Whether you need more juice for your console gaming or need extensive Ethernet cables for your server's networking, Cat 8 is the best you can get. Upgrading your cables is just as important if you want a more reliable and faster internet connection. Here are the best Cat 8 Ethernet cables available today.

Best Cat 8 Ethernet Cable Overall: Dacrown Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

Our top pick is the highly regarded Dacrown Cat 8 Ethernet Cable. It’s fast, with speeds of up to 40Gbps and a maximum bandwidth support of 2,000MHz. It’s also rather affordable despite the buzz about its excellent performance.

The gold-plated RJ45 connectors ensure corrosion resistance and better conductivity. You can connect to gaming consoles or desktop computers at home or even use them in a server room with little worry.

It’s also a durable and well-protected cable that you can use indoors or outdoors. Featuring a 26AWG pure copper core for optimal conductivity, it incorporates a dual-layer shield composed of woven mesh and aluminum foil for a solid signal. A weatherproof and UV-resistant PVC material protects the cable from the elements.

Best Budget Cat 8 Ethernet Cable: UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

Although well-known for its innovative chargers and USB hubs, UGREEN also extends into the connectivity arena. The UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable features shielded copper wires and a unique braided cotton cord. This design adds to its durability and gives it a bit of style.

There are fewer cable length choices than other Cat 8 cables, but from 1.5 to 65 feet, there are still plenty of options for most homes and offices. Bend tested up to 10,000 times, the UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable will make a great addition to your PC or gaming console, with data transmission speeds of up to 40Gbps.

Best Cat 8 Ethernet Cable for Gaming: Dasook Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

The Dasook Cat 8 Ethernet Cable is a solid choice for low-latency and lag-free gaming. It can achieve speeds up to 4x faster than Cat 6 cables for more responsive gameplay, and the 2000MHz bandwidth delivers pixel-perfect visuals and seamless action.

Inside the cable, the copper wires are shielded with aluminum foil, effectively inhibiting electromagnetic interference. You can easily twist or interlink the cables and fix them to a wall without any issue. Plus, you're getting a great deal here since there are two in a pack.

Best Long Cat 8 Ethernet Cable: Jadaol Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

If you need a long Cat 8 cable, the Jadaol Cat 8 Ethernet Cable is an excellent option. With lengths ranging from 1.5ft all the way up to a long-and-winding 200ft, it’s perfect for warehouse and factory use, outdoor installation, or connecting different floors in the workplace or home. Furthermore, the flat design makes it ideal for running the cable along walls or hiding under carpets.

With data transmission up to 40Gbps and bandwidth of 2000MHz, this Cat 8 cable outperforms previous categories. However, you should remember that beyond 98 feet, signal degradation will likely occur, although it won’t drop below 10Gbps, which is the maximum speed lower category cables offer.

Best Cat 8 Ethernet Cable for Outdoor Use: DbillionDa Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

Should you need a cable suitable for outdoor use, you’ll need one that is weatherproof, UV-resistant, available in long lengths, and you may even need to run it under the ground. The DbillionDa Cat 8 Ethernet Cable ticks all those boxes.

It’s built with extra-thick 26AWG wires for high-performance shielding and offers stable, high-speed data transmission over long distances. However, after 98 feet, these speeds will begin to degrade. It’s ideal for streaming and demanding tasks and resists interference effectively by utilizing multiple shielding layers and twisted-pair wire construction.

FAQ

Q: Is an Ethernet cable faster than Wi-Fi?

Yes, Ethernet is faster than Wi-Fi. Ethernet can handle more traffic and is comparable to a multi-lane freeway, whereas Wi-Fi is more like a single-track road.

Q: What are the different Ethernet cable categories?

There are several different Ethernet cable categories. Choosing the right ethernet cable for your needs can be confusing. You can start by forgetting categories one to five as they are old and inefficient.

The ‘e’ in category 5e stands for enhanced. This category is the most commonly used today due to its low cost. However, category 6 supports higher bandwidths and speeds of up to 10Gbps at up to 180 feet. Then there’s Cat 6a. The ‘a’ stands for augmented, and these cables offer better performance than Cat 6 thanks to support for double the bandwidth (500MHz).

Categories 7 and 7a are high-performing but are rare in everyday use thanks to their proprietary connectors and lack of standardization. The 7a cables offer high theoretical speeds but face limitations in real-world scenarios.

Then, of course, Cat 8 cables offer a bandwidth of up to 2GHz and a maximum data rate of up to 40Gbps.

Q: Is a Cat 8 cable better than a Cat 6 cable?

Cat 8 cables have significantly higher speeds and wider bandwidth. They have a top speed of 40Gbps at up to 98 feet (30 meters) as opposed to 10Gbps for Cat 6 (although they perform similarly after that length) and a maximum frequency of 2,000MHz, which is considerably higher than the 250MHz offered by Cat 6. This makes Cat 8 ideal for future high-performance networking. However, for most home network needs today, Cat 6 performs well enough.

Q: Do I need an Ethernet cable to set up a wireless router?

Yes, you’ll need an Ethernet cable with a wireless router. It will connect to the modem so you can bring the internet signal into your home. You’ll need a second Ethernet cable if you want a wired connection to your computer.

Q: Where does an Ethernet cable plug into?

The Ethernet cable plugs into an Ethernet port. This port is a large, squarish socket that you can find on many devices, such as your PC. Your router will have the same port to connect to your modem.