Consider the following factors:
- Speed requirements: Choose Cat5e for up to 1 Gbps, Cat6 for up to 10 Gbps, and higher categories for future-proofing and higher performance.
- Cable length: Longer cables can affect performance. For high-speed connections, it’s better to keep cable lengths within recommended limits.
- Shielding: Shielded cables (e.g., STP, FTP) are preferable in environments with high electromagnetic interference.