Best Serial Cables of 2026
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Serial cables are an essential component for connecting devices such as printers, scanners, and modems to a computer. They come in a variety of lengths and types, including DB9, DB25, and USB. These cables transmit data between devices and the computer, making it possible for them to communicate and function properly. Whether you're looking to replace an old cable or need a new one for a project, a high-quality serial cable can ensure reliable and efficient data transfer.
At a Glance: Our Top Picks
Top 10 Serial Cables
StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 Female to Female Cable
The StarTech.com DB9 Null Modem Cable is a 2-metre black cable designed for connecting your serial devices efficiently. With its female-to-female configuration, you can easily transfer files between devices. The high-quality shielding effectively prevents electromagnetic interference, ensuring a stable connection. This means you can enjoy reliable data transmission without interruptions, making your tasks smoother and more efficient.
StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 Serial Extension Cable
The StarTech.com DB9 Serial Cable is designed to enhance your connectivity needs. It features a male and female DB9 connector, making it easy to extend your serial connections. The high-quality shielding effectively prevents EMI interference, ensuring a stable and clear signal for your devices. Additionally, the strain relief molding on the connectors protects against wear and tear, providing you with a durable solution for your serial communication requirements.
UGREEN USB to RS232 DB9 Converter Cable
The UGREEN USB to Serial Cable allows you to easily connect various serial devices to your computer through a USB port, achieving a data transfer rate of 1Mbps. With its plug-and-play functionality for Windows 11/10/8.1/8, you can enjoy hassle-free usage without needing to install drivers. For older operating systems like Windows 7/XP, Linux, and Mac OS, a simple driver installation is required. This device features a standard USB Type A male connector, making it versatile for connecting to numerous devices.
StarTech 3m RS232 Null Modem Cable
The StarTech Null Modem Cable is an essential tool for connecting two DTE devices over a distance of up to 3 metres. Its high-quality construction ensures durability, with tinned wires and aluminium mylar shielding that protect against electromagnetic interference. You will appreciate the screw locking feature, as it prevents accidental disconnections, helping to avoid data loss. Additionally, the cable comes with moulded PVC connectors, which provide strain relief, reducing the risk of damage from bends and twists.
DTECH 5 Feet RS232 Serial Cable Male to Male
The DTECH RS232 Serial Cable is a practical solution for connecting your computer to devices with a COM port. Its simple design, using a 3-wire type connection, ensures compatibility with RS-232 interfaces. With 9-pin male-to-male connectors, you can easily secure a stable connection for reliable data transfer. This cable is ideal for linking older RS232C devices such as printers and scanners, providing convenience and efficiency in your setup.
CableDeconn USB to RS232 Adapter 2m
The CableDeconn RS232 Adapter provides an easy way to connect your USB port to RS232 devices. With its plug-and-play installation, you can quickly set it up on various operating systems, including Windows and Mac. This adapter supports a range of devices like modems and barcode scanners, making it versatile for your connectivity needs. Additionally, it offers a data transfer rate of 1Mbbps, ensuring efficient communication between your computer and connected devices.
SABRENT USB to Serial DB9 Adapter 0.85m
The SABRENT USB Serial Adapter is designed to connect various serial devices to your computer effortlessly. With its USB to RS232 functionality, you can link devices like modems, cameras, and routers, providing a convenient solution for older technology. The Prolific chipset ensures wide compatibility with numerous operating systems, making it versatile for different users. Its triple-shielding design protects against interference, enhancing data transfer rates for reliable communication. Plus, the easy plug-and-play feature means you can set it up quickly without any hassle.
DTECH 0.5m Female to Female DB9 Serial Cable
The DTECH DB9 Serial Cable is designed to connect your computer to devices with RS-232 compatible COM ports, making data transfer straightforward and reliable. With female-to-female DB9 connectors on each end, it ensures a secure and stable connection thanks to the included screws, preventing accidental disconnections. The cable’s internal 30AWG wires follow the standard colour code, which makes soldering easier if you need to customise or repair the cable. Additionally, it features straight-through pin wiring, maintaining consistent and reliable communication for your devices.
PNGKNYOCN DB9 to DB25 Conversion Cable
The PNGKNYOCN Serial Cable features a DB9 female connector and a DB25 male connector, making it ideal for connecting serial printers to 25-pin ports or transferring files between PCs. This null modem cable ensures smooth communication between two DTE or DCE devices without data conflicts. With high-quality nickel-plated connectors and durable PVC housing, you can expect reliable performance and longevity. Enjoy worry-free data transmission with this well-crafted cable that enhances your connectivity options.
CMYKZONE 2-in-1 Cisco Console Cable
The CMYKZONE Console Cable is an ideal solution for those needing a console connection without a serial port. By simply connecting the USB-to-Serial cable to the Serial-to-RJ45 rollover cable, you can effortlessly establish a connection. This cable is compatible with both new and old devices, allowing you to access the IOS via standard software like HyperTerminal or Putty. As computers evolve, this cable addresses the diminishing availability of DB9 Serial Connections, ensuring you stay connected with your Cisco systems.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is a serial cable used for?
A serial cable is a cable used to transfer information between two devices using a serial communication protocol. The form of connectors depends on the particular serial port used.
2. Are there different types of serial cables?
Types of serial cables In reality, there are a lot of cables and ports that fit the “serial” definition, and can be categorized based on the interfaces and communication standards, including what you might think of when you think of serial cables, the catchy-named ones like RS-232, RS-422, and RS-485.
3. What is a serial DCE cable?
DCE stands for data circuit-terminating, data communications, or data carrier equipment - this is a modem or more generally, a line adapter. DTE stands for data terminal equipment which generally is a terminal or a computer. Basically, these two are the different ends of a serial line.
4. How many wires do the serial cables?
The RS-232 Standard Although RS-232 does not specify connector configurations, two have become de facto standards: DB25 (a 25-pin connector, in which usually no more than 10 wires are used), and DB-9 (a 9-pin connector, in which usually all 9 wires are used).
During our serial cable research, we found 136 serial cable products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 99,894 customer reviews through our big data system to write the serial cables list. We found that most customers choose serial cables with an average price of £7.51.
The serial cables are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of serial cables, including StarTech, UGREEN, DTECH, CableDeconn, SABRENT.
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.