Usb Cables - Tester Gadget Or Software??

[joko]

I have a large bag of USB cables for various things.

I want to thin it out - keep a few of the best ones and get rid of the less powerful ones.

How can i test them? is there a cheap gadget or some software that i can basically just plug the lead in and it weill tell me how powerful etc it is?

Most of them have very little in the way of information on them, and the ones that do, i dont really understand it anyway.

If there is nothing like that available - does anyone have any guidance over which ones are likely to be the best ones?

Thanks

[mikey4444]

I am not sure what you mean by more powerful ?

If they are just leads, then how can one be more powerful than another ?

I might be missing something here, of course !

[Zacs-Master]

Mmm. USB cables with information on them. Neat.

Did you mean USB memory sticks?

[Mamyalynne]

I'm sure this is useless, but as it talks about USB cables worth a shot.

https://superuser.com/questions/327807/how-can-you-tell-a-usb-cable-version

[joko]

Mikey - USB leads come in 1, 1.1, 2.0 or 3.0 speeds ... this varies the power and speed they have - unfortunately many don't say on them what they are.

Zacs - ?? No i meant cables.
Have a look at your USB cables and you will see writing printed along the wire on most of them - some actually say 2.0 etc, but others just say things like -
E556TYG - AWM 2350 VW-1 shielded 30V 20AWG/2C 200W
Which is what i don't really understand.

thanks mama

[Zacs-Master]

Ah, you meant 'written' info.

'As far as the data going across it, USB is also a dumb tube. It won't improve video or audio quality.'

https://www.cnet.com/uk/news/when-are-expensive-cables-worth-it/

[joko]

this is the second time i've spent the day searching the net for a guide that actually helps and that gives proper advice.
some say things like white connectors mean its 1.1 - that isnt true - i have about 4 that say 2.0 on them
some say 2.0 have cross next to the symbol - they dont.
some say there is B for 2.0 - they dont.
some say 1.0s are thinnner - theyre not
there is no explanation of what all the written info means

its very frustrating. it really shouldnt be this hard to identify a simple cable. why dont manufacturers just put it on it somewhere?

[Fitzer]

There is no practical difference between cables for USB 1.0 and USB 2.0, in general you should keep the better quality ones, thicker rather than thinner for better power transfer (not data), better quality mouldings over cheap etc. USB 3.0 has nine pins rather than 4 and have normally got a SS (SuperSpeed) logo by the USB logo as well as the inner plastic being blue but that's about it.

[Old_Geezer]

Only way I know to test them is to use them. And even then an issue may be with the equipment socket rather than the cable. (Manufacturers need not follow voluntary conventions regarding size, colour, symbolism. It's just a cable.) Why not go buy a couple of high quality ones to keep, and pass your existing bagful to a grateful recipient ?