Cat6 Direct Burial Ethernet Cable 500ft - Gel Filled, Waterproof

In this review the focus is on a rugged, high-performance outdoor Cat6 cable sold in a 500 ft spool that aims to simplify long-run installations. The reviewer found it most useful for installers and homeowners who need a reliable direct-burial run or a long conduit feed, with the single biggest reason to buy being the combination of solid bare copper conductors and true direct burial protection that supports PoE up to 100W. The review examines real-world durability, handling on the reel, and signal performance for both Gigabit and shorter 10 Gigabit runs.

Key Features

• 23 AWG solid copper: Pure bare copper conductors provide superior conductivity and long-term signal integrity compared with CCA options, improving reliability for camera and access point feeds.
• Direct burial rated: Gel-filled core and a UV-resistant jacket keep moisture and sunlight from degrading the cable, making it suitable for underground or exposed runs.
• 500 ft pre-spooled reel: The cable arrives on an easy-pull, tangle-free reel that speeds up pull-throughs and reduces installation time on long runs.
• PoE and 4PPoE support: Rated to carry PoE/PoE+/PoE++ (up to 100W) for powering devices without separate power runs, useful for remote cameras and wireless APs.
• High bandwidth: Tested to 550 MHz and suitable for 1 and 5 Gbit performance up to about 328 ft and 10 Gbit to around 165 ft depending on environment and termination.

Who It's For

This cable is ideal for professional installers and DIYers who need a dependable outdoor Cat6 run for IP cameras, PoE access points, or network drops where direct burial is preferred to conduit. The 500 ft spool is convenient for single long runs or several shorter runs cut to length.

Those who require shielded cable for high EMI environments or certified field termination for mission-critical 10 Gbit backbone runs should look elsewhere; this unshielded UTP cable is optimized for outdoor durability and PoE-powered devices rather than maximum 10 Gbit channel length under all conditions.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid bare copper conductors deliver reliable signal and better conductivity than CCA alternatives.
• Gel-filled, UV-resistant jacket allows true direct burial and long-term outdoor exposure.
• Pre-spooled 500 ft reel reduces tangles and speeds installation for long runs.
• Supports PoE/PoE+/PoE++ (4PPoE) up to 100W for powering remote devices.

Cons

• The gel filling receives mixed user impressions and can complicate termination compared with dry cables, so careful cleanup is required when terminating connectors.
• Unshielded design is not ideal in very high EMI industrial settings where STP would be preferred.

Specifications

Conductor	23 AWG solid bare copper
Pairs	4 pairs (8 conductor)
Length	500 ft (152 m) on pre-spooled reel
Bandwidth	Tested up to 550 MHz
PoE Support	PoE/PoE+/PoE++ (4PPoE) up to 100W
Rating	Direct burial, gel-filled, UV-resistant jacket, CMX
Certification	cETLus certified, RoHS-3 compliant, tested to ANSI/TIA 568.2-D

Our Verdict

The cable is a strong value for outdoor installations that need a long, reliable Cat6 run with PoE capability; the solid copper and direct burial design make it especially suited to camera and wireless AP deployments. For those needing shielded cable or maximum 10 Gbit channel length in noisy environments, consider a different spec, but for most outdoor networking jobs this cable balances durability, performance, and convenience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can this cable be buried directly in the ground?
Yes, the cable is gel-filled and has a UV-resistant jacket specifically rated for direct burial use.

Will it support PoE to power cameras and APs?
Yes, it supports PoE/PoE+/PoE++ including 4PPoE up to 100W for powering remote devices over Ethernet.

How far will it carry 10 Gbit or 1 Gbit signals?
It is suitable for 1 and 5 Gbit up to about 328 ft and 10 Gbit up to roughly 165 ft depending on installation conditions and termination quality.