USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 are two of the most common USB standards in use today. USB 3.0 is the newer and faster standard, but USB 2.0 is still widely used because of its compatibility with older devices.
Speed
The biggest difference between USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 is speed. USB 3.0 has a maximum transfer rate of 5 Gbps, while USB 2.0 has a maximum transfer rate of 480 Mbps. This means that USB 3.0 is up to 10 times faster than USB 2.0.
Power
USB 3.0 also provides more power to devices than USB 2.0. USB 3.0 ports can provide up to 900 mA of power, while USB 2.0 ports can only provide up to 500 mA of power. This means that USB 3.0 ports can be used to power more demanding devices, such as external hard drives and smartphones.
Compatibility
USB 3.0 is backwards compatible with USB 2.0, which means that you can use USB 2.0 devices in USB 3.0 ports. However, you will not get the full speed of USB 3.0 when using a USB 2.0 device.
Connectors
USB 3.0 connectors are typically blue inside, while USB 2.0 connectors are typically black or white inside. This makes it easy to tell the difference between the two types of connectors.
Which one to choose?
If you are buying a new device, it is best to choose one that supports USB 3.0. USB 3.0 is the faster and more powerful standard, and it will be compatible with older devices. However, if you are on a budget, you may want to consider buying a device that only supports USB 2.0. USB 2.0 devices are still widely available and affordable.
Here are some examples of devices that benefit from USB 3.0:
- External hard drives
- SSDs
- Smartphones
- Tablets
- Digital cameras
- Video cameras
- Printers
- Scanners
If you are using any of these devices, it is worth investing in a USB 3.0 hub or adapter so that you can take advantage of the faster speeds.