If you are connecting an outdoor access point, security camera, detached garage, shed, gate, or patio TV, use cable built for the environment. Indoor cable jackets can crack, absorb moisture, or fail early when exposed to UV and weather.
The best outdoor cable depends on whether it is exposed, inside conduit, direct-buried, shielded, or carrying PoE. For permanent installs, solid bare copper conductors and outdoor-rated jackets are worth paying for.
Top Picks at a Glance
| Pick | Best for | Why it stands out | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| trueCABLE Cat6 Direct Burial | Best overall bulk outdoor cable | Outdoor-rated, direct-burial cable with solid bare copper conductors and PoE support. | Bulk cable requires termination tools and testing. |
| trueCABLE Shielded Cat6 Direct Burial | Best for noisy or exposed runs | Shielding helps with interference when properly grounded. | Shielded cable must be terminated and grounded correctly. |
| GearIT Cat6 Outdoor S/FTP | Best pre-terminated outdoor cable | Useful for shorter runs where you do not want to terminate bulk cable. | Pre-made lengths can be awkward for clean installs. |
| Cable Matters outdoor-rated patch cable | Best simple outdoor patch option | Good for temporary or short outdoor device connections. | Do not use indoor patch cable as a permanent outdoor run. |
| Cat6A outdoor direct-burial cable | Best long-term 10G-ready option | More headroom for longer or higher-performance outdoor links. | Thicker, costlier, and harder to terminate. |
Our Picks in Detail
- Outdoor-rated, direct-burial cable with solid bare copper conductors and PoE support.
- Bulk cable requires termination tools and testing.
- Shielding helps with interference when properly grounded.
- Shielded cable must be terminated and grounded correctly.
- Useful for shorter runs where you do not want to terminate bulk cable.
- Pre-made lengths can be awkward for clean installs.
- Good for temporary or short outdoor device connections.
- Do not use indoor patch cable as a permanent outdoor run.
- More headroom for longer or higher-performance outdoor links.
- Thicker, costlier, and harder to terminate.
Outdoor Cable Buying Rules
For permanent outdoor runs, choose cable with an outdoor-rated jacket, solid copper conductors, and the right rating for direct burial or conduit. Copper-clad aluminum is cheaper, but it is not the right choice for serious PoE or long-term network reliability.
Direct burial cable is designed for underground use. Conduit still helps protect cable from shovels, animals, and future surprises, even when the cable is rated for burial.
What to Look For
- CMX or outdoor jacket: Built for sunlight, moisture, and temperature exposure.
- Solid bare copper: Better for PoE and standards-compliant installs.
- Direct burial rating: Needed if the cable goes underground.
- Shielding when appropriate: Useful near power lines or noisy environments, but must be grounded correctly.
- Compatible connectors: Outdoor cable is often thicker than normal patch cable.
Best Cable by Outdoor Job
| Outdoor job | Best cable | Why it works | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Outdoor camera | Outdoor Cat6 with PoE support | Reliable power and data over one cable. | Use drip loops and weatherproof boxes. |
| Detached garage | Direct burial cable in conduit | Long-term protection for underground runs. | Follow local electrical and grounding practices. |
| Patio access point | Outdoor-rated cable to PoE AP | Cleaner than trying to push indoor Wi-Fi outside. | Protect wall penetrations. |
| Temporary event | Pre-terminated outdoor patch cable | Fast setup without termination tools. | Avoid trip hazards and water pooling. |
Shielded vs Unshielded Outdoors
Shielded cable can help in high-interference areas, but it introduces grounding requirements. Poorly grounded shielded cable can create new problems. For many home outdoor runs, unshielded outdoor-rated Cat6 in conduit is simpler and reliable. Use shielded cable when the environment or installer expertise justifies it.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use indoor Ethernet cable outside?
Not for permanent installs. Indoor jackets are not built for UV, water, and temperature exposure.
Should outdoor Ethernet be in conduit?
Conduit is a good idea even for direct-burial cable because it adds physical protection and makes future replacement easier.
Is Cat6 enough for outdoor cameras and access points?
Yes for most homes. Cat6 supports gigabit and often multi-gig at typical home distances when properly installed.
Can outdoor Ethernet carry PoE?
Yes, if the cable and connectors are suitable. Solid copper outdoor cable is the safer choice for PoE.
Test Before You Keep It
After terminating the run, test with a cable tester, then confirm link speed and PoE load at the device. Outdoor cable failures are much easier to fix before everything is buried or sealed.