When it comes to online gaming, Ethernet is generally a superior option over Wi-Fi. Why is that? Well, cable connections are more stable than Wi-Fi connections, so if you’re in the middle of a game of Overwatch 2 or Call of Duty: Warzone, your connection is significantly less likely to drop. In addition, Ethernet cables aren’t subject to interference from other wireless signals, so Bluetooth devices or other internet-enabled devices aren’t likely to interrupt your connection. In short, if you can connect your PS5 to an Ethernet port on your router, you should definitely do so.
With that said, though, how do you choose the best Ethernet cable for PS5? What kind of cable should you use? How long should it be, and what’s the “Cat” rating that Ethernet cables carry? Don’t worry – we’re here to help you. Here’s our definitive guide on how to choose the best Ethernet cable for PS5 and supercharge your online gaming sessions.
A quick note: although we might recommend Ethernet cables throughout this article, they’re generally very similar, so it’s difficult to select and single out a particular cable. Instead, we’ll be providing a guide on how to choose the kind of Ehernet cable you want. Let’s proceed!
Length
First, you’ll need to decide what length you want your Ethernet cable to be. Naturally, the further away your PS5 is from your router, the longer the cable you’ll need. Hopefully, your PS5 isn’t on a completely different floor to your router, as this will make choosing an Ethernet cable hard. If your PS5 is very far away from your router, then you may want to choose a cable like this one from GLCON, which is rated for 1 Gbps and which runs 20 metres long. Remember to choose a length that corresponds to the distance between your console and your router!
Just a quick note here: the length of your Ethernet cable shouldn’t affect your PS5’s online performance except in the most extreme of circumstances. If you’re running an Ethernet cable above 100 feet (which you almost certainly won’t be), then you might start to notice some speed drops, but any cable distance up to and including 100 feet won’t negatively impact your online gaming experience.
Category (or “Cat”)
When you’re browsing for Ethernet cables, you’ll probably see a “Cat” rating next to their name or length. Usually, this will be accompanied by a number. In order to select a good Ethernet cable for your PS5, you’ll want to aim for Category 6 or Category 6a. These categories will result in solid speeds for your console; any higher and you’re essentially buying a more powerful cable than you’ll ever need, and you won’t see additional benefits from buying those cables.
Per Infinity Cable, here’s a list of the speeds and ping times you’ll need for everyday PS5 activities. Category 6 and 6a Ethernet cables will cover all of these speeds and ping times.
- Online gaming: 3 Mbps download speed, 0.5 Mbps upload speed, 150ms ping
- SD video streaming: 1 Mbps download, 150ms ping
- HD video streaming (1080p): 3.5 Mbps download speed, 150ms ping
- 4K streaming: 25 Mbps download speed
- 8K streaming (content not available yet): 100 Mbps download speed
Since Category 6 and 6a Ethernet cables are rated for 1 Gbps at up to 100 metres, you can see why you won’t require anything more powerful or more capable than these cables. Category 7 and 8 cables are mainly used for industrial purposes, so as a regular end user who just wants to game in peace on the PS5, you won’t need to stretch that far.
Braided or standard
You might come across braided Ethernet cables, like this one from UGREEN, during your search for a good PS5 Ethernet cable. What does this mean? In essence, a braided cable is simply more resilient than one without braiding. You can bend and twist braided cables without worrying that they’re going to snap or fray, so if you’re concerned that your Ethernet cable is going to be subject to a lot of interference or potential damage, then a braided cable is definitely a worthwhile investment. Of course, if the PS5 is right next to the router, then a braided cable is probably an investment too far.
Compatibility
The PS5 has a standard Gigabit Ethernet port, so literally any Ethernet cable that bears Gigabit compatibility (which is the vast, vast majority of cables available on the market) will be compatible with your PS5. Don’t listen to anyone who says that certain Ethernet cables aren’t compatible with your console, because the chances are that any Ethernet cable you purchase from Amazon or any other retailer out there will work with your PS5 and your router, no problem. Of course, it’s a good idea to check with your service provider first if there’s any reason for you to be unsure.
Price
Generally speaking, an Ethernet cable shouldn’t cost you more than about £15-£20 in UK money. When you’re paying that much, you’re paying for extras beyond simple Ethernet functionality; you’re also potentially paying for braiding on the cable, for instance, or some other technology that makes the cable more resilient or gives it more bells and whistles. A basic cable won’t cost you more than about £5-£10, so if you’re paying more than that, just be aware of the reasons that you’re handing over more cash than you otherwise might.