USB data · 2017
USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 (20 Gbps)
Two 10 Gbps lanes at once over USB-C. Fast, but host support is patchy.
- data: 20 Gbps
- video: No (only via USB-C Alt Mode)
- power: 4.5 W (port)
Spec card
- Signalling rate
- 2 lanes × 10 Gbit/s
- Line coding
- 128b/132b
- Real-world file copy
- about 1,800–2,000 MB/s
- Connector
- USB-C only (needs both sets of pairs)
- Max passive length
- 1 m
Also sold as SuperSpeed USB 20GbpsUSB 20GbpsUSB 3.2 (20Gbps)
The cable you need
A USB-C cable rated 20Gbps or better. USB4 40Gbps and Thunderbolt 4 cables also work.
Watch out for
- Macs and many laptops don't support Gen 2x2 and fall back to 10 Gbps.
Gen 2x2 runs two 10 Gbps lanes at once, one on each set of USB-C high-speed pairs, which is why it exists only on USB-C. A full-featured USB-C cable already carries both sets.
The catch is the host. Many computers, including every Mac, skipped Gen 2x2 and went straight from 10 Gbps USB to Thunderbolt/USB4. A Gen 2x2 SSD plugged into those runs at 10 Gbps. USB4 hosts and newer USB4 SSD enclosures are the more common route to 20 Gbps and beyond.
There is also a rarely used Gen 1x2 (two 5 Gbps lanes, 10 Gbps total). Products almost never advertise it.