Cat6 Cables
Cat6 is the sensible default for a new network. It carries gigabit comfortably over a full run and handles 10 Gigabit over short distances, which covers everything a home or a small office is likely to need for years.
Most of these are U/UTP — unshielded, flexible, easy to route behind furniture — with shielded S/FTP versions for runs beside mains cable, in trunking, or through a comms cabinet where interference is a real risk. Lengths start at 0.5m for patching inside a rack and run through the common 1m, 2m, 3m and 5m desk lengths up to 10m. Colours include grey, black, blue and white, which is worth using properly: colour-coding a rack by purpose saves an hour the next time something needs tracing.
Brands are StarTech, Cables Direct, Target and Lindy.
For 10 Gigabit runs or PoE++ devices step up to Cat6a cable; the whole range is in Ethernet cables.
Cat6 Cables Buying Guide and FAQ
This Cat6 Cables range covers network cables. Below are the common questions.
Which network cable do I need, CAT6?
Cat6 and Cat6a give more headroom for fast and longer runs. For most home networks, Cat6 is a safe pick.
What length of cable should I buy?
Measure the run and add a little slack so the cable reaches comfortably without strain. Shorter cables keep things tidy, while longer runs suit connecting rooms or reaching a router across the house.
Will a wired connection be faster than Wi-Fi?
A wired network connection is usually faster and far more stable than Wi-Fi, with lower latency, which is ideal for gaming, large downloads and video calls. Where you can, wire your main devices for the best results.