Data Transfer Cables

USB, USB-C, and Thunderbolt Cables for Every Device

Data transfer cables connect laptops, external drives, docking stations, printers, and peripherals at speeds from USB 2.0 through Thunderbolt 4 over USB-A, USB-B, USB-C, and Micro-USB connectors. Matching the right spec to the right device eliminates transfer bottlenecks and compatibility headaches, with options spanning the full cables catalog from StarTech, C2G by Legrand, and Eaton's Tripp Lite line.

Data Transfer Cables for Every Use Case

• Laptop docking — USB-C and Thunderbolt cables for connecting to docking stations with video, data, and power delivery over a single cable
• External storage connections — USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 4 cables for fast transfers to portable SSDs, hard drives, and NAS devices
• Printer and scanner hookups — USB-A to USB-B cables for office printers, scanners, and multifunction devices at USB 2.0 speeds
• Mobile device charging and sync — USB-C and Micro-USB cables for smartphones, tablets, and portable devices with simultaneous data transfer and power delivery
• USB hub expansion — cables for connecting USB hubs and expanding port availability on desktop and laptop workstations with limited built-in ports

Choosing the Right Data Transfer Cable

Match the cable to both your device ports and your speed requirements. USB 2.0 at 480 Mbps is sufficient for keyboards, mice, printers, and basic peripherals. USB 3.2 Gen 1 (5 Gbps) handles external hard drives and USB hubs without bottlenecking. USB 3.2 Gen 2 (10 Gbps) delivers full speed for modern USB-C SSDs and high-speed external storage. USB4 runs at 40 Gbps on the same Thunderbolt 3 architecture with backward compatibility. Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 cables push 40 Gbps with PCIe tunneling for external GPUs, high-speed storage arrays, and daisy-chained peripherals, with Thunderbolt 4 guaranteeing dual 4K display support.

USB-C Cable Confusion

Not all USB-C cables are the same. A USB-C connector can carry anything from USB 2.0 (480 Mbps, charge-only in practice) to Thunderbolt 4 (40 Gbps with video and PCIe). Cheap cables often lack the wiring for USB 3.x data speeds or sufficient gauge for high-wattage power delivery. Always verify the cable's rated speed and wattage against your device's requirements. Look for USB-IF certification markings on the cable or packaging to confirm compliance. Thunderbolt 4 cables are backward-compatible with USB4, USB 3.2, and USB 2.0 devices, making them the most versatile USB-C cable if you want one cable that works with everything.

Complete Your Data Setup

• Power Cables — IEC power cords for desktops, monitors, and servers that data cables connect to
• Network Cables — Cat5e, Cat6, and Cat6a ethernet cables for wired network connections
• Docking Stations — USB-C and Thunderbolt docks that expand laptop connectivity with video, ethernet, and USB ports
• USB Hubs — multi-port USB hubs for adding ports to desktops and laptops