Best Cable Network Cards of 2025

Tom Law Avatar
Tom Law
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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Cable network cards are a type of computer hardware that allow users to connect to a cable network for high-speed internet access. These cards are designed to fit into a computer's expansion slot and provide a reliable and fast connection to the internet. Cable network cards are a popular choice for both home and business users who need to connect multiple devices to the internet simultaneously. They are often recommended by IT professionals for their ease of use, stability, and overall performance.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Ubit 2.5GB PCIe Network Card with Ethernet Cable Cover #TOP 1
Ubit 2.5GB PCIe Network Card with Ethernet Cable
ftb score rating icon 9.9
StarTech.com 10G PCIe Network Adapter Cover #TOP 2
StarTech.com 10G PCIe Network Adapter
ftb score rating icon 9.8
GLOTRENDS 100mm PCIe 3.0 X1 Riser Cable Cover #TOP 3
GLOTRENDS 100mm PCIe 3.0 X1 Riser Cable
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 8 Cable Network Cards

Ubit 2.5GB PCIe Network Card with Ethernet Cable

PE25
Ubit 2.5GB PCIe Network Card with Ethernet Cable Cover
Ubit 2.5GB PCIe Network Card with 1m(39’’) RJ45 Ethernet Patch Cable – PCIe to 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Network Adapter, Supports Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Win Server 2022/2019/2016, Linux

The Ubit 2.5GB Network Card delivers impressive performance with speeds of up to 2.5 Gbps, ensuring you enjoy smooth internet access and local data transfers. It comes with a 1m RJ45 Ethernet patch cable, so there's no need to buy additional accessories. Its versatile compatibility allows for seamless connections across various data rates, automatically adjusting to the best speed for your needs. Plus, with Quality of Service technology, you can enjoy prioritised performance during PC gaming, reducing the chances of network congestion.

What We Like
High-speed data transmission
Includes Ethernet patch cable
Versatile compatibility
Prioritised performance for gaming
#TOP 2

StarTech.com 10G PCIe Network Adapter

PEX10GSFP
Black
StarTech.com 10G PCIe Network Adapter Cover
StarTech.com 10G PCIe SFP+ Card - Single SFP+ Port Network Adapter - Open SFP+ for MSA-Compliant Modules/Direct-Attach Cables - 10 Gigabit Fiber PCIe NIC - PCI Express SFP+ Network Card (PEX10GSFP)

The StarTech.com 10G Card enhances your network experience by delivering a maximum throughput of up to 10 Gbps, making large file transfers and content sharing significantly quicker. With its open SFP+ slot, you can easily use various MSA-compliant modules and direct attach cables, giving you flexibility in your network setup. This card also offers a secure point-to-point connection, reducing electromagnetic interference and allowing for longer distance coverage. Ideal for high bandwidth applications, it ensures a reliable and efficient network environment.

What We Like
High bandwidth up to 10 Gbps
Flexible module compatibility
Secure fibre connection
Reduced electromagnetic interference
Long-distance connectivity
#TOP 3

GLOTRENDS 100mm PCIe 3.0 X1 Riser Cable

PCIE30-X1-100MM-9090D
Black
100MM
GLOTRENDS 100mm PCIe 3.0 X1 Riser Cable Cover
GLOTRENDS 100mm PCIe 3.0 X1 Riser Cable (Dual Right Angle) for PCIe WiFi Card, M.2 PCIe Card, Firewire Card, USB PCIe Card, Sound Card, etc (PCIE30-X1-100MM-9090D)

The GLOTRENDS PCIe Riser Cable offers a convenient solution for extending your PCIe connections. With its dual 90-degree right angle design, it allows for easy installation in tight spaces, ensuring your components can fit comfortably. The cable supports a variety of PCIe cards, providing flexibility for users with different hardware needs. Additionally, it features an impressive maximum speed of 8Gbps, ensuring that data transfer remains efficient and reliable, enhancing your overall computing experience.

What We Like
Dual right angle design
Supports various PCIe cards
8Gbps maximum speed
EMI-shielded for signal integrity
#TOP 4

ULANSEN 2.5GBase-T PCIe Network Adapter

I225-Single Port
ULANSEN 2.5GBase-T PCIe Network Adapter Cover
2.5GBase-T PCIe 3.1 Network Adapter with Intel I225-V+3ft Cat8 Ethernet Cable 2500/1000/100Mbps PCI Express Gigabit Ethernet Card RJ45 LAN Controller for Windows 10/11 with Low Profile Bracket

The ULANSEN Network Adapter offers exceptional connectivity with PCI Express 3.1 technology, allowing for fast data transfer speeds of up to 5GT/s. It supports various network interfaces, ensuring compatibility with a range of applications, including 2500BASE-T and 1000BASE-T. This adapter is versatile, fitting into multiple PCIe slots (x1, x2, x4, x8, x16), making it easy to install in various systems. Additionally, it supports multiple operating systems, providing you with flexibility for your network setup.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Versatile compatibility
Easy installation
Supports multiple operating systems
#TOP 5

Intel I210AT Mini PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Card

I210-GE-1T-mPCIe-TB
Intel I210AT Mini PCIe Gigabit Ethernet Card Cover
Mini PCIe 1G Gigabit Ethernet Network Card (Intel I210AT), 30-cm cable length

The Intel I210AT Ethernet Card offers a reliable network connection with a single RJ-45 port supporting speeds of 10/100/1000Mbps. It is equipped with advanced features such as PXE, which allows you to boot your computer over the network, making setups easier. DPDK support enhances packet processing performance, ideal for high-traffic environments. Furthermore, the card supports Wake-on-LAN (WOL), enabling remote wake-up capabilities. These features ensure you have a versatile and efficient networking solution.

