Skip to main content
Cable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 25ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black
Cable Matters

Cable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 25ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black

Bottom line: The Cable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable ($9.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 04:20 UTC): 24 AWG bare copper core, not copper-clad aluminum; main trade-off: 25ft is a lot of slack for a desk-to-router hop.

$9.99

As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →

Buy on Amazon — $9.99 Compare to similar retro networking cards

By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ 24 AWG bare copper core, not copper-clad aluminum
  • ✓ Rated for 10-Gigabit Ethernet at up to 550 MHz bandwidth
  • ✓ Snagless strain-relief boots stop the RJ45 tab from catching
  • ✓ Carries PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ for cameras, phones, and APs

Cons

  • ✗ 25ft is a lot of slack for a desk-to-router hop
  • ✗ Unshielded, so noisy runs beside power lines may need STP
  • ✗ Black jacket shows dust on light-colored baseboards
  • ✗ Cat 6 caps 10GbE at 55m, unlike Cat 6a full 100m runs

Manufacturer description

Get a rock-solid wired link with the Cable Matters 25ft Cat 6 Ethernet Cable, a 24 AWG bare copper cord built for LAN runs that Wi-Fi keeps dropping. It carries up to 550 MHz of bandwidth and is ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet, so a single cable handles server traffic, cloud sync, video surveillance feeds, and high-definition streaming without renegotiating speeds. It meets or exceeds the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 Category 6 standard and stays backwards compatible with your existing Cat 5 and Cat 5e gear, which makes it a drop-in upgrade for a retro or mixed-generation network closet. Gold-plated RJ45…

Related Products

Other products in this category you may like:

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Cable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro networking cards category. Cable Matters's retro networking cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for retro networking cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will this work with my older Cat 5e router and switch?

Yes. This cable is backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 network, so it negotiates down to your gear's fastest supported speed and can stay in place when you upgrade later.

Can it actually handle 10 Gigabit Ethernet?

It is rated for 10-Gigabit Ethernet with up to 550 MHz of bandwidth and meets or exceeds the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 Category 6 standard. Cat 6 10GbE runs are specified for shorter distances, and 25ft is well inside that.

Does it support PoE for an IP camera or access point?

Yes. It supports PoE, PoE+, and PoE++, so it can power IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points over the same run that carries data.

Is 25 feet enough for my setup?

Measure the full path including routing around furniture, walls, and equipment before ordering, and add a few extra feet of margin. The listing includes this reminder because path length is usually longer than the straight-line distance.

Is the connector snagless, and what are the contacts made of?

The connectors use gold-plated contacts with strain-relief boots for durability, so the locking tab does not snag when you route the cord behind furniture or through a rack.

Key Features

  • High-Performance Connectivity: This Cat 6 ethernet cable is designed for superior performance, with a 24 AWG copper wire core. It provides universal connectivity as an ethernet cord for LAN network components such as PCs, servers, printers, routers, and more, ensuring reliable and fast network connections
  • Advanced Cat6 Technology: Experience Cat6 performance with higher bandwidth at a Cat5e price. This network cable is future-proof, ready for 10-Gigabit Ethernet and backwards compatible with any existing Cat 5 cable network. It meets or exceeds Category 6 performance according to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 standard
  • Reliable Wired Network Solution: Known variously as a Cat6 network cable, ethernet cable Cat 6, or Cat 6 data/LAN cable, this RJ45 cable offers a more secure and reliable connection than wireless networks. It's ideal for internet connections that demand consistency and security
  • Durable and Secure Design: The connectors of this ethernet cable feature gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots for enhanced durability. Bare copper conductors not only improve cable performance but also comply with communication cable specifications
  • High-Speed Data Transfer: With up to 550 MHz bandwidth, this ethernet cord is ideal for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and streaming high-definition video. It also supports Power over Ethernet (PoE, PoE+, PoE++) for powering devices like IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points, ensuring fast and reliable network performance.
  • Important Reminder for Cable Length: Before purchasing this 25 ft Cat 6 Ethernet cable, please measure your space carefully. Consider the full path the cable will take, including routing around furniture, walls, or equipment. Adding a few extra feet can help accommodate unexpected changes. Accurate measurement helps ensure the best fit for your setup.

Full Specifications

BrandCable Matters
ColorBlack
Gauge24.00
Model160001BLK25
Frequency550 MHz
Cable TypeCat 6
Item ShapeRound
Model NameCable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable
Unit Count25.0 Feet
Item Length25 Feet
Part Number160001BLK25
ConnectivityWireless
Connector TypeRJ45
Number of Pins8
Outer MaterialPolyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Connection TypeWired
Number of Items1
Special Feature10Gbps
Connector Gendermale-to-male
Specification MetEIA, TIA

Ready to buy?

Cable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 25ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

Buy on Amazon — $9.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-21. Price and availability subject to change.

Related Retro Networking Cards

Keep exploring SpecPicks

Other buying guides

Browse the catalog

Editorial

More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all articles & guides →

More reviews from the SpecPicks archive

Browse all reviews →

Earliest SpecPicks reviews

Browse full archive →
Cable Matters 10Gbps Snagless Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 25ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black
$9.99
View on Amazon →