CAT6 Ethernet Cable, 500ft Bulk - Solid Bare Copper, 550MHz

In this review the CAT6 Ethernet Cable, 500ft bulk spool is assessed for home and small office networking needs; the bottom line is that it delivers reliable, future-proof wiring where solid conductor performance and safety ratings matter most. The reviewer found the cable well suited to 1Gb networks and capable of supporting 10Gb at shorter runs, with the solid bare copper conductors and ETL listing providing confidence in signal stability and compliance. This cable is a pragmatic choice for anyone upgrading structured cabling who wants clear documentation of conductor type and riser-rated safety.

Key Features

• 550MHz bandwidth: Tested to 550MHz which provides headroom for high-bandwidth traffic and helps maintain signal integrity for Gigabit and short-run 10Gb links.
• 100% solid bare copper: Uses solid bare copper conductors rather than copper-clad aluminum, which preserves conductivity for more reliable transmission and compliance with wiring standards.
• CMR riser rated jacket: The flam retardant riser jacket is intended for indoor riser spaces and helps limit flame spread between floors for safer installations.
• Supports PoE and VoIP: The cable carries power over Ethernet reliably, making it suitable for IP phones, cameras and other powered devices without special adapters.
• Sequential foot marking: Packaged in a pull box with sequential markings so installers can track remaining length and pull cable more easily during runs.
• ETL listed and standards tested: Tested to meet or exceed ANSI TIA/EIA 568.2-D and RoHS compliance, which supports predictable performance and regulatory expectations.

Who It's For

This cable is aimed at homeowners, electricians and IT installers upgrading wiring for reliable Gigabit networks in residences or offices, and for small businesses that need PoE-capable runs to cameras and phones. It is particularly useful where riser-rated indoor cable is required and when installers prefer solid bare copper for long-term signal stability.

It is not intended for outdoor burial or direct exposure to weather, and buyers needing shielded cable for high-interference industrial environments or plenum-rated material for HVAC plenums should look elsewhere.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Solid bare copper conductors give improved conductivity and long-term reliability compared with CCA alternatives.
• High tested bandwidth and ETL listing provide performance headroom for Gigabit and short 10Gb runs.
• CMR riser rating and flame retardant jacket make it suitable for indoor riser installations between floors.
• Pull box and sequential foot marks simplify installation and inventory during long runs.

Cons

• Unshielded design may not be ideal in very noisy electromagnetic environments where shielded cable would be preferable.
• Bulk 500ft spool can be unwieldy for very small jobs or where shorter, pre-terminated lengths are needed.

Specifications

Length	500ft
Category	Cat6 UTP
Conductor	23AWG solid bare copper
Bandwidth	550MHz
Rating	CMR riser rated, ETL listed
Applications	1Gb networks, short 10Gb runs, PoE, VoIP

Our Verdict

The CAT6 500ft bulk cable is a strong choice for anyone installing or upgrading indoor wiring who values solid bare copper conductors and riser-rated safety. It balances performance, compliance and installation convenience for home and small business networks, offering good value when long continuous runs are needed and shielded or outdoor-specific cable is not required.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this cable suitable for 10Gb networking?
It supports 10Gb at shorter distances and is tested to 550MHz, making it suitable for many short-run 10Gb links though not guaranteed for every long 10Gb installation.

Can I use this cable for PoE devices?
Yes, the solid 23AWG bare copper conductors support Power over Ethernet for cameras, phones and other PoE devices.

Is this cable safe for indoor riser installation?
Yes, the jacket is CMR riser rated and the product is ETL listed for indoor riser spaces between floors.