Take the stress out of shopping for good tech. Here’s how to choose the right USB cable for your needs.

For more information, please visit AIKE Electronics.

Good news! In a bid to reduce e-waste and branded monopolies, EU legislation will make USB C charging cable the norm by the end of . Until then, most of our devices have different charging ports, and if we keep them for years (which is best for the planet), then we need charging cables that fit.

“Even though USB cables can look the same, there are so many options. They can differ wildly and it can become complicated quickly. We want to simplify things for everyone.” 

— Fabian Hühne, MD of Syllucid

After years of research and testing, our engineering experts walk you through the process so you can balance quality, budget and functionality.

10 things to look for when buying a new USB cable

1. Device compatibility
2. Charging power
3. Data transfer speed
4. Cable length
5. Durability
6. Guarantee
7. Price
8. Sustainability credentials
9. Certifications
10. Reviews

1. Device compatibility

It’s safe to use USB cables for many different brands, even when they aren’t part of their ‘branded ecosystem’ of cables. However, do make sure to choose a cable that is compatible with your devices. Essential for that are the connectors. Make sure to check your devices and charging socket first before you buy a cable.

The connector is the metal part that goes into the charging port. The most common types of connectors are Type-A, Type-B, Type-C, Micro-B, Mini-B and lightning (Apple). When in doubt, google which connector your device uses. 

USB charging cable types with different connectors including mini USB, micro USB, USB C and more. Source: Ifi Audio

A good option when you have multiple devices with different connectors is a modular cable so you only need one cable for your , laptop, e-reader, headphones and speakers.

Syllucid Charge: All-in-one

2. Charging power 

If you plan on using your USB cable to charge devices like your or laptop, make sure it has the ability to deliver enough power. Check the specifications of your devices to ensure the cable you choose has the necessary power delivery capabilities. 60W is ample for most devices. Modern cables often use Power Delivery (PD), a technology to allow for even faster charging up to 240W.

While it's important to make sure that your cable can deliver enough power to charge your device (a 30W cable will charge a laptop that needs 65W at a lower speed) - there is no need to worry about having a cable to that is too strong. A USB cable that can deliver 100W will also charge a that only requires 30W to be charged at top speed without any complications. 

Power

Supported devices

10W

Smartphones, hard drives, headphones, small accessories

18W

Smartphones, tables, larger accessories

36W

Future smartphones, notebooks, displays, hubs

60W

Laptops, larger notebooks, hubs, docking stations

100 - 240W

Larger laptops, workstations, external graphic cards

Charging cable power (W) needed for different devices. Source: Manhattan Products

Every manufacturer has developed their own charging protocol using USB charging cables. Those include:

• Qualcomm Quick Charge
• MediaTek Pump Express
• OPPO VOOC/Warp Charge (licensed to OnePlus as Dash Charge)
• Huawei SuperCharge
• Samsung Adaptive Fast Charging

Even if your cable does not support the custom charging protocols it will still charge the device, however potentially at a slightly lower speed.  

3. Data Transfer Speed

In most scenarios USB 2.0 is fast enough. USB cables come in different speeds. USB 3.0 cables are a distinctive blue colour. Say you’re a videographer creating 4K video and you need a fast transfer speed, make sure to choose a cable with a higher speed rating.  Most data cables like HDMI are currently being replaced with USB. 

USB Version

Speed Name  Speed 

USB 2.0

High Speed

180 Mbps

USB 3.0

SuperSpeed (SS)

5 Gbps

USB 3.1

Contact us to discuss your requirements of USB 2.0 Connector. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.

SuperSpeed+

10 Gbps

USB 3.2

SuperSpeed+

20 Gbps

4. Cable Length

The length of the cable is an important consideration. Make sure to choose a cable that is long enough to meet your needs. 1.2m should be long enough for desk use and charging your at night. You might want to go for longer, or a charger with an extension cord if you know your power socket is far away. 

5. Durability

The longer our electronics work, the less harm they cause the planet. A good quality USB cable should be made of durable materials and have a sturdy construction. Look for cables made to last with design elements like braiding and bend protectors to ensure they can withstand frequent use. Another aspect of the cable to look out for is its thickness. A more hidden element of any cable is the conductive wire (usually copper) that is on the inside of your cable. How thick this wire is and how well protected it is, is important to determine how long it will last. As copper is very valuable, very cheap cables often use very thin wires to save costs. That also makes them break more easily. Be wary of cables that look very thin or are comparatively extremely cheap to avoid having to buy a new one in a short period of time. 

6. Guarantee

If you’re intending to invest in a long life item, it’s always worth looking out for brands that offer a guarantee or warranty. That way, you’re covered if anything goes wrong.

7. Price

USB cables can range in price. Determine your budget and choose a cable that offers the features and specifications you need at a price you can afford. Remember, if you buy cheap, you may buy twice! Cheap cables are made poorly and tend to break. If they have a single coat of plastic and no 'bend protectors', they're more likely to break. It's about a balance between quality and price. Note that the longer your electronics last, the better they are for the planet.

