How to Identify Different USB Types: A Brief Guide

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a standard for connecting devices and transferring data. It enables communication, charging, and data exchange between devices like keyboards, mice, smartphones, and printers. In application, USB comes in different connector types, such as USB-A, USB-B, USB Mini, USB Micro, and USB-C. In this guide, we will walk you through the differences between those USB types and share useful tips when buying USB cables.

What Are the Different Types of USB?

USB (Universal Serial Bus) cables differ in their plug types and USB standards. Read further on to see the different types of USB cables and their versions.

USB Standard Versions

USB standards have evolved over time to improve speed, power delivery, and overall functionality. Each version of USB introduces new features and improvements. Here are the key USB standard versions:

• USB 1.0:

It was launched in 1996 and can operate at a maximum speed of 1.5 Mbps.

• USB 1.1:

Launched in 1998 and provides a maximum transfer rate of 12 Mbps. The power delivery was capped at 5V with 500mA, which was enough for basic devices but not ideal for charging or powering more complex hardware.

• USB 2.0:

Released in 2000, it can operate at a maximum speed of 480 Mbps. It was backward compatible with USB 1.1 and offered better power management, with up to 500mA of power delivery.

This version supported a broader range of devices, from external hard drives to printers, and became the go-to standard for many years.

• USB 3.0:

What is a USB 3 port? First appeared in 2008 with significant changes in the data transfer rate. With a maximum transfer rate of 5 Gbps (also known as "SuperSpeed"), USB 3.0 offered more than 10 times the speed of USB 2.0. 

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The power delivery was also improved, offering up to 900mA, which was more than sufficient for powering and charging a wide range of devices.

(You may want to read: USB 2.0 vs 3.0: A Comparative Guide for Beginners >>)

• USB 3.1:

Came to business five years after its predecessor. It can operate at a maximum data transfer rate of 10Gbps, referred to as "SuperSpeed+." 

Additionally, USB 3.1 featured the USB Power Delivery (PD) protocol, which could provide up to 100W of power, making it ideal for powering laptops and other large devices.

• USB 3.2:

A final upgrade to USB 3.0 came in 2017 as USB 3.2. This version continued to build on the USB 3.1 foundation, with speeds ranging from 5 Gbps to 20 Gbps depending on the specific configuration (Gen 1, Gen 2, or Gen 2x2).

USB 3.2's maximum speed of 20 Gbps was achieved by using two data lanes for higher throughput. Power delivery remained the same, with 5V at up to 3A (100W).

• USB4:

USB 4.0, released in 2019, marked a significant advancement by adopting the Thunderbolt 3 protocol. This resulted in data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, making it ideal for high-performance applications such as 4K video editing and large-scale data transfers. 

One of the key features of USB4 version is its ability to support multiple protocols, including DisplayPort and HDMI, allowing for higher resolution displays and more flexible device connections.

• USB4 v2:

It is the latest version of the USB (launched in 2022) specification with a signalling rates of 80Gbps. It retains the ability to deliver up to 100W of power and remains compatible with Thunderbolt 3, making it ideal for a wide range of modern devices.

USB Port Types

USB ports come in various shapes, each designed for different purposes and offering varying capabilities. Here are the main types of USB ports:

• USB Type-A

One end of most USB cables is a type-A connector. This is a very common type of USB connector that you can see on computers, printers, chargers, etc.

Typically, it has a black rectangle connector that is most commonly used for data transfer up to the standards of USB 2.0 specification. However, the connector can be blue and red for USB 3.0 and USB 3.2 standards. One end of every USB cable is a type-A connector that is used to connect an IT peripheral to a PC.

• USB Type-B

USB Type-B is square-shaped and used mainly for devices like printers, scanners, and external hard drives. It is less common in consumer electronics but is often used in larger devices that require higher data transfer rates.

• USB Micro-B

Micro-B is a tiny 5-pin connector that is most common with small electronics like older smartphones, power banks, and game controllers.

The micro-B connector is used for making a data connection between a PC and these small digital devices. It is also used to deliver power to the smartphone’s battery with a charger. The micro-B USB is still common in budget android smartphones that do not have a USB-C receptacle.

• USB Mini-B

Mini-B is slightly larger than Micro-B but smaller than Type-B. It was commonly used for digital cameras, some smartphones, and portable music players.

Mini-B USB connectors are used for data transfer and charging, though they are gradually being replaced by Micro-B and Type-C connectors due to their smaller size and better performance.

• USB Type-C

You must know what is a USB-C port as this is the most common connector today. USB-C charging is the most recent standard of USB technology. It is widely found in smartphones, modern laptops, tablets, power banks, etc.

USB-C features a 24-pin reversible plug which means that you can plug it either up or down. Besides, USB-C offers data transfer speeds up to 20Gbps. See our collection of Anker USB C chargers which can fast charge your smartphones, laptops, power banks, chargers, etc. in a convenient and safe way.

Below is a USB types chart that will direct show the types of USB connectors and the USB Standard they support:

USB Type	Shape	Transfer Speed	Power Delivery	Common Use
USB Type-A	Rectangular	USB 2.0: 480 Mbps USB 3.0: 5 Gbps	Up to 2.5W (USB 2.0) Up to 4.5W (USB 3.0)	External storage devices, keyboards, mice, printers.
USB Type-B	Square	USB 2.0: 480 Mbps USB 3.0: 5 Gbps	2.5W	Printers,scanners, external hard drives.
USB Micro-B	Smaller rectangular	USB 2.0: 480 Mbps USB 3.0: 5 Gbps	Up to 2.5W (USB 2.0) Up to 4.5W (USB 3.0)	Smartphones, digital cameras, portable hard drives.
USB Mini-B	Smaller square	USB 2.0: 480 Mbps	2.5W	Digital cameras, older smartphones, and MP3 players.
USB Type-C	Oval (Reversible)	USB 3.1: 10 Gbps USB 3.2: 20 Gbps USB 4.0: 40 Gbps USB 4.0 v2: 80 Gbps	Up to 100W	Laptops, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles.

Things To Know When Buying USB Cables

When buying USB cables, there are several important factors to consider to ensure you get the right cable for your needs. Here are key things to know:

• USB Type: Before buying a cable for yourself, decide what type and version of USB you want to buy. Cables can have different types of USB connectors as we talk above. You can’t charge any USB C device directly with a USB Type B cable, for example. Find the USB cables with the right connectors for your devices.

• Manufacturer: Always buy USB cables from reliable manufacturers only because they use high-quality materials to manufacture a cable.

• Certification: Before buying a USB cable check for its safety certifications. These certifications ensure that the cable is safe to use under normal conditions without the risk of fire, short-circuit, and electric shock. These safety certifications are issued to manufacturers by the government.

• Build Type: Rubber USB cables are common, but they get some environmental wear and tear over time. You can also buy braided USB cables because they are sturdier and more resistant to kinks and twists.

You may be also interested: How to Choose the Right Data Cable Type for Your Device?

Conclusion

We hope this comprehensive article has cleared up any questions you had about the different types of USB cables. Since there are many variants available, it's important to familiarize yourself with each type and version to select the right one. Additionally, consider the factors mentioned above when purchasing USB cables to ensure you find the best fit for your needs.

FAQ about Types of USB Cables

How Many Types of USB Are There?

There are several types of USB connectors, including USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, Micro-USB, and Mini-USB. Each connector comes in different versions like USB 2.0, USB 3.0, USB 3.1, USB 3.2, and USB 4.0, offering varying data transfer speeds, power delivery, and compatibility with devices.