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

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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

SuperSpeed+

10 Gbps

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.

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

A USB connector is the socket, port, or jack into which the plug end of a USB cable or USB-powered device is inserted. USB connectors are typically female, while the USB plug on the cable is male.

Rectangular, slot-shaped USB type-A connectors are most common and can be found on computers, personal electronics, and peripherals. This includes keyboards and mice, mobile phones and chargers, memory sticks (flash drives), and other USB accessories.

There are currently several USB types in widespread use. However, USB connector types should not be confused with USB generations. Generation refers to the age and speed of the connector, while the type is defined by the shape of the port and the corresponding cables or plugs that can be used with it.

In the sections below, we will cover each of the main USB types (Type-A, Type-B etc), and then discuss the differences between connectors for older and newer USB generations (USB 2.0, 3.0 etc).

The most popular and common USB port type today is probably the USB Type-A, also known as Standard-A. USB A connections will be very familiar to most PC or laptop users as a rectangular slot of about 14mm wide by 6mm high.

Most computers will have several of these receptacles on the side, back or front of the case, allowing multiple external devices and peripherals to be attached via a cable. The USB Type-A connector is fully backwards compatible with all generations of USB Type-A plug, from 1.0 through to 3.2. The upcoming USB4 standard, officially announced in , relies on a differently shaped USB Type-C port.

Type-A USB plugs are held in the connectors by friction, with flat contacts at the terminals that slide together when a male plug is inserted into a female jack. They can only be inserted one way around, as the terminal block inside a Type-A connector is slightly off-centre.

They are mainly intended for use as a downstream USB connection to smaller devices. This allows peripherals and accessories requiring data or power delivery (up to 5V) to be plugged into a host controller or hub device that supplies it.

USB Type-B ports are roughly square, rather than being a narrow slot like Type-A. The upper corners of the square USB Type-B connector (and its corresponding USB-B plugs) are slightly angled. This means the receptacle will only accept a connection when the male part is orientated the right way up.

USB Type-B is primarily intended for use as an upstream connection. This means it is more often found on peripheral devices designed to connect directly to the host device, to send data to it. A typical example of somewhere you will often see a Type-B USB port is on an external hard drive dock (i.e. a powered hard drive enclosure).

USB Type-C connectors are one of the newest and fastest standards of USB type. Increasing numbers of the latest cutting-edge hardware devices are now being released with one or more USB Type-C ports already built in.

Unlike Type-A and Type-B connectors, female USB-C ports can accept a male USB-C plug inserted either way up, as the terminals at both port and plug are completely symmetrical. Type-C USB connectors can be used with adapters that allow the connection of various other USB types, and they are capable of transferring power and data to/from all previous generations of USB devices.

USB Type-C jacks are much smaller than Type-A or Type-B variants, but they can send data far more quickly than older models. With an upper-end throughput of up to 10 Gbps, USB-C cables and ports also support increased power delivery of up to 20V and 100W. This makes them ideal for rapid data offloading, as well as for fast charging of high-end modern peripherals via cable.

A Micro USB or Micro-B connector (more properly referred to as a Micro-USB B, per official USB-IF recognition) is a smaller sized version of the USB Mini-b. Both are physically reduced models of Micro USB connector.

They are commonly found on rechargeable technologies and smaller peripherals. Micro-USB B, being the smaller of the two, is often seen on newer devices, while the slightly bigger USB Mini-b is now less widely used.

Both mini USB and Micro USB are now technically deprecated. The mini doesn’t support USB gen 3.0 () or later, while the Micro retained support for USB gen 3.1 (), but not 3.2 (). However, you will still find these small connectors on devices that do not yet come with a Type-C port as standard.

Mini USB pinout is something you need to be aware of when plugging into either of these smaller USB ports. Whereas the USB connector pinout on other models will be the same for all connectors of that type, there exists both a 5-pin and a 4-pin version of USB Mini-b sockets.

Only the USB Mini-b 5-pin connector is officially recognised by the USB-IF, and unless otherwise specified, all USB Mini-b jacks are assumed to be 5-pin. Even so, a more compact 4-pin model is still used by several manufacturers, and by makers of some leading brand digital cameras.

It is relatively rare to find a 4-pin Mini-b connection in other device types. However, it does not belong to any single manufacturer. You can recognise the 4-pin USB connector quite easily, as it is roughly square, and closely resembles a very small USB Type-B port.

USB 2.0 connectors refer to the generation, not the USB type. Most USB types will be compatible with all generations of USB standard, but newer gen ports will be faster.

USB 2.0 was a generational improvement that launched in and was later revised. It remained the latest and fastest USB standard available until when USB 3.0 arrived.

Data transfer speeds available via USB 2.0 are 1.5 Mbit/s (Low Speed), 12 Mbit/s (Full Speed), and 480 Mbit/s (High Speed). The maximum speeds you can achieve will depend largely on the capabilities of the devices you are connecting and the quality of the cable, plug and connector.

USB 3.0 launched in , superseding the previous USB 2.0 standard and offering speeds of up to 5 Gbit/s (SuperSpeed). It has since been updated twice, with USB 3.1 () offering transfer rates of up to 10 Gbit/s, and USB 3.2 () up to 20 Gbit/s (both designated as SuperSpeed+).

Available USB 3 connector types include 3.x A-Type, 3.x B-Type, and USB 3.x Micro B. There are no USB 3.0 Mini-b connectors, as the Mini-b standard only supports up to USB gen 2 signals.

It was announced in that USB 3 would not remain the latest standard for much longer, as products supporting USB 4 (officially written as USB4) began to launch in mid-. USB4 is based on the Thunderbolt 3 protocol and supports tunnelling of DisplayPort and PCI Express, as well as a throughput of 20-40 Gbps.

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