In order to understand the differences between Cat 5e vs Cat 6 it’s good to know what they have in common and the features of each cable on their own.
Breakdown of each cable
Per an article by Blackbox, the Cat 5e standard came out in the late ‘90s replacing the older Cat 5 standard, the “Cat” standing for “category” and the “e” in Cat 5e standing for “enhanced”. Cat 5e supports speeds up to 10 times faster than Cat 5, Cat 5e supports up to 1 Gbit/sec. Cat 5 supports up to 100 Mbits/sec. Cat 5e is also less impacted by crosstalk over longer distances. Cat 5e cables typically come with 24-gauge twisted pair wires and can support Gigabit Ethernet networks at a distance of up to 100 meters or 328 feet.
Cat 5e vs 6 commonalities
Cat 5e and Cat 6 are Ethernet cables used to hook up network switches, routers, computers, etc. Both cables can be found unshielded (U/UTP) or shielded (F/UTP) for general use or for places like hospitals, factories, etc. In terms of physical properties, they both feature eight wire conductors twisted into four color coded twisted pairs. While both cables can support various PoE applications (up to 90W) and are made to comply with ANSI/TIA Category performance standards, Cat 6 has stricter performance requirements than Cat 5e.
Both cable types are also backward-compatible with previous-generation twisted-pair Category cables. Cat 6 and Cat 5e support 1GBASE-T Ethernet to 100 meters.
Cat 5e vs 6 differences
The differences between Cat 6 and Cat 5e are numerous. Cat 6 cables are generally thicker while also having thicker copper conductors, usually 23 AWG (the higher the AWG number, the thinner the copper). Cat 5e cables have conductors that are usually 24 AWG, making them thinner. In terms of other physical differences, Cat 5e does not use a plastic piece in the center of the cable, called a spline, as Cat 6 typically does. The spline is made to be in the center of the cable to separate conductor pairs so internal crosstalk would be reduced leading to increased performance.
In certain circumstances Cat 6 can support 10 Gigabit or 10,000 Mb/s network speeds from 33.5 meters or up to 55 meters. This would be in situations where alien crosstalk is low. The distance may be shorter depending on conditions, particularly including crosstalk.
The primary difference between Cat 5e and Cat 6 cables is the bandwidth. Cat 6 cables are made for operating frequencies up to 250 MHz, compared to 100 MHz for Cat 5e. So a Cat 6 cable can process more data within the same time it would take a Cat 5e cable. Another difference that should be noticed is that although there are various factors that can influence the cost of Ethernet cables (i.e. length, quality, manufacturer, etc.), generally Cat 6 cables cost approximately 10-20% more than Cat 5e cables.
While Cat 6 cables also support Gigabit segments up to 100 meters, they can also be used in 10-Gigabit networks over a restricted distance.
Factors to be considered when deciding which cable to use
If cost is a major factor and the application doesn’t require Ethernet speeds above 2.5GBASE-T then Cat 5e is recommended, however if you desire growing in the future and want versatility then Cat 6 is an excellent option, though it will cost a smidge more.
Per Blackbox, “Cat 6 cable is the better choice for Power over Ethernet (PoE), as the thicker copper conductors allow for better heat dissipation. This advantage really shows at higher powered PoE applications and with cables that have been bundled together…especially in conduit.”
However, Cat 5e tends to be a lighter and thinner cable so it could be more desirable because it would be easier to install in tight spaces. Cat 5e is also usually easier to terminate than Cat 6.
What it really comes down to is if you are willing to have limited future proofing, the type of installation, and how much you are willing to spend. Cat 5e can get the job done, but Cat 6 is better for most installations if you are concerned about the future.
