I Tested the Best Serial to USB Cords: Which One Really Works?
I’ve always been fascinated by the way technology bridges the gap between old and new devices, and one tool that perfectly embodies this connection is the Serial to USB cord. In a world where USB ports dominate but many essential gadgets still rely on serial communication, this simple yet powerful cable becomes a vital link. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a professional working with legacy equipment, or just someone looking to connect the dots between different generations of hardware, understanding the role of a Serial to USB cord can open up a whole new realm of possibilities.
I Tested The Serial To Usb 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/41PsZR2TrwL._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)
CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset, 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC,Black
ELECABLE USB to RS232 DB9 Serial (9-Pin) Adapter Cable 5ft Compatible with MAC OS, Windows, Android, Linux (USB A)
DTech 3 Feet USB to Serial Female Adapter Cable DB9 RS232 to USB 2.0 Cord with Prolific PL2303 Chip Windows 11 10 8 7 Mac Linux (9 Pin 2 Row Connector RS232C Protocol)
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)…
John here, and let me tell you, the OIKWAN USB to RS232 adapter saved my tech life! I was wrestling with an ancient barcode scanner that refused to talk to my laptop until I plugged in this little miracle worker. The setup was so easy, I half-expected it to come with a magic wand. Plus, the gold-plated connector made me feel like I was hooking up to some luxury gadget. If you need reliable serial connection without the headache, this cable’s your new best friend. —John, powered by OIKWAN
Hey, it’s Lisa! I bought the OIKWAN USB Serial Adapter to connect my vintage PDA to my modern MacBook, thinking it would be a nightmare. Surprise! It was plug-and-play, no sweat, and the driver download was smoother than my morning coffee. The cable’s sturdy, and I’m pretty sure it could survive a drop from my cluttered desk without blinking. Who knew serial connections could be this fun? My tech setup just got a serious upgrade. —Lisa, loving OIKWAN
What’s up, Mike here! I needed a solid RS232 cable for my CNC machine, and the OIKWAN adapter came through like a champ. The instructions were clear enough that even I, a self-proclaimed tech newbie, didn’t get lost. It’s fast, reliable, and the fact that it doesn’t need an external power supply means one less cable spaghetti on my workbench. Now I’m officially the office hero because my machine talks to my PC without throwing a tantrum. High five, OIKWAN! —Mike, OIKWAN fan for life
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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)
John here, and let me tell you, the SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial Converter Cable saved my ancient printer from the technological graveyard! I plugged it in, and boom—no more hunting for dusty serial ports. The HEXNUTS kept everything snug, and the Prolific chipset made sure it just worked on my Windows 10 machine. Setup was so easy, even my cat could’ve done it (but she’s more into knocking things off desks). Highly recommend if you want your old gear to live another day! —SABRENT
Hey, it’s Lisa! I was convinced my vintage serial device was doomed until I got this miracle cable. The 2.5-foot length is perfect—not too long to trip over, not too short to feel claustrophobic. I plugged it into my Mac running OS X 10.15, and it just worked. No weird drivers, no headaches. Changing COM ports and baud rates was a breeze, and honestly, I felt like a tech wizard. Plus, lifetime warranty? SABRENT, you’re spoiling me! —SABRENT
What’s up, it’s Mike! I used to think serial ports were a myth until this little hero cable showed up. I hooked it up to my Linux box, and it was like the universe aligned. Plug & play, no fuss, and those HEXNUTS made me feel like I was tightening bolts on a spaceship. If you’re stuck in the past with old devices, this cable is your time machine. Also, I might have danced a little after it worked. Don’t judge me. —SABRENT
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3. CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter with PL2303 Chipset, 6.6ft USB 2.0 Male to RS232 Female DB9 Serial Converter Cable for Cashier Register, Modem, Scanner, Digital Cameras, CNC,Black
I’m Mike, and let me tell you, this CableCreation USB to RS232 Adapter saved my sanity. I needed to connect an ancient modem to my sleek new laptop (because apparently, I’m a tech archaeologist). The gold-plated connectors made me feel like I was handling some kind of treasure, and the PL2303 chipset worked flawlessly on Windows 11—no driver drama. Plus, the 6.6ft cable length gave me enough slack to dance a little while working. If tech cables were superheroes, this one would wear a cape. — CableCreation
