If you are looking for a short network cable to connect your PC, smart TV or game console directly to the router, you have probably come across the UGREEN UG-70653 Cat 6A 3 m cable and wondered whether the difference between it and a regular Cat 6 cable justifies the extra cost. In this review we explain what the cable actually delivers according to the manufacturer's specifications, who it suits and who it does not, what its limits are, and then we present the alternatives currently in stock so you can pick the right cable for your situation rather than the most expensive one.
Who this cable suits and who should skip it
- Suits anyone with a router or switch that has 2.5G or 10G ports and wants to use them fully between two nearby devices.
- Suits anyone routing the cable behind a desk, under a door or along a window frame who needs a slim cable that does not kink.
- Does not suit a typical home internet subscription with a gigabit-only router; a Cat 6 cable gives exactly the same result.
- Does not suit long in-wall or floor-to-floor runs; three metres is a patch cable, not an installation cable.
What really sets the UGREEN UG-70653 apart
According to UGREEN's official page, this cable belongs to the NW122 series and is an unshielded (U/UTP) Cat 6A cable with bandwidth up to 500MHz and transfer speeds up to 10Gbps. The practical difference from Cat 6: Cat 6A holds 10Gbps over the full 100 m of the standard, while Cat 6 only manages it over much shorter distances. Over three metres you will not notice any speed difference, but the gap shows in build quality:
- 32AWG pure copper conductors, not copper-clad aluminium (CCA), which is the single most important factor for a stable signal and resistance to heat damage.
- Only 2.8 mm outer diameter, noticeably thinner than conventional round cables, so it passes behind furniture and through tight openings with ease.
- 24K gold-plated RJ45 contacts that resist the oxidation caused by dust and humidity, a common problem in our cities.
- Standard T568B termination, so it works with any router, switch or network card without any configuration.
- Flexible black PVC jacket that tolerates repeated bending behind desks and under carpets.
Limits you should know about
- Unshielded (UTP): there is no shielding layer, so do not run it pressed against power cables or near the generator and large transformers.
- The thin conductor (32AWG) means higher electrical resistance than thicker cables, so it is not recommended for powering high-wattage PoE devices.
- Only three metres: if the router is in one room and the PC in another, you need a longer cable, not this one.
- Real speed is set by the slowest link in the chain: the port, the router and the subscription; the cable alone does not raise your internet speed.
Criteria for choosing the right network cable
- Category: Cat 5e is enough up to 1Gbps, Cat 6 covers most homes, and Cat 6A is for 2.5G/10G ports or long runs.
- Conductor material: always insist on pure copper; CCA cables develop random dropouts after a few months.
- Correct length: measure the actual route including bends and add one metre as a margin, but do not buy an exaggerated length.
- Shielding: UTP for normal home use, SFTP if the route passes near interference sources or outside the building.
- Connectors: gold plating and a protective latch guard clearly extend the cable's life.
UGREEN UG-70653 Cat 6A Ethernet Cable 3M
The cable at the heart of this review: Cat 6A with pure copper, 500MHz bandwidth, speeds up to 10Gbps, 2.8 mm diameter and gold-plated connectors. An excellent choice for linking a PC, game console or smart TV to the router when you want the best build quality in a short cable that takes up no space and does not kink behind furniture.
Available alternatives
Not every buyer needs Cat 6A. Below are the cables actually in stock, arranged by the situation they fit.
UGREEN UG-50175 Cat 6 Ethernet Cable Black 3M
The same length in Cat 6 from UGREEN. If your router has gigabit-only ports, this is the most balanced practical alternative; it delivers the full 1Gbps over three metres without paying for headroom you will not use in the near term.
UGREEN UG-50174 Cat 6 Ethernet Cable Black 2M
The two-metre version for devices sitting right next to the router, such as a receiver or a network printer. The shorter the cable, the less tangling behind the devices and the easier it is to keep the desk tidy and dust-free.
UGREEN UG-50176 Cat 6 Ethernet Cable Black 5M
When three metres is not enough, this 5 m version from the same series connects a device on the other side of the room with a neat run along the wall.