What We Like
High-speed connectivity
Supports multiple operating systems
Advanced features for performance
Includes full height and low profile brackets
#TOP 6

SYONCON WiFi 6E AXE5400 PCIe WiFi Card

SYONCON
SC-AXE5400
AXE5400(Black)
SYONCON WiFi 6E AXE5400 PCIe WiFi Card Cover
SYONCON WiFi 6E AXE5400 PCIe WiFi Card intel AX210 Chipset with Bluetooth 5.3 Tri-Band 2.4G/5G/6GHz 5374Mbps PCI Express Wireless Network Card Wi-Fi Adapter for Desktop PC Windows 10/11 (Black)

The SYONCON WiFi 6E Card enhances your desktop experience with its advanced AX210 chipset, supporting the latest WiFi 6E technology. It allows you to utilise 6GHz Wi-Fi, providing faster data rates and improved network capacity, especially in crowded areas. The integration of OFDMA and MU-MIMO ensures smoother downloads and ultra-low latency, making it ideal for gaming and VR applications. Additionally, Bluetooth 5.3 offers a significant range boost and quicker transmission speeds, perfect for connecting various devices. With high-gain antennas, you can enjoy reliable signal strength even from a distance.

What We Like
Fast data rates up to 5374Mbps
Supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3
Improved network capacity in crowds
Dual antennas for wider coverage
Compatible with Windows and Linux
#TOP 7

QSFPTEK 2.5GBase-T Realtek Network Card

2.5G RTL8125B Dual Port
QSFPTEK 2.5GBase-T Realtek Network Card Cover
QSFPTEK 2.5Gbase-T Realtek RTL8125B Network Card (2 Port), 2.5 Gigabit Dual RJ45 Port RTL8125B PCI-E Network Card, Support Windows 11/10/8/7, Windows Server, Linux System

The QSFPTEK RTL8125B Card features a high-performance Gigabit Ethernet controller that supports transfer rates of up to 2.5Gbps. With two auto-adapt RJ45 ports, you can easily connect to various network speeds, ensuring compatibility with your existing infrastructure. It supports multiple operating systems, providing flexibility for your setup, although manual driver installation may be required for some. Additionally, its low-power and intelligent energy-saving technology helps you maintain a stable connection while reducing energy consumption, making it a smart choice for your network needs.

What We Like
High-speed data transfer
Dual RJ45 ports
Multi-system compatibility
Energy-efficient operation
#TOP 8

2.5GBase-T Dual Port Network Card

6C-RTL8125B-T2
RTL8125B(2xRJ45)
2.5GBase-T Dual Port Network Card Cover
2.5GBase-T PCI-E Network Card,Dual RJ45 Port 2500/1000/100M/10Mbps Network Adapter with Realtek RTL8125B Ethernet Controller, Support Windows 11/10/8/7, Windows Server, Linux

The 6COMGIGA Network Card features dual RJ45 ports, providing a speedy 2.5Gb connection that is compatible with various PCI-E slots. With the Realtek RTL8125B Ethernet Controller, you can enjoy a stable and energy-efficient network experience, ensuring seamless data transmission. It supports a range of operating systems, making it versatile for users with different setups. The inclusion of both standard and low-profile brackets means you can easily install the card in various computer cases, providing flexibility for your system configuration.

What We Like
High-speed 2.5Gb connection
Energy-efficient performance
Wide operating system compatibility
Flexible installation options
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a wired network card?

A wired network card - most often referred to a Network Interface Card (NIC) or LAN (local area network) card when dealing with Ethernet; a Host Channel Adapter (HCA) when using Infiniband; or a Host Bus Adapter (HBA) when using Fibre - is an add-in card for a system to enable it to connect to the wider network and ...

2. What are network cards used for?

A NIC, or network interface card, is an add-in/expansion card for a PC desktop or laptop computer. It provides a hardware connection that enables the device to be plugged into the network (meaning the internet, in most cases). The connection may be via either Wi-Fi or fast Ethernet.

3. Which card is used to connect network cable to computer?

The Role of the NIC The network interface card (NIC) or network card is the hardware device most essential to establishing communication between computers.

Editor's Notes

During our cable network card research, we found 282 cable network card products and shortlisted 8 quality products. We collected and analyzed 63,714 customer reviews through our big data system to write the cable network cards list. We found that most customers choose cable network cards with an average price of £21.02.

The cable network cards are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of cable network cards, including Ubit, StarTech.com, GLOTRENDS, ULANSEN, 10Gtek. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 18 consumers with an average rating of 4.8.

Written by
Tom Law Avatar

Tom Law is an adventurer who has captured his love for nature into all of his works. A native of Newcastle, Tom has always wanted to share beautiful stories alongside the lovely sights of nature. Fortunately, he took into photography on one of his many journeys and gradually grew a passion for it. Tom Law is now an expert photographer who tours the world while creating and keeping memories of his adventures. He frequently puts his thoughts and experiences into writing.