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Learn about USB cables for smartphones, batteries, cameras, and more
Find the right USB cable with the practical tips from the guide. Find out which generation or cable is best suited here. Many more information about USB cables are already waiting.
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What was a USB cable?
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What USB cables are available?
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The most important purchase criteria for USB cables
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USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and more
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Various plugs and sockets: USB type A, B and USB-C.™
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FAQs: The most common questions about USB cables
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Conclusion: How to buy the right USB cable
What was a USB cable?
A Universal Serial Bus (USB) cable connects mass storage devices, smartphones, cameras, and many other devices to a USB port (such as a PC).
Fast data transfer or easy charging of batteries is thus no problem.
USB cables can be equipped with sockets as well as plugs for USB of different generations or MicroUSB and with practical adapters for many more usage possibilities.
What USB cables are available?
| USB cable | Standard USB connection cables offer the generations USB 1.1 to USB 3.1 fast data transfer. Various combinations of USB and MicroUSB plugs are possible and can thus be used for connecting smaller devices to the PC. Many different specifications are available. | |
| USB extension cable | If the USB cable is too short for distance, USB extension cables can provide additional range for all generations. They combine a USB plug with a USB socket and also offer active repeaters, double shielding and many other extras (depending on the model). | |
| USB Adapters | USB adapters provide a convenient solution for connecting two devices that are equipped with USB sockets of different generation or different types. Adapters are available, for example, for USB 3.0 socket A and USB-C plug. | |
| Apple iPad/iPhone/iPod connection cable | For the special Lightning sockets or 30poligen Apple Dock sockets on Apple devices, there are multifunctional connection cables that can be connected to a USB socket. This makes data transfer easy! | |
| USB Y cable | Convenient USB-Y-cable connects up to three devices with each other and can expand the connection options especially with laptops with few USB-sockets. Different combinations of USB plugs and other technical specifications are possible in all generations. | |
| USB converter | With USB converters, external hard disks with IDE or SATA connections can also be connected to the USB socket of laptops or PCs. Fast data transfer is possible for all USB generations. | |
| USB computer/serial/parallel connection cable | Separate cables are available for older serial/bounce devices (e.g. for the Indunstroi). |
The most important purchase criteria for USB cables
Suitable for use
- Cable with or without synchronization (without charging faster)
- USB type A plug (with screws) - for industry
- Maximum power: Affects the charging speed
- USB 2.0 connector B for hard disks or printers
- USB 2.0 connector Mini-B for digital cameras
- USB 2.0 connector Micro-B for smartphones/tablets
- USB-C™ Steker for latest generation smartphones/tablets
- Cable length
- Angled or straight plugs
- OTG function: For fast on-the-go communication with Android or Windows smartphones
The right range of functions/equipment
- With LED
- Sheath: Fabric, super-soft
- Shielding: Foil or braid and foil
- UL-certified, flame-resistant
Practical advice
For many devices the connection with a USB cable is a comfortable solution. If there are not enough USB ports on the PC or laptop, several USB cables can also be connected to a USB port via USB hubs.
USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and more
Several generations of USB ports are now available. The original USB 1.0 is now hardly used and has been replaced by USB 2.0 throughout. This generation already convinces with a data transfer rate of 480 Mbit/s, the new USB 3.0 transmits even around 5 GBit/s. However, some restrictions apply to USB 3.0 and the even faster USB 3.1. The speed of 10 GBit/s is achieved by USB 3.1 only with suitable cables, which are suitable for the high-speed transmission.
USB 3.0 becomes USB 3.1 (Generation 1)
The current classification of USB categories no longer refers to USB 3.0. This standard is now referred to as USB 3.1 (Generation 1), with the technical parameters remaining the same.
Hi-speed USB
Data transfer up to 480 Mbit/s.
SUPERSPEED USB
Data transfer up to 5 Gbit/s.
SUPERSPEED+ USB
Data transfer up to 10 Gbit/s.
| USB specifications | Data transfer rate | Maximum power | Video transmission possible |
| USB 1.1 | Up to 12 Mbps | 0.5 W @ 5 V / 0.1 A | No |
| USB 2.0 | Up to 480 Mbit/s. | 2.5 W @ 5 V / 0.5 A | No |
| USB 3.0 / USB 2.0 | Up to 5 Gbps | 4.5 W @ 5 V / 0.9 A. | No |
| USB 3.1 (USB 3.1 Gen 2) | Up to 10 Gbps | 100 W @ 20 V / 5 A. | Yes |
Various plugs and sockets: USB type A, B and USB-C.™
Common USB cables are compatible with USB type A. This standard design is also suitable for USB 2.0. The more square USB type B design is, however, only used in some devices (e.g. Hard disks) and requires USB cable with suitable plugs. This distinction also applies to micro USB plugs and sockets. With the new generation USB 3.1, a new USB plug has also been introduced: USB type C™. With this new plug shape the annoying turning of the USB-plug has one end when connecting to the socket, because this plug can be used on both sides. The new USB type C™ also supports high-speed data transfer and is available for more and more devices.
Overview of the most common plug types
USB 2.0
USB 2.0 connector A
USB 2.0 socket A
USB 2.0 plug B
USB 2.0 socket B
USB 2.0 plug Mini-B
USB 2.0 socket Mini-B
USB 2.0 plug Micro-B
USB 2.0 socket Micro-B
USB 2.0 connecter internal 5 pin.
USB 2.0 socket internal 5 pin.
USB 2.0 connector internal 8pol.
USB 2.0 port internal 8pol.
USB 3.0/3.1
USB 3.0 plug A
USB 3.0 socket A
USB 3.0 plug B
USB 3.0 port B
USB 3.0 connector Micro-B
USB 3.0 socket internal 19-pin.
USB 3.0 port internal 19pol.
USB-C™ plug
FAQs: The most common questions about USB cables
Are all USB cables compatible?
The most important thing is the matching design of the USB plug to the socket (type A, B and C™). So-called generic drivers are used for data transfer via USB sockets, which operate devices according to their function, e.g. Printer or speaker. This means that a USB 3.0 cable can also be connected to a USB 2.0 socket. The speed of the data transfer and the charging process depend on the power of the socket on the PC.
Can I extend the USB cable?
Extension cables are available for USB cables. However, this can lead to losses in the range of data transmission or the loading speed. In principle, cables of the same design should be connected to suitable extension cables for the respective generation.
How are USB cables disposed of?
If a USB cable is no longer functional due to damage, it can be used at recycling centers or collection points for further recycling. The metals (e.g. Copper) can be reused.
Conclusion: How to buy the right USB cable
Basically, the choice of USB cable depends on the host and the device to be connected. A look at the sockets quickly gives information about which type of plug and which generation are best suited. For the common combination USB 2.0 and MicroUSB 2.0 especially many cables are available. These connect, for example, a PC and a smartphone.
If you mainly want to charge devices with the USB cable, you can choose suitable cables for different chargers. They are usually perfectly matched to the installed technology. USB cables that are only set up for this purpose and do not require synchronization for data transfer, because they use all capacities for power transmission.
USB cables of the new generations USB 3.1 (Gen 1) and 3.1 (Gen 2) are particularly suitable for data transfers with high-speed. However, these are only a real advance in combination with suitable devices.
In addition, many technical extras, special forms (e.g. for iPhones) and comfort solutions are possible. LEDs, spiral cables, adapters and much more simplify the handling.