--- title: "Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6A: Which Network Cable? | Qyvea Kenya" url: https://qyvea.co.ke/cat5e-vs-cat6-vs-cat6a-kenya description: "Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6A compared: bandwidth, speeds, distance, PoE, cost and which cable to choose for CCTV, offices and future-proofing in Kenya." updated: 2026-10-17 --- > Markdown copy of https://qyvea.co.ke/cat5e-vs-cat6-vs-cat6a-kenya for AI assistants. Prices and stock change; check the live page. We deliver products across Kenya · same-day dispatch · delivered within 24 hours[CCTV Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/cctv)[Access Control](https://qyvea.co.ke/access-control-systems-kenya)[Biometrics & Attendance](https://qyvea.co.ke/biometrics)[Electric Fencing](https://qyvea.co.ke/electric-fence)[Automatic Gates](https://qyvea.co.ke/automatic-gates)[Fire Alarm Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/fire-alarm-systems)[Security Guards & K9](https://qyvea.co.ke/security-guards)[Solar Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/solar-installation)[Solar & Power Backup](https://qyvea.co.ke/solar-solutions)[Electrical Installation](https://qyvea.co.ke/electrical-installation)[Smart Home Automation](https://qyvea.co.ke/smart-home-automation)[Building Management (BMS)](https://qyvea.co.ke/bms)[Networking & Wi-Fi](https://qyvea.co.ke/networking)[IT Support](https://qyvea.co.ke/it-support)[Cyber Security](https://qyvea.co.ke/cybersecurity)[System Integration](https://qyvea.co.ke/system-integration)[Intercom Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/intercom)[PA Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/pa-systems)[POS Systems](https://qyvea.co.ke/pos-systems)[Queue Management](https://qyvea.co.ke/queue-management-systems)[Business Supply (B2B)](https://qyvea.co.ke/business-supply-kenya)[Maintenance & Repairs](https://qyvea.co.ke/maintenance) Networking & IT · Comparison # Cat5e vs Cat6 vs Cat6A Bandwidth, speed, distance and cost compared, and which category of cable suits CCTV, offices and future upgrades. How much does a slow, dropping network cost your team every single day? Read on: it takes a few minutes and could save you a lot more than that. **In this guide you will see:** - All: gigabit to ~100 m. - Cat6: 10 Gbps on shorter runs (up to ~55 m). - Cat6A: 10 Gbps to 100 m, thicker and costlier. Quick answer All three carry gigabit Ethernet up to about 100 m. Cat6 has more bandwidth (250 MHz vs 100 MHz for Cat5e) and can carry 10 Gbps over shorter runs (roughly up to 55 m). Cat6A (500 MHz) carries 10 Gbps over the full 100 m. For most CCTV and office networks, Cat6 is the common choice today. [Photo: Compare Fibre / Unsplash](https://unsplash.com/photos/hXVVNB6Qctg) Why this matters now ## Every dropped call and stalled upload is time you pay for twice. ### If you wait - Wi-Fi that drops in the middle of a call - Cables run once and never labelled - One broken router stops everyone ### What you get - Cabling and access points placed on a plan - A network that carries the whole team at once - Faults you can trace to a cable or a port [MikroTik RB951Ui-2HnD 5-Port Home](/products/mikrotik-rb951ui-2hnd-5-port-home-ap-router-37 "MikroTik RB951Ui-2HnD 5-Port Home AP/Router")[Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC](/products/ubiquiti-unifi-ap-ac-lite-indoor-access-point-41 "Ubiquiti UniFi AP AC Lite Indoor Access Point")[TP-Link TL-SG3428 24-Port L2](/products/tp-link-tl-sg3428-24-port-l2-managed-switch-44 "TP-Link TL-SG3428 24-Port L2 Managed Switch") [Get my free quote on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/254113301244?text=Hi%20Qyvea%2C%20I%20read%20your%20guide%3A%20Cat5e%20vs%20Cat6%20vs%20Cat6A.%20I%20want%20networking%20sorted.