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Door staff@engadget.com (Thomas Godwin) - 26 Oct 2026
There's a difference between a direct-burial and an outdoor Ethernet cable. Outdoor cables typically use a more weather-resistant polyethylene jacket (such as LLDPE or PE) instead of the standard PVC jacket. These materials are much better at resisting UV exposure, moisture, and wild temperature swings.
If the cable needs to run underground, opt for the direct-burial cable. These cables are capable of dealing with long-term exposure to moisture and the physical pressure of the surrounding soil. Depending on the type of direct-burial cable, it might use water-blocking tape, powder, or gel to keep the wire dry even if the outer jacket is damaged.
Local ordinances may not be happy with your buried wire, so be sure to check local rules on conduit, depth, and the cable types permitted. If all you need is a short and simple exterior run to an outdoor access point, a Cat6 outdoor-rated Ethernet cable is appropriate. Always secure exterior cable runs with cable clips to avoid abrasion, and never sharply bend the cable, even if that means the run requires a bit of creativity.
If the cable needs to run underground, opt for the direct-burial cable. These cables are capable of dealing with long-term exposure to moisture and the physical pressure of the surrounding soil. Depending on the type of direct-burial cable, it might use water-blocking tape, powder, or gel to keep the wire dry even if the outer jacket is damaged.
Local ordinances may not be happy with your buried wire, so be sure to check local rules on conduit, depth, and the cable types permitted. If all you need is a short and simple exterior run to an outdoor access point, a Cat6 outdoor-rated Ethernet cable is appropriate. Always secure exterior cable runs with cable clips to avoid abrasion, and never sharply bend the cable, even if that means the run requires a bit of creativity.