8. Sustainability credentials

Electronics impact climate change because they have a large carbon footprint and can cause environmental damage, such as deforestation from mining metals and e-waste. The supply chain can also be linked to slavery, child labour, gang crime, poor working conditions and minimal pay. 

Two in three of us consider ourselves as belief-driven buyers. Our buying decisions increasingly focus on sustainability, social impact, ethics and environmentalism. In which real ways is the brand you’re buying from reducing its impact on the climate and people making the products? 

Check for recycled metals, recycled plastic coating, carbon offsetting, and collaborations with environmental and social impact projects. They might be part of the Greentech Alliance, support Fairtrade Gold, Stannol or an environmental organisation like PUR Project in the region their materials come from.

9. Certifications

Trust badges are a good indicator of quality. For example, Qualcomm ensures fast charging. The recycling symbol is a good indicator, however it doesn’t mean the whole product is recycled. CE, RoHS, Reach, FCC and WEEE are all good certifications.

10. Reviews

Last but not least, do other people like the product? Take a look at the reviews and make sure people are positive about the cables.

Here's a positive review from one of our happy customers

The term USB is short for Universal Serial Bus. As a quick refresher, a “bus” is a circuit arrangement or communication system that is used to transfer data between components in a system. A “serial” bus, in this case, transmits data one bit at a time over a single wire.

A USB connector, however, can not only carry data to and from components, but also electrical power, and can accommodate many different hardware devices, ranging from printers and keyboards to cell phones and flash drives.

Prior to the development of the USB protocol, computers used both serial and parallel ports to accomplish data transfer, with individual devices employing various proprietary plugs, connectors, cables, expansion cards, and the necessary drivers. Data transfer rates were slow, with parallel ports running at about 100 kilobytes (kB) per second and serial at 115 to 450 kilobits (kb) per second.

Debuting early in , after much work by a consortium of companies, the USB 1.0 specification could initially transfer data at 1.5 megabits (Mbit) per second at low speed and 12 Mbit per second at full speed. Transfer speed was further increased with the release of USB 2.0 in the year at 480 Mbit per second, and USB 3.0 in at 4.8 gigabits per second (Gbps). USB 3.2 has taken over the 3.1 and 3.0 standards and covers speeds up to 20 Gbps and is currently the most commonly available. The latest version is USB4, released in with transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps and is slowly being introduced into common usage.

The USB standard has been guided and certified over the years by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), which has more than 700 companies as members. The work of the USB-IF has led to a series of releases of the standard over the years with faster and faster specs. This increased speed and video resolution via a small and inexpensive interface has made USB connectors the dominant signal transfer technology in use around the world today. Shop Same Sky's full range of USB connectors and USB cable assemblies.

USB Physical Form Factors

There are several types or physical form factors of USB connectors that are available for use in a variety of applications. These include:

• Type A – This is the original, most common USB connector, also called USB Standard A. It is used to connect downstream peripherals to a host device. The flat, rectangular shape is held in place by friction making for ease of insertion and removal. It provides 5 V dc power on one of the pins and is compatible with all types of USB protocols.
• Type B – The Type B connector is most often associated with USB computer peripheral devices. This connector is square in shape, with slightly beveled corners on the top. Like Type A, it is held in place by friction. It was developed to allow peripherals to be connected without the risk of connecting two host computers to each other. This connector type is still in use, but the micro version is more prevalent.
• Type C – This is the newest USB interface, with a reversible symmetrical design that can be inserted with either side up and can be plugged into any USB-C device using either end of the cable. It can carry USB 3.2 (previously 3.1 and 3.0), 2.0, and 1.1 signals and can transmit data at up to 20 Gbps with power delivery up to 100 W in either direction (expanded to 240 W with USB PD 3.1) and can support DisplayPort video and four channel audio. Type C also supports USB4 as well as Thunderbolt, a hardware interface allowing the connection of peripherals to a computer with data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps.
• Micro & Mini A&B – As the name implies, these are smaller form versions of Types A & B connectors that offer a physically smaller connection while maintaining high speed transfer rates of 480 Mbps and On-The-Go (OTG) features, allowing mobile devices and other peripherals to act as a USB host.
• Type AB – This connector allows both micro A and micro B plugs to connect to this single receptacle type, providing greater flexibility.

The individual types of USB connectors can only mate with their associated male or female connectors. There is no cross compatibility. But while the connectors themselves are standard, the enclosures in which they are used can be changed significantly for different applications. This has led to the development of IP rated (Ingress Protection) USB connectors that enable robust protection against solid or liquid intrusion into devices used in harsh environments.

