Too Many Network Cables? Here's How to Choose the Right One

Typical price i
7.80 to 22.–

Uses electrical signals to transmit data, offering a cost-effective solution for short-distance networking.

Ideal for home and small office setups, copper cables are easy to install and provide reliable connectivity for typical internet usage.

Typical price i
15.– to 61.–

Transmits data using light signals through glass or plastic fibers, allowing high-speed and long-distance communication.

Perfect for data-intensive environments, fiber optic cables deliver superior speed and bandwidth, supporting large networks and secure connections.

Typical price i
8.80 to 22.–

Supports data transfer speeds up to 10 Gbps over distances of up to 100 meters.

Ideal for high-speed network environments, providing reliable performance for most home and office applications.

Typical price i
11.– to 35.–

Offers enhanced shielding and supports data speeds up to 10 Gbps over longer distances than CAT6a.

Best suited for environments with high electromagnetic interference, ensuring stable and secure data transmission.

Typical price i
9.70 to 27.–

Designed for data centers, supporting speeds up to 25 Gbps over short distances.

Perfect for high-performance networks requiring fast data processing and minimal latency.

Typical price i
19.– to 120.–

Provides top-tier performance with speeds up to 40 Gbps over short distances.

Ideal for advanced networking needs, such as large-scale data centers and server farms, requiring maximum throughput.

Typical price i
6.80 to 17.–

Suitable for close-range connections, such as linking nearby devices on a desk or within a small room.

Ideal for home office setups, minimizing cable clutter while maintaining efficient connectivity.

Typical price i
9.90 to 25.–

Designed for medium-distance connections, bridging slightly larger gaps between devices.

Perfect for connecting devices across larger rooms or offices, offering flexibility without compromising signal quality.

Typical price i
17.– to 43.–

Provides long-distance connectivity, useful for spanning significant distances between network points.

Best suited for expansive environments like large offices or between floors, ensuring reliable connections over longer spans.

Typical price i
8.90 to 24.–

Features individual shielding on each twisted pair and an overall braid shield for maximum protection.

Ideal for environments with heavy interference, ensuring reliable data transmission and minimal signal loss.

Typical price i
8.60 to 22.–

Each twisted pair is individually shielded, but lacks an overall cable shield.

Suitable for medium-interference environments, offering a balance between protection and flexibility.

Typical price i
14.– to 44.–

Includes an overall shield but lacks individual pair shielding.

Best used in areas with moderate interference, providing adequate protection at a lower cost.

Typical price i
9.– to 54.–

Combines both foil and braided shielding for comprehensive coverage.

Recommended for high-interference settings, delivering superior protection and stable connectivity.

Uses multiple light paths, allowing for high data rates over short distances.

Best suited for local area networks (LANs) and data centers due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of installation.

Employs a single light path, enabling long-distance data transmission with minimal signal loss.

Ideal for telecommunications and long-haul networks, offering superior bandwidth and reliability over extensive distances.