Adafruit
Adafruit Industries USB to TTL Serial Cable
Best serial connection tool for hardware hobbyists and IoT developers.
The Adafruit Industries USB to TTL Serial Cable is an essential tool for establishing serial connections to various devices, including Raspberry Pi boards and other IoT hardware, allowing for firmware flashing or shell access via UART pins. This cable features clearly color-coded wires: White for RX, Green for TX, Red for 5V power (up to 500mA), and Black for Ground. It is highly regarded for its quality and ease of use, often working immediately on systems like Windows 10. Note that if your target device requires 3.3V logic, you must use an external power source or converter for power.
$15.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
259
/ 775
#259 in Circuit Board Accessories
Price vs Category Average
-40%
Below average
Cable Type
USB to TTL Serial Cable
/ USB to TTL Serial Cable
Who it's for
- Engineers requiring stable communication with modern embedded systems
- Makers needing quick, solder-free connections for development boards
- Learners seeking reliable guidance and community-backed troubleshooting
Who should skip it
- Prototypers needing rugged cables for high-frequency handling
- Developers requiring versatile voltage switching for multiple project types
- Users frustrated by complex driver management and OS updates
Performance breakdown
Driver Compatibility
Plug-and-play functionality makes setup seamless across modern operating systems.
Build Durability
Robust cabling and reinforced connectors withstand frequent benchtop use.
Documentation Quality
Adafruit provides industry-leading guides that simplify complex hardware interfacing.
Signal Reliability
Consistent data transmission ensures stable communication for critical firmware flashing.
Ease of Integration
Color-coded jumper wires allow for rapid, error-free connections to GPIO pins.
Power Versatility
Reliable 5V output, though 3.3V logic requires additional external hardware.
Key Specs
Cable Type
USB to TTL Serial Cable
End A Connector
USB
End B Connector
TTL Serial (Jumper Wires)
Maximum Current
0.5 A
Maximum Voltage
5.0 V
Wire Colors
White (RX), Green (TX), Red (5V), Black (Ground)
Manufacturer Part Number
954
Warranty
1 Year Parts and Labor
Features
- Enables USB to TTL Serial communication
- Provides 5V power up to 500mA
- Well-documented by Adafruit for ease of use
- Works reliably with Windows 10
- Ideal for GPIO interfacing
- Supports UART protocols
- Includes jumper wire connections
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly value this USB to TTL Serial Cable for its exceptional reliability and ease of use. Its plug and play nature sets it apart from problematic generic alternatives. A key factor in satisfaction is the excellent, clear documentation that simplifies driver installation across all major operating systems. Users consistently praise the robust construction and clear pin labeling, which significantly reduces setup errors for beginners working with microcontrollers. While the price is higher, buyers consider it a worthwhile investment for dependable serial communication. This cable is regarded as the gold standard, offering peace of mind during critical debugging sessions.
Know before you buy
The cable provides 5V power, so you should not connect the red power wire directly to a 3.3V device. You will need to use an external power source or a voltage converter to avoid damaging your hardware.
In most cases, the cable works immediately with Windows 10 without needing manual driver installation. It is designed to be plug-and-play for standard serial communication tasks.
The cable terminates in individual jumper wires that connect directly to standard UART pins. Simply match the white wire to RX, green to TX, red to 5V, and black to ground on your target device.
The cable can supply up to 500mA of current. This is sufficient for powering many microcontrollers and small development boards, but be sure to check your device's power requirements before connecting.
Yes, this cable is specifically designed to support UART serial communication. It is a standard tool for accessing shells or flashing firmware on IoT hardware and single-board computers.
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