What Is a Cat 7 Ethernet Cable?
A Cat 7 Ethernet cable (Category 7) is a high-performance networking cable designed for high-speed data transmission. It supports frequencies up to 600 MHz and speeds of up to 10 Gbps over 100 meters, making it ideal for data-intensive environments.
This cable is especially popular in enterprise networks, home theaters, gaming setups, and data centers that demand low latency and minimal interference.
Key Features of Cat 7 Ethernet Cables
- Shielded Twisted Pair (S/FTP): Each twisted pair is shielded, plus an overall shield for the cable—minimizing electromagnetic interference (EMI).
- High Bandwidth: Up to 600 MHz transmission frequency, allowing stable connections for 10G networks.
- Backward Compatibility: Works with Cat 6, Cat 5e, and older Ethernet standards.
- Improved Durability: Thicker cable insulation and gold-plated connectors ensure longer lifespan.
Applications for Cat 7 Cables
Cat 7 is widely used in:
- Home networks with streaming and gaming devices
- Offices with high data throughput requirements
- Data centers connecting servers and switches
- Smart homes powering IoT devices
- Industrial environments with lots of EMI
Cat 7 vs Cat 6 and Cat 6a: What’s the Difference?
| Feature | Cat 6 | Cat 6a | Cat 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed | 1 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Frequency | 250 MHz | 500 MHz | 600 MHz |
| Shielding | UTP/STP | UTP/STP | Always Shielded |
| EMI Protection | Moderate | High | Excellent |
| Use Case | Home/Office | Pro Office | Data Centers, Servers |
How to Choose the Right Cat 7 Ethernet Cable
When buying a Cat 7 cable, consider the following:
- Length needed (shorter = better signal)
- Shielded connectors (look for S/FTP types)
- Cable thickness (22-24 AWG preferred)
- Certifications (check for ISO/IEC 11801 Class F)
- Gold-plated connectors for corrosion resistance
Is Cat 7 Future-Proof?
While Cat 7 is not officially recognized by TIA/EIA standards, it is widely used in Europe and many industries as a next-gen solution. For users preparing for 10G networking or shielding-heavy environments, it’s a solid investment. However, Cat 8 is emerging for 25G–40G networks, so choose according to your actual needs.
Where to Buy Cat 7 Ethernet Cables ?
You can find Cat 7 cables from brands like:
- UGREEN
- Cable Matters
- Jadaol
- Amazon Basics
- Monoprice
Ensure you’re buying from a reputable supplier with return policies and certifications.
Conclusion: Should You Upgrade to Cat 7?
If you’re building a network that demands high speed, durability, and low interference, Cat 7 Ethernet cables are a strong choice. They offer excellent performance and shielding, making them ideal for modern smart homes, offices, and tech-heavy environments.
About Optech
Optech Technology Co. Ltd was founded in 2001 in Taipei, Taiwan. The company was created with a sole purpose, to provide a wide and high quality portfolio of optical products to a very demanding and fast evolving market.
To respond to the permanent increase of IP traffic, Optech portfolio is constantly growing. Since the beginning, the company has always been up to date with the latest innovations on the market. Today, we are proud to deliver a large selection of 25G SFP28, 40G QSFP+, 100G QSFP28, 200G QSFP56, 400G QSFP-DD, 800G QSFP-DD and OSFP optical transceivers and cables.
Optech has a large portfolio of products which include optical transceivers, direct attach cables, active optical cables, loopback transceivers, media converters and fiber patch cords.
Through its large selection of optical products, that have a range of data speed from 155 Mbps to 800 Gbps and reach distances up to 120km, Optech products are suitable for various industries such as telecom, data centers as well as public and private networks.
Optech’s compatibility brands are available click here.
For additional information about Optech Technology, or price inquiry, please contact us at sales@optech.com.tw
