EST. 1997 · DAVIE, FLComplus blog · October 16, 2026
Cat6 vs. Cat6A: which cable does your office actually need?
If you're building out a new office, renovating, or adding cameras and Wi-Fi, one of the first questions is what kind of network cable to run. For most businesses today, it comes down to Cat6 or Cat6A.
The short version
- Cat6 handles everyday office needs well: computers, desk phones, printers and most cameras. It supports 10-gigabit speeds only over shorter runs.
- Cat6A supports 10-gigabit speeds over a full 100-meter run, handles more interference, and stays cooler when it's powering devices.
When Cat6 is enough
- Small and medium offices with standard computers and phones
- Runs to desks, printers and conference rooms
- Budgets where every dollar counts
When Cat6A is worth it
- Wi-Fi access points. Newer access points can push past one gigabit, and many are powered over the cable itself (PoE).
- Lots of powered devices. Cameras, access points and door access hardware that run on PoE put heat into the cable bundle. Cat6A handles that better.
- Long runs and busy buildings. Hospitals, hotels and buildings with lots of electrical equipment benefit from the extra interference protection.
- You plan to stay 10+ years. Cabling is the hardest part of a network to change once the ceilings are closed.
The cable is only part of it
A great cable installed badly will still cause problems. Kinked runs, untested terminations and cheap connectors cause slow, flaky connections that are hard to track down later. That's why we use name-brand CommScope cable and connectivity, label every run, and test every cable before we leave.
Need help deciding?
Complus has run data cabling across South Florida since 1997, for offices, hotels and hospitals. Tell us what you're building and we'll recommend the right cable for the job, not the most expensive one. Call 954-344-6330 or send a request.