Cable Matters
Cable Matters 5Gbps Micro USB 3.0 to USB Splitter Cable, 20 Inches
Bottom line: The Cable Matters 5Gbps Micro USB 3.0 to USB Splitter Cable: Y-design pulls power from two USB ports, fixing drives consoles refuse to mount; main trade-off: 20-inch length is tight for drives sitting far from the console.
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Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Y-design pulls power from two USB ports, fixing drives consoles refuse to mount
- ✓ Works with PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Raspberry Pi low-power ports
- ✓ SuperSpeed USB 3.0 rated up to 10x USB 2.0 transfer speed
- ✓ Gold-plated contacts, bare copper conductors, foil and braid shielding cut EMI/RFI
Cons
- ✗ 20-inch length is tight for drives sitting far from the console
- ✗ Needs two free adjacent USB ports, which consoles rarely have to spare
- ✗ Auxiliary power lead is only 5 inches, limiting port spacing
- ✗ Micro-B only - useless for the USB-C drives shipping today
Manufacturer description
The Cable Matters Micro USB 3.0 Y-splitter solves a specific, maddening problem: your external drive spins up, clicks, and never mounts because a single console USB port cannot deliver enough current. This 20-inch cable pairs a Micro-B USB 3.0 connector with two USB-A plugs - a primary data-and-power lead plus an integrated 5-inch auxiliary power lead - so you can draw from two adjacent ports at once. Plug both into a PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, or Raspberry Pi and 1TB-plus portable drives that previously went unrecognized come online. It carries SuperSpeed USB 3.0 signaling for transfers up…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Cable Matters 5Gbps Micro USB 3.0 to USB Splitter Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the accessories category. Cable Matters's accessories 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 accessories 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
Will this make my external hard drive work on a PS4?
That is its main use. Cable Matters lists PS4, PS3, Xbox 360, Wii U, and Raspberry Pi as supported hosts, and the second USB-A plug supplies the extra current those low-power ports lack for 1TB and larger portable drives.
Do I have to plug in both USB connectors?
For 1TB or larger USB 3.0 drives, yes - connect both plugs to adjacent ports. The integrated 5-inch lead exists specifically to add power for drives a single port cannot run.
How fast is it?
It is rated for SuperSpeed USB 3.0, which Cable Matters lists at up to 10x USB 2.0 speeds. Real-world throughput depends on your drive and host port. It is also backward compatible with USB 2.0 and 1.1.
Which drives are confirmed compatible?
Cable Matters names Seagate Backup Plus and Backup Plus Slim, WD Elements 2TB, WD My Passport Ultra, Toshiba Canvio and Canvio Basics 2TB, HGST Touro Mobile and Touro S, Samsung 840 EVO and 850 Pro, and the Pioneer USB 3.0 Blu-ray burner.
How long is the cable and is it well built?
The main run is 20 inches with a 5-inch integrated power lead. It uses gold-plated connectors, bare copper conductors, foil and braid shielding, and molded strain relief with easy-grip treads for frequent unplugging.
Key Features
- Hard drive companion connects a Wii U, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, or Raspberry Pi with low power USB portsto a portable external USB 3.0 hard drive or DVD burner with a Micro-B USB port for access to stored games, videos, and files
- Clever Y-cable design provides extra power with an integrated 5 inches cable; Connect both cables to adjacent USB portsfor 1TB or more USB 3.0 external hard drives that cannot be powered from a single USB port; Ideal solution for hard drives that are not recognized by your gaming console because they have insufficient power to operate; Connect a USB 3.0 powered monitor such as the MB MB168B+ 15.6-Inch or AOC portable USB 3.0 LED Monitor
- SuperSpeed USB 3.0 rated for fast files transfers at 10x the speed of USB 2.0 utilizing the bi-directional data transfer of USB 3.0 technology; Backwards compatible with USB 2.0/1.1
- Superior construction - the combination of gold-plated connectors, bare copper conductors, and foil & braid shielding provides superior cable performance and EMI/RFI reduction for error-free data transmission; Engineered with molded strain relief connectors for durability and easy-grip treads for frequent unplugging
- hard drive compatible with USB 2.0/3.0 portable, external hard drives such as HGST Touro Mobile, HGST Touro S, InaTeck HDD, Pioneer USB 3.0 Blu-Ray Burner, Samsung 840 EVO, Samsung 850 Pro, Samsung Ultra-Slim Optical Drive, Seagate Backup Plus, Seagate Backup Plus Slim, Seagate Expansion 1TB portable, Seagate Wireless PlusToshiba Canvio, Toshiba 2TB Canvio Basics, WD Elements 2TB portable, WD 500 GB portable, WD My Passport Ultra, WD 1TB External, Western Digital Passport Ultra
Full Specifications
| Brand | Cable Matters |
|---|---|
| Color | Black |
| Model | 200012 |
| Cable Type | USB |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Model Name | FBA_200012 |
| Unit Count | 1 Count |
| Item Length | 20 inches |
| Part Number | FBA_200012 |
| Connectivity | Wireless, USB |
| Compatibility | PS4, PS3, Xbox |
| Connector Type | Usb Type a 3.0, Usb Type a 2.0, Usb Micro-b3.0 |
| Number of Pins | 9 |
| Outer Material | Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) |
| Connection Type | Wireless |
| Maximum Voltage | 5 volts |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Special Feature | High Speed |
| Connector Gender | Male-to-Male |
| Specification Met | USB-IF |
Ready to buy?
Cable Matters 5Gbps Micro USB 3.0 to USB Splitter Cable, 20 Inches 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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