As business networks grow, so does the need for speed, reliability, and future-ready infrastructure. While WiFi gets a lot of attention in this area, your Ethernet cabling is doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes, and the cables you use can make a noticeable difference in your network’s performance.
Deciding between Cat 6, Cat 7, and Cat 8 cables is an important step in building a network that can handle your current workload and adapt as your needs change. Read on to learn how these cable types compare, where they fit best, and what to consider when planning your next upgrade.
Category 6 (Cat 6) and Category 8 (Cat 8) cables offer very different capabilities. Here’s how they stack up in key areas:
Cat 6 cables are still a popular option for most business environments, as they provide plenty of speed for basic internet browsing, VoIP calls, and general network traffic without adding extra cost or complexity.
Cat 8, on the other hand, offers a big increase in performance. It’s designed for situations where you need very high speeds, such as connecting servers, switches, or other equipment that handles large amounts of data.
Cat 7 and Cat 8 Ethernet cables are both fully shielded and built for fast connections, but they’re not identical. Here’s how they compare:
Cat 7 is something of a niche solution. It’s faster and has more shielding than Cat 6, but it doesn’t provide the same jump in speed as Cat 8. Because of this, many businesses stick with Cat 6 for standard use and end up moving directly to Cat 8 when higher performance is necessary.
If you're evaluating Cat 8 Ethernet cable speed, here’s what you need to know:
Because of these high levels of protection and speed, Cat 8 is usually reserved for data centers, industrial networks, or high-performance computing systems. For general business needs, Cat 6 or Cat 6a is still the most practical choice, especially when running cable across a building.
Still not sure which Ethernet cable type is the right fit? Here are some important factors to consider when comparing them:
If your business mainly relies on internet browsing, email, VoIP, and standard file sharing, Cat 6 can meet those needs without issue. Cat 7 would be overkill in these scenarios, but it may be suitable for larger networks with higher traffic.
For organizations that depend on fast data transfers, such as frequent backups, large video files, or high-performance computing workloads, Cat 8 can provide the bandwidth and speed needed to avoid bottlenecks.
For standard office spaces with minimal interference, Cat 6 is usually sufficient. In areas with a lot of electromagnetic interference, like factories or equipment rooms, fully shielded Cat 7 or Cat 8 cables help protect data integrity. Their shielding reduces the impact of nearby cables and devices that could otherwise cause signal disruption.
Cat 6 and Cat 7 cables both support runs up to 100 meters without losing speed or stability, so they can cover larger office floors or connect different sections of a building. Cat 8 is limited to 30 meters, so it works best for shorter connections within equipment rooms or data centers where speed matters most.
If you expect steady growth in bandwidth needs over the next few years, Cat 6a or Cat 7 can provide more capacity than standard Cat 6 without the higher cost of Cat 8. For systems where performance will be a top priority for many years, Cat 8 offers peace of mind by supporting very high speeds and ensuring you won’t need to replace cables soon, even as your equipment evolves.
No matter which category you choose, network performance depends on more than just the cable itself. Simply buying the highest category cable doesn’t guarantee better results, as proper installation, termination, and cable management play major roles in keeping speeds consistent and preventing issues like signal loss and interference.
A structured cabling professional can help confirm your system delivers the performance you expect by planning your layout carefully, following industry standards, and testing each connection.
Ethernet cabling affects everything from how fast your team can share files to how well your business applications run. However, choosing the right cable is only one part of your network infrastructure strategy. A full structured cabling system should take into account:
When properly designed, your cabling system can support Cat 6, Cat 7, and Cat 8, where each is needed, without overpaying or under-delivering.
At TailWind, we help businesses build and maintain reliable, high-performance network infrastructure with the right cabling in the right places. Whether you're weighing Cat 6 vs Cat 8, planning a new facility, or looking to upgrade legacy systems, our team will assess your goals and guide you toward the smartest solution.
Want to learn more about Ethernet cabling for your business? Contact us today to talk with our structured cabling experts and explore how we can support your network from the ground up.