When you get a cabling quote, you will often see a choice between Cat6 and Cat6A. The two cables look similar, the names differ by one letter, and the price difference can be meaningful on a large job. Picking the wrong one either wastes money now or limits what your network can do later. Here is what actually separates them and how to decide.
The short answer
Cat6 is a good fit for most desk connections in a typical office: computers, phones and printers. Cat6A is the better choice for Wi-Fi access points, connections that need 10-gigabit speeds over long distances, devices that draw a lot of power over the network cable, and buildings you plan to stay in for a long time. Many offices use both.
How they compare
| Cat6 | Cat6A | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 gigabit | Up to the full 100-meter channel | Up to the full 100-meter channel |
| 10 gigabit | Up to 55 meters (about 180 feet), as little as 37 meters in crowded bundles | Up to the full 100 meters (about 328 feet) |
| Rated frequency | 250 MHz | 500 MHz |
| Size | Thinner and more flexible | Noticeably thicker and stiffer |
| Cost | Lower for cable, parts and labor | Higher for cable, parts and labor |
The 100-meter figure is the full "channel": the cable in the wall plus the patch cords at each end. In most offices, few runs get close to that length, which is why distance often decides less than people expect.
Where the difference matters
Wi-Fi access points
Newer Wi-Fi access points can move more data than a one-gigabit connection carries, and many now have network ports faster than one gigabit. 2.5-gigabit speeds were designed to run over existing Cat5e, and 5-gigabit over Cat6, at full length, so Cat6 can serve many current access points well. Cat6A gives you room to grow, since it also supports 10 gigabit at full length. Because access point cables are a small share of a typical job, upgrading just those runs to Cat6A is often a sensible middle ground.
Power over the network cable
Security cameras, access points, phones and door controllers often get their power through the same cable that carries data, known as Power over Ethernet. Higher-power devices warm the cable, and cables bundled tightly together hold that heat. Cat6A cables generally handle that heat better, which matters most in large bundles feeding many powered devices.
Long runs that need 10 gigabit
If a connection might ever need 10-gigabit speeds and the run is longer than about 55 meters, Cat6 will not reliably get you there and Cat6A will. Links between network closets and other backbone connections often use fiber instead, which is a separate decision.
How long you will stay
Cabling usually outlasts the equipment plugged into it, often by many years. If you own the building or have a long lease, paying a little more now for Cat6A on key runs can save you from pulling new cable later. If you are on a short lease, Cat6 may be the more sensible spend.
The size tradeoff
Cat6A's extra performance comes from tighter twists, more separation between pairs and a thicker jacket, which makes the cable thicker and stiffer. That has practical effects: fewer cables fit in a conduit or tray, bends need more room, and installation takes longer. These are some of the reasons Cat6A costs more to install, not just to buy.
Do not mix parts within a run
A cable run is only as good as its weakest part. Cat6A cable with Cat6 jacks or patch panels performs like Cat6. If you are paying for Cat6A, make sure the jacks, patch panels and patch cords are rated Cat6A too, and ask for test results that show each run meets the category it was sold as. Certification testing is the reliable way to know a run actually performs to its rating.
How to decide for your office
- Desks, phones and printers: Cat6 is usually enough.
- Wi-Fi access points: consider Cat6A, especially if you plan to upgrade access points over the next several years.
- High-power devices in large bundles: Cat6A.
- Runs over about 55 meters that may need 10 gigabit: Cat6A, or fiber for links between closets.
- Short lease or tight budget: Cat6 for most runs, Cat6A only where it clearly pays off.
The right answer depends on your building, your equipment and how long you plan to be there. You can learn more about our fiber optic and Cat6A cabling work, or read about our computer network cabling services for everyday office connections.