The Different Kinds of USB Cables

For connecting all sorts of today's devices, the standard tool is Universal Serial Bus Cables (USB cables). If you're like most of today's modern device users, this is probably your first introduction as to what USB actually stood for! It can be misleading, however, the "Universal" part of that. There are several different standards and many different USB connector types.

Here, so that you know what kind of connection you can get with various devices, we will explore the various USB cables. As a point of reference, USB ports and cables are closely associated.

USB Connector Types

By the connector on either end, you could tell USB cables apart. The most common types are as follows:

• Type A USB Connectors – Rectangular shaped USB cables are the most common type that's used to make DC charging cables, media players, and phone charging cables.
• Type B USB Connectors – These cables are often used to connect computers with scanners and printers and made to fit larger ports. Many USB Type-B connectors can be found on the other end of a USB Type-A cable as well.
• Type C USB Connectors – Featuring a rotationally symmetrical connector, USB Type-C cables are made for modern smart home devices, speakers, keyboards, and mice. In addition, they are increasingly used on storage devices from external hard drives to flash drives due to their 10 Gbps transfer rate

Micro and Min Cables

• Micro USB cables – Popular with all kinds of devices, this is a tiny connector. A micro USB port is used on everything from external battery packs to Android phones to Bluetooth headphones. Be advised, however, that to the newer USB-C port, some smart phones have moved on.
• Mini USB cables – The name says it all. Good for mobile devices, this is a connection type that is simply smaller. By micro USB, however, it's been mostly superseded. On MP3 players, some cameras, and other devices, it's still used.

Lightning Cables

We are including this even though it isn't actually a USB standard. In its mobile devices, Apple has used the proprietary lightning cable since late 2012. It's reversible, much like a USB-C cable. To connect to a PC, charge, and more, into their devices, iPad and iPhone users plug a lightning to a USB-A cable.

Speed Standards for USB Cables

• USB 3.x – For their blue coloring and/or lightning bolt logo, these cables and ports are unmistakable. Though limited to USB 2.0 speeds, you can plug these cables into a USB 2.0 port. They're basically backwards compatible. Compared USB 2.0, this cable provides much faster speeds.
• USB 2.x – This was a year 2000 upgrade. Compared to version 1, it supported faster speeds. It also introduced new port support. In cheaper flash drives, this is still used. It's also used for some keyboards, mice, and other similar devices. If no USB markings are on a port or cable, it probably uses this.
• USB 1.x – Though the era of USB wasn't properly kicked off until 1998, this was created in 1996. By modern standards, this is ancient and only utilizes USB-B and USB-A connectors. Today, you're unlikely to find any devices using USB 1.x.

AgozTech For USB Cables

At AgozTech, we stock a range of cables. Whatever your device, charging needs, design, etc., we've got you covered. Check out our inventory today.

Can't find what you looking for? Please do not hesitate to contact us.