When you are looking to (now officially known as USB 3.2 Gen 1 ), you are choosing a standard that offers up to 5 Gbps transfer speeds—roughly 10 times faster than the older USB 2.0. While it is a baseline for modern devices, navigating the various names and connectors is key to getting the right performance for your needs. Quick Buying Checklist

: Most genuine USB 3.0 devices use a blue plastic insert in the connector to distinguish them from black or white USB 2.0 ports.

: A USB 3.0 Type-A connector has 9 pins (4 in front, 5 hidden in the back), whereas USB 2.0 only has 4.

: Look for the "SS" (SuperSpeed) logo on the packaging or the cable itself.