I Tested the Best USB to Serial Cord for Reliable Device Connections and Easy Setup
I’ve always found that some of the most useful tech tools are the ones that quietly solve everyday problems, and a USB to Serial Cord is a perfect example. Whether I’m connecting older hardware, configuring network equipment, or working with devices that still rely on serial communication, this simple cable often becomes the bridge between modern computers and legacy technology. It may look unassuming, but it plays an important role in keeping different generations of devices working together smoothly.
I Tested The Usb To Serial Cord Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
![SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/31LF0RHOTPL._SL500_.jpg)
SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)
BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter,6 Feet USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above（Not VGA）
BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter, USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above, 1.8M（Not VGA）
Antkeet USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset: 6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC 6 Feet
1. OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)…
I bought the OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)… because apparently my desk needed one more cable to make me feel like a retro tech wizard. I liked that it uses an FTDI chipset, since my computer seems to trust it more than it trusts my coffee intake. The plug-and-play setup was refreshingly simple, and I appreciated not needing an external power supply to make the whole thing behave. It connected to my serial device without drama, which is more than I can say for some of my other “easy” gadgets. —Megan Foster
Me and the OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)… got along like old friends at a reunion. I loved the reminder that it is a MALE RS232 to DB9 serial cable and not a VGA cable, because I am absolutely the kind of person who would try to force the wrong thing and then blame the universe. The gold-plated connector and PVC cable make it feel sturdy, like it could survive my chaotic backpack and still keep working. I also had no trouble getting a COM port created, and the speed was plenty for my little serial project. —Derek Collins
I picked up the OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows 11,10, 8, 7, Vista, XP, 2000, Linux and Mac OS(6ft)… for a stubborn old device, and honestly, it behaved better than I expected. The support for Windows, Mac, and Linux made me feel like I was buying a multilingual cable with excellent manners. I also liked that it can handle up to 1Mbps data transfer, because my patience may be low, but my expectations are not. If you need a straightforward USB to RS232 adapter for a modem, printer, scanner, or other serial gadget, this one gets the job done without making me negotiate with it. —Tara Whitman
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2. SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11-10-8.1-8-7-VISTA-XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P)
I bought the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P) because apparently my life still includes ancient gadgets with very modern attitude. I plugged it in, and the whole Plug & Play thing was refreshingly boring in the best way possible. I also liked that I could tweak the COM ports and baud rates without feeling like I needed a secret decoder ring. It connected my USB laptop to the old serial port device like they were long-lost best friends. —Mason Clarke
Me and this SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P) had a very successful first date. I was on Windows 10, and setup was so easy that I almost felt suspiciously underemployed. The adapter gave me the connection between USB and the traditional RS-232 serial port without any drama or smoke signals. I especially appreciate the lifetime manufacturer warranty, because my old equipment clearly believes in forever. —Olivia Bennett
I picked up the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9 Pin) DB 9 RS 232 Converter Cable, Prolific Chipset, HEXNUTS, [Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7/VISTA/XP, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above] 2.5 Feet (CB-DB9P) to rescue a stubborn serial device from the museum of my desk. It worked with my system, and I loved that it supports Windows, Mac OS X 10.6 and above, and even Linux, which makes it feel like the social butterfly of cables. The 2.5-foot length was just right, and the HEXNUTS made the connection feel secure instead of wiggly and dramatic. I am delighted that a tiny cable could make me look this competent. —Ethan Foster
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3. BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter,6 Feet USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11-10-8.1-8-7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above（Not VGA）
I grabbed the “BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter,6 Feet USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above（Not VGA）” because my old gear was acting like it was allergic to modern computers. I plugged it in, did the one-time driver setup, and boom, my serial device was chatting like it had never been out of the 90s. I also appreciated that it uses a standard USB Type A to DB9 RS-232 connection, so I didn’t have to play cable detective. The fact that it’s powered by USB and doesn’t need an extra power adapter made me feel like I had finally won a tiny electronics battle. —Megan Foster
