Not all USB speeds are created equal (and sure, the numbers complicate issues)

Abstract

There’s quite a lot of USB codecs on the market, using totally different connectors, knowledge charges, and charging speeds. It is advisable match like equipment to get probably the most out of your units.
The largest break up is between USB-A and USB-C connectors, the latter normally enabling quicker knowledge and energy, although not at all times. Verify specs earlier than shopping for something.
The very best USB format is USB 4 2.0, which peaks at 120Gbps and helps Thunderbolt 5. It is exceptionally uncommon, so you will in all probability be wonderful with the bottom 40Gbps USB 4 spec.

The U in USB is meant to face for Common, but you would be forgiven for considering it was something however. Past utilizing totally different connector varieties, some USB codecs supply wildly totally different knowledge and charging speeds. Often, connections could even help charging however not knowledge, or vice versa. You’ve got encountered that dilemma in the event you’ve tried to make use of wired CarPlay or Android Autoand did not plug into the only port marked for knowledge sync.

Should you’re having hassle sorting issues out, this information is supposed to be a fast and helpful primer — I am not going to enter extreme depth about every model of USB. Actually, the one main division you (normally) want to fret about is USB-A versus USB-C, until maybe you are a video editor or connecting an exterior graphics card. That’ll make extra sense in just a few moments.

Associated

4 reasons I’m getting a Switch 2 instead of a new Steam Deck

Handheld PCs are nonetheless finest for some folks, however it’s exhausting to disregard the draw of a brand new Change.

USB 1.0/1.1

The beginning of the expertise

USB Implementers Discussion board / Pocket-lint

The unique model of USB dates again to 1996, and was restricted to a whopping 1.5 megabits per second (Mbps) of information and 0.5W of energy supply. Extra importantly, it launched the oblong USB-A (AKA Sort-A) connector kind, which remains to be in use immediately.

You may, in concept, plug a USB 1.0 peripheral into a contemporary laptop computer with none points.

Realistically, the oldest model of USB you are prone to encounter is 1.1. That upgraded knowledge to 12Mbps, and energy to 2.5W, adequate to attach mice and keyboards. You would not wish to cost a state-of-the-art smartphone utilizing this tech — it’d take over 5 and a half hours to fully replenish an iPhone 16 Pro.

Associated

Should you buy the iPhone 16 or iPhone 16 Pro?

The benefits the iPhone 16 Professional provides are smaller than ever this yr.

USB 2.0

The usual that refuses to die

A USB stick on an old wooden storage box.

That is the oldest format nonetheless in lively use. Whereas its energy supply is capped at 2.5W in most circumstances, knowledge speeds rise to 480Mbps. That is much more cheap for exterior storage drives, or syncing cell units, although file sizes have grown a lot through the years that it in all probability will not really feel prefer it. Definitely, you need to keep away from utilizing USB 2.0 to again up a contemporary pc — it might take over 9 hours to repeat a 2TB drive.

It is value noting that Apple nonetheless caps knowledge at 2.0 speeds typically, even when it is utilizing extra fashionable connector varieties.

Most USB 2.0 units depend on a USB-A connector, however a number of connector varieties blossomed out of the usual, together with Sort-B, Mini-A, Mini-B, Micro-A, and Micro-B. Though the primary three have fallen by the wayside, you may nonetheless run into micro-USB ports in uncommon circumstances.

It is value noting that Apple nonetheless caps knowledge at 2.0 speeds typically, even when it is utilizing extra fashionable connector varieties. Particularly, I am considering of Lightning cables, and the USB-C ports on non-Professional iPhones. The Lightning format has been fully abolished from Apple’s latest merchandise as of 2025.

Five Lightning port cables in a row in different colors.

Associated

Apple’s Lightning port was groundbreaking – until it wasn’t

It is a lesson within the risks of prioritizing your personal ecosystem over what prospects need.

USB 3.0

The brand new baseline, and a brand new connector

A red USB-C cable on an old cedar chest.

3.0 has largely supplanted 2.0 because the minimal customary, boosting energy to not less than 4.5W, and knowledge speeds of as much as 5 gigabits per second (Gbps). 5Gbps transfers could make an enormous distinction — that very same 2TB backup I discussed earlier would end in underneath an hour.

Nearly as important because the velocity enhance is frequent help for USB-C (AKA Sort-C). Whilst you’ll nonetheless see 3.0 gear with USB-A connectors, USB-C is more and more de facto, each due to newer requirements and due to comfort. USB-C is reversible, which means there isn’t any fear a few cable failing to insert correctly. Many individuals complain that USB-A cables at all times appear to enter upside-down in your first attempt.

A white iPhone 16e getting charged over USB-C on a red gradient background.

Associated

Apple’s USB-C transition is a confusing mess (and that might be on purpose)

Apple’s model of USB is hardly as common because it might be.

USB 3.1 and three.2

Ditching the separate energy cables

The largest factor in USB 3.1 is widespread help for USB Energy Supply (a.okay.a. USB-PD). This unlocks much more juice than earlier codecs, not less than as much as 100W. That is sufficient to energy many laptops, and absolutely recharge telephones in lower than an hour, although PD is finally held again by the capability of your machine, cable, and/or adapter setup. A 100W cable will not max out in the event you’re utilizing a 30W adapter, for instance.

USB 3.1 Gen 1 supplies knowledge speeds of as much as 5Gbps, whereas Gen 2 doubles issues to 10Gbps. Confusingly, USB 3.2 Gen 1×1 and Gen 2×1 have the identical break up — it’s important to bounce to Gen 2×2 to realize 20Gbps.

Merchandise with USB-PD 3.1 help energy of as much as 240W, sufficient for some gaming laptops. I ought to add that in some instances, USB-PD 3.1 may be paired with USB 3.0 and even 2.0 knowledge speeds — however since USB-PD 3.1 launched in 2021, you will normally see it related to USB 3.1 or later.

All variations of USB-PD require USB-C.

A pair of gaming laptops, one showing Xbox PC Game Pass.

Associated

4 reasons why gaming laptops are actually great

Consoles and handhelds are nice, however there’s solely to this point they’ll take you.

USB 4 and 4 2.0

The very best you may get for now

A Thunderbolt 5 cable. — Newswire / Pocket-lint

Newswire / Pocket-lint

This is not as frequent accurately, however adoption is rising, and at this stage I would not purchase a brand new PC or Mac with out not less than one USB 4 connection. Sometimes, the usual helps transfers as much as 40Gbps, which is nearly a should in the event you’re doing 4K video enhancing. Returning to that 2TB backup instance, a USB 4 configuration may full the method in lower than seven minutes. USB-PD is assumed right here.

USB 4 consists of Thunderbolt compatibility by default.

Even higher, USB 4 consists of Thunderbolt compatibility by default. That is a regular utilized by numerous high-speed equipment, although most often you are going to encounter Thunderbolt docks, which develop port choices with minimal congestion. {Hardware} makers are inclined to not less than supply Thunderbolt 4, which absolutely exploits that 40Gbps capability. It is sufficient bandwidth to deal with two 4K60 DisplayPort screens concurrently.

On the chopping fringe of the business is USB 4 2.0 (AKA USB 4 v2). Usually, this peaks at 80Gbps, however it might obtain 120Gbps if knowledge in a single course is restricted to 40Gbps. It is also required to squeeze probably the most out of Thunderbolt 5.