Cat5e Outdoor Ethernet Cable 500ft - Waterproof Direct Burial

Our review of this Cat5e outdoor Ethernet cable finds it most useful for contractors, installers, and advanced DIYers who need a reliable, bulk run for outdoor networking. The 500 ft spool and waterproof, direct burial rating make it practical for long runs to security cameras, access points, and remote network nodes, while the 24 AWG solid bare copper conductors deliver consistent signal strength. The single biggest reason to buy is the combination of solid copper conductors and outdoor durability, which together reduce long-term signal loss and installation headaches.

Key Features

• 24 AWG solid bare copper: Provides superior conductivity and more reliable signal strength than copper clad alternatives for long outdoor runs.
• Supports up to 2.5GBASE-T: Handles 1 Gigabit and 2.5 Gigabit speeds up to about 328 ft, useful for faster edge devices where supported.
• PoE/PoE+/PoE++ capable: Supports IEEE 802.3af/at/bt and 4PPoE up to 100W, so it can power remote devices like PTZ cameras and wireless access points.
• Direct burial and waterproof jacket: Designed to resist sunlight, moisture, dirt, and freezing conditions so it can be buried or run in conduit outdoors.
• 500 ft pre-spooled reel: Comes on an easy-pull reel that reduces tangles and speeds up long installations on job sites or home properties.

Who It's For

This cable suits network installers, security professionals, and homeowners running long outdoor Ethernet runs who want a durable, no-compromise conductor. It is especially good when higher PoE power delivery or 2.5G speeds are needed at short runs near 328 ft.

Those looking for indoor patch cables, shielded cable for high-electrical-noise environments, or plenum-rated in-ceiling runs should look elsewhere; this product is unshielded UTP and optimized for outdoor, direct-burial use rather than indoor plenum applications.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid bare copper conductors give consistent, low-loss performance compared with CCA alternatives.
• Weatherproof and rated for direct burial, so it holds up to sun, snow, and moisture in real outdoor conditions.
• Pre-spooled 500 ft reel makes long runs faster to deploy and keeps the cable tangle-free on site.
• Supports PoE++ and 4PPoE up to 100W, expanding device compatibility for powered devices.

Cons

• Unshielded UTP may not be ideal near heavy electrical interference where shielded cable is preferred.
• As a bulk, non-terminated cable, it requires termination with compatible RJ45 connectors and tools before use.

Specifications

Length	500 ft (152 m)
Conductor	24 AWG solid bare copper
Pairs	4 pairs (8C)
Bandwidth	Tested up to 350 MHz
Data speeds	1G and 2.5GBASE-T up to ~328 ft
PoE support	PoE/PoE+/PoE++ (IEEE 802.3af/at/bt), 4PPoE up to 100W
Rating	Outdoor waterproof, direct burial rated, cETLus certified

Our Verdict

This 500 ft Cat5e outdoor cable is a solid value for installations that need durability, pure copper conductors, and the ability to deliver higher PoE power. Installers who bury cable or run long outdoor drops will appreciate the pre-spooled reel and tested performance, making it a practical choice for reliable outdoor networking without overspending on higher category cable where Cat5e meets requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this cable be buried directly in the ground?
Yes. The cable is rated for direct burial and has a waterproof jacket designed to withstand moisture and soil conditions.

Will it support Power over Ethernet for cameras?
Yes. It supports PoE, PoE+, and PoE++ including 4PPoE up to 100W, which covers most IP camera and access point power needs.

Is this cable shielded for high-noise environments?
No. This is unshielded UTP cable; for areas with significant electromagnetic interference, a shielded cable would be preferable.