Cat6 vs Cat6a: which network cable should you choose?

If you are planning new data points for a home or office, the first question is usually which cable to use. The two sensible choices today are Cat6 and Cat6a. Both are reliable, but they are built for slightly different jobs. Here is how to choose.

The short answer

Cat6 is the right choice for most homes and small offices. It handles everyday gigabit internet, streaming, video calls and Wi-Fi access points without any trouble.

Cat6a is the better choice for offices, new builds and anywhere you want the network to last 15 years or more. It supports 10 Gbps over the full 100 metre run and is better protected against interference.

Speed and distance

• Cat6: 1 Gbps up to 100 m, and 10 Gbps up to around 55 m.

• Cat6a: 10 Gbps over the full 100 m.

Most homes will never get close to these limits. In offices, though, links between floors, to servers and to Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 7 access points are starting to need more than 1 Gbps, which is where Cat6a earns its place.

Size, cost and installation

Cat6a is thicker and stiffer than Cat6, so it needs a little more room in trunking and containment, and the cable and connectors cost more. The labour difference is small. On most jobs the total extra cost of choosing Cat6a is modest compared with the cost of re-cabling later.

Interference

Cat6a is designed to reduce crosstalk between neighbouring cables. That matters in busy cable routes, plant rooms and buildings with lots of electrical equipment.

Our recommendation

• Flats and most houses: Cat6.

• Larger homes with a home office, CCTV or lots of access points: Cat6 or Cat6a.

• Offices, shops and new builds: Cat6a.

Whichever you choose, the quality of the installation matters as much as the cable. Every point we install is neatly terminated, labelled and Fluke-tested, so you know it performs as it should.

Planning new cabling? See our data cabling installation service or ask for a free quote.