Because USB-C is just a smaller version of regular USB, you can use certain USB-C ports as regular USB ports with the help of an adapter. These adapters allow you to plug your USB flash drive or hard drive into a USB-C port through the adapter acting as the middleman, making them quite useful for MacBooks, smartphones, and other devices with a USB-C port.
We’ve reviewed the best USB to USB-C adapters of 2025 to help you select the right one for your setup. We like the Nonda adapter in particular for its convenient, wireless design, but we’ve included a variety of options to suit various needs and devices.
This tiny pair of USB-C to USB adapters is perfect for people who’d rather not deal with needless wires. There are plenty of wired adapters for phones and computers that use a short wire to connect both ends, and while this allows for added flexibility, it can also be quite annoying in certain scenarios. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and if that cable bends too far or snaps, then the entire adapter just becomes useless.
With this simple design, however, none of that can happen. The USB connection slides directly into the input and you can use the small USB-C end to plug into MacBooks, phones, and many other devices. This high-performance adapter transfers data up to 5Gbps and requires no additional driver or software, providing convenience that earned it the top spot on our list.
This USB to USB-C adapter is one of the most useful and necessary tools for setting up a workstation. Its 7-in-1 feature excels in expanding the workspace while keeping it oriented and disposing of redundant connections and devices. Along with 3 USB ports running at 5Gps, it includes an HDMI display that has a maximum resolution of 4K 30Hz. With an input of 100W, 84W output is amazing and powerful enough for all connected devices.
The rest of the seven ports include one each for an SD card reader, micro SD card, and USB-C power delivery charging slot. The construction of the wire and adaptor is also pretty solid, making it durable and lasting in the long run.
This line of adapters comes in a total of five to choose from, including black, silver, and rose gold. The colors closely imitate that of Apple products, so they can easily match when plugged into your MacBook. The adapter has two ridges on either side of the device, which makes it slightly easier to push in or pull out as necessary.
The compatibility of this particular adapter includes MacBook Pros after 2016, MacBook Airs after 2018, and most laptops that have a native USB type C port. They’re easy to hold and come in multiple colors, which may be good reasons to get them over the previous pair of adapters. Plus, the set comes with a storage board that makes transport simple.
If it’s a simple enough product, there’s a good chance an Amazon Basics version of it exists. This female adapter converts a USB-C port to a USB 3.1 port, which is great as it uses the latest USB technology for fast data transfer speeds. The standard is, of course, backward-compatible, so while it is USB 3.1, it can still work with USB 3.0 and 2.0 devices just fine.
The adapter is easy to connect on both ends and can transfer at speeds of up to 5Gbps. The design is also reversible—simply insert the connector into a type-C-enabled device. The adapter also comes in two colors and it is also sold in packs of one or ten. This is ideal if you’d rather have a few extra to spare in case you lose a few or if you want to share some with your friends and family.
While Apple still uses its own Lightning port for its iPhones, some of its devices do have a USB-C port available, which is why it makes sense for Apple to sell its own version of the USB-C adapter. The adapter can connect to the USB-C port of your MacBook, and since it’s made by Apple, you know it’ll work with the latest MacBook models with no problem at all.
The design of the adapter is simple yet premium-looking, as is with most Apple products. It’s got a pretty thin wire, so you’ll need to be careful when using it unless you want to break by accident. The adapter does not support all USB accessories, mind you, so you may have to connect these accessories to the standard USB ports on the MacBook instead if necessary.
USB-C adapters are essential if you want to gain access to a USB port when there otherwise isn’t one available. This buying guide lays out all you need to know about these adapters.
USB to USB-C adapters are adapters that convert a USB-C port to a USB port. This will allow you to plug in various USB accessories, USB flash drives, and USB hard drives in a port that is normally limited to certain cables and devices.
Here’s why having a USB to USB-C adapter in your bag is worth keeping around at all times.
If you own a laptop, then you know how few USB ports there are on certain models. This can either be a slight inconvenience or a downright emergency situation, as you may need the extra USB port to help with something urgent. Without a USB port hub, you’ll need something that can open up a free USB port out of thin air.
These USB-C adapters can turn the lone USB-C port on the device into a fully functional USB port, perfect for using computer mice, plugging in flash drives, and much more.
One lesser-known feature regarding USB-C port adapters is that they can be used on smartphones, too. After all, if a laptop’s USB-C port can transfer data, why can’t a smartphone? In fact, when you plug in a USB flash drive directly to the adapter and then to the phone, you can even possibly transfer files to and from your phone just like that.
Of course, this isn’t possible all the time. There are limitations from device to device, and you may need third-party software for this to be doable. Still, having access to flash drives via your phone of all things can be quite useful when the situation calls for it.
There are two main design types of USB to USB-C adapters. The first one is a cabled design with a short cable that runs between both ends of the adapter. The second type involves no cables at all and looks more like a mini USB stick. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of both designs.
The cabled design has the advantage of being flexible. You can move around the adapter more feely, which can be quite useful if you’re trying to move or adjust the adapter in a certain way to lessen stress on the other end. However, the presence of a cable also means that once the cable is damaged, the adapter is essentially done for.
Then, you have the design without cables. This design is very simple and space-efficient, allowing you to plug in USB accessories with minimal space. It’s great if you want something that’s small and easy to carry around. The only problem is that the device can sometimes be too small to notice, and there’s a good chance you’ll either lose it or misplace it within a month or two.
So, which design is better? That depends entirely on your needs. If the flexibility is appealing to you, then cables are a good choice – besides, getting ones with braided nylon can help deal with its one weakness. Alternatively, if you prefer something a little smaller, then the cable-less design is for you.
The transfer speed of these adapters can vary depending on the USB standard used. USB standards can vary from adapter to adapter, but three standards are commonly seen today: USB 2.0, USB 3.0, and USB 3.1. Now, there’s no real need to elaborate on each standard, as it’s pretty simple overall—the higher the standard, the better it is. Therefore, USB 3.1 is the fastest and most efficient.
However, because it’s new tech, USB 3.1 adapters can cost slightly more than their dated counterparts. If you’re willing to sacrifice transfer speed, then you can save a bit of money by buying older models. It is also worth noting that USB standards are backward-compatible, so you can plug in older USB devices in new USB 3.1 ports.
Adapters are only as fast as the standards used in the hardware. Currently, the maximum possible speed with USB 3.1, second-generation is around 10.1 Gbps, though adapters with 5 Gbps speeds are far more common.
Depending on the smartphone, yes, you can. You may even be able to transfer files to and from a flash drive with a phone using certain smartphone apps.
USB-C adapters should weigh no more than a few grams, so they’re very easy to carry.
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