- Connecting
- Need
- Answer
Cable for a portable SSD
Get this
USB-C cable marked 10Gbps or faster, 1 m or shorter (the one in the box is best)
Look for
- 10Gbps on the cable
- Plug into a 10Gbps, USB4 or Thunderbolt port
Avoid
- Phone charging cables (USB 2.0)
- 2 m passive cables: often drop to 5 Gbps
Speed in practice
| Link | Signalling | Typical real copy speed |
|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 0.48 Gbps | 35–40 MB/s |
| USB 5Gbps | 5 Gbps | 400–450 MB/s |
| USB 10Gbps | 10 Gbps | 900–1,050 MB/s |
| USB 20Gbps | 20 Gbps | 1,800–2,000 MB/s |
| USB4 / Thunderbolt 40Gbps | 40 Gbps | 2,800–3,800 MB/s |
Typical figures for good drives, as commonly measured; slower drives won't reach them.