CAT5e vs CAT6 Cables: Speed, Distance & CCTV Comparison

For many IP camera runs, Cat5e is enough: it is rated for up to 1 Gbps over 100 m, and the camera, switch and NVR set the link speed, not the marking on the jacket. Cat6 earns its extra cost on a shorter link that needs 10 Gbps, or where you are planning an upgrade. Cat6 is also rated up to 1 Gbps over 100 m, so a long run alone is not a reason to choose it.

The questions that matter are whether any link needs more than 1 Gbps now or later, and whether your equipment's datasheet asks for anything above Cat5e.

The factors that count most when deciding between cat5e and cat6

For cat5e vs cat6 for security cameras, four things decide it: run length, uplink speed, copper content and the cost of re-cabling later.

• Run length. Both grades are rated for a 100 m channel at 1 Gbps, so a cat5e camera run is no slower than cat6 at the same distance. Cat6 only pulls ahead at 10 Gbps, and only over shorter runs, so length alone is not a reason to choose it.
• Where 10 Gbps would sit. A single camera link is unlikely to need it, but an NVR-to-switch or switch-to-switch uplink might. Cat6 is built for the higher frequencies that make this possible. Our 3m Cat6 U/UTP patch lead is rated 10,000 Mbit/s at 250 MHz, against roughly 100 MHz for cat5e. That is a catalogue rating for the cable, not a guaranteed end-to-end link speed.
• Copper content and category marking. Check the datasheet for the conductor material and gauge, such as the 24 AWG stranded copper on that 3m lead. Poor conductors behind a "cat6" label can undermine the grade, which matters for PoE cameras. Several of our leads are titled "CAT6/CAT5e", and a dual title does not say which category a given lead is certified to. Only the 3m listing states "Cat6 U/UTP", 250 MHz and 24 AWG. For the 4m, 15m and 25m leads, we cannot infer a category, frequency rating or conductor spec from the title alone. Check the jacket marking and datasheet before relying on them.
• Patch lead or permanent run, and the cost of re-cabling. A patch lead suits the last-metre link between a device and a wall port, while cable buried behind plasterboard or in conduit is a different job. Labour is often a large part of a cabling job, so cable that will be hard to replace is worth specifying once as cat6.

Cat5e remains a sound choice for ordinary, low-demand camera links; choose cat6 wherever the cable will be hard to replace or an uplink may outgrow 1 Gbps.

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Fast Speed LAN Lead for Router, PC, PS4, CCTV: best for ready-made camera and router links

This is a pre-terminated black RJ45 lead for anyone who wants to connect a router, PC, console or CCTV recorder without crimping their own ends. It suits a simple plug-in link rather than a certified structured-cabling job.

• Dual-category listing: it is sold as CAT6/CAT5e, and that title doesn't establish which category this particular lead is certified to. Check the jacket marking and datasheet. Both categories support gigabit Ethernet over a 100 m channel, so either fits ordinary CCTV and home networking.
• Gold-plated connectors: the RJ45 ends are gold-plated.
• Intended uses: the listing names routers, PCs, PS4 and CCTV systems.
• Length: the listing for this link is the 15m black lead, so it can bridge a room or a recorder-to-switch run without a joint.

Trade-off: the listing doesn't state shielding, conductor gauge, outdoor rating or a 10 Gbps figure, so I wouldn't promise any of those. If you power a camera over PoE cable run calculator, confirm from the marking or datasheet that the conductors are copper. If you need a certified 10 Gbps channel or a long in-wall run, specify solid-core structured cable instead.

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Fast Speed LAN Lead for Router, PC, PS4, CCTV

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Fast Speed LAN Lead for Router, PC, PS4, CCTV: best for long plug-in runs

This 25m black RJ45 lead is best for connecting a recorder, router or PC to the network when you need a ready-made cable rather than a reel and crimp tool.

• 25m length, black sheath. The length is given on the product page, and it sits well inside the 100 m channel limit that applies to both Cat5e and Cat6.
• Gold-plated RJ45 connectors. They are fitted to the lead already, so there is no termination to get wrong.
• Listed for routers, PCs, PS4 and CCTV. One lead type covers an NVR-to-router link and a games console.
• Gigabit-class use. Cat5e is rated up to 1 Gbps, and Cat6 can reach 10 Gbps only over shorter runs.

Trade-off: the title reads "CAT6/CAT5e", which does not tell you which category this particular 25m lead is certified to. Check the print on the jacket and the datasheet before you rely on it. The listing also doesn't state shielding, conductor gauge or a 10 Gbps rating.

