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Best Ethernet Cable for Xbox series X | S

With the release of the Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S consoles, there has been a lot of buzz in the gaming community surrounding it and how to get the best performance out of it. One popular question is about what kind of ethernet cable to use and whether to spend extra on “premium” cables.

Any Cat 5e or higher cable produced by a reputable vendor will allow you to achieve maximum speeds on your Xbox Series X or Series S console. If you want to step up to a Cat 6 cable that is also a good choice given that the cost is pretty comparable to a Cat 5e cable.

What you do not need is anything that says Cat 7 or Cat 8 on them. Cat 7+ cables are specialty cables that are meant to be used in large enterprise networks with connection speeds of 10 Gbps or even 40 Gbps. Cat 6 cables are certified for up to 10 Gbps speeds at lengths of up to 55 meters (180 feet). This is longer than what would typically be used in any home network environment. The ethernet port on the Xbox Series X is rated at 1 Gbps. A Cat 5e cable is certified for 1 Gbps for up to 100 meters (328 feet).

Best Ethernet Cables for Xbox Series X in 2023

The bottom line when it comes to ethernet cables for connecting the Xbox Series X is don’t over buy. You will never ever see any improvement going with a Cat 7 or higher cable.

It is simply not possible. Ethernet cables are tested and certified to the TIA/EIA-568 standard. The TIA/EIA-568 standard is designed for the mission critical enterprise networking market where any disruption of data can result in millions of dollars of financial impact.

When a cable is certified to a particular Cat rating you can be 100% sure that your cable will perform as designed. A Cat 5e cable certified to deliver speeds of 1 Gbps for up to 100 meters (328 feet) will perform as expected and max out the connection speed on your Xbox Series X.

What you do want to avoid is generic unbranded ethernet cables that may not meet the TIA/EIA-568 specification. Using a noncertified cable means that your mileage may vary and you may not get consistent performance.

When it comes to length, you want to get a cable that is long enough to reach without any sharp bends or kinks in the cable. Sharp bends can damage the wires inside and compromise the reliability if the connection. There is no need to worry about the cable being a few feet longer than necessary. Remember even Cat 5e cables are certified for up to 100 meters (328 feet) without loss of performance. The difference between using a 20 foot vs a 25 foot cable is nonexistent.

Some popular yet affordable brands of ethernet cables include Monoprice, StarTech, Tripp Lite, Cable Matters, and Mediabridge. You can purchase these brands of cables in various lengths at retailers including Amazon, Best Buy, Staples, Target, and Walmart.

Here Are My Top Picks for 2023

Cable Matters Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

Reasons to Buy

  • Affordable cable with outstanding build quality
  • Does not snag or kink under normal use
  • ANSI/TIA-568 certified to ensure data integrity under all circumstances
  • Corrosion resistant gold plated conductors

Check Latest Price on Amazon

StarTech Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

Reasons to Buy

  • High quality RJ45 connectors for secure fit
  • Does not snag or kink under normal use
  • ANSI/TIA-568 certified to ensure data integrity under all circumstances
  • Durable construction for years of reliable service

Check Latest Price on Amazon

Conclusion

Overall choosing the right ethernet cable for your Xbox Series X console is an easy task, as long as you can see clearly through all of the marketing hype that floods the gaming industry. If you want to make the switch from WiFi to ethernet or if the ethernet is not working on your Xbox Series X | S, getting a good cable is essential.