Cat5e Outdoor Ethernet Cable 250 ft - Durable, Weatherproof

Our review of the Cat5e Outdoor Ethernet Cable 250 ft finds it a practical choice for homeowners and small businesses who need a long, rugged run of network cable without the complexity or price of shielded alternatives. The single biggest reason to buy is its double-jacket construction with UV resistant LLDPE outer and PVC inner jackets, which makes the cable suitable for in-wall, direct burial and exposed outdoor runs while still supporting 1.0 Gbps data speeds and backwards compatibility with Cat5 networks.

Key Features

• High speed transmission: Supports lag-free data at up to 1.0 Gbps and a bandwidth of up to 350 MHz, making it suitable for standard gigabit networking needs.
• Double-jacket weather resistance: UV resistant LLDPE outer jacket and PVC inner jacket provide moisture, heat and cold protection for outdoor and underground use.
• Signal integrity design: Four pairs of unshielded twisted pairs wrapped with HDPE insulation reduce interference and preserve reliable connections over longer runs.
• Durable conductor and connectors: Uses 8/24 AWG copper clad aluminum solid conductors with gold-plated RJ45 contacts to optimize signal quality for typical network devices.
• Organized installation: Includes 25 cable ties and a snagless boot on the RJ45 connector to protect the plug and make longer runs easier to manage.

Who It's For

This cable fits homeowners, DIY networkers and small businesses that need an affordable, heavy duty Ethernet run for routers, switches, POE cameras, gaming consoles and other wired devices. It is especially useful for outdoor installations where UV resistance and direct burial capability matter.

Those who require shielded cable for high EMI environments or enterprise-grade fiber performance should look elsewhere; this is an unshielded Cat5e solution optimized for value, flexibility and outdoor durability rather than the highest-end laboratory or data center installations.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Weatherproof double jacket gives confidence for outdoor, in-wall and direct burial installs.
• Supports gigabit speeds and a 350 MHz bandwidth for common home and office networking.
• Includes cable ties and snagless RJ45 boots for neater, safer installations.
• Good value for long runs compared with higher-cost alternatives.

Cons

• Uses copper clad aluminum (CCA) conductors rather than pure copper, which may be less desirable for some pro installers.
• Unshielded design can be more susceptible to interference in high EMI environments.

Specifications

Cable Category	Cat5e
Length	250 ft
Maximum Speed	Up to 1.0 Gbps
Bandwidth	Up to 350 MHz
Conductors	8/24 AWG copper clad aluminum (CCA) solid
Jacket	LLDPE outer jacket with PVC inner jacket (double jacket)
Connectors	RJ45 with gold-plated contacts and snagless boot

Our Verdict

The Cat5e Outdoor Ethernet Cable 250 ft is a sensible, cost-effective choice for anyone needing a long, durable run for outdoor or in-wall networking. Its double-jacket construction and gigabit capability deliver reliable performance for POE cameras, routers and general home or small office needs, though installers seeking pure copper or shielded cable for extreme EMI conditions should consider alternatives.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this cable be buried directly in the ground?
Yes, the cable is designed for direct burial thanks to its LLDPE outer jacket and PVC inner jacket for moisture resistance.

Will this cable support POE cameras?
Yes, the cable is suitable for POE cameras and other POE network devices within standard power and distance limits for Cat5e.

Is this cable as flexible as Cat6?
The manufacturer notes it is more flexible and easier to lay than Cat6, which helps when routing long outdoor or in-wall runs.