Compare Australia's top ethernet cables. From Cat5e to Cat8, we help you choose the right cable for gaming, streaming, or business.
In today's connected world, the quality of your network connection directly impacts your productivity, entertainment, and overall digital experience. While many Australians rely on WiFi, a wired ethernet connection delivers unmatched reliability, faster speeds, and significantly lower latency. Whether you're working from home on video calls, streaming 4K content, or competing in online gaming, the right ethernet cable can make a substantial difference in performance.
Our comprehensive ethernet cable finder tool takes the guesswork out of your purchase decision. With NBN plans now offering speeds up to 1000Mbps in many Australian areas, ensuring your cables can handle these speeds is more important than ever. We've analysed dozens of products available on Amazon Australia, comparing specifications, customer reviews, and real-world performance to bring you curated recommendations tailored to your specific needs. Use our interactive quiz below to discover which cable category suits your requirements, or browse our comparison table to make an informed decision.
Basic networking up to 1Gbps
From $8Enhanced performance up to 10Gbps
From $1210Gbps at longer distances
From $18Shielded for minimal interference
From $22Future-proof 40Gbps speeds
From $35Hand-picked cables with great reviews and fast Australian delivery
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Find the right cable category for your needs
| Specification | Cat5e | Cat6 | Cat6a | Cat7 | Cat8 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 25-40 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 250 MHz | 500 MHz | 600 MHz | 2000 MHz |
| Max Distance (Full Speed) | 100m | 55m (10G) / 100m (1G) | 100m | 100m | 30m |
| Shielding | UTP (Unshielded) | UTP/STP | STP | S/FTP | S/FTP |
| Best For | Basic home use | Home/Small office | Business/Gaming | Data centres | Future-proofing |
| Price Range (AUD) | $8 - $25 | $12 - $35 | $18 - $50 | $22 - $60 | $35 - $80 |
| Our Rating |
For most Australian homes and offices: Cat6 offers the best balance of performance and value. If you're setting up a gaming setup or need future-proof infrastructure, consider Cat6a.
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Everything you need to know before buying
Cat5e is sufficient for basic internet up to 1Gbps. Cat6 supports 10Gbps at shorter distances. Cat6a maintains 10Gbps at full 100m runs. Cat7 adds extra shielding. Cat8 is the fastest, supporting up to 40Gbps.
Measure your actual cable run and add 10-20% extra. Excess cable can be neatly coiled, but a cable that's too short is useless. For wall runs, consider 15-20m cables.
Shielded (STP) cables reduce electromagnetic interference - ideal near power cables or in commercial settings. Unshielded (UTP) works fine for most home setups and is more flexible.
Gamers benefit from Cat6 or Cat6a cables. The improved shielding and bandwidth reduce latency and packet loss. Flat cables work well for running under carpets or along walls.
If you're wiring a new home, invest in Cat6a. It's affordable enough for bulk installation and will support 10Gbps speeds for years to come as devices upgrade.
Look for cables rated for outdoor use with UV-resistant jackets and waterproof connectors. Direct burial cables have gel-filled jackets for underground installation.
Welcome to EthernetCable.com.au, Australia's trusted resource for finding the perfect network cable for your home, office, or data centre. Whether you're setting up a high-speed gaming rig in Sydney, wiring a new office in Melbourne, or upgrading your NBN connection in Brisbane, we've got you covered with expert recommendations and easy-to-understand comparisons.
While Wi-Fi technology continues to improve, wired ethernet connections remain the gold standard for reliable, high-speed networking. Ethernet cables deliver consistent speeds without interference, lower latency for gaming and video calls, and greater security for sensitive data. With NBN plans now offering speeds up to 1000Mbps and beyond, having the right ethernet cable ensures you're getting the full speed you're paying for.
The "Cat" in ethernet cables stands for Category, indicating the cable's specifications and performance capabilities. Cat5e (Category 5 enhanced) supports speeds up to 1Gbps and remains suitable for basic home networking. Cat6 cables offer improved performance with 10Gbps capability at shorter distances, making them ideal for most Australian homes and small businesses. Cat6a (augmented) maintains 10Gbps speeds at the full 100-metre distance and includes better shielding against interference.
Cat7 cables feature S/FTP shielding (individually shielded pairs plus an overall shield) for environments with high electromagnetic interference. Cat8 is the latest standard, supporting remarkable speeds of 25-40Gbps with 2000MHz bandwidth, though the 30-metre maximum distance makes it best suited for data centre applications or short runs where maximum performance is required.
For most Australian NBN connections, a Cat6 cable provides excellent performance headroom. However, if you're on an NBN Enterprise Ethernet plan or anticipating future speed upgrades, investing in Cat6a cabling during installation can save costly rewiring later. Our product recommendations include cables tested and proven to work with Australian networking equipment.
All products featured on EthernetCable.com.au are available through Amazon Australia, offering fast delivery across Australia including Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart, Darwin, and Canberra. Amazon's reliable delivery network means most cables arrive within 1-3 business days, and their customer-friendly return policy gives you peace of mind with every purchase.
Not sure which cable is right for you? Use our interactive quiz above to get a personalised recommendation based on your specific needs. Compare specifications in our detailed comparison table, or browse our curated selection of top-rated cables from trusted brands. We update our recommendations regularly to ensure you're always getting the best value and performance available in the Australian market.
Everything you need to know about using our ethernet cable finder tool
Our interactive cable finder tool is designed to simplify your purchasing decision. Start by taking our quick quiz, which asks about your primary use case, internet speed, required cable length, and budget preferences. Based on your responses, our algorithm analyses our curated product database to recommend the optimal ethernet cable category and specific products.
You can also use the product filter section to browse cables by category (Cat5e through Cat8), length requirements, and intended use case. Each product listing includes verified Amazon Australia links, current pricing, customer ratings, and key specifications. The comparison table provides a side-by-side overview of all cable categories, helping you understand the technical differences between each standard.
For detailed information about each cable category, refer to our comprehensive buying guide section, which covers topics ranging from shielding types to outdoor installation considerations. All products featured on our site are available through Amazon Australia with their standard delivery options and return policies.
For NBN 1000 plans (delivering up to 1Gbps speeds), we recommend Cat6 cables as a minimum. Cat6 cables fully support gigabit speeds and are the most cost-effective choice. However, if you're planning for future upgrades or want maximum performance headroom, Cat6a provides 10Gbps capability at the full 100-metre distance. Cat5e cables can technically support 1Gbps but offer no bandwidth headroom, so we suggest upgrading if you're still using older cables.
For most Australian homes, unshielded (UTP) cables work perfectly fine and are more flexible and easier to install. Shielded cables (STP, S/FTP) become beneficial when running cables near power lines, fluorescent lights, or other sources of electromagnetic interference. If you're experiencing network issues like intermittent disconnections or reduced speeds, and your cables run alongside electrical wiring, switching to shielded cables may help resolve these problems.
We recommend measuring your actual cable run and adding 10-20% extra length for routing flexibility. Account for corners, doorways, and any obstacles the cable needs to navigate. Remember that ethernet cables can run up to 100 metres without signal degradation (Cat8 is limited to 30 metres at full speed). Having slightly more cable than needed allows for repositioning equipment later, but excessive coiling can cause signal interference in some scenarios.
Expert guides and tips for your networking needs
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