Whether you play online games casually or you play ranked matches, your PC needs to have the best ethernet cable for gaming to provide you with an uninterrupted experience. If you have ever been outplayed by a player in Call of Duty due to high ping or experienced constant packet loss, your ethernet cable could be the culprit.
When building a gaming PC, most people underestimate the importance of a good ethernet cable, and the ethernet cable that comes out of the box with the router can only achieve a certain level of internet speed. Even if you have 1Gbps internet speed, those default cables may not be able to give you the internet speeds you desire. And, although some of the latest motherboards for PCs even have a Wi-Fi connectivity option, there is always a chance of the network being disconnected abruptly, causing a bad gaming experience. Connecting to the internet via a cable is the best way to experience it. So, why not buy an ethernet cable or upgrade your old one?
A simple task like buying an ethernet cable can sometimes be confusing, and we’re here to make things easy for you. Our team of experts has created this list of the top 11 best ethernet cables for gaming that you should buy right now!
Is Cat 5e, Cat 6/6a, or Cat 8 Ethernet Cable Better?
Firstly, the number at the end indicates the cable version, so Cat 5 is the 5th generation of ethernet cables, Cat 6 is the 6th generation, and so on. These ethernet cables differ in build quality, bandwidth, and data transfer speed. They use the twisted-pair wiring method and serve the same purpose, but the main difference is in their speed.
- Cat 5e cables can handle a bandwidth of up to 100Mhz and data transfer speed of up to 1Gbps over a distance of 100 meters.
- Cat 6 cables can handle a bandwidth of up to 250Mhz and data transfer speed of up to 10Gbps over a distance of 55 meters.
- Cat 6a cables can handle a bandwidth of up to 500Mhz and data transfer speed of up to 10Gbps over a distance of 100 meters.
- Cat 8 cables, the current-gen cables, are designed to reach a bandwidth of up to 2000MHz and 40Gbps data transfer speed over a distance of 100 meters.
Despite the difference in their versions, Cat 5 and Cat 6/6a cables are still widely used and are the preferred choice for most people. This is especially true for home or small office network connectivity, as they offer the necessary speeds. Cat 8 cables have become more popular in recent years with medium to large-sized businesses or individual users who have incredibly high internet connections. Due to these factors, Cat 8 cables are more expensive, too.
11 Best Ethernet Cables for Gaming in 2025
If you use Wi-Fi connectivity for gaming, then you may face inconsistent internet connection speeds. This is why ethernet cables are importable for gaming — they provide stable and low-latency connections. So, here is our list of our favorite ethernet cables for gaming and all other purposes.
Ximeges Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
Kxable Cat 5e Ethernet Cable
CableCreation Long Cat 6a Ethernet Cable
Conable Cat 5e Ethernet Cable
Folishine Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
Amazon Basics Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
UGREEN Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
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Why We Love
100% signal transfer
Available in various lengths
After-sales technical support
RJ45 connectors at both ends
Waterproofed and anti-freezing
Compatible with all devices with RJ45 ports
But…
Connectors may not last long
Modern gaming requires modern solutions, and that’s what you get with the Ximeges Cat 6 ethernet cable. With an impressive transmission speed of up to 1Gpbs, this is one of the best ethernet cables for gaming on PS5, Xbox, and PC. Four pairs of UPT(unshielded twisted pair) wires are built with a combination of bare copper wire and gold-plated contacts to cut back any signal interference, ensuring a dependable and high-speed internet connection. The flat cable design enables a clean and easy installation, keeping the room tidy and clutter-free. The cable is also potent enough to support Cat 7 network speeds, which is a testament to its build quality. So, get gaming!
Why We Love
Short and durable strain-relief boot
Available in various lengths and colors
Compatible with all devices with RJ45 ports
Compatible with routers with older Cat ports
Gold-plated 8P8C RJ45 connectors on both sides
Having internet stutters while playing online games is every gamer’s nightmare, but with the Kxable Cat 5e ethernet cable, you can rest easy that the nightmare will never be true. They are made from high-quality materials to achieve the highest user experience. It has four pairs of 24WAG copper-clad aluminum solid wires with an HDPE insulation jacket and a PVC outer shell jacket to protect it from external harm. Since the wires are separated by PE cross insulation, it eliminates nearly all signal interference, allowing you to enjoy your game at extremely low latency. It offers an excellent speed of up to 1Gbps with 350MHz bandwidth. Now, don’t let someone else have an edge over you.
Why We Love
Fluke-tested
Backward compatibility
Two-point gold-plated contacts
Two-year product replacement warranty
Flexible push tab for easy snapping into the port
But…
Available in only two lengths — 1ft and 20 ft.
Bruce Wayne once asked, “Does it come in black?”. This might not be the tumbler, but this CableCreation Cat 6a ethernet cable does come in black. It can support speeds up to 10Gbps with a 500MHz bandwidth, allowing you to have a buffer-free streaming experience. It has a long-net tail design with an outer cable diameter of just 6mm. With its construction of four pairs of twisted 26AWG pure copper conductor wires, the signal interference is kept at a minimum and it improves stability significantly. The cables are also protected by an aluminum foil shield with an outer PVC jacket. Now, grab some popcorn and stream your favorite movie lag-free!
