Considering network cabling, users always have a range of options. Furthermore, people want a cable with a low price and great performance. This page covers three copper cable choices: cat5 vs cat5e vs cat6. After reading this, you will learn a lot more about these wire specs and have a better idea of what you want to use in your network. Cat5, Cat5e, and Cat6 cables are used to connect devices via Ethernet. “Cat” stands for “Category” in this case. At the moment, Cat6 is the most modern Ethernet cable available. However, each of these basic cables can work with earlier Ethernet cabling technology.
Cat5 vs Cat5e vs Cat6 Cables
Overview
Most companies need Ethernet connections with a high bandwidth speed, given the growing demand for capacity in our digital era.
For all these reasons, we recommend utilizing Cat6 cables instead of Cat5 cables, as they delay less and cost less.
Cat 5e, 5
Category 5 enhanced cable has the same specs as standard CAT 5 cable but can send data at speeds up to 1000Mbps (1Gb/s).
It works with Gigabit Ethernet and is less likely to experience near-end cross talk (Next), which is interference between two pairs in a cable measured at the same end of the cable as the emitter causing the interference. Usually, crossed or crushed wire pairs cause future issues.
- Current technology (enhanced)
- Less sensitive to EMI, electromagnetic interference
- Reduced Next, near-end cross-talk
- Data transfer up to 1000 Mbit/s (1Gb/s)
- Rated for 1000-BaseT
- It comes in solid or stranded
Category 6 Cable
Category 6 cable, or CAT6, is a more advanced version of the cables mentioned above; it works better than the previous ones.
A longitudinal separator keeps each of the four sets of copper wires that make up CAT6 from touching each other. The separator reduces crosstalk, speeds up data flow, and gives Cat5 twice its bandwidth.
CAT6 can work up to 250Mhz (250 million cycles per second) and supports Gigabit Ethernet. Compatible because the CAT6 can support existing CAT5 and CAT5e cabling. CAT 5 is rated for 1000BASE-T.
- Advanced current technology
- Less sensitive to EMI, electromagnetic interference
- Reduced Next, near-end cross-talk
- Data transfer up to 1000 Mbit/s (1Gb/s)
- Supports Gigabit Ethernet
- It comes in solid or stranded
Cat5 vs Cat5e vs Cat6 Cables
The main difference between Cat5e and Cat6 cables is how well they transmit data, which affects the wire’s total bandwidth and how far it can transmit data.
Cat5 (Category 5)
- Bandwidth: 100 Mbps
- Transmission distance: 100 meters
- Purpose: Primarily used for older Ethernet networks
Cat5e (Category 5 Enhanced)
- Bandwidth: 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Transmission distance: 100 meters
- Purpose: More commonly used today due to its ability to support Gigabit Ethernet
Cat6 (Category 6)
- Bandwidth: 1000 Mbps (Gigabit Ethernet)
- Transmission distance: 100 meters
- Purpose: Designed for high-performance networks, often used in data centers and commercial settings.
Major Differences Between Cat5 vs Cat5e vs Cat6
- Bandwidth: Comparatively to Cat5 (100 Mbps), Cat5e and Cat6 have better bandwidth (1000 Mbps).
- Blocking: Cat6 usually has better blocking to lower noise and interference so that it can be used in places with a lot of electromagnetic interference.
- Future-proofing: Cat6 is more future-proof than Cat5e because it can handle higher data rates, which could work with new network standards in the future.
In other words, a Cat5e cable can only support the 1000BASE-T/TX standard, while a Cat6 cable can support the much faster 10GBASE-T standard.
Simply because the cable’s physical technology is so much more advanced, Cat6 is really 10 times faster than Cat5e.
Remember, too, that a Cat6 network is completely in line with Cat5e devices.
Will Cat6 Cables Replace Cat5e?
Analysts at Cabling Solutions already think that Cat6 will completely replace Cat5e when new cables are put in.
The Cat6 standard is already used in 90% of all fresh cable installations.
Cat6 is fully compatible with Cat5e and even Cat3 standards, so these new cords will not reduce compatibility.
To wrap Up
However, the comparison of Cat5 vs. Cat5e vs. Cat6 is mentioned above, and here are some key points you should need to consider. Cat5 is an older standard. Home and small business networks most often use Cat5e. For high-performance networks meant for coming years, Cat6 is the best option.











