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Types of USB Cables

By Technology Last updated Thursday, October/31/2024

Comparing Different USB Versions

When USB 1.0 was introduced in 1996, it could transfer data at up to 12 megabits per second (Mb/s). It was replaced in 2000 by USB 2.0, which has a peak transfer rate of 480 Mb/s. USB 1.0 cables can be used to connect USB 2.0 devices, but there is no guarantee that you will get USB 2.0 speeds. Since USB 2.0 cables are not much more expensive, it is generally recommended to obtain USB 2.0 cables for USB 2.0 devices. However, USB 2.0 cables connecting USB 3.0 devices will not provide full USB 3.0 speed, which is 4.8 gigabits per second (Gb/s).

A USB cable with its square and flat ends.

A basic USB cable, regardless of its version number, has an "A" end and a "B" end. The "A" end is flat. It's the same shape as the connector for a USB thumb drive. The "B" end, however, is square-shaped. Your computer's USB ports have "A" slots, and the device you're connecting to will have a "B" slot. However, some devices such as the iPod have proprietary connectors. Their "B" end only fits into an iPod USB port.

iPods have proprietary USB cables.

Many portable devices use a smaller connector called Mini-USB. These use much smaller ports, which is necessary when the device does not have enough physical space to provide a standard USB port. Your mobile phone AC recharger may have such a connector. In January 2007, this connector was phased out in favor of Micro-USB. Micro-USB is even smaller, and it's more physically robust connector is designed to last much longer. (The metal contacts in a USB connector can get worn out over time, when connecting and disconnecting the device on a regular basis.)

USB 3.0 cables are designed to provide unique advantages compared to the older cables. Their thicker cables pack in quite a few more wires that allow the protocol to send more power to a device. This means that a USB 3.0 device can recharge its battery much faster; the USB controller can provide power to more devices at once; and the additional wires allow you to read and write data on a USB 3.0 device at the same time.

Sometimes cables are not identified by their version number. Retailers often refer to USB 1.0/1.1 as "Full-Speed USB," while USB 2.0 is "Hi-Speed USB." USB 3.0 can be referred to as "SuperSpeed USB." There is also "Wireless USB," but as the name suggests, it does not use USB cables.