USB Connector and Cable Type Guide

When you decide to buy a USB cable for the first time, you will be overwhelmed by the different types of USB connectors and cables you will find in the market. The USB cables and connectors come in a wide variety, and most of them aren’t compatible with each other.

Each of the cables and connectors has its own function, and when you want to find the perfect cable for your device, it is trivial to understand each cable and connector’s function. You can’t expect to connect a USB micro B to a USB Type-A port.

Moreover, there are connectors that have different configurations for different USB versions. So understanding which USB cable with a certain connector you will need can get confusing.

As you know, USB cables have become an integral part of modern devices, but not everyone has a detailed idea about all the varieties of cables and connectors available on the market. In this guide, we are going to discuss different USB connectors and cables you will find. You can also buy USB cables in bulk from here, including the most popular USB c cables.

Different Types Of USB Connectors And Cables

Here is the list of all USB connectors and cables you will find in the market for connecting various devices;

USB Type A

USB Type A is probably the most common connector that is widely used by users to connect peripheral devices to computers, laptops, and flash drives. These types of cables come with USB Type-A connectors that are rectangular in shape and use flat contact for attachment and removal.

This socket type is mostly intended for downstream connections and can’t be used for upstream connections. It is compatible with most USB standards, and it can only be inserted in one way. Usually, USB Type A cables have a Type A connector on one end, and the other end has a Micro USB or USB C connector.

Besides, you will also come across USB Type A cables that have Mini B, female USB A, HDMI cables, etc. connectors in one end.

USB Type B

USB Type B connector is another type that you will find in the market, and it is mostly used for connecting printers, scanners, digital cameras, and other large peripheral devices. It comes with a square-shaped design with a wide aperture in the lower section.

Although it is an old connector type, many devices still use it for connecting large devices. It is an upstream connector type that can only be used on peripheral devices. The cables generally have a USB B connector on one end and a USB Type A connector on the other end.

USB Type C

USB Type C is currently the most popular connector type that is nowadays widely found on modern devices like laptops, smartphones, headphones, portable speakers, etc. They have a symmetric body design with a flatter connector and can be connected to both devices and hosts having upstream sockets.

Type C connectors are compatible with all USB generations, but the speed and power delivery will change with generations. Cables with USB C connectors can not only transmit data upto a speed of 10Gbps but also deliver high power up to 5A and carry video and audio signals. In general, this cable type has a USB C connector on one end and a USB C or USB 3.0 connector on the other end.

USB Mini B

Another popular connector type that is used for connecting portable peripheral devices is USB Mini B. It is a miniature connector version that comes in both 4pin and 5pin configurations. Although it got popular for connecting older smartphones, the arrival of the micro B and Type C connector made it lose its popularity.

Nowadays, they have become legacy connectors and come in handy for connecting old digital cameras, PS3, gaming controllers, and MP3 players. In general, the cables get mini B to USB Type A connector configuration, but there are cables that have Mini A, Mini B, and Mini B female connectors on the other end.

USB Micro

As the demand for compact and thinner devices increased, it also demanded the arrival of smaller connectors, and that is how micro USB A and B came into the market. Micro USB is a compact and efficient version of Mini USB that is compatible with both USB 2.0 and USB 3.0 standards.

From smartphones, game controllers, and portable speakers to digital cameras and power banks, many compact devices adopted micro USB for connecting to computers. In 2009, ITU declared the USB Micro B connector as the Universal Charging Solution. The cables mostly have a micro USB connector on one end and a USB 2.0 A or USB 3.0 A connector on the other end.

Lightning

Lightning connectors are Apple’s proprietary connector that has a chip-like design and connects all modern Apple devices. It was introduced in the year 2013 and was designed to replace the large 30-pin connectors. Usually, Lightning cable types have a Lightning connector on one end and a USB A or USB C port on the other end.

Unlike USB cables that can be made by any brand, Lightning cables can only be manufactured by MFI-certified manufacturers. It has a reversible design, so you can plug it any you want, and it will get connected to Lighting ports. However, for connection convenience, Lightning connectors come with dedicated MFI adapters so that they can be connected with conventional USB ports.

Final Thought

Nowadays, USB is present everywhere, and it is slowly grasping all the electronic devices we use in our day-to-day life. It is important that you should be aware of all the USB cables and connectors as different connectors have different compatibility.