Electronics & Computing

The Best Serial Cables

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Our picks are based on Amazon bestseller rankings, Amazon customer ratings, and product availability. We update our recommendations regularly to ensure accuracy.

Serial cables, though less common than USB, remain essential for connecting legacy hardware and specialized equipment. Selecting the correct serial cable ensures reliable data transfer and avoids compatibility issues. This guide will help you navigate the options to find the best fit for your needs.

No. 1
OIKWAN USB to RS232, USB Serial Adapter with FTDI Chipset,USB 2.0 to Male DB9 Serial Cable for Windows...
  • !!Please NOTE: this is MALE RS232 to DB9 SERIAL CABLE ,Not VGA!!!It is 9 pin, NOT 15 pin!! Look carefully of the Pin is match with your device. Before ordering , please confirm the interface gender is waht you need. After receiving ,please read user...
  • Wide range of applications: USB to RS232 DB9 male serial adapter can work with your Windows (10 / 8.1 / 8 / 7 / Vista / XP), MAC or Linux system and other platforms. USB adapter is designed to connect to serial devices, such as serial modem with DB9, ISDN...
  • High quality: ftdi usb serial,the latest ftdi chip set ensures more reliable and faster operation. USB 2.0 to RS232 male DB9 console cable will support 1Mbps date transfer rate.
  • Most convenient: rs232 to usb simple installation, plug and play, COM port creation, baud rate can be changed to the required settings. USB power supply - no external power supply required.
No. 2
StarTech 1m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable - DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable - Male to Female...
  • SERIAL EXTENSION CABLE: DB9 Serial male to female cable allows you to extend the reach of your serial devices by up to 1 meter, reducing cable length restrictions and providing flexibility for positioning your serial devices as needed
  • QUALITY CONSTRUCTION: High quality 28 AWG copper wires with Al-Mylar cable shielding and shielded metal shell connectors help prevent EMI interference; Molded PVC connectors with strain relief and PVC jacket prevent damage due to bends or rough usage
  • SCREW-ON STRAIGHT THROUGH CABLE: This is Straight-through cable (not a null-modem cable) comes with thumbscrews for reliable tool-less installation and easy removal
  • SPECIFICATIONS: 1m (3.3ft); DB9 serial Male to DB9 female; Black; 28AWG; 4.8mm OD; Al-Mylar cable shield and Metal shell connectors; Molded PVC strain relief and jacket; Note: This is a Straight-through cable, not a null-modem
No. 3
StarTech.com 3m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable - DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable - Male to...
  • 1x DB9 Serial (male) connector
  • 1x DB9 Serial (female) connector
  • High quality shielding prevents EMI interference
  • DB9 connectors with strain relief molding
No. 4
DTECH 6 ft RS232 Serial Cable Female to Female 9 Pin Straight Through (Black, 2 Meters)
  • 9 pin serial cable 6ft connects your computer to device with RS-232 compatible (COM port) interface
  • DB9 RS232 cable female to female connector on each end equipped with screws to ensure an easy and solid connection for stable data communication
  • The wires inside are of 30AWG gauge and easy to solder to, and they connect to the pins in the order of the standard wire color code
  • It is pin-to-pin wired as a DE9 9 pin serial cable Straight Through (pinout :1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4,......, 8-8, 9-9, G-G); standard shielded rs232 cord with AL foil
No. 5
DTECH 15ft COM Port Serial Cable Male to Female RS232 Extension 9 Pin Straight Through Cord
  • 15 ft serial male to female cable extends a COM port connection between your computer and some old device with RS-232 compatible so you can move rs232 device further away from your PC
  • Long Serial extension adapter m/f equipped with screws on each end to ensure an easy and solid connection for stable data communication
  • The wires inside are of 30AWG gauge and easy to solder to, and they connect to the pins in the order of the standard wire color code
  • It is pin to pin wired as a DE9 rs232 Straight Through COM cord (pinout :1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4,......, 8-8, 9-9, G-G); standard shielded with AL foil
No. 6
OIKWAN USB Console Cable,USB to RJ45 Console Cable for Cisco Routers/AP Router/Switch Windows, Mac...
  • ❤Console cable❤ :6FT-USB-RS232-RJ45 console cable .It's used for debugging and configuring network equipment ❤!!Please NOTE❤ this is USB to RJ45 CONSOLE CABLE ,Not ETHERNET !!!It is 8p8c!! Look carefully of the Pin is match with your device...
  • ❤Works for console port❤this USB to rj45 console cable Replaces COM port RS232 (DB-25/DB-9) serial port perfectly, connects to any laptop/PC's USB port directly to a console port like a charm. No more RS232 Female and male adapters。32 and 64 bit...
  • ❤Essential tools for network engineers❤The Cisoc Console Cable It's designed for that a PC or laptop‘s USB port connect to the console port with their Cisco modem, router, firewall, switch or other Serial based Cisco device...
  • ❤The pinout names❤Cisco usb console cable USB2.0 (1.1 compatible); CONSOLE's DTE Pinouts: RTS(1), DTR(2), TXD (3), GND(4), GND(5), RXD (6), DSR(7), CTS(8); the RJ45 pinout names is 1-CTS, 2-DSR, 3-RXD, 4-GND, 5-GND, 6-TXD, 7-DTR, 8-RTS. Cable length...
No. 7
DTECH 2m DB9 RS232 Serial Cable Male to Female Computer Monitor Cable 9 Pin Null Modem Extension Cord for PC...
  • Simple 6ft null modem extension cable (3 wire type and no hardware handshaking) extends a COM port connection between computer and some old device with RS-232 compatible
  • Wired as a 9 pin serial cable male to female port cord that 2-3 line are crosslinked (only TX/RX data and signal ground wires connected); standard shielded with AL foil
  • DB9 m/f adapter extender equipped with screws on each end to ensure an easy and solid connection for stable data communication
  • The wires inside are of 30AWG gauge and easy to solder to, and they connect to the pins in the order of the standard wire color code
No. 8
YCS basics 50 Foot DB9 9 Pin Serial / RS232 Male/Female Extension Cable
  • 50 feet long
  • Light gray
  • One male connector
  • One female connector
No. 10
YCS basics 25 Foot DB9 9 Pin Serial / RS232 Male/Female Extension Cable
  • 25 feet long
  • Light gray
  • One male connector
  • One female connector

