Quick answer
For Cat6 cable, our pick is the EZ-RJ45 Cat6 (100010C, 50 per clamshell), crimped with the PTS PRO Universal Crimp Tool (12520C). It is a pass-through plug: the conductors pass out the front of the plug, so you can check the wire order before you crimp. It takes the EZ-RJ45 die (the shaped jaw in the crimp tool that presses the plug onto the wires), and the PTS PRO Universal crimps it.
Cat6 plugs compared
| Plug | Price | Part | Sold as | Family | Crimp die | Tools in our catalog that crimp it |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EZ-RJ45 Cat6 | $37.50 | 100010C | 50 per clamshell | EZ-RJ45, pass-through | EZ-RJ45 die | PTS PRO Universal |
| EZ-RJ45 Cat6 Connector | $73.49 | 202010J | 100 per jar | EZ-RJ45, pass-through | EZ-RJ45 die | PTS PRO Universal |
| ezEX44 Cat6 | $70.02 | 202044J | 100 per jar | ezEX, pass-through, unshielded | EXO-EX die | PTS PRO Universal, ezEX crimp tool (100061C) |
| EZ-RJ45 Cat5/5e | $33.19 | 100003C | 50 per clamshell | EZ-RJ45, pass-through | EZ-RJ45 die | PTS PRO Universal |
Add-on: Strain Reliefs Cat6 (100036C), boots made for the EZ-RJ45 Cat6 plug, 50 per clamshell.
Our picks, and who each one is for
EZ-RJ45 Cat6 (100010C): the common pick
The EZ-RJ45 Cat6 is the plug we would hand most installers and homelab builders terminating Cat6. It comes 50 to a clamshell. Because it is pass-through, you can see the conductor order at the front of the plug before you crimp.
What it does not do: it does not crimp in a standard die or in an ezEX die. Platinum specifies the EZ-RJ45 die. In our catalog, that means the PTS PRO Universal. Pair it with the Cat6 strain reliefs if you want a boot on every plug.
EZ-RJ45 Cat6 Connector, 100 per jar (202010J): for larger jobs
The EZ-RJ45 Cat6 Connector (202010J) is an EZ-RJ45 Cat6 pass-through plug sold 100 to a jar. It takes solid or stranded conductors, and the cable can be up to 0.275 in (6.98 mm) across. It crimps in the EZ-RJ45 die, so the PTS PRO Universal crimps it. Buy it when a jar of 100 suits the job better than a clamshell of 50.
What it does not do: it does not crimp in the EXO-EX die, so the ezEX crimp tool (100061C) will not crimp it.
ezEX44 Cat6 (202044J): for crews standardizing on ezEX
The ezEX44 Cat6 is Platinum's ezEX pass-through plug for Cat6. It is unshielded and comes 100 to a jar. Buy it instead of the EZ-RJ45 Cat6 if you also terminate Cat6A, because it shares a crimp die with the ezEX48 Cat6A plug: both are in the ezEX family and crimp with the EXO-EX die, so one die covers both jobs.
What it does not do: it does not crimp with the EZ-RJ45 die. Use the PTS PRO Universal, or the ezEX crimp tool (100061C). As sold, with the EXO-EX die, the 100061C crimps the ezEX family only.
EZ-RJ45 Cat5/5e (100003C): if your cable is Cat5e
If the cable on your job is Cat5e, use the EZ-RJ45 Cat5/5e, 50 to a clamshell, with the same EZ-RJ45 die. Our post on whether a Cat6 connector works on Cat5e explains why the plug should match the cable.
About standard (non-pass-through) plugs
Every unshielded Cat6 plug you crimp in our catalog is pass-through, so we do not carry a standard crimp plug for unshielded Cat6. If your shop standardizes on standard plugs, the pass-through vs standard RJ45 post covers the trade-off. For shielded Cat6 and Cat6A plugs, see our Cat6A and shielded connector guide.
Connectors we do not sell
Klein Tools Pass-Thru connectors, IDEAL feed-through plugs and unbranded pass-through plugs sold on Amazon are the other options most buyers see. We do not sell them. Our case for the Platinum plugs is a documented crimp die for each family and a tool in the same catalog that crimps them. If you already own another brand's crimper, check that brand's list of compatible plugs before you buy ours.
How to choose
- Match the plug to the cable. Cat6 plug for Cat6 cable, Cat5e plug for Cat5e. Check your cable's conductor gauge and jacket diameter against the plug before you order in bulk.
- Pick one family. EZ-RJ45 or ezEX. Mixing families on one truck means two dies, or a tool that crimps both.
- Match the die. EZ-RJ45 needs the EZ-RJ45 die. ezEX needs the EXO-EX die. The PTS PRO Universal crimps both families.
- Count by the pack. EZ-RJ45 plugs come 50 per clamshell or 100 per jar; ezEX plugs come 100 per jar.
- Shielded cable is a different job. Use a shielded plug, covered in the shielded connector guide.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pass-through and a regular RJ45 connector?
On a pass-through plug the conductors pass out the front of the plug, so you can check the wire order before you crimp, then the excess is trimmed. On a regular plug the conductors stop inside the plug. See pass-through vs standard RJ45 for the full comparison.
Can I use a Cat6 connector on Cat5e cable?
Match the plug to the cable. For Cat5e, use the EZ-RJ45 Cat5/5e (100003C). Our post on Cat6 connectors on Cat5e explains why.
Do I need a special crimper for pass-through connectors?
Yes. Platinum specifies the EZ-RJ45 die for EZ-RJ45 plugs and the EXO-EX die for ezEX plugs. The PTS PRO Universal crimps both. Our crimp tool guide for EZ-RJ45 and ezEX has the full plug-to-tool table.
What is the difference between EZ-RJ45 and ezEX?
Both are Platinum pass-through families. They take different crimp dies. EZ-RJ45 plugs come 50 per clamshell or 100 per jar; ezEX plugs come 100 per jar. The ezEX family includes a Cat6A plug, the ezEX48. Our EZ-RJ45 vs ezEX post goes further.
Do I need strain reliefs?
They are optional. The Cat6 strain reliefs (100036C) are made for the EZ-RJ45 Cat6 plug and come 50 per clamshell.
Shop connectors
See every plug, jack and strain relief on our connectors page.
