Ethernet cable for a home network

Hi guys! I would like to know your opinion on choosing an Ethernet cable for a home network in 2025. I currently have CAT5e, but lately I have noticed that at peak times, when all devices are connected to the network, the speed drops, and stability deteriorates. Sometimes even the router overloads when someone in the family connects a new device. I started looking at more modern options, for example, CAT6 and CAT6a. But to be honest, I don’t fully understand whether it is worth overpaying for these cables when I mainly use the Internet for streaming and surfing. I also read that CAT7 and CAT8 are generally overkill for home use. What do you think will be optimal for stable operation in 2025?

Hi! Many people ask the question, How long can and Ethernet Cable be? In fact, the question of choosing a cable for your home is not only a question of speed, but also of how long you want your network to remain “on trend”. Let me start by saying that if you currently have a CAT5e cable and you are experiencing problems, then most likely the problem is its limitations, especially if you are using modern devices that require stable high speed. Although CAT5e supports speeds up to 1 Gbps, with increasing load and connecting several devices at the same time, such cables begin to “puff”. Especially if we are talking about 4K streaming, online gaming or large downloads - then yes, it is worth thinking about replacing. CAT6 and CAT6a are quite a reasonable choice for most home users in 2025. The difference between them is that CAT6 will provide a stable speed of up to 10 Gbps, but at a distance of no more than 55 meters, while CAT6a can maintain this speed at a distance of up to 100 meters and is better protected from external interference. Therefore, if your home is not too big and there are no huge distances between devices, then CAT6 will fully justify its price. It is a great choice for people who want their network to be ready for future technologies, for example, for high-speed Internet or if you plan to use a home server.

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Interesting! I also recently started thinking about replacing the cable in the apartment, since the Internet has been lagging a bit lately when everyone is at home at their computers. I think in 2025 it really is worth switching to something more stable than CAT5e. Especially if you are connecting devices like a TV, console, and PC at the same time. So, most likely, I will switch to CAT6 or CAT6a, as you say. But the main thing, probably, is not to forget about the quality of the cable - I read that even among CAT6 there are some that lose speed due to poor insulation.

Tobias wrote:

Ah, the eternal Ethernet cable debate! It’s like choosing between a reliable old car and a futuristic sports model. CAT5e was great, but with modern demands, it’s like trying to stream 4K on a potato. CAT6 and CAT6a are definitely the way to go if you want a future-proof setup. And speaking of future-proofing, if you ever need high-performance hosting, check out HostNoc for discount dedicated servers—because a slow network is painful, but slow servers are a nightmare!