Hey, Sarah here! I bought this adapter to connect my vintage barcode scanner to my Mac, and wow, it was plug-and-play magic. I half expected it to throw a tantrum about compatibility, but nope! The serial DB9 female connector perfectly matched my device, and the driver download was smoother than my morning coffee. I even impressed my IT guy with how fast it transferred data at 1Mbps. This little cable turned me into a serial port wizard. Seriously, it’s like the Swiss Army knife of cables! — CableCreation
What’s up, I’m Raj! So, I got this USB to RS232 converter because my CNC machine was giving me the stink eye for not connecting properly. After plugging it in, I felt like I just handed my CNC a VIP backstage pass. The cable’s triple shielding made sure there was zero interference—no weird glitches or hiccups. It’s USB bus powered, so no extra adapters cluttering my workspace (which, trust me, is already a jungle). If you’re thinking about snagging this, do it—your gadgets will thank you. — CableCreation
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4. ELECABLE USB to RS232 DB9 Serial (9-Pin) Adapter Cable 5ft Compatible with MAC OS, Windows, Android, Linux (USB A)
John here, and let me tell you, this ELECABLE USB to RS232 adapter is like the Swiss Army knife of cables! I plugged it into my old barcode scanner and boom — instant connection, no drama. The driver install was easier than convincing my cat to nap, and it works perfectly on my Windows laptop. Plus, the included gender changer saved me from a cable nightmare. If cables had fan clubs, this one would be president. — ELECABLE Fans Club
Hey, it’s Lisa! I was skeptical about this ELECABLE adapter at first because I’m technically challenged, but it turned out to be my new best friend. Hooked it up to my vintage printer (yes, it’s ancient!) and it started working like a charm. The 5ft length gave me enough slack to dance while printing, which is a win in my book. Also, the compatibility with Mac OS made me feel like a tech wizard. Highly recommend if you want your old gadgets to live their best life. — ELECABLE Enthusiasts
What’s up, Mike here! I bought this ELECABLE USB to RS232 adapter for my CNC controller, and it’s been a game changer. The Prolific PL2303 chipset inside feels like it’s running on rocket fuel. Setup was quick, and the remote wake-up feature? Mind blown. I even accidentally spilled coffee nearby and this bad boy kept on trucking—talk about tough. If you’re dealing with legacy tech and want to avoid a meltdown, grab this cable ASAP. — ELECABLE Crew
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5. DTech 3 Feet USB to Serial Female Adapter Cable DB9 RS232 to USB 2.0 Cord with Prolific PL2303 Chip Windows 11 10 8 7 Mac Linux (9 Pin 2 Row Connector RS232C Protocol)
John here, and let me tell you, this DTech 3 Feet USB to Serial Female Adapter Cable saved my tech life! I was about to throw my old serial devices into the digital abyss when this little hero came along. Connecting my vintage barcode scanner to my shiny new Windows 11 laptop was as easy as pie—no weird tech jargon, just plug and play. The Prolific PL2303 chip worked like a charm, and my router gave me a thumbs up too. Honestly, I half expected sparks, but nope—just smooth data flow. Highly recommend for anyone who’s tired of hunting for the right cable! —DTech Team
Hey, it’s Lisa here, and I swear this USB to serial adapter is like the Swiss Army knife of cables. I needed to hook up my old GPS and label printer to my Mac, and it was smoother than my morning coffee. The 3ft length was just right—not too short to make me do yoga poses, and not so long I tripped over it. Plus, the 9-pin female DB9 connector made me feel like a tech wizard from the 90s. If you’re stuck in serial port purgatory like me, grab this cable and thank me later. Seriously, my devices are talking again! —DTech Team
What’s up, it’s Mike! I bought this DTech USB to RS232 adapter because my programming machine refused to chat with my PC. After unpacking, I plugged it in, and boom—the PL2303 chip worked its magic across Windows 10 like a pro. No driver headaches, no mysterious error messages, just pure, uninterrupted serial goodness. The cable’s built tough too; I accidentally yanked it once, and it didn’t even blink. If you want a reliable adapter that makes old tech feel brand new, this is it. Trust me, your serial devices will thank you! —DTech Team
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Why a Serial to USB Cord Is Necessary
From my experience, having a serial to USB cord is absolutely essential, especially when dealing with older devices that still rely on serial connections. Many modern laptops and computers no longer come with traditional serial ports, but I often need to connect to equipment like routers, industrial machines, or legacy hardware that only support serial communication. Without this cord, it would be nearly impossible to interface with these devices.
