Wireless connection is certainly convenient, but if you need something more reliable and faster, then wired cables are the solution for you. The market offers a wide range of different Internet cables, or more commonly known as Ethernet cables, so finding the right one for you can be tricky. That's why we have collated the list to make things easier for you. So - here is what you need to know when buying an ethernet cable.
1. Category
Look out for the category labels of the ethernet cable. The most common ones you are likely to find are Cat5e, Cat6 and Cat7. Higher numbers tend to mean faster speeds, but that doesn’t always mean better. The main difference is that Cat7 are always shielded, which protects them from interference. As a rule, you will only need shielding when your cable is running through an area of high electro-magnetic interference or radio frequency interference. So unless you need shielding, Cat6 is usually ideal for the average joe.
2. Length
Length primarily refers to simply how far you need your cable to reach, but this can have some effect on speed as well. For instance, the Cat7 can only maintain its highest speed within a range of 15m, while the Cat5e has a wider reach of 100m. But again, the average joe is unlikely to need cable with that sort of reach, so there's no need to worry with this aspect.
3. Style
While the standard style of ethernet cable is tubular, you could also find ones that come in a flat design. These may run a higher price, but could prove useful if you need them to run alongside walls, under doors or carpets.
As our previous article has mentioned, affordable cables work perfectly fine, so do not be fooled by the big price tag that promises better quality. Save where you can, for the best bang for your buck!
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