To connect to the Internet we basically have the option of using an Ethernet cable or Wi-Fi. However, if you are going to connect wired, you must choose the type of cable very carefully and buy a new one in case you have an old one or one that does not work well. In this article we are going to give you some keys if you are going to buy an Ethernet cable soon. In this way you will choose the one that best suits what you need and ensure that speed and stability are optimal.
Tips for buying an Ethernet cable
You should keep in mind that not all Ethernet cables are the same . You will not have the same speed, nor the same quality. It may not even have enough range to be able to connect from a considerable distance to the router. This will make choosing between the different options essential.
If you have a contracted fiber optic rate, it is normal that you have several hundred Mbps available. If you use a cable that is not suitable, you will not be able to reach that speed and you will be limited. You would have a higher rate than what you actually get when you browse from your computer.
To buy an Ethernet cable today you must take into account these factors that we are going to explain.
cable category
A very important point is to choose the category of the Ethernet cable. If you buy a category 5 or lower cable, you will not get more than 100 Mbps speed. On the other hand, from category 5E you will go from 1 Gbps and you can even have 10 Gbps. Currently, a category 6A or 7 is a good idea.
These categories will allow you to reach a synchronization speed of up to 10 Gbps. It may be that right now to browse the Internet with current rates, where the maximum is 1 Gbps, it is not necessary to have that much, but it is certainly an investment that you will appreciate in a short time when higher rates appear.
Therefore, our advice is to purchase a cable of a high category, which allows you to be prepared to reach 10 Gbps.
Material
Of course, another factor to highlight is the material and design of the cable. What interests us is that it is durable. This will depend on where you are going to use it. If you are going to connect it indoors, in a well-protected place and where you are not going to move it, a normal plastic flexible cable may be sufficient.
On the other hand, if it is a cable that you are going to use to connect equipment that is further away or that is even going to be outdoors, it is essential that it be of quality. In this case, it is necessary that it be durable, of quality and that it can work without problems for a long time. It is important that the connectors are of quality.
Length
You should also look at the length of the cable you are going to buy. Are you going to connect a computer right next to the router? In that case you will not care how long it is and you will have no problems. Now, if you are going to connect the computer or any other device further away from the router or access point, you need it to have an adequate length.
This is especially important if you are going to connect equipment that is very far away, tens of meters away. Take a good look at the length of the cable, the category it has (to be able to withstand the distance without problems) and choose the one that best suits what you need.
In short, as you can see there are different types of Ethernet cables that you can buy and currently we recommend that it be at least category 6A or category 7, in addition to taking a good look at the quality and length.
