5 GHz band is ideal for gaming.
However, a wired connection will always be faster and stable than a wireless connection. 5 GHz has a high latency that causes a significant level of lagging. This may pose a detriment to their players who are involved in the gameplay. Understand that if the level of latency is extremely high, then the client software will request a disconnection.
Wired connection offers the best experience in gaming. It’s known to provide gamers with a responsive as well as a reliable gaming experience. If you are using a Cat 8 cable, then you are theoretically guaranteed speeds reaching the highs of 40 Gbps.
Categories of Ethernet Cables
Looking at our top 10 best ethernet cables for gaming, you will definitely see that we’ve used “CAT” so many times followed by a numerical value. CAT simply means Category and the numerical value is a number that indicates the type of the cable version.
Initially, we had Cat 3 and Cat 5 cables. However, they are outdated and therefore they are no longer in use. You can find an “enhanced” version of Cat 5 known as the Cat5e cable. However, it’s only ideal for basic internet access since its speed can only reach 1 Gbps.
Cat 6 Ethernet: it’s faster than Cat 5e with its speed reaching up to 250 MHz with a sync-up speed of up to 10 Gbps up to a distance of 55 M. most Cat 6 cables found on the market designed with braided or foiled shielding to eliminate crosstalk interference.
- Cat 6 A: It’s an AUGMENTED version of Cat 6. Its bandwidth is higher with speeds of up to 500 MHz and can transmit up to 10 Gbps of data up to a distance of 55 M.
- Cat 7: it has a bandwidth of up to 600 MHz and can perfectly convey data speeds of more than 100 Gbps for a distance of 15M.
- Cat 7 A: It’s a faster and versatile category with skyrocketed speeds that can reach the highs of 1 GHz. It can efficiently transfer up to 100 Gps of data over a distance of 15M.
- Cat 8: It’s considered the most ideal category of ethernet cable for gaming. A Cat 8 cable can easily reach the high speeds of 2 GHz and can effectively move data with speeds of 40 Gbps over a 30M distance.
Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Ethernet Cable for Gaming
Before buying an ethernet cable for gaming, there are several things that you should consider. Understand that there is a wide range of products in the market offered by different brands. It’s therefore important that you consider these factors:
The Type of the Cable
Do you want a shielded twisted pair (STP) or an unshielded twisted pair (UTP) of cable? Well, STP cables are generally great at minimizing electromagnetic interference. As a result, they guarantee users of reliable data transfers due to the minimization of crosstalk zones. This makes them the most ideal for gaming.
UTP is ideal for those who are on a tight budget. It’s a less expensive alternative, however, it lacks the foil wrapping that normally eliminates electromagnetic interference and cross talk.
The Length of the Cable
The length of the cable matters because it affects the transmission signals as well as connectivity purposes. Generally, you need to understand that long cables usually deliver slightly weakened signals or experience more latency.
Currently, cables come with the readily-attachable connectors, this means that it’s ideal for you to purchase cables with the shortest lengths possible. The best alternatives are usually 50 ft. and 100 ft. long. For convenience, ensure that you arrange your gaming hardware as close as possible to the router.
The Cable Category
There is a big difference between the type of cable and the category of cable. A cable-type could be shielded or unshielded. Cable categories are designed to help determine their effectiveness. The best thing about each category is that it can work perfectly in the absence of the other.
For better data transmission efficiency, gamers are usually advised to choose cables that belong to a higher category. This is because the higher the category, the more stable, reliable, and faster the data transmission occurs.
This would mean that category 7 is faster and better than cat 6. Meanwhile, Cat 6 is much better than Cat5e, and so on. Cat 5 is known to offer the lowest cable speeds.
However, due to their high level of efficiency, ethernet cables that belong to the highest category are usually the most expensive. However, they are ideal for use with many devices. If you are into serious gaming, then you should Cat 7, or 8.
