Best Parallel Cables of 2025

Kenneth Collin Avatar
Kenneth Collin
Last Updated: 31 Jan 2025

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Parallel cables are essential components for connecting computers and other electronic devices. These cables consist of multiple wires that run parallel to each other, allowing for the transmission of data and power between devices. They are available in various lengths and specifications, making them adaptable for a range of applications. Parallel cables are commonly used in printers, scanners, and other peripherals, as well as in networking and data transfer applications. Their reliability and ease of use make them a popular choice for businesses and individuals alike.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

DIGITUS 2m D-Sub 25 Parallel Cable Cover #TOP 1
DIGITUS 2m D-Sub 25 Parallel Cable
ftb score rating icon 9.8
SABRENT USB to Parallel Printer Adapter (1.8m) Cover #TOP 2
SABRENT USB to Parallel Printer Adapter (1.8m)
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Aptii DB25 Male to Centronics Printer Cable 2m Cover #TOP 3
Aptii DB25 Male to Centronics Printer Cable 2m
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 10 Parallel Cables

#TOP 1

DIGITUS 2m D-Sub 25 Parallel Cable

AK-610201-020-E
Beige
DIGITUS 2m D-Sub 25 Parallel Cable Cover
DIGITUS Parallel Connection Cable - D-Sub 25 to D-Sub 25 - Plug to Socket - 2.0m - Extension Cable - Beige

The DIGITUS D-Sub 25 Cable is a reliable solution for connecting parallel devices. With a 25-pin male connector on one end and a 25-pin socket on the other, it ensures easy and secure connections. The potted hood adds durability, protecting the cable from wear and tear. Additionally, the nickel-plated contact surface enhances conductivity, providing stable and efficient data transfer. This cable is perfect for users who need a dependable extension for their parallel connections.

What We Like
Durable potted hood
Nickel-plated contact surface
Easy 1:1 connection
Reliable data transfer

SABRENT USB to Parallel Printer Adapter (1.8m)

CB-CN36
Black
Parallel
SABRENT USB to Parallel Printer Adapter (1.8m) Cover
SABRENT Printer Cable USB to Parallel Adapter (1.8m), Parallel IEEE Printer Cable Adapter, Compatible with multiple operating systems (CB-CN36)

The SABRENT Parallel Adapter offers a hassle-free way to connect your printer to your computer. With its plug-and-play feature, you can easily connect without needing any driver software, saving you time and effort. The auto-negotiation detection hardware ensures a faster printer installation, making the process smoother for you. You will also enjoy impressive data transfer rates of up to 12Mbps, enhancing your printing efficiency. Plus, it is compatible with a wide range of operating systems, ensuring versatility for different users.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play setup
Fast installation process
High data transfer rates
Wide operating system compatibility
#TOP 3

Aptii DB25 Male to Centronics Printer Cable 2m

Aptii DB25 Male to Centronics Printer Cable 2m Cover
Aptii DB25 Male 36 Centronic Male Parallel Printer Cable 2m

The Aptii Printer Cable is a 2-metre parallel printer cable designed to connect your computer's parallel printer port to a printer's centronics port. With 25 lines, this cable ensures reliable data transfer between devices. It features a DB25 male connector on one end and a 36 pin centronics male connector on the other, making it versatile for various printer setups. This bidirectional cable allows you to send and receive data, providing convenience in your printing tasks.

What We Like
Bidirectional data transfer
25 line connections
DB25 and centronics compatibility
2-metre length
#TOP 4

Aptii 2m DB25 Male Parallel Switchbox Cable

Aptii-DB25M-IEEE1284-2m
Aptii 2m DB25 Male Parallel Switchbox Cable Cover
Aptii DB-25 pin Male M IEEE1284 Parallel Switchbox Cable 2m

The Aptii DB25 Parallel Cable is a versatile 2-metre long cable designed for connecting devices with a 25 Pin Male connector. Its length provides ample reach, allowing you to set up your equipment without hassle. With two 25 Pin Male connectors, this cable ensures a secure and reliable connection between your devices. The 28 AWG design contributes to efficient data transfer, making it a practical choice for your parallel connection needs. You will appreciate the convenience and reliability offered by this cable for your computing tasks.

What We Like
High-quality 28 AWG design
Two 25 Pin Male connectors
Convenient 2-metre length
Reliable data transfer
#TOP 5

World of Data USB to Parallel Adapter Cable

World of Data USB to Parallel Adapter Cable Cover
World of Data USB to Parallel Adapter Cable - Premium Quality / IEEE1284 / Centronics/Plug & Play/Bi-Directional

The World of Data Adapter Cable is a premium-quality USB to parallel cable, designed for easy connectivity. Its plug-and-play feature allows you to quickly connect your devices without complicated setups. Being bi-directional, this cable enables seamless data transfer, making it perfect for users needing reliable connections. The Centronics design ensures compatibility with various printers and devices, providing convenience and versatility for your computing needs.

