Best Ethernet Cables for gaming in 2024

Do you need the best Ethernet to improve your gaming experience? We list some top options to provide a rock-solid connection.

A solid internet connection is a vital part of any online game, whether that is Fortnite, Call of Duty, or Final Fantasy XIV. Keeping your ping low can make a huge difference in your performance in any online game, and having a good Ethernet cable between your PC and router can mean the difference between life and death.

Though many people rely on Wi-Fi for gaming, Wi-Fi is subject to interference that can make life difficult when you’re trying to play online games. Wi-Fi can be impacted by competing wi-fi signals, or even obstructed by thick walls.

An Ethernet cable eliminated these problems, so here is our guide to the best Ethernet cables to improve your gaming performance.

1. UGREEN RJ45 Cat 8 Braided Ethernet Patch Cable

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Cat 8 (or Category 8) cables can provide speeds of up to 40Gbps, which means your connection is future-proofed for any internet upgrades that may happen down the line. The UGREEN Ethernet cable also has excellent shielding to prevent external interference and a braided external design.

This is a premium cable, though, so expect to pay more for this level of quality.

2. GearIT RJ45 Cat 6 Outdoor Ethernet Cable

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If you want to have a little office in your backyard, or have an epic gaming setup in your garage or shed, you might find you need to run an Ethernet cable outside to connect everything up. The GearIT Cat 6 cable is perfect for this, thanks to its weatherproof design which means your gaming experience won’t be ruined if it rains.
This cable also comes in lengths up to a massive 75 feet so it can stretch to where it is needed but still maintain high-speed performance. You will have to pay extra for this level of durability, however.

3. Cable Creation 90-degree Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

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For many people, space is at a premium. If you live in a small apartment then it makes sense to have your PC or games console in a cabinet or on a shelf to make the most of your space. This does, however, make it tricky to plug in things like your Ethernet cable. An angled Ethernet cable like the Cable Creation 90-degree cable reduces this problem.
This is a fairly basic cable, with no fancy braiding or advanced shielding, but it will still do the job. It is available in lengths of up to 10 feet, which should be enough for most apartment situations.

4. Snowkids Cat 8 Ethernet cable

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If you are in a shared housing situation, or you just live in a big house, someone is always going to be stuck being the one who is furthest away from the router. Thanks to the Snowkids Cat 8 cable, this isn’t a problem, however. The Snowkids Cat 8 is durable enough to be fed under carpets and flooring without suffering damage and can support blazing-fast Cat 8 speed and up to 100 feet in length.

5. Monoprice RJ45 Cat 6 Ethernet Patch Cable

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When it comes to cable management, some users like to use color to ensure that everything is in the right place. The Monoprice Cat 6 Ethernet cable makes this easy since it comes in a huge variety of colors. If you want a cyan or purple cable to match your gaming setup, you can absolutely do that.

The Monoprice RJ45 Cat 6 is a cheaper option than many of the others on this list, and as such lacks premium features like the braided exterior and extra shielding, but it’s perfect for a standard set-up if those features are not needed.

Is Ethernet faster than Wi-Fi?

While it depends on several things, an Ethernet connection will always be faster than a wireless connection. When you connect a LAN cable from the router to your PC, it offers a zero latency connection, and it can only be impacted if the cable gets damaged.

However, for Wi-Fi, certain variables like range, clear line of sight, modem capabilities, and more define the speed that you get on your system.

With an Ethernet cable, you can get up to a 100Gbps speed. But, via wifi, the fastest network you can set up commercially is a mere 2Gbps by comparison.

Are Ethernet connections more secure than Wi-Fi?

Since Ethernet connections offer end-to-end connectivity from the router directly to the PC or laptop, and there are no interruptions, they are way safer. A Wi-Fi connection, on the other hand, is vulnerable to hacking and offers lesser security compared to a cabled connection.

Someone who wants to intercept your wired internet connection must be physically present on your premises, while a Wi-Fi connection can be intercepted remotely.

What Ethernet cables are best for gaming?

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A Cat6 Ethernet connection can offer up to 10Gbps. However, you can only get internet speed up to what your Internet plan allows.

Moreover, Ethernet ports on most devices, including most PCs or gaming consoles, are Gigabit ports allowing a maximum of 1Gbps speed.

However, you should opt for a Cat7 or Cat8 LAN cable over a Cat6 cable if the distance between the router and your gaming setup is more than 100 feet. A Cat6 is ideal if the distance between the two is less than 100 feet. Similarly, a Cat8 cable can reach up to 40 Gbps; they aren’t designed for gaming.

Moreover, most games do not require high-speed internet to download in-game data. However, faster connectivity is only required if you’re into streaming games or content.

What is Cat Certification?

Cat certification denotes the copper cable certification, and the higher certification number means that the cable or connector has passed more stringent tests. Common examples of different classes of Ethernet cables are Cat 5E, Cat 6, Cat 6a, Cat 7, and Cat 8.

What Ethernet cable length should I get?

The ideal length of these cables would depend on the distance between the router and the gaming setup. However, ideally, the distance between these two should be at most 100 meters as it might result in higher latency, slower transmission speeds, and loss of signals.

Is Cat7 good for gaming?

Many people wonder if the Cat7 cable is overkill for gaming. In an ideal scenario, a Cat6 cable should be sufficient for any setup unless the router and the gaming setup are over 100 meters apart. If this is the case, you might need a Cat7 or Cat8 cable.

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