You’ve just invested in a state-of-the-art Wi-Fi 6E router, a powerhouse capable of transmitting data at incredible speeds. You unbox it with excitement, admiring its sleek design and multiple antennas, only to find a familiar, thin Ethernet cable included. You check the print on the jacket and see it: “Category 5e.” A wave of confusion hits you. Why would a cutting-edge device be packaged with a cable standard that’s over two decades old? Is the manufacturer cutting corners?
As experts in high-performance network cabling at Dlaycable.com, we get this question a lot. The truth is, this decision is a deliberate and calculated one, based on a blend of practicality, cost, and the reality of how most people use their internet. Let’s unravel the reasons behind this common practice and help you understand when that included cable is fine—and when it’s holding your network back.
In This Article:
- The Main Culprit: A Matter of Cost and Sufficiency
- Understanding Cat5e: Is It Really “Obsolete”?
- A Quick Comparison: Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat6a
- When the Included Cable Becomes a Bottleneck
- The Dlaycable.com Recommendation: Investing in Your Network’s Foundation
- Conclusion: The Right Cable for the Right Job
The Main Culprit: A Matter of Cost and Sufficiency
The number one reason new routers ship with Cat5e cables is simple: cost-effectiveness. For a manufacturer producing millions of routers, the price difference between a short Cat5e cable and a Cat6 or Cat6a cable is substantial. This cost saving allows them to keep the retail price of the router competitive without sacrificing the core electronic components.
More importantly, for the vast majority of users, a Cat5e cable is perfectly sufficient. Here’s why:
- Internet Speed vs. Network Speed: Most residential internet plans in the world are still at or below 1 Gigabit per second (Gbps). A Cat5e cable is fully capable of handling 1 Gbps speeds, meaning it can deliver the maximum speed from your Internet Service Provider (ISP) to your router without being a bottleneck.
- The Intended Use: The included cable is primarily intended for the initial setup—connecting your new router to your modem. For this single, crucial link, Cat5e does the job flawlessly.
In essence, the manufacturer provides a cable that meets the needs of the average user’s internet connection, which is the most common use case.
Understanding Cat5e: Is It Really “Obsolete”?
While newer standards exist, “obsolete” isn’t the right word for Cat5e. A better term is “mature.” A high-quality Cat5e cable, like those we would engineer, has well-defined capabilities:
- Speed: Up to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps)
- Bandwidth: Up to 100 MHz
- Distance: Effective up to 100 meters (328 feet)
For connecting to the internet, downloading content, and streaming 4K video, Cat5e is not a bottleneck as long as your internet plan is 1 Gbps or less. The perception of it being outdated comes from the rapid advancement in local network capabilities, not a failure of the standard itself.
A Quick Comparison: Cat5e vs. Cat6 vs. Cat6a
To understand when an upgrade is necessary, it helps to see the specifications side-by-side. At Dlaycable.com, we believe in empowering users with knowledge. Here’s a simple breakdown of the most common Ethernet cable types.
| Feature | Category 5e | Category 6 | Category 6a |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Speed (at 100m) | 1 Gbps | 1 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Max Speed (at <55m) | 1 Gbps | 10 Gbps | 10 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 250 MHz | 500 MHz |
| Crosstalk Reduction | Basic | Better (Tighter twists, spline) | Superior (Enhanced shielding) |
| Best For | Standard internet up to 1 Gbps | Future-proofing, heavy LAN traffic, reducing interference | 10 Gbps networks, data centers, professional use, maximum future-proofing |
The key takeaway is that Cat6 and Cat6a offer significantly more bandwidth and better protection against interference (crosstalk), which is crucial for maintaining signal integrity at higher speeds, especially within your local network.
When the Included Cable Becomes a Bottleneck
So, when should you toss the included cable aside and invest in something better? The free Cat5e becomes a performance bottleneck in several key scenarios:
- You Have Multi-Gig Internet: If you are fortunate enough to have an internet plan faster than 1 Gbps (e.g., 2.5 Gbps, 5 Gbps), the Cat5e cable will cap your speed at 1 Gbps. You are literally not getting what you pay for.
- Heavy Local Network (LAN) Traffic: Your internet speed is different from your internal network speed. If you frequently transfer huge files between computers, stream high-bitrate media from a Network Attached Storage (NAS) device, or engage in competitive online gaming where every millisecond counts, a Cat6 or Cat6a cable is a must. The higher bandwidth allows for faster and more stable data transfer between your wired devices.
- Future-Proofing Your Home: Technology moves fast. While a 1 Gbps connection is standard now, multi-gig plans are becoming more common. Installing high-quality Cat6 or Cat6a cabling today ensures your network’s physical infrastructure is ready for the speeds of tomorrow.
- Signal Integrity is Key: In environments with a lot of potential electronic interference (e.g., near power cables, fluorescent lights, or major appliances), the superior construction and shielding of Cat6 and Cat6a cables provide a more stable, error-free connection.
The Dlaycable.com Recommendation: Investing in Your Network’s Foundation
At Dlaycable.com, our philosophy is simple: your network is only as strong as its weakest link. While the free Cat5e cable from your router manufacturer is a fine starting point, it’s not a long-term performance solution.
We recommend upgrading the critical links in your network—especially from the modem to the router and from the router to your primary, high-performance devices (like a gaming PC, workstation, or media server).
- For Most Power Users & Future-Proofing: A high-quality Cat6 cable is the new sweet spot. It provides the headroom for 10 Gbps speeds over shorter distances and its 250 MHz bandwidth ensures a rock-solid connection for all your LAN activities. Our Cat6 cables are built with pure copper conductors and precision engineering to exceed performance standards.
- For Enthusiasts & Professionals: If you run a 10 Gbps network, have a multi-gig internet connection, or simply demand the absolute best, a premium Cat6a cable is the definitive choice. Its 500 MHz bandwidth and superior shielding deliver uncompromising performance and are the gold standard for modern networking.
Conclusion: The Right Cable for the Right Job
In summary, router manufacturers aren’t trying to cheat you by including a Cat5e cable. They are providing a functional, cost-effective component that gets the job done for the average user’s internet connection.
However, if you’ve invested in a high-speed router, it’s because you value performance. The included Cat5e cable is for basic connectivity; a premium Dlaycable.com Cat6 or Cat6a cable is for unlocking the true potential of your local network. Don’t let your network’s foundation be an afterthought. Upgrade your cabling to match the capability of your devices and ensure a faster, more reliable digital experience for years to come.