As a home technology enthusiast, I often get asked – what‘s the difference between RG6 and RG59 coaxial cables? Which one is better for my specific needs?
These are important questions for anyone looking to set up a robust cable infrastructure for their home or office. The type of coax cable you choose impacts everything – from internet speeds to video quality.
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll dive deep into all things RG6 and RG59 – from their technical capabilities to real-world applications.
You‘ll have all the information you need to decide:
- RG6 vs RG59: Which cable do I need?
- What are their key differences and similarities?
- What applications are they best suited for?
Let‘s get started!
RG6 and RG59 Coax Cable Overview
RG6 and RG59 refer to two types of coaxial or "coax" cables commonly used for video and data signal transmission.
Some key things they have in common:
- Made up of an inner conductor, insulation layer, metallic shielding, and outer plastic jacket
- Impedance rating of 75 ohms to prevent signal loss/interference
- Use BNC or F-Type connectors to interface with devices
- Omnidirectional signal propagation from core conductor
But when you look closer – there are some important differences:
RG6 Cable
RG6 features a thick 18AWG copper core conductor and heavy braided metallic shielding. This allows for lossless transmission of high frequency signals over long distances.
Other features that make RG6 ideal for modern digital communications:
- Higher bandwidth capacity – Up to 3.0GHz
- Longer transmission range – Up to 1000 ft without signal amplification
- Thicker conductor – Better protection against interference
- Heavier shielding – Prevents signal leakage
Given these enhanced electrical properties, RG6 cables are commonly used for:
- Satellite TV
- High speed broadband Internet
- IPTV / Digital cable TV
- HD video distribution
So if you need to transmit high frequency digital signals over long cables runs, RG6 is the way to go.
RG59 Cable
RG59 uses a thinner 20AWG conductor and less intense shielding compared to RG6. This makes it better suited for lower frequency analog signal transmission.
Key RG59 cable characteristics:
- Lower bandwidth – Up to 1.0GHz
- Shorter Max distance – Up to 500 ft without amplification
- Thinner conductor – Cost-effective, flexible
- Less shielding – Susceptible to interference
Typical RG59 applications include:
- Analog CCTV cameras
- Traditional cable TV
- Analog video transmission
- Security systems
So for cost-sensitive installations where high frequency performance isn‘t critical, RG59 gets the job done.
RG6 vs RG59 – Key Feature Comparison
To summarize the key differences:
| Specification | RG6 Cable | RG59 Cable |
| Bandwidth | Up to 3.0GHz | Up to 1.0GHz |
| Max. Distance | Up to 1000 ft | Up to 500 ft |
| Cost | Higher | Lower |
| Shielding | Heavy duty | Regular |
| Size/Flexibility | Thicker, stiffer | Thinner, more flexible |
So in a nutshell:
- RG6 gives you better performance and longer transmission range
- RG59 is cheaper and easier to work with for short cable runs
The right choice depends on your application requirements. We‘ll analyze that next.
When Should You Use RG6 or RG59 Cables?
Now we come to the key question – in what scenarios should you use RG6 or RG59 cables?
Here are some general recommendations:
When to Use RG6 Cable
Since RG6 provides higher frequency performance and longer transmission distance, it works better for:
👉 HDTV Signal Distribution: For connecting an outdoor HDTV antenna to multiple TVs inside your home. RG6 maintains video quality over long cable runs.
👉 Satellite TV Installations: Satellite dishes need to be placed properly for line of sight access. So you often need longer cable lengths from dish to receivers. RG6 allows linking roof-mounted dishes to distant Set Top Boxes without any amplification.
👉 High Speed Internet: For distributing broadband/cable modem connections across large houses. The high bandwidth of RG6 maintains gigabit internet speeds over CAT6a wiring inside walls. No bandwidth bottleneck.
In commercial settings, RG6 is commonly used for:
👉 Cable TV head-ends: Where the cable TV signal is received/modulated before distribution
👉 Surveillance Systems: Connecting IP cameras to networked video recorders and monitors. Prevent video lag/distortion.
So in summary, use RG6 for:
✅ Digital signals like HDTV, 4K video
✅ Long transmission distances > 100ft
✅ Future-proofing bandwidth needs
When to Use RG59 Cable
Since RG59 cables provide decent performance at lower cost, they work well in shorter analog runs like:
👉 Analog CCTV Systems: Connecting standard definition security cameras to local monitoring points. No need for unnecessary RG6 costs.
