Slim Ethernet Cable

Revised: Mon Jan 13 12:14:44 EST 2025
Original: Sun Dec 22 07:03:52 EST 2024

Slim Ethernet cables are legitimate if they comply with the ANSI/TIA-568.2-D standard. The standard includes 28 AWG patch cables. Amazon has a lot of 30 AWG and 32 AWG patch cables that don't comply with the standard. They may still work on short runs but they won't be in compliance.

Cabling Install and Maintenance has a good article about the standard. which states that "The ANSI/TIA-568.2-D standard requires de-rating of the 100-meter channel length when 28-AWG patch cords are used."

FS.com has a good discussion of the standard along with a table of de-rating impacts. Per the FS.com article; "According to the IEEE standard, the DC link resistance of a pair of channels should be 25 ohms (Ω) or less. The new TIA 568.2-D standard recommends a 28 AWG patch cable in the channel keep the length within 15 meters to lower DC resistance within 25 Ω."

Intellinet Network Solutions has a good article about Ethernet cables in general including the 28 AWG slim patch cables.

Purchase Experience

Note cables below are mostly 30 AWG. I did not realize they were not complient with ANSI/TIA-568.2-D standard when they were purchased. Use this information with caution.

Many of the Amazon cables are probably adequate for home use but it is recommended to use name-brand, reliable cables for commercial use.

• UniFi no marking
• Flexibility: Super flexible definitely the best
• Specs: Unknown specs no cable markings
• Comment:
• Features: Probably came with router
• Length: 1 foot
• Color: White
• Snagless: No
• Price: $4.00/10 foot
• Purchase Link

• Lysymixs
• Flexibility: Not tested looks good on Amazon
• Specs: Cat 6 28 AWG stranded bare copper
• Comment:
• Features:
• Length: 10 foot
• Color: Black
• Snagless: Yes
• Price: $2.00/10 foot
• Purchase Link

• Monoprice Reinforced Slimrun
• Flexibility: Very good flexibility
• Specs: Cat 6 30 AWG
• Comment: Tricky to unlatch - tip away from latch
• Features: Yellow connector head spring reinforce
• Length: 10 5 1 foot
• Color: Black
• Snagless: Yes
• Price: $4.09/10 foot
• Purchase Link

• YFC Monoprice Slimrun
• Flexibility: pretty good flexibility.
• Specs: Cat 6A 30 AWG
• Comment:
• Features:
• Length: 3 foot
• Color: Blue
• Snagless: Yes
• Price: $3.00/10 foot
• Purchase Link

• Monoprice Slimrun
• Flexibility: Ok flexibility
• Specs: Cat 6A 30 AWG
• Comment: Better than Raplink but larger than best
• Features:
• Length: 2 foot
• Color: Multi colors
• Snagless: Yes
• Price: $3.00/10 foot
• Purchase Link

• Monoprice Slimrun
• Flexibility: Pretty good but larger than YFC cable
• Specs: Cat 6A 30 AWG
• Comment:
• Features: Maybe came from Home Telecom
• Length: 3 foot
• Color: black
• Snagless: Yes
• Price: Unknown
• Purchase Link

• Rapilink Slim
• Flexibility: not very flexible
• Specs: Cat 6A 30 AWG
• Comment:
• Features: Ordered 24
• Length: 1 foot
• Color: blue
• Snagless: Yes
• Price: $2.40/10 foot
• Purchase Link