Why We Love
Snagless cable boot
Available in various lengths
24K Gold-plated RJ45 connector
Compatible with POE surveillance cameras
Backward compatible with previous versions of RJ45 ports
Resistant to high-temperature, moisture, and cold environments
Do you need a cable that can sustain the harsh weather outside? This Conable Cat 5e Ethernet Cable is just what you need. The heavy-duty, high-speed ethernet cable has an LLDPE weather-resistant outer jacket covered over a PVC jacket, a material known to survive all season types. It operates at a maximum bandwidth of 350MHz with 1Gbps data transfer speed. If you have a device with an RJ45 port, then this cable is a perfect fit. It is made from four pairs of separate 24AWG copper-clad aluminum and is shielded with HDPE insulation. It comes with 25 cable ties, making it easy to have a clutter-free installation look. Lastly, it has a great build and comes with the tools necessary to install it. What more could you ask for?
Why We Love
Fluke-tested
PVC outer jacket
Oxygen-free pure copper core
Compatible with all devices with RJ45 ports
Reduces noises, crosstalks, and interference
24K gold-plated RJ45 connector on both ends
But…
Flimsy retainer clips
If your old ethernet cable keeps getting tangled no matter what you do, then you must buy this flat-design Cat 6 ethernet cable from Folishine. Its unique design lets you manage the wiring by allowing you to tuck it under the carpet or run it across the wall without sticking out too much. It can also be bent and wrapped along the corner of the walls or tables without damaging the cable. The white color of the cable also helps camouflage itself against the white wall, offering a clean and tidy look. The wire on the inside is a four-pair UTP (unshielded twisted pair) copper wire covered in an HDPE insulation jacket, which adds more credibility to its high-speed connection. As it can provide up to 250MHz bandwidth and up to 1Gbps internet speed, you’ll never have the opportunity to complain about a slow internet connection.
Why We Love
Snagless plug design
Available in various lengths
6mm outer diameter with PVC shell
Compatible with all devices with RJ45 ports
Gold-plated RJ45 connectors on both sides
Amazon, by making its own ethernet cable, has not only made it affordable but also offers the same high-speed internet connection that you would expect from a more expensive product. Just because you’re paying less does not mean you compromise on the quality, right? It is made from four pairs of UTP with 24AWG conductor gauges for nearly loss-less signal transmissions. It provides up to 600MHz bandwidth and a data transmission speed of up to 10Gbps. So, if you are looking for the best ethernet cable for gaming and streaming at an affordable price, this is definitely one of our highly recommended cables.
Why We Love
100% pure copper wire
Available in various lengths
10x faster than Cat 6 cables
Reduces interference, noise, and crosstalk
Compatible with all devices with RJ45 ports
Backward compatible with previous versions of RJ45 ports
While gaming, there is no higher satisfaction than landing all your shots on your enemy team. With this Cat 7 ethernet cable from UGREEN, you can experience that every single time. This flat-cable design is built with superior-quality materials to ensure you get a lag-free gaming experience while it is discreetly tucked under a carpet or glued to the wall. It has a data transfer speed of up to 10Gbps and 600MHz bandwidth, allowing you to utilize your internet speed to its maximum capacity. It has four shielded twisted pair copper wires covered by aluminum foils and a PVC outer protection, helping it last years to come.
Why We Love
Fluke-tested
100% bare pure copper
Available in various lengths
Supports Cat 7 network speeds
Compatible with all devices with RJ45 ports
Snagless design for easy plugging and unplugging
But…
Low-durable connectors
If you have an important soccer match that you want to stream on your TV or just play lag-free games with your friends, Jadaol’s Cat 6 ethernet cable is the way to go. It boasts an impressive bandwidth of up to 250MHz and a data transfer rate of 10Gbps, giving you buffer-free streaming and low-latency gaming. It is made from four unshielded twisted pairs and 30AWG wires with an HDPE-insulated jacket around it. It also comes with 20 cable clips for organizing the cable during installations. So, be it your gaming consoles, PC, or any other compatible electrical hardware, connect away!
Why We Love
Fluke-tested
Sustains 10000+ bends
Available in various lengths
Gold-plated RJ45 connector
Compatible with devices with RJ45 ports
UV-resistant, anti-corrosive, water- and weather-proof
But…
Available in only one color
The Smolink Cat 6a ethernet cable is the one-stop solution for all your ethernet cable needs. It offers an ultra-fast connection with up to 600MHz bandwidth and 1Gbps transmission, 5x faster than Cat 5 cables. Banking on its flat-cable design, you can conveniently hide it under the carpet so no one can trip. It can even be bent around the edges of walls and tables without compromising its connectivity speed. This cable is made from four 100% 30AWG pure shielded twisted pairs (S/FTP) copper wires to provide a stable, efficient, and faster internet connection. Owing to all these features, it offers low latency and low packet loss during online gaming.