Most USB cable assemblies also have one type of connector on one end and a different type on the other end, Type A to Type B or Type C is very common. As Type C is designed specifically to be interchangeable, it is more common for Type C to be on both ends of a cable and will grow in usage as Type C ports are more widely adopted. USB 3.0 micro B plugs, which have a wider connection to accommodate the greater data transfer rate, cannot be used with a USB 2.0 micro B socket. However, devices with USB 3.0 micro B ports can be mated with older USB 2.0 micro B type male plugs.

USB Communication Standard Versions

As has been noted, the USB communication standard defines the data transmission speed, handshake protocols, and power supply specs between the devices being used. There have been significant improvements of the standard over the years, with data transfer speeds ranging from USB 1.0 at 1.5 Mbit per second to USB 3.2 with speeds up to 20 Gbps, and now USB4 with speeds up to 40 Gbps. Each succeeding version facilitates a new round of interconnect hardware.

USB communication standards are notoriously confusing with frequent retroactive naming changes, but currently USB 3.2 is the most readily available USB standard that is compatible with both Type A and Type C connectors, though it can vary from 5 Gbps up to 20 Gbps. The 20 Gbps standard can also be known as “SuperSpeed USB 20 Gbps” or “USB 3.2 Gen 2x2”, where the 10 Gbps standard can also be known as “SuperSpeed USB 10 Gbps” or “USB 3.2 Gen 2.” Finally, the 5 Gbps standard is currently known as “SuperSpeed USB 5 Gbps” or “USB 3.2 Gen 1.” However, the usage of older naming conventions can be found throughout the internet, and it may be easiest to manually check the speed ratings for the device or connector and use that as the baseline. Check out our blog post, The History of USB Standards from 1.0 to USB4, for more information.

However, as is the case with many installations, different versions often come into use in the same system. If devices using a newer USB version and an older version are communicating, they will default to the older version and speed. This is a function of the software, but compatibility with the standard is also hardware related.

All Type C connectors are compatible with USB 3.2, though some Type C connectors still conform to earlier standards. Type A and B is dependent on the cable, with different connector colors typically denoting different versions for quick reference. Confusion can often arise when looking at the relationship between the physical connector standard and communication standards. Our blog post, USB Type C and USB 3.2 – Clarifying the Connection, discusses this in more detail.

With the original standard, a host was required. A Type A connector usually indicated the host device, and a Type B usually was connected to the peripheral. With USB OTG (On The GO), this is not necessary. USB OTG is a specification that allows a USB device (such as a smartphone) to act as a host, allowing other USB devices to be connected. Basically, it allows a USB device to read data from other devices without requiring a computer.

USB Power Delivery Standards

The USB standard began as a data interface protocol to simplify interconnectivity between devices, and it supplied some power. It has since matured from a data interface supplying limited power to a significant power conduit that includes a data interface. Numerous devices are now able to charge or receive power through the connection.

A concerted effort has been made to standardize the transmission of power and increase the feature set in the form of the USB Power Delivery (USB PD) standard. Using Type C, USB PD can provide variable voltage up to 20 V and a maximum current up to 5 A, with an overall limit of up to 100 W of power transfer. The USB PD 3.1 standard, released in , has since expanded that power transfer capability up to 240 W. Additionally, the direction of the power is no longer fixed, with either the host or the peripheral supplying the power. Power management can also be optimized across multiple peripherals.

USB PD requires a digital device handshake to achieve these higher ratings. If the requisite chips are not available and the handshake does not occur, the system will revert to the 5 V/1 A standard. This is independent of the USB version and type but does require the type to support the USB PD standards. For example, a Type A to Type C cable that supports versions 2.0 and newer can use PD.

PD can also work with devices that do not transfer data, utilizing USB purely for power. It does require separate communication lines for power negotiation and therefore is slightly more complicated to design and manufacture than many non-USB formats. This complication can be outweighed by the fact that PD creates a charging standard across a large array of devices, simplifying and consolidating chargers. This can reduce e-waste and the inconvenience of needing multiple cables for different devices. To learn more, read our Introduction to Power-Only USB Type C connectors blog post.

USB Applications Continue to Expand

By offering a small form factor, ease of design and use, high communication speeds, plus increased power transfer, USB connectors can be used in a very wide and growing list of applications. A short list of these uses includes:

• Desktop and laptop computers
• Disk drives
• Printers
• Scanners
• Joysticks and controllers
• Video cameras
• Mobile phones, Smart TVs
• Gaming consoles

Since data transfer is not a requirement, USB connectors can also be used solely to power devices such as rechargeable flashlights, charging pads, and many other portable consumer devices.

The robustness and speed of the newest USB standard is also opening even further applications. It now has the bandwidth, reliability, and power delivery capability to be used in industrial applications such as data acquisition and monitoring, machine vision, and process control. Basically, any application that uses 240 W of power or less can be a candidate for USB power.

If you want to learn more, please visit our website I/O Connectors.

Summary