UGREEN 20103 USB C Hard Drive Cable (US312) Review

Table of Contents

In today’s world of ever-evolving technology, it’s easy to find yourself with perfectly good external hard drives or SSDs rendered incompatible by the shift to USB-C ports. Enter the UGREEN 20103 (US312) USB C Hard Drive Cable. This 3-foot Micro USB to Type-C cable promises a solution, allowing you to connect your older drives to your newer laptops and desktops. But does it deliver on its promises of speed and reliability? I’ve put it through its paces to find out.

Features and Specifications

Colour Name Black
Connection Type Wired
What’s In The Box UGREEN USB C Hard Drive Cable
Model Number 20103
Model Name US312
Item Quantity 1

The cable boasts a claimed 5Gbps data transfer rate, supporting USB 3.1 and 3.0 standards. Its construction includes 3-layer shielding, bare copper conductors, and anti-oxidant connectors for improved performance and signal integrity. The advertised ability to support up to 15W charging is a welcome bonus, especially for drives with power demands.

Performance and Testing

I tested the UGREEN 20103 cable with several different external hard drives and SSDs, ranging from older 2.5-inch drives to a newer 1TB portable SSD. In every instance, the connection was stable and secure. The claimed 5Gbps speed was largely consistent with my tests. Transferring large files (10GB+ video files) was notably faster than using older USB 2.0 adapters, frequently achieving transfer speeds within the 300-400 MB/s range. There were no noticeable data errors or corruption during testing. The cable also worked flawlessly with several different USB-C devices, including my MacBook Pro, a Dell XPS 13, and even a more recent Android tablet.

While the 15W charging wasn’t a primary focus of my testing, I did notice that several of my drives maintained their power without any issues during lengthy file transfers. The cable’s build quality feels sturdy; the connectors are robust and the cable itself feels flexible and durable enough to withstand regular use.

Pros & Cons

  • Pros: Fast data transfer speeds, robust build quality, reliable connection, compatible with various devices, supports charging.
  • Cons: The cable is relatively short at 3 feet, which might be limiting in some setups. The lack of any additional features (like integrated power management) is neither a pro nor a con but worth noting.

Final Verdict

The UGREEN 20103 (US312) USB-C Hard Drive Cable is a reliable and effective solution for bridging the gap between older Micro-USB external drives and newer USB-C devices. Its speed, stable performance, and sturdy construction make it a worthwhile purchase for anyone needing to connect legacy devices. While the 3-foot length might be a constraint for some, the overall performance and reliability make this cable an excellent choice. I highly recommend it.