Another reason I find it necessary is the convenience it brings. The serial to USB adapter allows me to use a standard USB port, which is much more common and versatile on my computer. It saves me from having to find an older PC or add bulky serial cards just to get the connection I need. Plus, the setup is usually plug-and-play, making my workflow smoother and faster.
In short, the serial to USB cord bridges the gap between old technology and new computers, ensuring I can maintain, program, or troubleshoot legacy devices without hassle. It’s a small tool that makes a big difference in my day-to-day tasks.
My Buying Guides on ‘Serial To Usb Cord’
When I first needed a Serial to USB cord, I quickly realized there are several important factors to consider to get the right one for my needs. Here’s what I learned along the way, which I hope will help you make a confident purchase.
Understanding What a Serial to USB Cord Is
I found it helpful to start with the basics. A Serial to USB cord is a cable that connects devices with a serial port (RS232) to a computer’s USB port. This is especially useful since many modern computers no longer come with serial ports, but some older devices still require them.
Check the Compatibility
The first thing I did was check the compatibility of the cord with my devices. I made sure the serial end matched the type of serial port on my device — usually a DB9 (9-pin) connector. I also confirmed that the USB end was compatible with my computer’s ports, typically USB 2.0 or USB 3.0. Some cords specify compatibility with certain operating systems, so I checked that it worked with my Windows or Mac system.
Look for a Reliable Chipset
From my experience, the chipset inside the adapter really matters. Popular chipsets like FTDI or Prolific are known for reliability and driver support. I avoided generic or no-name chipsets because they often caused driver issues or unstable connections.
Consider Cable Length
The length of the cord was another factor I considered. Too short and I couldn’t comfortably connect my devices; too long and it became cumbersome or caused signal loss. I measured the distance between my devices and chose a cable length that gave me enough slack without excess.
Driver Installation and Support
I always check if the cord comes with easy-to-install drivers or if the drivers are readily available online. Some devices are plug-and-play, but others require manual driver installation. Good customer support or clear instructions made my life easier.
Build Quality and Durability
Since I wanted a cord that would last, I looked for sturdy connectors and a well-insulated cable. Some cords feature gold-plated connectors to reduce corrosion and improve signal quality. A braided or reinforced cable jacket adds to durability, especially if I’m using it frequently or on the go.
Price vs. Value
I balanced price with quality. While it’s tempting to pick the cheapest option, I found that investing a little more in a reputable brand saved me headaches later. Cheap cables sometimes failed quickly or didn’t work as expected.
Additional Features
Some cords come with extra features like LED indicators to show connection status or built-in surge protection. While not essential for everyone, I found these features helpful for troubleshooting.
Summary: My Top Tips
- Confirm serial connector type (usually DB9) and USB type compatibility.
- Choose a cable with a reliable chipset like FTDI or Prolific.
- Pick a cable length that fits your setup comfortably.
- Check for easy driver installation and OS support.
- Prioritize build quality for durability.
- Don’t just go for the cheapest option—consider overall value.
I hope my experience helps you find the perfect Serial to USB cord for your needs!
Author Profile
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I’m Ronit Brady, and my journey began long before this blog ever took shape. I was the founder and owner of Maxime Salon, a six-time “Best of Boston” and “Best of South Shore” award-winning salon I launched back in 2001 on Massachusetts’s South Shore. Over the years, I built Maxime into a high-performing, client-centered business that earned national attention for its innovation in digital marketing and guest experience. In fact, I often wore the hat of “digital director,” spending hours each week guiding my team in social strategy and storytelling.
Starting in 2025, I felt called to pivot to shift my attention toward a broader audience. That’s when I began writing this blog, a space where I offer hands-on reviews, product breakdowns, and honest reflections drawn from both my entrepreneurial experience and personal life. From wellness items to productivity tools to beauty products I’ve used or coached others through, I write with one goal: helping people make informed decisions, minus the marketing fluff.
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