For a PoE camera, confirm from the datasheet that the conductors are copper. If you need a guaranteed 10 Gbps link or a permanent in-wall run, use a bulk installation cable instead. Any fitting is done by your own electrician or installer.

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Fast Speed LAN Lead for Router, PC, PS4, CCTV

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Fast Speed LAN Lead for Rou — best for the last metre

This is a short patch lead for the final hop between a network device and a wall port, and it is not meant for long in-wall runs.

• 4 metres long, sold as a patch cable for the last-metre run from device to wall port.
• Listed as CAT6/CAT5e with RJ45 ends. Cat5e is rated for gigabit, and Cat6 can carry 10 Gbps over shorter runs. Because this listing names both grades, don't assume 10 Gbps from the title alone. At 4 m the length is no obstacle, but the grade is not confirmed.
• Prices include VAT. Check the live product page for current delivery terms.

Trade-off: unlike our 3m lead, which is specified as Cat6 U/UTP, the product data for this 4m lead gives no single confirmed grade, conductor gauge or MHz rating. Check the live page if you need those figures on paper. For a permanent run through walls or ceilings, your own electrician or installer should fit proper installation cable rather than a patch lead.

Ready to order? Get the CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable - Fast Speed LAN Lead for Rou.

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable 3m Black LAN Lead, CCTV: best for short hops between kit

This is a 3m black Cat6 patch lead for connecting a router, PC or CCTV recorder to a nearby switch or wall port, and it suits anyone who wants spare headroom over Cat5e.

• Cat6 U/UTP construction, rated 10,000 Mbit/s at 250 MHz. That is a catalogue rating for the cable, not a guaranteed end-to-end link speed, which also depends on the devices at each end. Cat5e is generally quoted at up to 1 Gbps.
• 24 AWG stranded copper, which makes it a flexible patch lead rather than a solid in-wall cable.
• 3m length in black, enough for the last metres between equipment and a socket.
• Prices include VAT. Delivery is free in the UK over £100.

Dual-category title: the listing name says "CAT6/CAT5e", but the 3m specification above states Cat6 U/UTP. We have not supplied the same specification detail for the other lengths, so check each product page before assuming it matches.

Trade-off: at 3m this is a patch lead, not a cable for long runs out to cameras. It is also unshielded, so a noisy cable route may call for a shielded type. If your switch and recorder only run at gigabit, you won't see a speed gain over Cat5e at this length. Your own installer or electrician handles any fixed cabling.

CAT6/CAT5e RJ45 Ethernet Cable 3m Black LAN Lead, CCTV

Which one should you buy?

Choose Cat5e for an ordinary camera link on a gigabit switch, Cat6 where re-pulling cable later would be costly or an uplink may outgrow 1 Gbps, and Cat6a only if you need 10 Gbps over a full 100 m. For a side-by-side breakdown, see CAT6 vs CAT6A for CCTV: speed and distance. You can compare the full range of wire and cable options on our category page.

• Individual camera link: Cat5e carries up to 1 Gbps over 100 m, and CCTV is among its listed uses. For a small system on a gigabit switch, that is enough, so Cat5e is a sound budget choice here.
• Recorder or switch uplink, and runs you can't easily re-pull: Cat6 gives the same 1 Gbps at 100 m and can reach 10 Gbps over shorter runs. That leaves room if you later upgrade the NVR or switch. If the cable will sit in walls or conduit, the extra headroom is cheap insurance because labour is a large part of the job. Don't plan on 10 Gbps near the 100 m limit, though. One published figure puts Cat6 at 10 Gbps over around 55 m.
• Specific use-case: Cat6a is for server rooms and high-density networks, and it holds 10 Gbps across the full 100 m. A typical home or small-business camera install is unlikely to need it.

For PoE cameras, check that the datasheet specifies copper conductors. Patch leads and permanent runs are different jobs too: leads are for the last stretch between a camera, switch or NVR and the wall port, while the permanent cabling is fitted by your own electrician or installer.

The 3m Cat6 U/UTP lead is rated 10,000 Mbit/s at 250 MHz and uses 24 AWG stranded copper. Its title reads "CAT6/CAT5e", and so do the 4m, 15m and 25m listings, but a dual-category title doesn't tell you which category a particular lead is certified to. Check the jacket marking and the product datasheet before you rely on it for a Cat6 run.

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