What is the difference between Cat6 and Cat6A Ethernet cables?

In today’s fast-paced world, internet connectivity is one of the primary concerns of PC and Laptop users worldwide. Technological advancement has led to the development of Ethernet Cables for advanced connectivity on a global scale. Ethernet cable is a unique type of cable that will connect the user's electronic device, such as a computer, printer, PlayStation, etc., to a network, which, in return, will allow them to have internet access and communicate with shared network resources.

Because wireless connections are not one hundred per cent reliable, Ethernet cables are still a preferred method of connecting to a network.

Cat6 stands for Category 6 cable, which is a type of twisted pair cable usually found specifically in Gigabyte Ethernet-based computer networks. 

In the year 2002, it was mutually defined and specified by the EIA/TIA, which is the Electronics Industries Association / Telecommunication Industries Association, as the standard Ethernet Cable.

The Cat 6 cable is entirely backward compatible with the previously launched versions, such as the Category 5 or 5e and Category 3 Ethernet cabling standards.

Function: The Cat6 or Category 6 Ethernet Cable has a bandwidth capacity of 250 MHz, and therefore offers users' speeds of up to 1 Gbps and even 10 Gbps albeit over reduced distances.

Cat6A or Category 6A is a unique Ethernet cable design developed more recently. These design differences mean specific performance differences. Cat6A maintains a maximum bandwidth of 500 MHz. The Cat6A Cable can transmit10 Gbps data at distances up to 100 meters. The design features a higher twist rate in the pairs than Cat6, and it has additional insulation and space around the copper wires.
 
Function: The Cat6A enables 10 GB (Gigabyte) Ethernet data speeding over a single cable which can run up to 100M. In contrast, Cat6 supports 1 Gigabit Ethernet up to 100M.

The difference between Cat6 Ethernet Cable and Cat6A Ethernet Cable are mentioned below: