USB Cable Reviews And Buying Guide

For stress-free charging and faster data transfer, many people are now looking for the best USB cables in the market. Regardless of who you are in comparison to other users, the interesting thing is that USB cables have evolved. In other words, you are probably looking for either the old or the new.

Looking at the diversity of the ports and devices you can connect with these cables, you just have to understand the compatibility factor before making any commitment. But that is if you are one of the less experienced buyers.

Besides, different types of USB cables abound in the market just the needs of potential buyers are usually different. Simply by reading through these USB cable reviews to the end, we’ll be clarifying the most relevant factors for everyone. Probably, you don’t have to continue searching from one page to the other; just to find where to buy USB cable online or offline as the case may be.

However, our aim in this USB cable buying guide is to bring you the best options so that you can choose the most suitable one for your current needs.

 

Types of USB Cables

 

Below here are the different types of USB cables you’ll find in the market. The one you end up buying will most likely depend on the intended use cases. Now let’s dive in.

 

USB Type-A: this is the first generation of USB connectors that came to the market. As versatile as it is, you’ll find it in a big percentage of USB cables in today’s market. You can use it to connect devices like camera, smartphone, keyboard and storage docks to a computer. You can use it to connect wall chargers.

 

USB Type B: type-B USB cables are used mostly to connect printers and scanners to a computer. In terms of design, this type usually has a square-shaped connector.

 

Mini USB: this is the type that you’ll find mostly in older sets of electronic devices. People that make use of MP3 players and some game controllers are the usual buyers.

 

Micro USB: except Apple, a lot of big-name manufacturers have adopted micro-USB and are now making devices that work compatibly well with it. The connector is meant to work mainly with smartphones and tablets.

 

USB-C: talk about the best modern USB cables, this is the type that most people refer to. First, this type of USB cable offers faster data transfer. Secondly, you should expect to experience faster charging as well. This type is meant to work mostly with modern devices like smartphones, cameras, printers and others.

 

Best USB Cables Comparison

 

UGREEN Printer USB Cable

 

 

When you are intending to buy a USB cable, there is a chance you have one specific use case in mind. Perhaps, starting this way will help you identify as quickly as possible, the type of USB cable that will be suitable for that particular need you have. Now, if you are among the people looking for the best printer USB cable, this one from UGREEN is very likely to work well for you.

In terms of printer compatibility, this cable been proven to work with brands like HP, Canon, Brother, Epson and Lexmark printers. However, you can still use it for other compatible printers as well.

This particular cable is about 5m in length but you can choose from the 1.5m and 3m options. The transfer rate is up to 480 Mbps.

 

Pros

• Impressive data transfer speed
• Good for scanners and printers
• Minimal data loss

Cons

• The relative smallness puts off some users

 

AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable

 

 

AmazonBasics is a popular retail brand that many people now reckon with. Besides different types of computer and networking cables, you’ll also find other useful electronic devices from them.

Here is a strong male to male cable that is good enough to work in the exact way you want. When you buy this AmazonBasics USB 2.0 A-Male to B-Male Cable you’ll start connecting many devices like cameras, printers, external hard drives and others with compatible ports.

In terms of length, you can choose between the 1.8m and 4.8m options. On the product sales page, you may want to ask more questions before placing your order.

 

Pros

• Good for printers, scanners and hard drives
• Multiple length options to choose from
• 12-month warranty

Cons

• Tricky ejection system

 

Rankie USB 3.0 Type A Male to Male Data Cable

 

 

If you have any device that makes use of USB 3.0 type A port, you can be sure that this cable will work with it. Moreover, it is said to be backward compatible with USB 2.0 ports as well. In terms of capacity, this cable will make it possible for you to enjoy data high data transfer speeds up to 5 Gbps.

The grip treads will fit tightly into any compatible device of your choice. From printers to scanners and TV boxes, you can connect your compatible device with ease.

But please note that this particular cable does not support computer to computer connection.

 

Pros

• Strong foil and braid shielding
• Backward compatibility with USB 2.0 devices

Cons

• Doesn’t work well for Google Pixel

 

JSAUX Type C USB Cable

 

 

The first impressive feature of this cable that I found a lot of people mentioning is the premium aluminum housing. Even though this may not contribute to the core performance, it made cable to be durable. And that has been commended by many of the past and present users found during my research for these USB cable reviews.

In the case that you have used a cable that doesn’t charge as fast as you want, this one is very likely to allow you to experience an upgrade. In addition to that, data transfer speed is up to 480 Gbps just like the one reviewed above. Its 2m length means you can be using your devices while it is being charged at an impressive speed. However, you can still choose other length options at the point of purchase.

 

Pros

• It comes with an 18-month warranty
• Impressive charging speed
• Outstanding aesthetics

Cons

• Not the best for Samsung Galaxy series of devices

 

Cabepow Nylon Braided Type C Cable

 

 

For some prospective buyers, Cabepow nylon braided type C cable price is the first thing they want to confirm but you don’t have to worry. This is one of the best USB cables under $10 you’ll find in the market. However, don’t take the cheapness for low quality. From the stats found during my research, it is among the best sellers as well.

Unlike some other competing cables in the same category, this one supports a seamless connection from both (negative and positive) sides of the cable.

At the very point of purchase, you can choose from one, two or three-pack options.

 

Pros

• A versatile and durable USB cable
• Good for all devices with USB 2.0 ports
• Impressive charging speed
• Great texture

Cons

• No visible warranty

 

Yosou Nylon Braided High-Speed Micro USB Cable

 

 

When you need a simple micro USB cable with good charging speed, this is one of the best cables to go for. Besides being cheap and affordable, you should also expect to experience high-speed data transfer up to 480 Gbps. This is something you can get from other cables as well. However, the design looks very appealing.

As indicated in the name, it has a nylon fiber jacket. Based on the materials used in making this cable, it is proven to be flexible enough for varying use cases.

In terms of compatibility, you can use it for a host of modern smartphones from brands like Sony, Samsung, HTC, Nokia and LG.

 

Pros

• Strong nylon jacket
• Durable design
• 18-months warranty

Cons

• The lifespan isn’t long enough

 

Best USB Cable Buying Questions And Answers

 

What are the types of USB cables?

In today’s market, the major types of USB cables you’ll find include USB Type-A, USB Type-B, Mini USB, Micro USB and USB-C. Please refer to the beginning of this USB cable buying guide to find the details about each of these types. While they all do similar stuff, you’ll still find some interesting slight differences.

 

What is the use of USB in a computer?

For the uninitiated, this term stands for Universal Serial Bus. This is a connection interface that allows a computer to connect with other compatible devices and peripherals. Note that the keyword here ‘compatible’. The ports have to be compatible with the connection, charging or data transfer to work well.

 

How can I tell the difference between USB 2.0 and USB 3.0?

The first thing to note is that USB 2.0 is the old version while 3.0 is newer. However, the core difference is usually in the data transmission speed which is measured in gigabit per second. Wherever these two are being sold, you’ll notice this indication of the speed difference.

 

How much is a USB cable?

You can find most of these products selling between $3 and $20 depending on where you want to buy your cable and other relevant factors. Some retailers may offer you three pieces of cables in a single bundle which will make them cheaper.

 

Where can I buy a USB cable online?

Follow any of the links around each of the USB cable reviews above and you’ll land on Amazon UK. From the individual product page, you can then place your order and have it delivered to your home or office in a very short time.

 

Conclusion

To make your purchase decision very easy, you have to start with clear identification of what you want to use the cable for. With that clarity in mind, you’ll then be able to pinpoint the exact cable that will suit all your intended use cases. However, it is important to note that most of these cables can be used in more than one context. You just have to confirm the compatibility.

On the product sales page, consider asking more questions if there is a need for that. Do this and you could have your questions answered by some other experienced buyers and users of the best USB cables in the market.

One other important thing is to confirm the return and replacement policy before placing your order.