What We Like
Easy plug-and-play setup
Bi-directional data transfer
Compatible with Centronics devices
Premium quality construction
Brand new condition
#TOP 6

Cable-Core 2m USB to Parallel Printer Cable

2 Meters
Cable-Core 2m USB to Parallel Printer Cable Cover
Cable-Core USB to Parallel IEEE 1284 Printer Cable 2m Length

The Cable-Core USB to Parallel offers exceptional versatility by allowing you to use a parallel port for another device, making it ideal for those with multiple connections. It is fully compliant with the USB 1.1 specification, ensuring reliable performance with older devices. The cable is compatible with the IEEE 1284 interface and supports bi-directional communication, allowing for efficient data transfer in both directions. Additionally, it features suspend/normal mode power management, which helps conserve energy when the cable is not in use.

What We Like
Versatile parallel port usage
Reliable USB 1.1 compliance
Bi-directional communication support
Energy-efficient power management
#TOP 7

PNGKNYOCN 4.5 Feet Male to Male DB25 Cable

20082808
White
PNGKNYOCN 4.5 Feet Male to Male DB25 Cable Cover
PNGKNYOCN 4.5 Feet DB25 Male to Male Parallel Printer Cable for the Connection Between a Computer with DB25 Female Interface and the Printer

The PNGKNYOCN DB25 Cable is designed to enhance your data transfer experience between your computer and peripherals like printers and scanners. Its high-quality PVC housing ensures durability and resistance to wear and corrosion, providing you with a reliable connection. You will appreciate the ease of use, as it offers plug-and-play functionality without the need for additional drivers. Additionally, this cable supports two-way communication, allowing for efficient data exchange, which is essential for devices compatible with IEEE-1284.

What We Like
Durable PVC housing
Easy plug-and-play setup
Supports high data transfer rates
Two-way communication capability
#TOP 8

PC Arena 5m DB-25 Male Parallel Cable

PC Arena 5m DB-25 Male Parallel Cable Cover
PC Arena DB-25 pin Male M IEEE1284 Parallel Switchbox Cable 5m

The PC Arena Parallel Switchbox Cable is a versatile solution for connecting devices with a 25 Pin Male connector. With a generous length of 5 metres, you can easily position your devices without the hassle of short cables. This cable features two 25 Pin Male connectors, allowing for seamless connection between multiple devices. Additionally, the colour may vary, adding a touch of uniqueness to your setup. This cable is perfect for anyone requiring an effective way to manage their parallel connections.

What We Like
5 metre length for flexibility
Dual 25 Pin Male connectors
Suitable for various devices
Unique colour options
#TOP 9

AYA 3Ft DB25 Male to Female Extension Cable

LYSB00P2Y669I-CMPTRACCS
Beigh
AYA 3Ft DB25 Male to Female Extension Cable Cover
AYA 3Ft (3 Feet) DB25 Male to Female M/F Extension IEEE1284 Parallel Cable UL Certified

The AYA DB25 Extension Cable is designed to extend your existing cables easily and cost-effectively. With all 25 lines wired straight through pin-to-pin, it ensures compatibility with your devices. This cable is foil shielded, providing you with protection against electromagnetic and radio frequency interference, which enhances performance. Additionally, the fully moulded design features thumbscrew connectors, allowing for a fast and secure connection every time you use it. This means you can quickly set up your equipment without hassle.

What We Like
Cost-effective extension option
Foil shielding for protection
Easy pin-to-pin compatibility
Fast connection with thumbscrews
Fully moulded design
#TOP 10

kenable 2m Centronics Parallel Printer Cable

009771
kenable 2m Centronics Parallel Printer Cable Cover
kenable Centronics IEEE-1284 Parallel Printer Cable 36 Pin Female to Female 2m [2 metres]

The kenable Parallel Printer Cable is a reliable 2-metre long connection solution for your printers. With its 36-pin female to female configuration, it ensures compatibility with Centronics devices, making it ideal for connecting older printers to your computer. The parallel design facilitates quick data transfer, which is particularly useful for printing large documents efficiently. This cable is also straightforward to use, providing you with a hassle-free setup that allows you to get your printing tasks done without complications.

What We Like
Reliable connection for printers
2-metre length for flexibility
Compatible with Centronics devices
Quick data transfer rates
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Are parallel cables still used?

Current use For consumers, USB and computer networks have replaced the parallel printer port, for connections both to printers and to other devices. Many manufacturers of personal computers and laptops consider parallel to be a legacy port and no longer include the parallel interface.

2. What are serial and parallel cables?

Parallel connections have multiple wires running parallel to each other (hence the name), and can transmit data on all the wires simultaneously. Serial, on the other hand, uses a single wire to transfer the data bits one at a time.

3. What is a parallel printer cable?

In the early days of personal computing a parallel printer cable could refer to any of a wide range of cables that connected a computer and a printer.

Editor's Notes

During our parallel cable research, we found 59 parallel cable products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 19,926 customer reviews through our big data system to write the parallel cables list. We found that most customers choose parallel cables with an average price of £10.39.

The parallel cables are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of parallel cables, including Digitus, SABRENT, Aptii, World of Data, Cable-Core.

Written by
Kenneth Collin Avatar

Kenneth Collin graduated from Imperial College, London, at 22. He is a UX/UI designer, a web developer, and a writer, amongst others. At age 14, Kenneth programmed his first app. Kenneth's app served as a remote control for censored devices. "When I was 8, I would pick up scraps from electronics and try to rebuild or at least fix them," Kenneth said in one of his recent articles on Home repairs for top gadgets.