Transmit Data and Power Up Devices with USB Cables
You probably have a bunch of USB cables lying around the home. One to recharge your phone, another to power up your laptop, and yet another to connect your digital camera to your computer. USB cables are essential in our everyday life, and until tech goes completely wireless, they’re here to stay. With so many different USB cables on the market, it can be hard to know which type is right for your device. USB 3.0 cable? USB extension cable? Mini USB cable? Read on to find out more about USB cable types and the differences between them.
USB Cable Types
USB, or Universal Serial Bus, is a standard used in numerous cables, ports, and connectors. Here are some common types of USB cables and connectors.
USB Type-A Cable
USB Type-A is the most common form of USB. You’ll see this rectangular-shaped USB connector on most USB cables. You’ll also find USB Type-A ports on things such as laptops, desktops, and TVs.
USB Type-B Cable
USB Type-B cables are less commonly used. They have a squarish-shaped USB Type-B connector on one end, which is generally used for connecting things like printers and external hard drives to computers.
USB Type-C Cable
USB-C is an emerging USB standard that allows you to quickly power up devices and transfer data between them. USB-C cables are reversible with symmetrical oval-shaped connectors, making them a cinch to plug in.
Micro USB Cable
Micro USB is the common standard for most mobile devices. The small micro USB connector on one end plugs into your smartphone or other mobile device, while the USB-A connector on the other end plugs into a computer or wall charger.
Mini USB Cable
Mini USB connectors are found in some portable electronic devices like cameras and video game controllers. However, micro USB has commonly replaced many mini USB connectors.
USB Versions
The USB standard has evolved since its inception in 1994. Here are the USB standards from newest to oldest.
USB 3.2
USB 3.2, or SuperSpeed USB+, can transfer data at a whopping 20Gbps. This standard is adopted in newer devices and USB cords like USB-C.
USB 3.1
USB 3.1, or SuperSpeed USB+, saw data transfer rates soar to 10Gbps in 2013. It’s backward compatible with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0, so you can use most USB 3.1 cables with older-generation ports.
USB 3.0
USB 3.0, or SuperSpeed USB, was released eight years after USB 2.0. But, the wait was worth it. USB 3.0 cables took data transfer rates to 5Gbps (5,120Mbps) – over 10 times the speed of USB 2.0.
USB 2.0
USB 2.0, or High-Speed USB, was released in the year 2000. This version saw a significant boost in maximum data transfer rates to 480Mbps.
USB 1.1
USB 1.1, or Full Speed USB, is an iteration of the first USB standard – 1.0. It offers a maximum data transfer rate of 12Mbps, and also supports low-bandwidth devices with a slower transmission rate of 1.5Mbps.
Uses for USB Cables
USB cables are staples for connecting and powering electronic devices. Most smartphones use a USB cord for recharging, whereas devices like external hard drives and wired printers connect to computers via USB. USB extenders let you remotely control and access USB devices that are far away, while USB extension cables can extend the reach of already existing cables. If your device needs a USB cable for recharging or data transmission, it’ll likely come with that cable. But when you need a spare or a replacement USB cable, turn to Best Buy’s large selection.