Cat5e and 5 are only ideal for use with simple electronics for surfing the net, doing lightweight professional jobs, and streaming content. Cat 7 and 8 provides users with more bandwidth that’s ideal for facilitating gaming. Both Cat 6 and 5 have low bandwidths and this isn’t ideal for heavy gaming.
Round or Flat Design?
Ethernet cables come in two designs, flat or round. They are both common but the most ideal for gaming is the flat cable design. This is because it’s much easier to hide it. You can easily connect or pass it under the carpet or run it over different surfaces and edges as long as you have good clips. Besides that, it’s very convenient to install them.
But even though they don’t normally create a significant mess, these cables don’t have much strength. This means that they can easily break, especially if you are the clumsy type of person. On the other hand, round cables are tougher by design and this means that they can effectively withstand high levels of friction caused by mechanical forces.
Compatibility
So you have decided the type of cable you want. But is it compatible with your gaming equipment? The most important thing you need to check before you make your ethernet cable order is understanding the type of equipment you are using and its network compatibility.
It’s important for all cables in your network to be the same or compatible. That’s why it’s usually advisable to buy the same model of ethernet cable that’s manufactured by the same provider. This way, you will have peace of mind knowing that the cables, as well as their jacks, will be able to function properly.
Durability
You’re definitely not ready to spend your hard-earned cash to buy a cable every now and then. So, you need something that offers value for money. Durability is therefore another factor that you need to consider.
While doing your marketing research, you will notice that the RJ45 connectors are gold-plated. This is an important design in facilitating strength and durability.
The gold-plated material helps to minimize the chances of rusting caused by moisture and water. These are harsh conditions that can easily result in the connector breaking. Understand that sometimes you may be forced to use the cable outdoors and, therefore, you need something that you can rely on.
Budget
This is the last yet still one of the most important things that you need to consider. The type of ethernet cable you choose will definitely depend on what you’re ready to spend. However, if you want the best ethernet cable for gaming, then you must be ready to spend more.
Cat 8 cables are usually the best in terms of deliverability. However, if you can’t afford it, then you can still buy a cat 7 cable. In case you are under a tight budget but you still want a good gaming experience, then you should consider Cat 6.
Ethernet Cable FAQs
Will the type of ethernet cable affect my gaming experience?
Yes. The type of ethernet cable will affect your gaming experience and that’s why they come in different categories. Cat 6 is slower than Cat 7 which is also slower than Cat 8. Generally, the best types of cables are found in Cat 7 and Cat 8. They are faster and offer maximum transfer speeds in Gbps with higher bandwidth.
How will I know if my ethernet cable is damaged?
This is a quite simple process that you can check using your computer. Type “CMD” in the “start” search and then “Run” it. Once the CMD’s operating window is opened, type in the following command – “ping 27.0.0.1” and then press enter.
It should be noted that the result you will obtain will determine if the ethernet cable is working. In case the test results show data packet loss, then your cable is damaged and you need to replace it.
What style of ethernet cable should I consider?
It all depends on your needs. If you want a cable that can fit in tiny spaces and minimize clutter, then a cord with a flat style would be good. However, if you want a cable that can withstand mechanical damage, go for a round design.
Recap: Top 10 ethernet cables that offer the ultimate gaming experience.
- DbillionDa Cat 8 Gaming Modem Ethernet Cable
- DaCrown Cat 8 Ultra-Fast Cable Weatherproof Rated for Router, Modem, Gaming
- MATEIN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable Flat LAN Wire for Xbox PS4 Gaming
- DanYee Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
- UGREEN CAT 7 Ethernet Cable Compatible for PS5 Gaming, Xbox, PC
- Jadaol Cat-7 Shielded Ethernet Cable for Router, Modem, Gaming Hub
- Zosion Cat 8 Gold Plated Ethernet Cable for Gaming
- CableGeeker Cat 7 Shielded Ethernet Cable
- Vandesail Cat 7 Network Cable
- Veetop Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
