UTP is the designation for common network cables to realize a wired internet connection. The abbreviation stands for Unshielded Twisted Pair. In a UTP cable there are four wire pairs of two wires each. Each pair of wires can be used for a data signal, where one wire in the pair conducts power to a network port and the other wire in a pair conducts power back. By disputing each pair of wires, the majority of the disturbing influence from the outside is canceled out. We have tested and listed a wide range of UTP cable with different speeds and lengths.
List of Best UTP Cables:
Modern Computer Networks and UTP Cable
A modern wired computer network is based on the Ethernet standard. A twisted pair network cable is used to connect computers. This is a so-called point-to-point connection. The UTP cable connects two network ports. No branches can be made in a UTP cable. A router or switch is used to connect multiple computers. This device has several network connections to which a computer can be connected with one UTP cable per connection.
The router or switch ensures a good allocation of data traffic between the computers and between the computers and the internet. The cable modem or ADSL modem in your home is a good example of a network router. The modem often has four connections, to which you can connect a computer, a network printer or other network equipment with a UTP cable. One of the major advantages of a cable connection over Wi-Fi is the guaranteed high throughput and fast response time, a must for gamers, for example.
Which UTP Cable to Buy?
We have listed ready-to-use UTP cable with a network plug on both sides. You can buy any of the listed UTP cable as per your need and use it right away.
For an optimal connection it is important to choose the right UTP cable. With the right choice, your computer can communicate undisturbed at the highest possible speed.
There are a number of important selection criteria for choosing the correct UTP cable. The first is the desired speed. Modern equipment normally includes a gigabit Ethernet port. This port is able to establish a connection with a maximum speed of 1 gigabit per second (Gb / s).
The modern internet modems, which you get from your provider when you take out a subscription, are almost all equipped with gigabit ethernet ports that can communicate at a speed of 1Gb / s. If you connect all equipment with the correct UTP cable, your computers can communicate with each other at a speed of 1 Gb / s. This gives a speed of 125 megabytes per second (MB / s) at its highest, but in practice it often comes down to about 100 MB / s. You can then transfer a 1 gigabyte file in about 10 seconds.
UTP Cable Format
A system of categories has been devised to simplify the selection of a UTP cable. A UTP cable of a certain category meets a number of internationally established standards:
| Category | Max. Speed | Max. Length |
| CAT 5E | 100Mb / s (1GB / s with four wire pairs) | 100 meters |
| CAT 6 | 1 Gb / s | 55 meters |
| CAT 6A | 10 Gb / s | 100 meters |
| CAT 7 | 10 Gb / s | 50 meters |
For short distances it is normally sufficient to use a UTP cable CAT5e. If you are going to install a fixed network in your home, it is worth considering choosing a category higher, for example a UTP cable CAT6 or CAT6a, so that you are prepared for the future.
The advantage of CAT6 cables is that they also come in a shielded version. The shielding prevents interference, so that an undisturbed data transfer is guaranteed. Shielded cables can be recognized by the designation F / UTP, abbreviated FTP as well as S / FTP or SFTP. With an F / UTP or Foiled Twisted Pair, the wire pairs are individually covered with a shielding foil. An S / FTP or Shielded Foiled Twisted Pair even has a double shield, so the wire pairs and the entire UTP cable are shielded.
Other UTP Cable Properties
In addition to the category layout and shielding, there are some other features to watch out for. The sheath of a UTP cable can be made of different materials. PVC is a flexible material that is widely used. If you do not want a PVC jacket, choose an LSHZ (“Low Smoke Zero Halogen”) jacket. This is less harmful to the environment and safer in the event of fire or overheating, because hardly any smoke and hazardous substances are released.
When cabled with CU core, the conductors are made of pure copper. Copper is a flexible material and has excellent conductivity. With a CCA (Copper Clad Aluminum), the vein is made of the cheaper aluminum and has a copper coating. As a result, high-frequency signals, such as data signals, mainly pass through the outer copper layer of the cabling.
CCA cabling is a lot cheaper per meter than a CU cable. A disadvantage of CCA cabling is that the wires are less flexible and can therefore break faster. You can also choose from different colors if you have found the right cable type and length. Many people opt for a neutral color with visible cables.
