Cable Matters
Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Short Cat 5e Ethernet Cable
Bottom line: The Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Short Cat 5e Ethernet Cable ($12.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Eight color-coded cables (black, blue, gray, green, purple, red, yellow, white) make port tracing ea; main trade-off: 1ft length only works switch-to-patch-panel or device-to-device in a rack.
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*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Eight color-coded cables (black, blue, gray, green, purple, red, yellow, white) make port tracing ea
- ✓ 24 AWG bare copper conductors, not copper-clad aluminum
- ✓ 350 MHz bandwidth exceeds the TIA/EIA 568-B Cat 5e spec
- ✓ Snagless strain-relief boots protect RJ45 tabs in packed patch panels
Cons
- ✗ 1ft length only works switch-to-patch-panel or device-to-device in a rack
- ✗ Cat 5e caps at 1Gbps - no 2.5G/10G headroom like Cat 6a
- ✗ Eight fixed colors, no option to order a single color in bulk
- ✗ Unshielded (UTP), so not ideal next to high-interference power runs
Manufacturer description
The Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Short Cat 5e Ethernet Cable solves the problem every rack, retro bench, and network closet eventually hits: a tangle of six-foot cords doing a one-foot job. Each cable in this 8-pack runs just 1ft and arrives in a different color - black, blue, gray, green, purple, red, yellow, and white - so you can trace a run from switch port to NAS at a glance instead of pulling the whole bundle. The 24 AWG bare copper conductors and gold-plated RJ45 contacts carry full Gigabit Ethernet with bandwidth up to 350 MHz, comfortably above the TIA/EIA 568-B Category 5e…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Short Cat 5e 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 are these Ethernet cables?
Each of the 8 cables is 1 foot long, sized for switch-to-patch-panel jumpers, rack-mounted gear, and device-to-device links where a standard 3ft or 6ft cord leaves slack to manage.
Will Cat 5e handle gigabit speeds?
Yes. These are rated 1Gbps and meet or exceed Category 5e performance per TIA/EIA 568-B, with bandwidth up to 350 MHz. They are also backwards compatible with existing Cat 5 networks.
Why are the cables different colors?
The 8-pack ships in black, blue, gray, green, purple, red, yellow, and white so you can assign a color per VLAN, per device, or per run and identify a cable without tracing it by hand.
Do these work with PoE devices and NAS units?
Yes. Cable Matters lists PCs, servers, printers, routers, switch boxes, network media players, NAS, VoIP phones, and PoE devices as supported. The 24 AWG copper conductors carry PoE current better than thinner 28 AWG patch cords.
What does snagless mean on an Ethernet cable?
The RJ45 connectors have molded strain-relief boots covering the locking tab, so the clip does not catch on other cables when you pull one out of a dense switch or patch panel.
Key Features
- High Performance Internet cable is Cat5e rated; The Ethernet cord with 24 AWG copper wire provides universal connectivity for LAN network components such as PCs, computer servers, printers, routers, switch boxes, network media players, NAS, VoIP phones, PoE devices, and more
- Build your home or office network with Gigabit Ethernet patch cable; A wired Cat 5e cable network is more reliable and secure than a wireless network or Cat 5 cable network for your internet connections; Comes with 8-pack Cat5e Ethernet cables in Black, Blue, Gray, Green, Purple, Red, Yellow, and White.
- A Category 5e Ethernet data cable is also referred to as a Cat 5e network cable, Cat5e cable, Cat5e Ethernet cable, or Cat 5e data/LAN cable. Meets or exceeds Category 5e performance in compliance with the TIA/EIA 568-B standard and backwards compatible with Cat5 cable network
- The connectors with gold-plated contacts and strain-relief boots provide durability, and ensure a secure connection; Bare copper conductors enhance cable performance and comply with specifications for communications cables
- Flexible and durable RJ45 cable with high bandwidth of up to 350 MHz guarantees high-speed data transfer for server applications, cloud computing, video surveillance, and online high-definition video streaming
Full Specifications
| Brand | Cable Matters |
|---|---|
| Color | Multicolored |
| Gauge | 24.0 |
| Model | 150002-1x8 |
| Frequency | 350 MHz |
| Cable Type | Cat 5e |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Model Name | FBA_150002-1x8 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Item Length | 1 Feet |
| Part Number | FBA_150002-1x8 |
| Connectivity | Wireless |
| Compatibility | Switch |
| Connector Type | RJ45 |
| Number of Pins | 8 |
| Outer Material | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Connection Type | Wired |
| Number of Items | 8 |
| Special Feature | Gigabit |
| Connector Gender | Male-to-Male |
| Full listing title | Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Short Cat 5e Ethernet Cable - 1ft, Gigabit Cat5e Cable, Cat5e Ethernet Cord, Multicolored |
Ready to buy?
Cable Matters 1Gbps 8-Pack Snagless Short Cat 5e Ethernet Cable - 1ft, Gigabit Cat5e Cable, Cat5e Ethernet Cord, Multicolored 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.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
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