Last update on 2026-10-14 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

How to Choose the Best Serial Cables

Specialized Features

Some serial cables come with additional features like built-in gender changers or adapters for different connector types. USB-to-serial adapters are also available, allowing you to connect serial devices to computers that only have USB ports. If you need to connect multiple serial devices, consider cables with integrated hubs or specific industrial-grade options designed for demanding applications.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a straight-through and a null modem cable?
A straight-through cable has its pins wired one-to-one, connecting DTE to DCE devices. A null modem cable crosses specific wires (like transmit and receive) to allow two DTE devices to communicate directly.
Do I need a male or female connector?
This depends on the ports on your devices. If your device has a female port, you need a cable with a male connector on that end, and vice-versa. Refer to your device's manual for port type.
Can I use a serial cable for long distances?
Serial cable signal integrity can degrade over very long distances. For standard RS-232, lengths up to 50 feet are generally acceptable, but performance may vary. For longer runs, consider specialized extenders or different cabling technologies.
What does shielding do on a serial cable?
Shielding protects the data signal from external electromagnetic interference (EMI) and radio frequency interference (RFI). This is important in environments with lots of electrical equipment that could disrupt the data flow.
Are serial cables still relevant?
Yes, serial cables remain relevant for industrial automation, networking equipment, scientific instruments, and connecting older hardware. They offer a robust and reliable communication method for specific applications where USB may not be suitable.

How we compare Electronics & Computing

1 Specifications: we compare the key features and specifications listed by the manufacturer and on Amazon.
2 Customer ratings: we take into account the average Amazon rating and the number of reviews.
3 Price: we check the current price and highlight notable deals.
4 Updates: comparisons are refreshed regularly as prices and availability change.

Our comparisons are reviewed and updated regularly to reflect the latest products and prices.

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