Why USB 2.0 is still worth using in 2024?

As technology advances, we tend to move towards higher standards: Thunderbolt instead of USB 2.0, USB-C instead of USB-A, etc. However, older standards like USB 2.0 still have a place in many people's setups, as most USB devices simply don't need anything more advanced.

USB 2.0 uses less system bandwidth

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USB 2.0 is an older data standard compared to modern things like USB 3.0, 3.1, or 3.2, as well as Thunderbolt 4 or USB 4.0. These newer standards offer higher data bandwidth, transfer speeds, and power delivery, allowing for more advanced devices to be used in your setup. Think of a crisp 1080p webcam over USB 2.0 versus an uncompressed 4K webcam over USB 3.0. These standards also cause confusion, such as determining whether your USB-C port is USB 4.0 or another standard entirely.

However, this increased data and power usage can also put a strain on the system. Most systems and USB hubs have limits on the amount of data and power they can use with external devices. USB 3.0+ devices use more data and bandwidth than USB 2.0. Higher device standards will use more system bandwidth.

Imagine you have a Thunderbolt 4 port on your MacBook connected to a large USB hub. If that hub is also Thunderbolt 4, your maximum data transfer rate is 40Gbps, supporting up to 8 USB 3.0 devices at 5Gbps each. However, you're more likely to have a USB 3.1 or USB 3.2 hub because they're much cheaper. USB 3.2 is limited to 10Gbps, so you can only expect to use two USB 3.0 devices at full bandwidth at once. Many USB devices don't use their full data rate, but they still have bandwidth limits.

USB 2.0, on the other hand, is limited to 480 Mbps, which means you can generally use many more USB 2.0 devices, as long as your system's USB controller can handle using more devices at once (most USB controllers have a limit of 127 USB devices, but you'll likely run out of bandwidth before you reach that number). It would take about 80 USB 2.0 devices to use the bandwidth of a Thunderbolt 4 hub, or about 20 for USB 3.2.

In short, USB 2.0 devices use very little system bandwidth, so you rarely have to worry about whether your system can handle them when you buy them.

Compatibility on USB 2.0 devices is more solid

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Aside from bandwidth issues, USB 2.0 is compatible with more devices and ports. The first and most modern example is that most PC motherboards tend to have a limited number of USB 3.0 or higher ports, which means that even if you're not worried about bandwidth, you may not have enough USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt ports. Furthermore, Thunderbolt and the devices that use it cause more confusion due to its USB-C-like appearance.

Likewise, if you're using an older device, it may not support USB 3.0 on its ports or have some other incompatibility, such as a USB-C port. Since many modern devices use USB 3.0 or later and USB-C instead of USB-A, the good news is that these higher standards are backwards compatible, although they may require a USB-A to USB-C adapter.

USB 2.0 ports and cables, on the other hand, are not guaranteed to be backward compatible. If you plug a USB 3.0 device into a USB 2.0 port, its functionality may be limited. For example, a 4K capture card may not work because it doesn't have enough bandwidth, while an external hard drive may operate at a slower speed. Unfortunately, this speed varies from device to device, so you may have to experiment. You may even run into the same problem if you plug a USB 3.0 device into a USB 3.0 port while using a USB 2.0 cable. Simply put, almost all USB cables available today are at least USB 2.0, meaning you don't have to guess about compatibility if your device is also USB 2.0.

USB 2.0 causes fewer problems

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USB 2.0 devices require much less technical support than USB 3.0 or higher devices. Errors are mainly due to user error around issues such as excessive system bandwidth and incompatible hardware.

On the other hand, USB 2.0 devices have never had these issues. In short, by not using USB 3.0 or higher devices when not needed, you will avoid many potential technical issues that require technical support or additional self-education to resolve.

There is no denying that higher USB standards are still extremely important for the use of advanced devices. It is best for companies to maximize compatibility to minimize user headaches and confusion.

Marvin Fry

Update 09 December 2024