Cat6 and Cat6a bulk Ethernet cables look alike, but they carry different amounts of data. Both are made with 100% bare copper conductors, and both are available from Red Cable Technology in plenum, riser, shielded and unshielded types. The right choice depends on the speed your network needs today and the speed it may need in the next few years.
Cat6 vs Cat6a at a glance
| Cat6 | Cat6a | |
|---|---|---|
| Bandwidth | 550 MHz | 750 MHz |
| Speed | Gigabit Ethernet 10/100/1000 Mbps | 10-Gigabit Ethernet |
| Conductor | 23 AWG solid bare copper | 23 AWG solid bare copper |
| Length and packaging | 1000 ft EZ Pull Box | 1000 ft EZ Pull Box |
| Best for | Offices, homes and small networks | Data centers, 10-Gigabit links and future-proof runs |
When to choose Cat6
Choose Cat6 when your network runs at Gigabit speed and you do not plan to move to 10-Gigabit in the near future. Cat6 is the right fit for most office, home and small-business networks, and it costs less per box than Cat6a. It is available in CMP plenum and CMR riser jackets, in UTP and F/UTP shielding, and in ETL-listed types.
When to choose Cat6a
Choose Cat6a when you need 10-Gigabit Ethernet, when the cable runs are long, or when you want the network to stay fast for years without pulling new cable. Cat6a is the better choice for data centers, server rooms and new commercial buildings. Like Cat6, it comes in plenum and riser jackets and in shielded and unshielded types.
Shielding, plenum and riser
Both Cat6 and Cat6a come as unshielded twisted pair (UTP) and as shielded types such as F/UTP and STP. Use shielded cable where there is electrical noise from motors, fluorescent lights or heavy equipment. Use CMP plenum cable in air-handling spaces above ceilings and below floors, and CMR riser cable for vertical runs between floors. Read our guide to plenum vs riser cable for the full comparison.
Ordering from Red Cable Technology
Orders are paid in full in advance. Regular delivery takes 2 to 5 business days, and free shipping applies in the continental US. If a cable arrives with a defect, tell us within 7 days and we will replace it. Non-ETL cables carry a 20-year warranty and ETL-listed cables carry a 25-year warranty.
Browse our Cat6 bulk Ethernet cables and Cat6a bulk Ethernet cables to see the full range.