Why We Love
Fluke-tested
Flexible and durable
Gold-plated connectors
Oxygen-free copper conductors
Reinforced tail with wire protection
It can be bent for at least 10000 times
If you are a Twitch streamer, you need high-speed internet connectivity to stream and play games in HD simultaneously. For that, we highly recommend this UGREEN Cat 8 ethernet cable. It is built with the highest quality material for a seamless experience for you and your viewers. It offers an extremely fast and stable connection owing to its four shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP) and aluminum foil shielding, reducing nearly all interference. It can achieve a bandwidth of 2000MHz and a data transfer rate of 40Gbps. The outer shell is made from high-quality cotton braids, making it solid and durable. We love this cable, and so do 30000+ people on Amazon. It’s easily one of the best ethernet cables for streaming that we’ve come across.
Why We Love
100% oxygen-free copper inside
UV-resistant and PVC jacket for protection
26AWG cable build for faster data transferring
Suitable for both outdoor and indoor installation
Can be connected to AI products like Alex and Siri
Weatherproof, waterproof, anti-aging, and anti-corrosion
But…
Available in only one color
Be it an office or your personal workstation, you need a high-speed internet connection to do any work efficiently. This Yuaice Cat 8 ethernet cable is a professional-grade LAN cable that can cater to all your network needs. It has a gold-plated RJ45 connector, making it compatible with any electronic device that has a RJ45 port. It has a unique flat design that is very easy to install and manage, providing a clean and untangled workspace. It supports a bandwidth of up to 2000MHz and a data transmission speed of up to 40Gbps. It is constructed with four pairs of 100% 26WAG pure and thick shielded twisted pair (STP) of copper wires, offering a stable and high-speed connection. So, say goodbye to your old ethernet cables and say hello to Yuaice!
Which Is the Best Ethernet Cable for Overall Use?
Choosing a suitable ethernet cable type is dependent on your network requirements. If you want a high-speed connection at your home for gaming, streaming, or surveillance cameras, Cat 6 or Cat 6a cables are sufficient. They are affordable and have excellent outer shells to protect the cables from environmental damage during extreme weather conditions.
If you are looking to future-proof your network cable with industry-grade network solutions, you can opt for Cat 8 cables. They are the most recent generation of cable types, so you would not required to upgrade them for years. They are much faster, sturdier, and more durable than Cat 6, 6a, and 7 cables. The downside is that they are expensive.
How We Chose the Best Ethernet Cable for Gaming
We have a talented team of experts who are experts in gaming hardware and technology. They have reviewed over a dozen products and finalized the above ones after considering all their features and what the gamers would like. While testing, some of the factors the team gave priority over were the cable type, throughput speed, price, and durability of the product. The team also researched about other people’s experiences with these cables. So, when you’re buying an ethernet cable from this list, you’re picking from the best ones.
FAQ
Is Cat 6 or Cat 8 better for gaming?
If you can spend a few extra dollars, we recommend using Cat 8 ethernet cable for gaming and future-proofing your network. If not, Cat 6 cables provide sufficient speeds for gaming.
Is Cat 5 or Cat 6 better for gaming?
Between the two, Cat 6 is better as it is a more recent version with higher bandwidth and data transfer speeds.
Is Cat 8 overkill?
Cat 8 cables could be overkill if you don’t have the internet speed to fully use them since they are more expensive than previous versions. But they are also an excellent investment to future-proof your network requirements.
Which ethernet cable is the fastest?
Cat 8 cables provide the fastest internet connection compared to its previous versions.
Is Cat 7 overkill?
Cat7 is an excellent cable for daily usage, streaming videos, and low-latency gaming.
How fast is Cat 5 vs Cat 8?
Cat 5 provides a maximum bandwidth of 250MHz and 1Gbps of data transfer speed, whereas Cat 8 cables provide up to 2000MHz and 40Gbps of data transfer speed.
Is Cat 7 better than Cat 6 for gaming?
Between the two, Cat7 is better since it provides better bandwidth and data transfer speeds.
Is 2.5Gbps ethernet good for gaming?
2.5Gbps is excellent for gaming; you can even stream live in 4K.
Is Cat 6 or Cat 6a better for gaming?
Cat 6a cables offer almost double the speed of Cat 6 cables, so they naturally become the better choice.
Is Cat 8 overkill for PS5?
Like mentioned earlier, Cat 8 could be an overkill if you don’t have internet speeds to utilize it’s potential. Nonetheless, it works great with PS5 consoles.
Does Cat 8 really make a difference?
Yes, Cat 8 cables provide high-speed connections and help reduce 99% of the network issues.
Does a Cat 8 ethernet cable lower ping?
Cat 8 ethernet cables help lower pings, but it ultimately depends on the quality of connection from your internet service provider. If there are issues with your ISP, latency will take a hit no matter what type of cable you use.