Here's a comparison of Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 7 Ethernet cables:
Cat 5 (Category 5) Obsolete
- Bandwidth: 100 MHz
- Maximum Speed: Up to 100 Mbps (Fast Ethernet)
- Maximum Length: 100 meters (328 feet)
- Use Case: Suitable for older basic networking and internet connections.
- Shielding: Typically unshielded, which makes it more susceptible to interference.
- Price Range (per 100 feet): $10 - $ 20
Cat 5 (Category 5e)
- Bandwidth: 100 MHz
- Maximum Speed: Up to 1 Gbps (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Maximum Length: 100 meters (328 feet)
- Use Case: Suitable for basic networking and internet connections.
- Shielding: Typically unshielded, which makes it more susceptible to interference.
- Price Range (per 100 feet): $15 - $ 20
Cat 6 (Category 6)
- Bandwidth: 250 MHz
- Maximum Speed: Up to 10 Gbps (up to 55 meters, > 1 Gbps after)
- Maximum Length: 100 meters (328 feet)
- Use Case: Better for faster networks and higher data rates, suitable for gaming and streaming.
- Shielding: Often has improved shielding options (STP or FTP) to reduce interference.
- Price Range (per 100 feet): $20 - $ 40
Cat 7 (Category 7)
- Bandwidth: 600 MHz
- Maximum Speed: Up to 40 Gbps (up to 50 meters, > 10 Gbps after)
- Maximum Length: 100 meters (328 feet)
- Use Case: Designed for high-speed data transfer in data centers and enterprise networks.
- Shielding: Always shielded (S/FTP), providing enhanced protection against interference and crosstalk.
- Price Range (per 100 feet): $40 - $ 70
Summary
- Cat 5 is suitable for older networks, now obsolete.
- Cat 5e, enhanced version of Cat 5, is the most affordable and suitable for basic networking needs.
- Cat 6 offers higher speeds and better performance and is moderately priced.
- Cat 7 is designed for environments that demand maximum data transfer rates and minimal interference(e.g. data center, server room where maximum performance is required), making it the most expensive option.
Summary Table
