
Paying for USB4 Cables: When Speed Justifies the Price
USB4 cables offer far more than fast charging, delivering up to 80 Gbps symmetric (or 120/40 Gbps asymmetric with USB4 v2) and the ability to power an entire setup—monitors, fast SSDs, docks, and a laptop—while remaining backward compatible with older devices. USB-C only describes the connector, and many cables vary in capability, so a device with a USB-C port may still be limited to USB 2.0 speeds if the included cable is basic. Buy premium USB4 cables mainly if your devices actually support USB4 to reap the benefits; otherwise cheaper dedicated power-delivery cables can handle simple, fast charging. Thunderbolt 4/5 are Intel counterparts sharing the same connector, and you should match the cable to what your device officially supports to get the advertised performance.













