USB CABLES – ADAPTERS, DOCKS AND ACCESSORIES FOR USB

USB cables

At AV-Connection we have a large selection of USB cables in all types, lengths, models and accessories. We also offer a wide range of original cables, for products such as Apple with, among other things, Lightning connectors. We always have lots of goods in stock for quick delivery, which can be ordered online on our website.

If you have questions about one of our products such as USB cables, different lengths, types or anything else, our customer service is always ready to help you find the right USB cables for your needs.

Choosing a USB cable - What should you pay attention to?

There are, basically, three things you should pay attention to when buying a USB cable.

• What type of USB connector should be on the cable - Which USB connectors do the products use, the cable should work with?
• How fast should the cable be able to transfer data - Which standard should you choose, in order to get a cable that meets your requirements for speed and bandwidth. USB 3.0, USB 2.0 or even USB 4.0?
• What special features should the cable have - HDMI, DVI, Thunderbolt, Power Delivery, extra hardwired etc.

By remembering the three things listed above, you can fairly quickly find out which USB cable you need. There are many USB cables in our webshop and in our assortment, so it can quickly become a lot - you are always welcome to contact us with questions.

USB-C cables are the newest type, and this type of plug is used for a great many purposes today. The USB-C connector is also used for cables with other specifications and options. For example, Lightning cables for Apple products, or in the form of Thunderbolt, and are available in many different lengths.

USB-C to USB-C cables can often handle large amounts of data, as well as power. This is why this type of USB cable is often used for, for example, a tablet or laptop computer for charging and data at the same time.

What is USB and what is it used for?

Universal Serial Bus, as it is technically called - is a connection protocol that is used primarily for connecting IT equipment to computers, such as printers, external hard drives, scanners, cameras, etc. It is also some of the most widely used cables for charging, as well as connecting various smart devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

USB cables are also used in a Hi-Fi context. You will most often see a USB cable with USB-A on one end, and USB-B on the opposite, between a computer and a DAC, for digital transfer of sound, in the purest form through a cable without any loss.

There are dedicated Hi-Fi USB cables that are specially made for the purpose, which can be found in our range. These are usually always in the 2.0 format, which is the standard that has been used for many years, and is still very widespread - although it does not provide the fastest electronic connection, this is the cable you need to use between two devices when we are talking about computer and DAC.

A Hi-Fi oriented USB cable usually has a better quality connector, compared to normal USB cables. In addition, a Hi-Fi USB cable is also often shielded better, which physically makes them somewhat thicker, and more pleasant to use, while they can often also have a special color to further increase the quality.

We have USB cables in many color variants and every category for every need. The most popular cables are Micro-USB, as well as USB-C cables for phones, tablets and the like. While USB A to USB B cables, as mentioned, are the most widespread and popular type for normal Hi-Fi use.

USB C, USB A, Micro USB - What's what?

USB connectors come in many different varieties, the most common of which are the USB A, B and C connectors. In addition, there are Mini-USB and Micro-USB cables, which are often used in portable equipment that does not have physical space for the "large" USB connectors.

However, the USB-C connector is taking over all of them - and this is not without reason. USB-C is the newest standard within USB connectors, and is quietly taking the throne as the most used connector.

There are several reasons for this. Compared to other USB cables and connectors, USB-C can be turned both ways and still work, whereas all other USB connectors and cables must be turned correctly and only fit in one way. In addition, USB-C also allows you to move a lot of data - quickly. The speed of a USB-C cable is usually always within the USB 3.0 standard or above, and they are available in many different lengths.

Below, we will briefly review the most common USB connectors used on USB cables used in 2022:

The USB-A connector is usually found in computers, USB hubs, amplifiers, etc. The USB-B connector is most often found in external equipment such as printers, DACs and external drives that need to be connected to the computer. Therefore, USB cables typically come as what is called a USB A-B cable - that is, a cable with a USB-A connector on one end and a USB-B on the other. These are available from half a meter up to cables of 5 meters or more.

The USB Mini-B and, especially the USB Micro-B connectors are something most people can recognize. Micro and Mini USB-B have been used - and are still used - in connection with charging and data transfer, of an incredible number of smaller devices. Smartphones, external hard drives and tablets in particular, have been a big reason for the widespread use of USB Mini-B and USB Micro-B. However, these types of connectors are gradually being phased out in 2022, and it will probably not be long before these have been replaced by USB-C connectors instead.

Of similar Mini-USB connectors, in the smaller size, come USB Mini-A, USB Mini-AB, USB Micro-A and USB Micro-AB. These vary in shape and slightly in size, but can, in essence, do the same thing - They are just not quite as widely used as the USB Mini-B and USB Micro-B connectors.

USB-C is, as mentioned, the latest addition to the family and it seems that it is here to stay.

The USB-C connector is also the only connector that, so far, supports the new USB 4.0 standard, and of course everything below that, such as USB 2.0, USB 3.0 and so on. If you have a recent computer, it most likely also has one or more USB-C connectors, in USB 3.0 format or faster.

USB standards

When talking about USB, you can't avoid talking about data transfer and this is where the different USB standards can help us. We have made a small overview here, which can make it a little easier to understand what the different USB standards can do and what they are called.

In the last few years, this list and overview has become somewhat more cluttered.

Features on USB cables

If your cable is to do more than just charge and transfer data, you need a special USB cable. For example, you may want your USB cable to be able to transfer images and audio. Here, you need to make sure that the cable can handle this before you buy.

One of the most widely used connectors for images and audio is HDMI, and for that you can get USB to HDMI adapters - the most common are with USB-C connectors, as this standard connector can do far more than, for example, USB A and Micro USB, which provides many extra options.

The USB-C connector can handle HDMI, DVI and Displayport directly and therefore does not require a special converter or a specific protocol, as with previous generations of USB.

With the rise of USB C cables, this has also brought other features such as Power Delivery to the market. This is a feature that a USB cable can have, which allows it to charge significantly faster and more powerfully than a traditional USB cable with A or B connectors, for example.

Another similar feature is Quick Charge, which is essentially the same as Power Delivery, however, a USB cable with Quick Charge cannot handle the same charging speeds and amounts of power as a USB cable with Power Delivery can.