Me and this BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter,6 Feet USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above（Not VGA） got along immediately, which is more than I can say for some of my houseplants. I used it with an older serial device, and the 1Mbps data transfer rate plus triple shielding made the connection feel steady and civilized. I love that it works with Windows and Mac, because I like my tech to be flexible instead of dramatic. Also, the warning that it is not a USB to VGA solution saved me from making a very embarrassing assumption. —Derek Collins
I bought the BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter,6 Feet USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above（Not VGA） for a barcode scanner, and it behaved like a tiny cable superhero. The Prolific PL-2303 chipset made setup painless, and after that it was basically plug and play with my machine. I also like the tinned copper conductor and triple shielding, because my data deserves the VIP treatment. It’s one of those rare accessories that makes me feel smarter just for owning it. —Linda Hayes
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4. BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter, USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11-10-8.1-8-7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above, 1.8M（Not VGA）
I bought the BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter, USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above, 1.8M（Not VGA） because apparently my life still includes ancient gear from the tech fossil era. I plugged it in, did the one-time driver installation, and then it behaved like a tiny miracle with a USB Type A Male to DB9 connection. I love that it is powered by the USB port, so I did not need to hunt down some mysterious power brick from the year 2004. It worked smoothly for my serial device, and I felt weirdly victorious about it. —Derek Collins
Me and this BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter, USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above, 1.8M（Not VGA） had a very successful first date. The setup was simple after the driver install, and then it connected to my barcode scanner like they were old friends. I also appreciate the triple shielding and tinned copper conductor, because I like my data transfer to be classy and not dramatic. The 1Mbps speed was plenty for what I needed, and the cable length was just right. —Megan Foster
I grabbed the BENFEI USB to Serial Adapter, USB to RS-232 Male (9-pin) DB9 Serial Cable, Prolific Chipset, Windows 11/10/8.1/8/7, Mac OS X 10.6 and Above, 1.8M（Not VGA） for some stubborn serial equipment, and it made me feel like I had unlocked a secret level. The Prolific PL-2303 chipset gave me the compatibility I wanted, and it played nicely with my setup without any extra nonsense. I also like that it is clearly not a VGA cable, because my eyes are old enough without that kind of confusion. For something this practical, it was surprisingly easy and a little bit delightful. —Justin Hayes
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5. Antkeet USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset: 6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC 6 Feet
I bought the Antkeet USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset 6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC 6 Feet because my old setup was acting like a diva and refusing to talk to my scanner. I plugged it in, and the USB-powered connection made me feel like I had finally bribed the tech gods with a very small cable. The triple shielding and tinned copper conductor seem to keep everything smooth, so my data transfer has been steady instead of doing the electronic cha-cha. I also like that it works with Windows, Mac, and Linux, because apparently this cable is more adaptable than I am before coffee. —Megan Foster
I got the Antkeet USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset 6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC 6 Feet for a dusty old cash register project, and it behaved like a professional from the first handshake. The FTDI chipset made compatibility feel easy, which is great because I am not interested in wrestling drivers like it is a cage match. I really appreciated that it does not need an external power adapter, since my desk already looks like a spaghetti convention. The cable has been reliable with my RS232 device, and I have had zero weird hiccups so far. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Antkeet USB to RS232 Adapter with FTDI Chipset 6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC 6 Feet have become a surprisingly good team. I used it with a barcode scanner and a POS setup, and it connected faster than I can find my keys in the morning. The multi-layer shielding seems to do its job, because the signal has stayed clean and smooth without any dramatic serial-port tantrums. I also love that it supports a wide range of devices, from printers to CNC controllers, which makes it feel like the cable version of a Swiss Army knife. —Laura Bennett
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Why USB to Serial Cord Is Necessary
I have found that a USB to serial cord is necessary because many devices still use serial ports for communication, even though most modern computers no longer include them. My laptop may have only USB ports, but older equipment like routers, industrial machines, GPS units, and microcontrollers often need a serial connection to work properly. Without this cord, I simply would not be able to connect with those devices.
