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Cable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 3ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black
Cable Matters

Cable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short Cat 6 Ethernet Cable

Bottom line: The Cable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short Cat 6 Ethernet Cable ($14.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-21 14:15 UTC): Five 3ft cords per pack, enough for a full switch-to-patch-panel row; main trade-off: 3ft only, too short for room-to-room or wall runs.

$14.99

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Buy on Amazon — $14.99 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

  • ✓ Five 3ft cords per pack, enough for a full switch-to-patch-panel row
  • ✓ 24 AWG bare copper core, not copper-clad aluminum
  • ✓ Rated for 10 Gigabit Ethernet at 550 MHz bandwidth
  • ✓ Carries PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ for cameras, APs, and VoIP phones

Cons

  • ✗ 3ft only, too short for room-to-room or wall runs
  • ✗ Unshielded Cat 6, so noisy industrial runs may want STP
  • ✗ Black only, no color coding for labeling switch ports
  • ✗ Snagless boots add bulk in tightly packed patch panels

Manufacturer description

Each cord is built to the TIA/EIA 568-C.2 Category 6 standard with 550 MHz of bandwidth, so it carries 10-Gigabit Ethernet today and stays backwards compatible with the Cat 5 and Cat 5e gear already in your rack. Gold-plated RJ45 contacts and molded strain-relief boots handle repeated reseating behind a switch or under a desk, and the snagless design keeps the tab from catching when you pull a run back out of a patch panel. The 3ft length is deliberate: it is short enough to keep a switch-to-patch-panel or router-to-PC hop tidy instead of coiling three feet of slack behind the cabinet. Power…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Cable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short 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

How long is each cable in the 5-pack?

Each of the five cords is 3 feet long. That suits switch-to-patch-panel, router-to-PC, or rack-internal hops; for longer runs you'll want a different length.

Will this handle 10 Gigabit Ethernet?

Yes. It's 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.

Does it support Power over Ethernet?

Yes, it supports PoE, PoE+, and PoE++, so you can power IP cameras, VoIP phones, and wireless access points over the same cord.

Is Cat 6 backwards compatible with my Cat 5e router?

Yes. The cable is backwards compatible with existing Cat 5 and Cat 5e networks, so it drops into older gear and still gives you headroom later.

Is the conductor real copper or copper-clad aluminum?

It uses a 24 AWG bare copper conductor, which is what lets it comply with communication cable specifications and carry PoE reliably.

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.

Full Specifications

BrandCable Matters
ColorBlack
Gauge24.0
Model160001-BLK-3x5
Frequency550 MHz
Cable TypeCat 6
Item ShapeRound
Model NameFBA_160001BLK3X5
Unit Count5 Count
Item Length3 Feet
Part NumberFBA_160001BLK3X5
ConnectivityWireless
Connector TypeRJ45
Number of Pins1
Outer MaterialPolyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Connection TypeWired
Number of Items5
Special Feature10Gbps
Connector GenderMale to Male
Specification MetCompliant With Ul Code 444
Full listing titleCable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 3ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black

Ready to buy?

Cable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 3ft, 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 — $14.99

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

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Cable Matters 10Gbps 5-Pack Snagless Short Cat 6 Ethernet Cable - 3ft, Cat 6 Cable, Cat6 Cord, Ethernet Cord, Black
$14.99
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