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Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable, RS232 to USB, 3ft | USB to DB9 Cable, Male to Male, Supports Windows 11/10/8/7, Vista/XP, macOS 11.0+, Black
Cable Matters

Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable

Bottom line: The Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable: Bus-powered USB-A to DB9 link, no external power supply needed; main trade-off: male DB9 end needs a gender changer (sold separately) for male ports.

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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

  • ✓ Bus-powered USB-A to DB9 link, no external power supply needed
  • ✓ 3 ft cable reaches a console or CNC port from a nearby laptop
  • ✓ Supports Windows XP through Windows 11 and macOS 11.0 or later
  • ✓ Listed for Cisco switches, GPS units, telescopes and CNC machines
  • ✓ Drivers available as a download from Cable Matters

Cons

  • ✗ Male DB9 end needs a gender changer (sold separately) for male ports
  • ✗ PC-to-PC serial links require a null modem adapter, sold separately
  • ✗ Drivers must be downloaded before first use
  • ✗ Some equipment needs extra proprietary software beyond the driver

Manufacturer description

The Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable adds a working RS232 port to a computer that doesn't have one. One end is a USB-A plug. The other is a male DB9 connector on a 3 ft cable, made for devices with a female DB9 port. The adapter is bus-powered, so it runs off the USB port and needs no wall adapter. Use it to configure and program equipment that still communicates over serial, including Cisco network switches, CNC machines, GPS units, telescopes, set-top boxes and sewing machines. You download the drivers from Cable Matters. The cable supports Windows XP through Windows 11, plus…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the joysticks & game port category. Cable Matters's joysticks & game port 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 joysticks & game port 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

Which operating systems does this Cable Matters USB to serial cable support?

It supports Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10 and 11, plus macOS 11.0 or later. You download the drivers from Cable Matters.

My device has a male DB9 port. Will this cable plug into it?

Not directly. The cable ends in a male DB9 connector made for female DB9 ports. For a device with a male DB9 port, add a DB9 mini gender changer, which is sold separately.

Can I use this cable to connect two computers over serial?

Yes, but a direct computer-to-computer connection needs a null modem adapter, sold separately, to link the two serial cables.

Can I use it to configure a Cisco switch or a CNC machine?

Cisco network switches and CNC machines are both on the manufacturer's compatibility list, along with GPS units and telescopes. The cable only connects directly to a DB9 serial port, so confirm your device's connector type. Some equipment also needs its own proprietary software.

Does the adapter need its own power supply?

No. It is bus-powered, so it draws power from the computer's USB-A port.

Key Features

  • Effortless Connectivity: This USB to serial adapter cable provides a direct link from the USB-A port on your computer to a device with a female DB9 port. Ideal for configuring or programming devices, this bus-powered RS232 to USB cable is an essential tool for various equipment setups.
  • Versatile Serial Communication: Use this male to male serial to USB cable for seamless communication with equipment requiring a DB9 connector. For devices with incompatible ports, employ a DB9 mini gender changer (sold separately) to facilitate connection.
  • Easy Installation: Quickly set up this USB to RS232 adapter with downloadable drivers from Cable Matters. For direct computer-to-computer connections, add a null modem adapter (sold separately) to link two serial cables effectively.
  • Broad Compatibility: Compatible with Windows and Mac, this 9 pin to USB adapter supports systems from Windows XP to Windows 11 and macOS 11.0 or later. Note that connecting to certain equipment may require additional proprietary software.
  • Diverse Equipment Compatibility: The RS-232 compatible DB9 to USB adapter is crucial for connecting a wide array of devices, including CNC machines, GPS units, telescopes, set-top boxes, Cisco network switches, sewing machines, and more.

Full Specifications

BrandCable Matters
ColorBlack
Model202031-3
Cable TypeVGA
Item ShapeRound
Model NameUSB to RS-232 DB9 Male Serial Adapter Cable
Unit Count1 Count
Item Length3 feet
Part Number202031-3
ConnectivityUSB
CompatibilityMac
Connector TypeVga, Usb Type a 2.0
Number of Pins9
Maximum Current1 A
Maximum Voltage5 volts
Number of Items1
Special FeatureLightweight
Connector GenderMale-to-Male
Compatible DevicesGPS Navigation System, Personal Computer
Data Transfer Rate1 megabits_per_second
Full listing titleCable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable, RS232 to USB, 3ft | USB to DB9 Cable, Male to Male, Supports Windows 11/10/8/7, Vista/XP, macOS 11.0+, Black

Ready to buy?

Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable, RS232 to USB, 3ft | USB to DB9 Cable, Male to Male, Supports Windows 11/10/8/7, Vista/XP, macOS 11.0+, Black is vintage hardware; the used and vintage market on eBay carries most of the live inventory. Prices and condition vary by seller and move in real time, so we link the live listing rather than quote a cached price. It also has an Amazon listing — check it for current price and availability. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.

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Cable Matters USB to Serial Adapter Cable, RS232 to USB, 3ft | USB to DB9 Cable, Male to Male, Supports Windows 11/10/8/7, Vista/XP, macOS 11.0+, Black
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