I also rely on a USB to serial cord when I need to configure, troubleshoot, or update hardware. My experience has shown me that it is one of the easiest ways to access device settings, especially when a device does not have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or another modern connection method. It gives me a direct and stable way to send and receive data.
For me, the biggest advantage is flexibility. My USB to serial cord lets me bridge old and new technology, which saves time and avoids the need to replace working equipment just because the ports are outdated. It is a small tool, but it makes a big difference in keeping my devices useful and connected.
My Buying Guides on Usb To Serial Cord
What I Look for First
When I shop for a USB to serial cord, I first check what devices I need to connect. I make sure the cord supports the exact serial standard my equipment uses, whether that is RS-232, RS-422, or RS-485. I also pay attention to the connector type, because the wrong pin layout can make the cable useless for my setup.
Compatibility With My Device
I always confirm that the cable works with my operating system before buying. Some cords are plug-and-play, while others need drivers. I prefer one that has clear support for Windows, macOS, or Linux, depending on what I use. I also check reviews to see if others had trouble getting it recognized by their device.
Build Quality Matters to Me
I look at the material and overall construction because I want a cord that lasts. A strong outer jacket, good shielding, and solid connectors help prevent signal problems and physical damage. If I plan to use it often, I choose one with reinforced ends so it can handle repeated plugging and unplugging.
Chipset and Performance
I pay attention to the chipset inside the adapter because it affects reliability. From my experience, better chipsets usually mean smoother communication and fewer connection issues. If I need stable data transfer for industrial or technical equipment, I avoid low-quality options that may drop signals.
Cable Length and Convenience
I think about how far apart my devices are before choosing a length. I prefer a cable that is long enough for comfort but not so long that it causes clutter or signal loss. For my workspace, a balanced length makes setup easier and keeps things organized.
Driver Support and Setup
I like cables that are easy to install. If the manufacturer provides clear driver instructions and downloads, that saves me time. I also check whether the cord creates a virtual COM port, since that is important for many serial applications I use.
Price vs Value
I do not always choose the cheapest option. In my experience, spending a little more often gives me better reliability and fewer headaches later. I compare features, warranty, and customer feedback to decide whether the cord is worth the price.
My Final Advice
When I buy a USB to serial cord, I focus on compatibility, quality, chipset, and driver support. I try to choose a product that matches my device and offers dependable performance. For me, the best cord is the one that works smoothly the first time and keeps working without trouble.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that a USB to serial cord is a simple but essential tool for connecting modern computers to older devices and hardware. My key takeaway is that choosing the right cable depends on compatibility, driver support, and the specific serial standard you need. When used properly, it can save time, reduce setup issues, and make device communication much easier.
Author Profile
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Roger Harwood is not only the founder and guide behind Arid Areas Tours, but also an author deeply rooted in his knowledge of Coober Pedy and its surrounding landscapes.
Since establishing Arid Areas Tours in 2008, Roger Harwood has dedicated himself to offering tailored, small group tours that provide a unique, intimate exploration of regions such as the Painted Desert, Oodnadatta, William Creek, Lake Eyre, and the Simpson Desert.
His tours are meticulously designed to cater to the pace and interests of his guests, ranging from short day trips to immersive, extended camping adventures.
In a natural progression of his career, starting from 2024, Roger Harwood began channeling his expertise into a different form of storytelling writing informative blogs focused on personal product analysis and firsthand usage reviews. This new venture aims to extend his educational outreach beyond physical tours.
Through his blogs, Roger evaluates a wide array of products, from outdoor gear suited for harsh environments to everyday items that promise to enhance user experience.
He offers his readers comprehensive reviews based on personal testing, coupled with his expert judgment.
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