Top 5 Cat 8 Ethernet Cables: Speed & Performance Review

Is your internet connection as fast as a race car, or is it crawling like a snail stuck in peanut butter? In today’s world, we need lightning-fast internet for gaming, streaming, and working from home. Older Ethernet cables just cannot keep up with the demands of modern technology. That is where Cat 8 cables come in, promising incredible speeds.

But choosing the right Cat 8 cable can feel like decoding a secret message. You see terms like shielding, connectors, and bandwidth everywhere. Which one do you really need? Picking the wrong cable means you waste money and still end up with a slow connection. It is frustrating when you pay for speed but do not get it!

This post cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what Cat 8 cables offer and explain what all those technical words mean in plain English. By the end, you will know exactly which Cat 8 cable fits your needs perfectly. Ready to unlock your network’s true potential? Let us dive into the world of Cat 8 Ethernet!

Top Cat 8 Ethernet Cable Recommendations

SaleBestseller No. 1

UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 6FT, High Speed Braided 40Gbps 2000Mhz Network Cord Cat8 RJ45 Shielded Indoor Heavy Duty LAN Cables Compatible for Gaming PC PS5 Xbox Modem Router 6FT

40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 Ethernet cable support max.40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
Excellent Anti-interference: The Ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5

Bestseller No. 2

Vabogu Cat 8 Ethernet Cable, Heavy Duty High Speed Internet Network Cable, Multiple Size Options, 26AWG, 2000MHz 40Gbps with Gold Plated RJ45 Connectors, Shielded for Indoor & Outdoor Use, 10FT

【Ultra Internet speed】Cat 8 ethernet cable support bandwidth up to 2000MHz and boosts the speed of data transmission up to 40Gbps,26AWG Cables suitable Indoor/Outdoor at hyper speed without worrying about cable mess, Cat8 can reduce any signal interference to the full extent. Allow you to stream HD videos, music, surf the net, play games at Hyper Speed
【RJ45 Connectors & Wide Compatibility】With two shielded RJ45 connectors at both ends, the Cat8 Ethernet cable works perfectly Compatible with all the previous(cat5, cat5e, cat6, cat6a and cat7), And with IP Cam, routers, Nintendo switch, ADSL, Adapters, Modem, PS3, PS4, X-box, Patch panel, Servers, Networking Printers, Netgear, NAS, VoIP phones, laptop, Coupler, Hubs, Keystone jack, Smart TV, Imac and other device with RJ45 connectors
【Durable & Weatherproof & UV Resistant】Cat8 lan cable is uses 100% oxygen-free copper inside, 4 Pairs 100% 26WAG pure & thick shielded twisted pair (STP) of copper wires, Aluminium foil shield, Woven mesh shield, Shielded with high quality UV-resistant PVC jacket, the outdoor rated Cat8 Ethernet cable is anti-aging, It can withstand direct sunlight and extreme cold & humid & hot weather yet still working efficiently. Can be buried directly . Suitable for both outdoor and indoor use
【26AWG & Superior Performance】Comparing with other 32AWG Ethernet cable, 26AWG Cat8 is thicker, a lot faster and stable in data transferring, which is perfectly suitable for AI smart products, like Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Home, It is suitable for small or middle enterprise LANs, especially for data center switch-to-server interconnections.With sturdy high speed network cable, you will not experience a lag or stop on transferring data
【Customer Care 24-7】You can contact us: we're here for you and we will reply as soon as possible. We believe in our clients' satisfaction and we always do our best to help

SaleBestseller No. 3

DbillionDa Cat8 Ethernet Cable, Outdoor&Indoor, 6FT Heavy Duty High Speed 26AWG, 2000Mhz with Gold Plated RJ45 Connector, Weatherproof F/FTP UV Resistant for Router, Modem, PC, Gaming

Heavy Duty & Direct Burial: Double shielded Cat8 Ethernet cable reduces EMI/RFI interference; provides high fidelity for long distance data transmission; waterproof, anti-corrosion, durable, and flexible with upgraded PVC; suitable for outdoor and indoor use; can be buried directly
26AWG & Superior Performance: Thicker 26AWG Cat8 Ethernet cable offers faster and more stable data transfer compared to 32AWG; ideal for AI smart products like Amazon Alexa, Apple Siri, Google Home, and cloud data servers; supports high speed and high-performance networks
F/FTP & Hyper Speed: Cat8 Ethernet cable made of 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs and single strand OFC wires (26AWG); supports bandwidth up to 2000 MHz and data transmission speeds up to 40 Gbps; reduces signal interference; ideal for streaming HD videos, gaming, and internet surfing at hyper speed
RJ45 Connectors & Wide Compatibility: Cat8 Ethernet cable with two shielded RJ45 connectors; compatible with networking switches, IP cameras, routers, Nintendo Switch, modems, PS3, PS4, Xbox, patch panels, servers, smart TVs, and more; works with Cat7, Cat6, Cat5e, and Cat5 devices
Weatherproof & UV Resistant: Outdoor-rated Cat8 Ethernet cable with UV-resistant PVC jacket; withstands direct sunlight, extreme cold, humidity, and hot weather; anti-aging and durable; includes 18 months support with lifetime customer service

