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StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable, Prolific (ICUSB232DB25)
StarTech.com

StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable, Prolific (ICUSB232DB25)

Bottom line: The StarTech.com StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable: Prolific PL2303GC chipset drives RS232 at up to 230.4 Kbps; main trade-off: short 3ft (91cm) cable limits how far from the device it reaches.

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By , Founder & Editor-in-Chief · Listing data updated

Mike Perry — Hardware researcher since 2014. For retro PC hardware and period-correct parts, synthesises manufacturer documentation, community compatibility lists and marketplace listings rather than first-hand lab testing. Core beat: GPU performance across gaming, rendering, and local-LLM inference.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Prolific PL2303GC chipset drives RS232 at up to 230.4 Kbps
  • ✓ Ships with a DB9-to-DB25 adapter to cover both connector types
  • ✓ Screw-lock nuts keep the connector seated during device config
  • ✓ Native driver support for Windows, macOS, and Linux
  • ✓ Backed 2 years with free lifetime 24/5 multilingual tech support

Cons

  • ✗ Short 3ft (91cm) cable limits how far from the device it reaches
  • ✗ Prolific chipset may need manual driver installs on newer OSes
  • ✗ Single serial port only, no multi-port breakout
  • ✗ 230.4 Kbps ceiling is low for some high-speed instruments

Manufacturer description

The ICUSB232DB25 USB to RS232 DB9/DB25 Serial Adapter Cable (M/M) lets you connect 9-pin (DB9) or 25-pin (DB25) RS232 serial devices to your laptop or desktop computer through a USB port, as though the computer offered an onboard serial port. The integrated 3-foot (0.9 meter) cable allows it to be connected directly from the serial device to the computer without requiring additional cables. A cost-effective solution that bridges the compatibility gap between modern computers and legacy serial peripherals, this high quality USB/RS232 Serial Adapter cable ships with a DB-9 to DB-25 adapter for…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored StarTech.com StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the expansion cards category. StarTech.com's expansion cards lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.

Common buyer scenarios for expansion cards of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.

Key Features

  • USB TO SERIAL: Connect serial RS232 (DB9 or DB25) devices to a computer with this USB to serial adapter. Secure the cable using the screw-lock nuts located on the male serial DB9/DB25 connector; Reach peripherals with extended cable length 3ft (91cm)
  • DEVICE COMPATIBILITY: Use this USB to RS232 serial adapter to reliably connect, configure, and monitor serial devices; Compatible with barcode readers / scanners, network switches, receipt printers, PLCs, medical devices, oscilloscopes, scales, etc.
  • APPLICATIONS:This USB to serial cable is ideal for IT applications such as server rooms, industrial control/automation, logistics, POS, AV installations, laboratories, etc; Continue using legacy hardware with modern systems, using this USB to RS232 cable
  • USB TO SERIAL ADAPTER SPECS: 3ft (91cm) Cable Length; Max Baud 230.4 Kbps; 512 Byte FIFO; Supports Windows, macOS, and Linux; Prolific PL2303GC Chipset; Odd/Even/Mark/Space/None Parity Modes; 4/5/6/7/8 Data Bits
  • THE IT PRO'S CHOICE: Designed and built for IT Professionals, this USB to serial port adapter is backed for 2-years, including free lifetime 24/5 multilingual technical assistance

Full Specifications

BrandStarTech.com
ColorGray
FinishGrey
Unit Count1.0 Count
ConnectivityUSB
Model NumberICUSB232DB25
CompatibilityMac, Linux
Warranty TypeLimited
Built-In MediaStarTech 3' USB to RS232 DB9 Serial Adapter Cable with DB25 Adapter
Connector TypeUSB Type A
Item Dimensions6.89 x 1.48 x 5.41 inches
Mfr Part NumberICUSB232DB25
Number of Items1
Number of Ports1
Power Plug TypeNo Plug
Compatible DevicesLaptop
Warranty Description2 year warranty
Smart Home CompatibilityNot Smart Home Compatible
Item dimensions L x W x H6.89 x 1.48 x 5.41 inches
Specific Uses For Productpersonal

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StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable, Prolific (ICUSB232DB25) is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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StarTech 3ft 1-Port USB to Serial Cable, Prolific (ICUSB232DB25)
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