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SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable [FTDI Chipset] (CB-FTDI)
SABRENT

SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable [FTDI Chipset] (CB-FTDI)

Bottom line: The SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable ($13.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-20 22:13 UTC): Genuine FTDI chipset, the reference silicon for stable RS-232 driver support; main trade-off: male DB-9 only, so female-port devices need a gender changer.

$13.99

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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.

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.

Pros & Cons

Pros

  • ✓ Genuine FTDI chipset, the reference silicon for stable RS-232 driver support
  • ✓ 6ft cable reaches a tower or rack console without a USB extension
  • ✓ Male DB-9 thumbscrews lock the connector to console ports
  • ✓ 96-byte buffer on both upstream and downstream transfers
  • ✓ No IRQs to assign, so no IRQ conflicts on legacy setups

Cons

  • ✗ Male DB-9 only, so female-port devices need a gender changer
  • ✗ 6ft fixed length is short for a wiring closet or long bench run
  • ✗ No null-modem crossover built in, so PC-to-PC links need an adapter
  • ✗ Serial-only bridge, not usable for parallel, PS/2, or DE-9 joystick ports

Manufacturer description

The SABRENT CB-FTDI USB 2.0 to Serial adapter solves the problem every retro PC builder eventually hits: your modern laptop has no DB-9 port, but your vintage rig, router console, CNC controller, or Arduino programmer still speaks RS-232. This 6ft cable uses a genuine FTDI chipset, the reference-grade choice for serial bridging, so driver support is broad and stable across Windows, macOS, and Linux without the counterfeit-chip headaches that plague no-name adapters. The male DB-9 end carries thumbscrews, letting you lock the connection to a console port that will not shake loose mid-session…

SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the cables & connectors category. SABRENT's cables & connectors 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 cables & connectors 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this SABRENT adapter use a real FTDI chip or a clone?

SABRENT lists the CB-FTDI as using an FTDI chipset, which is why it is a common pick for console work. If chip authenticity is critical to your deployment, confirm the current revision with SABRENT before buying in volume.

How long is the cable?

Six feet. That reaches from a desk-height laptop to a tower or a low rack shelf, but plan on a USB extension for longer bench or wiring-closet runs.

Will it work on Windows, macOS, and Linux?

FTDI-based serial bridges are the most broadly supported class of USB-to-RS-232 adapters across all three platforms. Check the SABRENT product listing for the current driver downloads and supported OS versions.

Do I need to configure an IRQ like an old serial card?

No. The adapter enumerates over USB, so there are no IRQs to assign and no IRQ conflicts to resolve. It also supports remote wake-up and power management.

Is the DB-9 end male or female?

Male, with thumbscrews on the side connectors. If your device also has a male DB-9 port, add a gender changer; for PC-to-PC serial links you will also need a null-modem adapter.

Key Features

  • Cable Length: 6 ft cable
  • Side Connectors: Male Thumbscrews
  • Supports remote wake-up and power management - No IRQs, no IRQ conflicts
  • Provides a 96 byte buffer for each upstream and downstream data transfer
  • Compatible with USB Specification v1.1(0) & USB CDC v1.1, USB 2.0

Full Specifications

BrandSABRENT
ColorBlack
ModelCB-FTDI
Cable TypeUSB
Item ShapeRound
Model NameCB-FTDI
Unit Count1 Count
Item Length6 Feet
Part NumberCB-FTDI
Cable Length6 ft cable
ConnectivityUSB
Connector TypeUsb
Number of Pins9
Maximum Current2 Amps
Number of Items1
Side ConnectorsMale Thumbscrews
Special FeatureTangle Free
Connector GenderMale-to-Female
Compatible DevicesCamera
Data Transfer Rate480 Megabits Per Second

Ready to buy?

SABRENT USB 2.0 to Serial (9-Pin) DB-9 RS-232 Adapter Cable 6ft Cable [FTDI Chipset] (CB-FTDI) 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.

Buy on Amazon — $13.99

*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-20. Price and availability subject to change.

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