How we pick our products
USB or Universal Serial Bus cables were created in the mid 90’s between the companies Microsoft, Intel, IBM and NEC looking for compatibility between their equipment. These cables are not only used to transmit data, they also allow electrical charges to recharge batteries such as smartphones and tablets.
We want you to have all the information you need to choose the best USB cable model for your needs. We go beyond just the technical details. We present you from the most innovative models, and the features you should take into account when comparing.
Summary
- USB cables are devices that allow various devices such as computers, tablets, smartphones, cameras, external hard drives, SD memory readers to be connected to each other or to a computer.
- Because they can also conduct electrical charges, USB cables are used as charging cables for mobile devices such as smartphones, tablets, video game controllers or digital camera controllers.
- Currently, the market offers 6 models of USB cables: USB Type A, USB Type B, USB-Mini, Micro USB, and the latest USB Type C. As for the speed of a USB cable, it is classified into 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1 reaching a maximum transfer speed of 10 Gbps.
The Best USB Cable: Our Picks
![Gritin USB C Cable, [3-Pack/1M+1.5M+2M] USB Type C Fast Charging Cable - Nylon Braided USB C Sync Cable for Galaxy S10/S9/S8+/S8, MacBook, iPad Pro 2018, Sony XZ, HTC 10, OnePlus 5T, Huawei P9 etc.](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41ca5RHIoUL._SL500_.jpg)
Buying Guide: What you need to know about USB Cables
What is a USB cable?
The acronym USB stands for Universal Serial Bus, a hardware interface created so that peripheral devices such as keyboards, mice, printers, among others could be easily connected to computers. Thus, manufacturers replaced serial and parallel ports with USB ports.
What are the advantages of USB cables?
As USB cables become a universal format they incorporate different connectors at their ends. These can be USB-A, USB-B, USB-Mini USB-Micro and USB Type C. They are also classified according to their transfer speed as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1.
USB Type A, Type B, Mini, Micro and Type C cables – what should you look out for?
| Type A | Type B | USB-Mini | USB-Micro | USB Type C |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| It has a flat, rectangular shape | Its shape was almost square | Its connector is smaller than Type A and B | They are 50-60% smaller than USB-Mini | It is a reversible cable. This means that no matter how it is inserted into a device |
| We see it at one end of almost all USB cables | It was mainly used for printers and certain external hard drives | Unlike the standard A and B connectors, Mini A and B are very similar in shape | The current standard for mobile and portable devices.Transmits audio and video signals in 4K and 5K | – |
| This cable is only inserted one way | No longer widely used due to its size | Used in digital cameras, smartphones, PDAs and MP3 players | This new standard is replacing earlier models of USB connectors | – |
The different types of connectors have an important strategic purpose. They were designed so that you could not connect 2 computers together, just as you could not connect 2 peripheral devices together.
What are the transfer speeds of USB cables?
| 1.0 | 2.0 | 3.0 | 3.1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internally the cable has 4 internal connection pins | Like USB 1 it has 4 connection pins | It is made up of 9 connection pins | It has 24 connection pins |
| It transmits at a speed of 12 Mbps and is no longer in use | It transmits at a speed of 480 Mbps and is currently the lowest transmission speed we can have | It can reach 5 Gbps speed | It doubles the speed of 3.0 and reaches 10 Gbps |
| Transmits an electrical load of 2.5W (5V and 500mA) | Transmits a power of 4.5W (5V and 900mA) | Can reach a power of 100W | – |
Purchasing Criteria
Not all USB cables are the same. Depending on the type of connector and transfer speed these cables are intended to be used in different devices. That’s why at Monedero Smart we want you to know everything you need to know about USB cables. This way you will be able to purchase the best device for your needs.
Connector Type
The big difference between USB cables is the type of connector they have. Depending on your needs you can find USB-Mini, USB-Micro or USB Type-C connectors on one end, while the other end can have either a USB or a Type-C connector.
When buying your USB cable you should pay attention to the type of connector you need at each end. Otherwise, you run the risk of buying a product that won’t work because you won’t be able to connect it.
Cable length
It is common to see USB cables with a length of 0.5 to 1 metre. This is because, in general, these cables are used to connect external hard drives, tablets or smartphones. But on the market you can find models with a longer length.
It is important to know where you are going to connect the cable as this way you will know the length you need; it is also important that you leave a surplus of at least half a metre in case you have to move the equipment you are going to connect or charge.
Transfer speed
Today, with USB 3.0 cables, it is possible to transfer a 4K movie from one device to another in a matter of minutes. It is advisable to purchase USB cables with this mug or if you have USB Type-C ports one of this style as their speed is doubled.
But it is important to check if you have ports suitable for these cables as, if you have a 2.0 port, the USB 3.0 cable will work, but not at the speed it is designed for. Post 2013 computers are likely to have USB 3.0 ports, but for older computers, they are likely to have USB 2.0 ports.
Conclusion
USB cables are devices that allow various devices but they can also conduct electrical charges, the market offers 6 models of USB cables: USB Type A, USB Type B, USB-Mini, Micro USB, and the latest USB Type C. They are classified as 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 3.1, each demarcates the maximum data transfer speed. We recommend that when buying your USB cable, you should pay attention to the type of connector you need at each end.
(Featured Image Source: Digipictures/ 123rf.com)
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