SaleBestseller No. 4

Jadaol Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 25 ft, 40Gbps 2000MHz Flat RJ45 S/FTP LAN Patch Cable, High-Speed Cat8 Network Cable for Router, Modem, Switch, Gaming Consoles, PC, Home Network & Streaming Devices, White

⚡【Up to 40Gbps 2000MHz High Speed】Jadaol Hyper Speed Cat 8 / Cat 7 Ethernet cable supports bandwidth up to 2000MHz and boosts the speed of data transmission up to 40Gbps, making it four times faster than Cat 6. And provide more stable signal. No need to worry about network speed or lagging when working, gaming, and surfing the Internet.
⚡【Wide Application and Compatibility】High performance Cat8 / Cat7 patch cable is also compatible with Cat 5, Cat 5e, Cat 6, and Cat 6a. It is perfect for networking switch, router, ADSL, adapter, modem, PS3/PS4/PS5, X-Box, patch panel, server, networking printer, NETGEAR, TP-Link, NAS, VoIP phones, laptop, coupler, hubs, keystone jack, smart tv, i-Mac, and any other devices with the RJ45 connectors.
⚡【Weatherproof & UV Resistant】Jadaol in wall network cables are made of 4 shielded Foiled Twisted Pair of copper wires and UV-resistant PVC jacket with a 50 micron gold plated contact pins RJ45 connector on each end makes it more durable, flexible, waterproof, anti-corrosion, anti-aging, anti-UV, toughness for both outdoor & indoor use.
⚡【Easy Installation and Maintenance】The unique flat cable shape and waterproof feature allows you install and maintain Jadaol gaming ethernet cable easily. It can run along the walls and follow edges and corners easily and seamlessly and make it invisible while wiring the cable around your home, helping you avoid messy wiring and keep the neat appearance of your room and home.
⚡【Customer Service】We offer 7X24hours intimate customer service. Any questions please feel free to contact us. We're here for you and we will reply as soon as possible. We care about our clients' satisfaction and we always do our best to help.

Bestseller No. 5

UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 10FT, High Speed Braided 40Gbps 2000Mhz Network Cord Cat8 RJ45 Shielded Indoor Heavy Duty LAN Cables Compatible for Gaming PC PS5 Xbox Modem Router 10FT

40 Gbps 2000 Mhz High Speed: The Cat 8 Ethernet cable support max.40 Gbps data transfer and 2000 MHz Brandwith, ideal for gaming and streaming, greatly improving upload and download speed, sound, image and resolution quality
Excellent Anti-interference: The Ethernet cable comes with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (F/FTP), pure copper core and gold-plated RJ45 connector, reducing interference, noise and crosstalk, making network speed faster and more stable
Marvelous Durability: Internet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use
PoE Supported: All lengths of ethernet cord can support the PoE power supply function except 65ft. You don't need additional power supply when installing a PoE camera, which is very convenient and safe
Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, network cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, X-Box and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5

SaleBestseller No. 6

Orbram Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 50 ft, Nylon Braided High Speed Heavy Duty Network LAN Patch Cord, 40Gbps 2000Mhz SFTP RJ45 Flat Internet Cable Shielded in Wall, Indoor&Outdoor for Modem/Router/Gaming/PC

🔌【Higher Speed】Cat 8 Shielded Ethernet Cable provides performance of up to 40000 Mbps (or to 40 Gigabit per second); High bandwidth of up to 2000 MHz, high-speed data transfer for server applications, cloud storage, online HD video streaming, and gaming without any lag or stop. With Orbram Cat8 ultra-fast patch cord, you won't worry about waste time for waiting.
🔌【Anti-Interference Design】Orbram professional network cables are made of 4 shielded foiled twisted pair(S/FTP) copper wires with 24K gold-plated RJ45 connectors on each end. Compared to the Cat 7 network Ethernet cable, the additional shielding and improved quality in twisting of the wires provides better protection from crosstalk, noise, and interference that can degrade the signal quality. This will increase the reliability and accuracy of the data transfer.
🔌【More Convenient】Cat 8 rj45 cables are in flat design to avoid tangled cords and save space. Flat Lan cable is super flexible to make it easier to hide or run along any surface. You can easily and immediately install the cable run along walls, follow edges or corners when you receive the durable gigabit ethernet cable.
🔌【More Applications】 50ft flat Cat 8 Computer Cables are widely compatible with Cat5, Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6A Ethernet cables. Provides universal connectivity for Televisions, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Switches, Routers Modems, PS3, PS4, Computer, Laptop, Printers, Network Printers, Network Attached Storage Device and other networking equipment.
🔌【Incredible Durable】 Double braided nylon exterior make Cat8 Ethernet Cable more durable, flexible and tangle-free. And this sturdy cat 8 patch cord can be bended at least 10 thousands times, so that you can reuse it without any concerns.