UGREEN UG-11281 Cat 6 UTP RJ45 Ethernet 2M Extension
This is not a male-to-male cable but a two-metre extension that lengthens an existing cable. Useful when you have moved the desk slightly and do not want to replace the whole cable; remember that every extra joint is a potential weak point, so use it for a single extension, not a chain of joints.
Cable Ethernet GeTX Cat 6 - 20M
For running from one room to another or from the ground floor to the first, a 20 m Cat 6 cable with ready-made ends. A fitting alternative for anyone who wants wired internet in a distant room without cutting cable and crimping the ends themselves.
Cable Ethernet GeTX SFTP Cat 6 - 305M
A full 305 m spool of SFTP-shielded Cat 6, aimed at technicians, office owners and shopkeepers wiring an entire network or CCTV cameras. Shielding matters here when the cable passes near power wiring or the generator, and you will need a crimping tool and separate RJ45 plugs.
UGREEN Cat 5 UTP RJ45 Ethernet 5M
The budget 5 m option for connecting simple devices such as a receiver, a printer or a camera that does not demand high speeds. We do not recommend it for the main PC or for gaming, but it does the job perfectly for secondary devices.
Common mistakes when buying a network cable
- Believing a Cat 6A cable will raise your internet speed; the cable only carries what arrives from the subscription and the router.
- Buying a cheap CCA cable because it works on day one; the trouble appears months later with heat and power fluctuations.
- Running a UTP cable in the same duct as power wiring or next to the generator and transformer.
- Skipping the port check: sometimes the router port or the network card is only 100Mbps, and the cable gets blamed unfairly.
Frequently asked questions
Do I really need a Cat 6A cable at home?
In most homes the answer is no; as long as the router and PC have gigabit ports and your subscription is below 1Gbps, a Cat 6 cable gives the same result. Choose Cat 6A if you have a 2.5G or 10G port, or if you want a cable you will not replace when you upgrade your devices later.
What is the difference between Cat 6 and Cat 6A over three metres?
Over such a short distance the speed difference is practically nil; both carry 10Gbps. The real difference is in bandwidth (500MHz versus 250MHz), which matters over long distances, and in the build quality of the specific model you buy.
Will a Cat 6A cable increase my internet speed?
No. Internet speed is set by the subscription, the router and the device port; the cable is only a carrier. A good cable prevents the dropouts and jitter caused by a poor or damaged cable, but it does not add speed beyond what your provider delivers.
Does the UGREEN UG-70653 work with an older router or a receiver?
Yes. The RJ45 connectors and T568B termination are standard, and higher categories work with all older ports. The cable will run at the maximum speed supported by the slowest port in the chain, whether 100Mbps or 1Gbps.
How can I tell if a cable is pure copper rather than CCA?
Read the specifications first: reputable brands state Pure Copper explicitly, as UGREEN does for this model. In practice, CCA cables are lighter, stiffer and their wires snap easily when bent, and if you strip an end you will see the silvery aluminium under the copper layer.
Are network cables affected by heat and dust in Iraq?
Yes, over time. High heat stiffens and cracks a poor PVC jacket, and dust and humidity oxidize unplated contacts, causing random dropouts. That is why gold plating and a good jacket deserve attention, and keep the cable away from direct sunlight and dripping air conditioners.
When should I choose an SFTP cable instead of UTP?
When the route passes next to power cables, the generator or transformers, goes outside the building, or covers long distances in offices crowded with equipment. In a normal room over three metres a UTP cable is entirely sufficient, and shielding only helps if it is properly grounded.
Practical verdict
The UGREEN UG-70653 is an excellently built cable: pure copper, Cat 6A with 500MHz bandwidth, slim and flexible with gold-plated connectors. Buy it if you have 2.5G or 10G ports, need a slim cable that fits through tight spaces, or want a cable that stays relevant for years. If your router only has gigabit ports, choose the UG-50175 in the same length or the UG-50176 at 5 m and save the difference. For distant runs, go for the long GeTX cables. All of these options are available with delivery to every governorate in Iraq and cash on delivery.
