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Cable Matters USB Printer Cable - 6ft, USB A to B Cable, Compatible with Printer, External Hard Drive, Audio Interface, Scanner, MIDI Controller, MIDI Keyboard, Black
Cable Matters

Cable Matters USB Printer Cable

Bottom line: The Cable Matters USB Printer Cable: Gold-plated connectors and bare copper conductors; main trade-off: USB 2.0 only, no USB 3.0 speeds for external drives.

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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

  • ✓ Gold-plated connectors and bare copper conductors
  • ✓ Foil and braid shielding for cleaner MIDI and audio runs
  • ✓ 480 Mbps USB 2.0, backward compatible with USB 1.0/1.1
  • ✓ 6ft length routes behind a desk without an extender

Cons

  • ✗ USB 2.0 only, no USB 3.0 speeds for external drives
  • ✗ USB-B is a legacy port most 2020s peripherals dropped
  • ✗ No USB-C end, so modern laptops need an adapter or hub
  • ✗ Fixed 6ft length with no shorter or longer option listed

Manufacturer description

The Cable Matters USB Printer Cable is a 6-foot USB-A to USB-B 2.0 cable built for the long tail of USB-B devices still sitting on desks and in studios. If you run a MIDI keyboard, an audio interface, a digital piano, a flatbed scanner, or an external hard drive, this is the connector those devices expect, and it moves data at USB 2.0 speeds up to 480 Mbps with backward compatibility down to USB 1.0/1.1. Cable Matters specs gold-plated connectors, bare copper conductors, and combined foil and braid shielding, which is the shielding stack that matters when a USB run sits next to power bricks…

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SpecPicks Verdict

SpecPicks scored Cable Matters USB Printer Cable using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the audio & midi category. Cable Matters's audio & midi 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 audio & midi 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 work with my MIDI keyboard or audio interface?

Yes. Cable Matters lists MIDI controllers, MIDI keyboards, digital pianos, and audio interfaces among supported devices, since these use the same square USB-B 2.0 port as printers.

Is 6 feet long enough to reach my printer across the room?

Six feet covers a printer on the same desk or an adjacent stand. For a printer across a room, measure the routed path first, as this listing is the 6ft version.

How fast is it for external hard drive transfers?

It is a USB 2.0 cable rated up to 480 Mbps. That is fine for printers, scanners, and MIDI, but slower than USB 3.0 for large drive backups.

Does it work with a MacBook that only has USB-C ports?

This cable terminates in USB-A, so a USB-C laptop needs a USB-C hub or adapter on the computer end. The USB-B end plugs directly into the device.

Which printer brands is it compatible with?

Cable Matters lists Brother, Canon, HP, Lexmark, and M-Audio, plus multifunction printers and scanners generally. Any device with a standard USB-B 2.0 port should accept it.

Key Features

  • Versatile Printer USB Cable: Connect your Mac or PC to printers, scanners, MIDI controllers, audio interfaces, and other devices with a USB-B 2.0 port using this durable USB A to USB B 2.0 cable. Ideal for printers, file transfers, and device syncing, it’s the perfect USB printer cord for both home and office use.
  • Faster Data Transfer with USB 2.0: Enjoy reliable, high-speed data transfers up to 480 Mbps with this USB 2.0 A to B cable. Perfect for connecting printers, scanners, MIDI devices, and audio interfaces, it offers a faster, more stable alternative to wireless connections and is backward compatible with USB 1.0/1.1.
  • Reliable USB B to USB A Cable: This USB A to USB B cable provides a high-quality solution for connecting printers, MIDI keyboards, and other USB-B devices. The USB MIDI cable ensures dependable performance for printing, scanning, and syncing data, making it an excellent replacement for outdated or damaged cables.
  • Premium Construction for Superior Performance: Built with gold-plated connectors, bare copper conductors, and foil & braid shielding, this USB printer cable ensures clear, interference-free signals and superior performance. Designed for durability, it provides consistent, reliable connections for your devices over time.
  • Mac & PC Compatible with Popular Devices: Compatible with a wide range of devices, including multifunction printers, scanners, MIDI controllers, MIDI keyboards, audio interfaces, digital pianos, and other legacy USB-B devices. This printer cord to computer also works with brands like Brother, Canon, HP, Lexmark, M-Audio, and more, making it an excellent replacement cable for your existing peripherals.

Full Specifications

BrandCable Matters
ColorBlack
Model200001-BLK-6
Cable TypeUSB
Unit Count1.0 Count
Part Number200001-BLK-6
ConnectivityWireless, USB
CompatibilityPC, Mac
Connector TypeUSB Type A
Number of Pins4
Connection TypeWireless
Special FeatureData Transfer
Connector GenderMale-to-Male
Specification MetUSB-IF
Compatible DevicesLaptop
Data Transfer Rate480 Megabits Per Second
Indoor Outdoor UsageIndoor
Compatible Phone ModelsNo Compatible Phone Models
Other Special Features of the ProductData Transfer
Full listing titleCable Matters USB Printer Cable - 6ft, USB A to B Cable, Compatible with Printer, External Hard Drive, Audio Interface, Scanner, MIDI Controller, MIDI Keyboard, Black

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Cable Matters USB Printer Cable - 6ft, USB A to B Cable, Compatible with Printer, External Hard Drive, Audio Interface, Scanner, MIDI Controller, MIDI Keyboard, Black 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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Cable Matters USB Printer Cable - 6ft, USB A to B Cable, Compatible with Printer, External Hard Drive, Audio Interface, Scanner, MIDI Controller, MIDI Keyboard, Black
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