SaleBestseller No. 7

UGREEN Cat 8 Ethernet Cable 3FT, Flat High Speed 40Gbps 2000Mhz Internet Cable 26AWG Braided Network Cord RJ45 Shielded Indoor LAN Cables Compatible for Gaming PC PS5 Xbox Modem Router 3FT

40Gbps 2000Mhz High Speed: UGREEN Cat 8 ethernet cable supports bandwidth up to 2000MHz and 40Gbps data transmission speed, ensuring stable network speed for you to online gaming, surf the Internet, online HD video streaming, upload, download, and more.
Flexible Flat Design: UGREEN Cat 8 Flat Ethernet cable adopts a unique flat and thin design, which allows for a cleaner and safer installation. Whether you want to install it under the door, through the window, or hidden under the carpet, it can be done very easily. It's very suitable for indoor wiring.
Wide Compatibility: With the RJ45 Connector, Cat 8 High speed Ethernet cable can be perfectly compatible with computers, laptops, modems, routers, PS5, PS4, PS3, X-Box 360, X-Box One, Switch, networking switches, ADSL, network adapters, hubs, and other networking devices. It can also be fully backward compatible with Cat7, Cat6e, Cat6, Cat5e, Cat5.
Excellent Anti-interference: UGREEN Gigabit Cat 8 ethernet cable are designed with 4 shielded foiled twisted pairs (U/FTP), 26AWG pure copper core and gold-plated connectors. This design can greatly reduce interference and crosstalk from adjacent pairs and other cables, making network speed faster and more stable.
Durable Braided Design: UGREEN Cat 8 Flat Ethernet cable wrapped with quality cotton braided cord, which makes the LAN cable stronger and more durable. The test proves that this internet cable can be bent at least 10000 times without broken, very suitable for long-term use.

Bestseller No. 8

Smolink Ethernet Cable 50 ft, Cat 8 Ethernet Cable with 40Gbps 2000Mhz High Speed Ethernet Cable, Shielded Heavy Duty SFTP RJ45 LAN Cable Patch Cord for Modem Router Gaming PC PS4/5/6 Xbox, Black

HIGH SPEED ETHERNET CABLE: Lightning fast transmission of up to 40 Gbps, 4x faster than Cat 7 ethernet cable, bandwidth of up to 2000MHz. Smolink internet cable is available for you to stream HD videos, music, surf the net, play games and complete office work at hyper speed
MORE CONVENIENT: Cat 8 gigabit ethernet cables are in flat design to avoid tangled cords and save space. Flat lan cable is super flexible to make it easier to hide or run along any surface. You can easily and immediately install the cable run along walls, follow edges or corners when you receive the rj45 cable
SUPERIOR STABILITY: Cat 8 ethernet cord is made of 4 Pairs 100% 30WAG pure and thick shielded twisted pair (S/FTP) of copper wires, effectively reduce EMI/RFI interference and optimize signal quality. With 24K gold-plated RJ45 connector to ensure corrosion resistance and long-term performance (without noise or signal loss)
INCREDIBLE DURABILITY: Double braided nylon exterior make cat8 internet cable more durable, dirty-proof and tangle-free. The test proves that this sturdy ethernet cord can be bent at least 15000 times and supports over 55lb pull without broken, very suitable for long-term use for outdoor and indoor
UNIVERSAL COMPATIBILITY: Our long ethernet cable is equipped with RJ45 connectors ensure universal connectivity. Ideal for 10/100/1000/10G/40G BASE-T Ethernet and connecting networked devices such as computers, printers, routers,smart TV, media player and so on

The Ultimate Buying Guide: Choosing Your Cat 8 Ethernet Cable

Are you looking to supercharge your home or office network? Cat 8 Ethernet cables are the newest and fastest standard available. They promise incredible speeds for demanding tasks like 8K video streaming, virtual reality (VR), and massive data transfers. This guide will help you pick the best cable for your needs.

