Ethernet cables are a useful component for any gaming setup, as they provide a faster or more stable internet connect than their wireless alternatives. This is especially important for gaming where milliseconds of latency can make all the difference to your experience.
Powerline adapters can also have a massive impact on speed and reliability, so click Best Powerline Adapter For Gaming if you want something that’s great for gaming!
The ideal ethernet cable for gaming is one that is capable of supporting both high speeds and low latency. Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a cables are most commonly used for gaming, but Cat 7s & 8s are now becoming more commonplace on the market.
So, what is the best ethernet for gaming?
Best Options At A Glance
Product Summaries
Rhinocables CAT5e Ethernet Cable
- Brand - Rhinocables
- Dimensions - 18 x 14.1 x 3.4 cm
- Weight - 120 g
- CAT Type - 5e
- Special Feature - Size Variety
At this price point, you almost can’t go wrong with an ethernet cable from Rhinocables.
Buy the Rhinocables CAT5e Ethernet Cable from Amazon for only £6/$7:
DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable
- Brand - DbillionDa
- Dimensions - 23 x 22 x 1.2 cm
- Weight - 59 g
- CAT Type - 8
- Special Feature - Reduced EMI/RFI Inteference
This is impressive due to it’s ability to support bandwidths up to 2000MHz and boost the speed of data transmission up to 40Gbps. As you would expect this makes it a great ethernet cable for gaming.
It’s versatile as well, with length options from 6-35 feet, allowing for use in setups of all sizes.
The quadruple shielded Cat8 Ethernet cable is super efficient in reducing EMI/RFI Interference. Consequently this provides the highest fidelity for long distance data transmission. With upgraded PVC, Cat8 is waterproofed & anti-corrosion and more durable & flexible for heavy duty work. It can be buried directly under the ground as well, as it is suitable for both outdoor and indoor use.
Buy the DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable from Amazon for only £8/$10:
UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
- Brand - UGREEN
- Dimensions - 23.8 x 18.4 x 2cm
- Weight - 240 g
- CAT Type - 8
- Special Feature - Gold-plated Copper Connections
With all of these impressive specifications, it’s no surprise that the SWECENT Cat 8 has received an average of 4.7 stars across over 4700 reviews – it’s one of the best Cat 8 ethernet cables for gaming.
Buy the SWECENT Cat 8 Ethernet Cable from Amazon for £11/$13:
SWECENT Cat 8 Ethernet Cable
- Brand - SWECENT
- Dimensions - 8 x 4 x 1 cm
- Weight - 250 g
- CAT Type - 8
- Special Feature - Fast Data Transmission
The nylon braided cables use a flat design that make them run under a rug or a carpet more easily than a normal cable, which can be a great help. The cables are also super flexible, meaning they can be bent around corners with ease. This is one of the reasons the SWECENT Cat 8 is a great choice for gaming setups – wiring can have a substantial impact on the aesthetic of a setup.
The SWECENT Cat 8 cable has received an impressive average 4.7 stars from just under 700 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the SWECENT Cat 8 Ethernet Cable from Amazon for £17/$20:
GLCON CAT 6 Ethernet Cable
- Brand - GLCON
- Dimensions - 2.54 x 2.54 x 2.54 cm
- Weight - 649 g
- CAT Type - 6
- Special Feature - Corrosion-resistant
The GLCON Cat 6 cables has an again impressive average of 4.7 stars as a result of over 4,400 reviews on Amazon.
Buy the GLCON CAT 6 Ethernet Cable from Amazon for only £18/$22:
FAQs
Using an ethernet cable does matter for gaming. The wired connection created by an ethernet cable is usually faster and lower latency than the wireless connection you get from a standard Wi-Fi router. This is important when gaming because minor differences in ping can completely change the outcome of an interaction, as the person with lower ping can react more quickly in the virtual world.
Even though a wired connection is optimal for gaming, it can be inconvenient to run a direct ethernet cable from your Wi-Fi router to your PC or console of choice. This is where powerline adapters can be a great help, as they allow you to create a wired connection through your home’s electrical circuit. If you want to improve your internet speed but can’t run a wire all the way from your router, take a look at our article on the Best Powerline Adapter For Gaming.
Cat 8 cables offer faster data transfer speeds than Cat 6 cables, but it’s unlikely that you’ll notice this difference while gaming. Ethernet cables are limited by the speed of your router, so as long as your chosen ethernet cable has a high transfer rate than your Wi-Fi, upgrading your cable won’t make a difference to your gaming experience.
There’s loads of great ethernet cables on the market, but the UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable is one of our favourites. Despite it’s affordable price, it is capable of supporting 40 Gbps/2000Mhz data transfer speeds, ensuring that you get the most out of your router. If you’re willing to spend a little bit more, the SWECENT Cat 8 Ethernet Cable is another high-speed option for your gaming setup.
No, using a direct ethernet cable will not slow down other users on your Wi-Fi network. In fact, it may actually improve their connection, as Wi-Fi speeds are often dependant on the number of wireless users currently connected to the router. By swapping out your wireless connection for an ethernet cable, you’re removing one wireless connection to the router, likely improving the connection for the remaining wireless users.
Thanks for reading our article. If you’re unable to run a cable directly from your Wi-Fi router to your PC, check out our article on the Best Powerline Adapter For Gaming.
Feel free to leave a comment below if you have any thoughts or queries that you’d like us to take a look at – we’d be happy to help. Bye for now!