%20Can%20you%20help%3F)Reply usually within 30 minutes. Free site survey in Nairobi and nearby counties. Real products, live prices, in stock now ## Key takeaways - All: gigabit to ~100 m. - Cat6: 10 Gbps on shorter runs (up to ~55 m). - Cat6A: 10 Gbps to 100 m, thicker and costlier. - Quality of the cable (pure copper) matters as much as the category. - Cabling outlasts the equipment: choose for the future. ## Comparison | | Cat5e | Cat6 | Cat6A | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Bandwidth | 100 MHz | 250 MHz | 500 MHz | | 1 Gbps | Up to 100 m | Up to 100 m | Up to 100 m | | 10 Gbps | Not specified | Up to ~55 m | Up to 100 m | | Size / flexibility | Thinnest | Thicker | Thickest | | Typical use today | Existing installs | CCTV, offices, most new work | Data centres, backbones, future-proofing | ## Copper matters **Warning**: Cheap copper-clad aluminium (CCA) cable is sold as 'Cat6' but has higher resistance, which causes problems with PoE cameras and long runs. Use solid pure-copper cable. ## What we recommend Cat6 pure copper for most CCTV, access control and office cabling. Cat6A for backbones and where 10 Gbps to the desk may be needed. See [structured cabling](https://qyvea.co.ke/structured-cabling-explained-kenya) and [PoE explained](https://qyvea.co.ke/poe-explained-switch-vs-injector-kenya). ## Frequently asked questions Is Cat6 better than Cat5e for CCTV? Cat6 has more headroom and is the common choice; good-quality Cat5e also works for most cameras within 100 m. Can I run network cable longer than 100 m? Not as a single copper Ethernet link. Use a switch in between, fibre or a wireless bridge. What is CCA cable? Copper-clad aluminium: cheaper cable with poorer performance, especially for PoE. Avoid it. ## Why customers choose Qyvea **Genuine brands**: Manufacturer warranty on what we sell, so you are not gambling on the box. **One team, start to finish**: The people who advise you also install and support it. **Fast answers**: WhatsApp replies usually within 30 minutes, and delivery within 24 hours in Nairobi. **Easy to buy**: Pay by M-Pesa, bank transfer or card. Free delivery in Nairobi on orders over KES 5,000. **Risk taken off you**: 7-day returns and exchanges on products, and a workmanship warranty on installations. **Customers say so**: Rated 4.6/5 from 57 Google reviews. **Your next step takes one minute:** send us a photo of the place on WhatsApp and we will tell you what it needs. ## Related articles [Networking & IT · Technology Explained Structured Cabling Explained Why a tidy, labelled, tested cabling system saves money for the life of a building, and what it consists of. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/structured-cabling-explained-kenya)[Networking & IT · Technology Explained PoE Explained: PoE Switch vs PoE Injector How one network cable powers an IP camera, the PoE standards and power levels, switch vs injector, and why power budgets matter. 2 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/poe-explained-switch-vs-injector-kenya)[Networking & IT · Checklist Network Cabling Checklist What a proper structured cabling job should include. 3 min read**READ FULL ARTICLE →**](https://qyvea.co.ke/network-cabling-checklist-kenya) ### Related services [Structured Cabling](https://qyvea.co.ke/structured-cabling-kenya)[Networking & Cabling](https://qyvea.co.ke/networking) ### Related products [Networking equipment](https://qyvea.co.ke/networking-equipment-kenya)[Best switches & routers](https://qyvea.co.ke/best-network-switch-router-kenya) ### Related projects [Real Qyvea case studies](https://qyvea.co.ke/projects#case-studies) [← Previous**Business Wi-Fi for Hotels, Lodges and Guest Houses in Kenya**](https://qyvea.co.ke/business-wifi-for-hotels-and-guest-houses-kenya)[Next →**: Cybersecurity for Small Businesses**](https://qyvea.co.ke/cybersecurity-for-small-business-kenya) ## Not sure which system you need? Request an assessment and we'll recommend what fits your site. Chat with us — 30 min response --- **Qyvea Limited** · Westlands, Nairobi, Kenya (delivery only, no walk-in pickup) · serving all 47 counties Phone/WhatsApp: [+254 113 301 244](https://wa.me/254113301244) · Email: info@qyvea.co.ke · Shop: [qyvea.co.ke/products](https://qyvea.co.ke/products) · Facts: [qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts](https://qyvea.co.ke/qyvea-facts)