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Monoprice 106986 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable 7ft — main product image
Monoprice 106986 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable 7ft
Monoprice 106986 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable 7ft
Monoprice 106986 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable 7ft
Monoprice

Monoprice 106986 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable 7ft

★★★★★4.5 (7 reviews)

A shielded Cat5e patch cable with pure copper conductors and snagless boots for dependable everyday networking.

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Overview

The Monoprice 106986 Cat5e Ethernet Patch Cable is a 7-foot shielded networking cable built with 100% pure bare copper wire in a 24AWG gauge. Unlike cheaper cables that use copper-clad aluminum, the solid copper construction ensures consistent conductivity, lower resistance, and better long-term reliability. The shielded twisted pair (STP) design wraps the internal wire pairs in additional shielding material, which helps reduce electromagnetic interference and crosstalk — a practical advantage in environments where cables run alongside power lines or near electronics.

The cable terminates in RJ45 connectors with 50-micron gold-plated contacts, which resist oxidation and maintain a clean electrical connection over repeated insertions. Snagless strain relief boots protect the locking tabs from damage during installation or cable management. Rated for 350MHz bandwidth, this cable comfortably supports gigabit Ethernet speeds, making it suitable for connecting PCs, gaming consoles, streaming devices, and network-attached storage to routers and switches.

Key Features

Available in a large assortment of colors and lengths we have a cable to fit every situation

Most budget cables skimp with only 10m

Shielded Twisted Pair (STP) Category 5e Ethernet cable | 24AWG stranded, pure bare copper conductors

350MHz bandwidth | Snagless cable boot protects the plug retaining clip

Specifications

Length
7 Feet
Color
Gray
Cable Type
Cat5e
Conductor Material
100% Pure Bare Copper Wire
Wire Gauge
24AWG
Bandwidth
350MHz
Shielding
Shielded Twisted Pair (STP)
Connector Type
RJ45
Contacts
50µm Gold Plated
Boot Type
Snagless Strain Relief

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Pure bare copper conductors provide better signal quality and durability compared to copper-clad aluminum alternatives
  • Shielded twisted pair construction reduces crosstalk and electromagnetic interference
  • 50-micron gold-plated RJ45 contacts resist corrosion and maintain a reliable connection over time
  • Snagless strain relief boots protect the connector clip from snagging and breaking during installation
  • 350MHz bandwidth supports full Cat5e performance for gigabit Ethernet speeds

👎 Cons

  • At 7 feet, the length may be too short for connections between rooms or to wall-mounted equipment
  • The shielded design makes the cable slightly stiffer and less flexible than unshielded alternatives
  • STP cables require grounded equipment at both ends to realize the full shielding benefit
  • Only available in gray, which may not blend with all cable management setups

Frequently Asked Questions

This Monoprice cable uses shielded twisted pairs (STP), which adds a foil or braided shield around the wire pairs to reduce electromagnetic interference. This is beneficial in environments with many electronic devices or cables running close together.
Yes, Cat5e cables are backward compatible with Cat5 and work with Cat6-rated switches and routers. This cable supports speeds up to 1 Gbps, which is sufficient for most home and office gigabit networks.
The snagless strain relief boot is a molded cover over the RJ45 clip that prevents it from catching on other cables or surfaces when pulling it through tight spaces, reducing the risk of the connector breaking.
At 7 feet (approximately 2.1 meters), this cable is well-suited for connecting devices within the same room, such as a PC to a router or switch on a nearby desk or shelf.

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