👉 Older Cable TV Networks: Plenty of bandwidth capacity for traditional analog video signals. Easy retrofitting.
For commercial buildings like offices, RG59 can provide cost-effective cabling for:
👉 Analog video surveillance systems
👉 MATV signal distribution
Essentially, use RG59 for:
✅ Analog signals
✅ Short cable runs < 100ft
✅ Cost-conscious installations
This provides a good rule of thumb on selecting between the two popular coax cable varieties.
Real-World RG6 and RG59 Cable Installations
To make things more concrete, let‘s look at some real-world applications of RG6 and RG59 cables. This will give you a better feel of how they are implemented based on technical requirements.
Residential Setup – Home Theater & Internet
For a modern household with multiple HD TVs and high speed broadband, here is an example cabling plan:
📡 Use RG6 quad-shielded coax to connect rooftop HDTV antenna to a signal splitter
📡 Use RG6 from splitter to connect basement media room TV and 4K Blu-Ray player
📡 Also use RG6 to link main living room entertainment system
📡 Run RG6 from basement to home office router/modem location for CAT6a ethernet backhaul
This leverages RG6 for long stretches to reliably distribute HDTV and high bandwidth internet throughout the house.
Additionally, RG59 cables can provide cost-effective feeds for legacy analog devices:
📺 Use RG59 to transmit standard definition signals from older DVD players
📷 Use thinner RG59 cables for short CCTV camera runs
So in a home setting, newer digital devices use higher performance RG6, while older analog gear works fine with RG59. This balances functionality and cost.
Business Application – Video Surveillance System
For a building-wide IP-based CCTV system, here is a structured cabling recommendation:
📹 Use RG6 quad-shield coax as video data backbone across long distances from cameras to control room DVRs
📹 Connect outdoor IP66-rated cameras using RG6 cables to handle longer exterior cable runs prone to interference
📹 Use thinner RG59 cables for short connections to analog cameras not being upgraded to IP models
This utilizes RG6 coax as much as possible to create a robust IP surveillance network. Existing analog cameras can remain on older RG59 lines until phased out.
So for commercial installations, heavily lean towards RG6 while maintaining RG59 for legacy analog gear.
Shopping Guide – Best RG6 and RG59 Cables to Buy Online
Once you decide whether you need RG6 or RG59 cables, the next question is – where can I buy good quality coax cables on a budget?
Here are some decent options available online from leading brands like Mediabridge and Belden:
Best RG6 Coaxial Cables
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Mediabridge RG6 Coaxial Cable – Highly flexible quad-shielded RG6 suitable for long HD video runs. Great value for money.
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Belden Bonded-Pair RG6 Cable – Commercial-grade RG6 cable with robust solid copper core conductor. Reliable choice for mission-critical applications.
Best RG59 Coaxial Cables
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Seamoon RG59 Siamese Coaxial Cable – Low cost siamese/twin axial RG59 perfect for analog CCTV systems. Easy to install and conceal.
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Uverco RG59 Cable – Flexible RG59 rated for outdoor/direct burial. Handy for rugged CCTV/MATV installations.
I recommend buying shorter patch cables from these brands to test signal quality. Then purchase bulk RG6/RG59 cable spools for mass deployment in your installation.
This gives you peace of mind without breaking the bank!
Conclusion – Making the Optimal RG6 vs RG59 Decision
Deciding between RG6 and RG59 coaxial cables ultimately depends on your needs.
To quickly summarize the key takeaways:
✅ Use higher performance RG6 for digital signals like HDTV, 4K video and high speed internet
✅ Get RG59 for cost-sensitive analog applications like CCTV or legacy cabling
✅ Implement RG6 whenever long transmission distances are needed – it can reach 1000ft!
✅ RG59 works for short runs up to 500ft like connecting adjacent buildings
There are no absolute rules though. Do check cable attenuation specs when planning complex installations.
While RG6 installation costs more upfront, it leaves headroom for supporting higher bandwidth applications in the future. With the relentless pace of technological innovation, that‘s an important investment!
I hope this guide has helped decode the critical distinctions between RG6 and RG59 coaxial cables. You are now better equipped to analyze application requirements and select the right cabling.
Feel free to reach out below if you still have any questions! I‘m happy to help narrow things down.
