USB-to-RJ45 network cable test: Goobay’s «innovation»

Goobay has brought network cables onto the market that have USB-A or -C at one end and RJ45 at the other and is selling this as innovation. That alone sounds so absurd, I had to test it. On closer inspection of the advertising brochure, I’m sceptical on page 1. What’s written on the page sounds suspiciously like marketing nonsense:

Considering the already existing USB network adapters, how can LAN via USB be a novelty? It isn’t. Goobay simply combines a normal network cable (Cat 6 – in existence since 2006), a chip that was launched in 2012 and two connections – USB and RJ45. I also frown at the word «performance». Although it has a relative meaning in itself, it suggests high performance.

«The technology upgrade» – with just one gigabit of data processing performance?

On page 3 and 4 of the brochure (in German), I finally find out what data processing performance the cable offers: one gigabit! The miracle cable, which is yet to be used by Europeans (and perhaps won’t be used in the future), doesn’t provide two and a half, five or ten gigabits. This supposed innovation brings the data processing performance that was all the rage 25 years ago.

Really? And what if I want to use a network infrastructure with two and a half, five or ten gigabit data processing performance?

Originality with integrated smart chip from 2012

Goobay state that WLAN often reaches its limits in offices and that this is associated with instability, limited speed or security risks. And that the smart chip in the USB connector of their new cable is the solution. It should work according to the plug-and-play principle.

So the solution to poor WLAN is a cable? Goobay isn’t entirely wrong about this, but there are other ways to fix it, for example:

Goobay go on to say:

Wait. Is the installation of the chip in the cable a clever thing, or the chip itself?

To find out, simply plug in the cable and take a look at the Windows Device Manager. The cable is automatically recognised under Windows and should also work with Linux, macOS and other operating systems.

Goobay has installed the Ethernet controller ASIX AX88179 in the cable. A small chip that’s been installed in network devices since January 2012. According to ASIX, it’s even the first chip capable of Gigabit Ethernet in conjunction with USB 3.0. So Goobay goes for the oldest possible chip. At least it works, as my tests below show.

I can’t confirm Goobay’s claim that USB network adapters are complicated. They’re small, practical and, depending on the model, also offer much more data processing performance.

More incredibly innovative innovations

On brochure page 2, a quartet of pictures catch my eye:

The cable looks really nice. It has a textile sheath and, like all other cables, is protected against kinking. However, not even those who are responsible for this saying believe that the low data processing performance is made to last forever.

Cool, the device can also be connected to a modem or router. Just like a, well, network cable.

I also prefer to use LAN for a stable connection – it’s just a bit faster. A gigabit should be enough for the vast majority of users today. This gives you around 37 times the maximum speed of a Netflix UHD stream (25 megabits per second). If you have network storage (NAS), you may still want a faster connection.

At last I can see at least a hint of the speed that awaits me. Whether the LAN connection is secure depends on the network configuration. And what Goobay describes as lightning fast is only a fraction of what’s already possible today.

The test: stable connection and up to 941 megabits per second

I test a total of six cables: one USB-A and one USB-C to RJ45 network cable each in the sizes 1 metre, 7.5 metres and 15 metres. I therefore cover the shortest, medium and longest lengths. There are a total of eight lengths on offer at a recommended retail price of 24.99 to 59.99 euros.

I connect the respective cable to a current laptop and a network switch. I’ve also got my Synology NAS connected there. However, I’m not using one of the integrated network connections, but a USB network adapter with 2.5 gigabit data processing performance.

The result of my test is identical with every cable. They manage a data processing performance of up to 941 megabits per second. Even Gigabit LAN cables with two RJ45 connections can process this much. It doesn’t reach the full gigabit because there’s also overhead data that regulates communication between the devices.

I worked with the 15-meter cable for three days and it never failed on me. Although the technology isn’t state of the art, it does exactly what the manufacturer says is possible.