Collection: USB Gadgets

A usb cable or usb adapter is the plumbing of a device setup, and the wrong one is the most common cause of something not working. USB-C, USB-A, HDMI and DisplayPort all look and behave differently, and even identical-looking cables can carry very different power and data. A hub adds ports to a device that's short of them. Check what ports your devices actually have, then match both ends of the cable and the specification it needs to carry.

What USB types are there?

The connector shape and the capability are two separate things:

• USB-A: the traditional rectangular plug, still common on computers, chargers and older devices.
• USB-C: the small reversible oval connector, now standard on phones, laptops and tablets, and able to carry power, data and video.
• Micro USB: the older small connector still found on many budget and older devices.

The shape tells you if it fits; the specification tells you what it can actually do.

Why do identical cables perform differently?

Two usb c cable options can look the same and behave completely differently, because the connector shape says nothing about what's inside. Some carry only charging power, others carry data, and only some carry video output. Power capacity varies too, so a cable rated for low wattage will charge a laptop slowly or not at all. Data speeds differ by generations. This is why a phone charges slowly on one cable and quickly on another, or why a monitor gets no signal from a cable that "fits". Tip: check the cable's stated wattage and data specification, not just the connector type.

What does a USB hub do?

A USB hub plugs into one port on your computer and splits it into several, which solves the problem of modern laptops having only two or three ports. A basic bus-powered hub draws power from the computer and suits keyboards, mice and flash drives. A powered hub has its own supply and is needed for external hard drives and anything drawing significant current, since a bus-powered hub may not deliver enough. Some hubs add HDMI, ethernet and card readers, making them closer to a docking station. Match the hub type to what you'll plug into it.

Common questions

Why is my phone charging slowly on one cable?
Cables differ in the power they can carry despite looking identical. A cable rated for low wattage charges slowly regardless of the charger. Check the cable's stated wattage.

Do all USB-C cables carry video?
No — some carry only power, some add data, and only some support video output. Check the cable specifically states video or DisplayPort Alt Mode support if you're connecting a display.

What's the difference between a powered and unpowered USB hub?
An unpowered hub draws from the computer and suits low-draw devices like mice and flash drives. A powered hub has its own supply, needed for external hard drives and higher-draw devices.

Does HDMI cable quality matter?
For 4K and high refresh rates, yes — the cable must support the required bandwidth. For standard 1080p over short runs, most cables work. Check the HDMI version supported.

Can I pay for cables with Afterpay?
Yes. You can split it with Afterpay, Zip, Klarna or PayPal Pay in 4. Our USB gadgets and cables start from $18, which is four fortnightly payments of $4.50.

Complete your setup

Cables work with the rest of your electronics. Add computer accessories, a charger, and storage for backups.

A $18 cable set splits into four fortnightly payments of $4.5 with Afterpay, and Zip, Klarna and PayPal Pay in 4 do the same. Every order ships from our Australian warehouse, dispatched within 1–2 business days, with a 12-month warranty and 30 days to return it. We're a family-run Australian store, going since 2016, rated 4.66 out of 5 across 5,363 reviews.