Key Features to Look For

When shopping for a Cat 8 cable, certain features guarantee top performance. Don’t settle for less if you want the speed you paid for.

Bandwidth and Speed: Look for cables rated for 2000 MHz (or 2 GHz) bandwidth. This supports speeds up to 40 Gbps over shorter distances (up to 30 meters).
Maximum Distance: Cat 8 is specifically designed for short runs, usually up to 100 feet (about 30 meters). For longer distances, slower standards like Cat 6A might be a better, more flexible choice.
Shielding (Crucial!): Cat 8 cables must be shielded to handle high frequencies without interference. Check for S/FTP or F/FTP ratings.
Connector Type: Most Cat 8 cables use standard RJ45 connectors, ensuring they plug into modern routers, PCs, and gaming consoles.

Factors That Improve or Reduce Cable Quality

The construction of the cable directly affects how well it performs. Better materials mean a longer-lasting, faster connection.

Improving Quality (What to Demand)

Pure Copper Conductors: Always choose cables made with 100% pure copper (often called CCA-free). CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum) is cheaper but causes signal loss and breaks easily. Pure copper transmits data perfectly.
Robust Shielding: High-quality cables feature individual shielding around each twisted pair, plus an overall foil shield (S/FTP). This stops external noise from corrupting your signal.
Durable Jacket: Look for jackets made of PVC (for indoor use) or LSZH (Low Smoke Zero Halogen, better for enclosed spaces).

Reducing Quality (What to Avoid)

CCA Wires: These wires are the number one cause of poor performance in cheap cables.
Unshielded Cables (UTP): Cat 8 requires shielding. An unshielded Cat 8 cable will not meet its performance promises, especially near power lines or other electronics.
Flimsy Connectors: Check the strain relief boots (the plastic part where the cable meets the plug). Stronger boots prevent bending and breaking.

Important Materials and Construction

The internal wires are the heart of the cable. They are organized in pairs that are twisted together. This twisting helps cancel out electromagnetic interference (EMI).

In Cat 8, the twisting is tighter, and the shielding is much better than in older cables. This robust design is necessary to handle the massive 40 Gbps data rate.

User Experience and Ideal Use Cases

Cat 8 is powerful, but it is not always necessary. You only need this cable if your devices and network equipment can actually handle 25 Gbps or 40 Gbps speeds.

When You Absolutely Need Cat 8:

Data Center Connections: Connecting servers or switches in a local, short-distance environment where massive data movement happens constantly.
High-End Workstations: Professionals editing massive 8K video files or running complex simulations benefit from zero latency.
Future-Proofing Short Runs: If you are wiring a new office and want the absolute best connection between a desk and a wall jack that is less than 30 meters away.

When You Can Save Money:

If you only game online or stream 4K Netflix, a high-quality Cat 6A cable usually provides all the speed (up to 10 Gbps) you need without the high cost of Cat 8.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is Cat 8 faster than Cat 6A?

A: Yes. Cat 8 supports up to 40 Gbps over short distances. Cat 6A supports a maximum of 10 Gbps, even over longer runs.

Q: Can I use a Cat 8 cable for my PlayStation or Xbox?

A: You can, but it is overkill. Your console only needs a Cat 5e or Cat 6 cable for the fastest speeds they currently support (usually 1 Gbps).

Q: Will Cat 8 work if I plug it into an old router?

A: Yes, Cat 8 cables are backward compatible. The speed will simply drop down to match the slowest part of your connection, like your router’s port speed.

Q: What is the maximum distance for 40 Gbps speeds on Cat 8?

A: Cat 8 is only guaranteed to hit 40 Gbps speeds up to 30 meters (about 100 feet).

Q: What does S/FTP mean in the description?

A: S/FTP means the cable has overall foil shielding (F) and individual shielding around each twisted pair (S). This offers the best protection against interference.

Q: Are Cat 8 cables more expensive than older versions?

A: Generally, yes. The required higher-quality copper and complex shielding make them cost more than Cat 6 or Cat 6A cables.

Q: Do I need special equipment to get 40 Gbps speeds?

A: Absolutely. You need a switch, router, or network interface card (NIC) that is rated for 25GBASE-T or 40GBASE-T to see the top speeds.

Q: Is Cat 8 better for Wi-Fi signal?

A: No. Ethernet cables connect devices directly to your router or switch. They do not directly improve your wireless (Wi-Fi) signal strength.

Q: Should I buy a CCA or Pure Copper Cat 8 cable?

A: Always choose pure copper. CCA cables often fail to deliver the advertised Cat 8 performance.

Q: How flexible are Cat 8 cables?

A: Because of the heavy shielding, Cat 8 cables are usually thicker and slightly less flexible than standard Cat 6 cables.