Thunderbolt™ vs. USB-C™

What’s Thunderbolt? What’s USB?

Thunderbolt and USB protocol technology transfer data, display video, play back audio, and charge devices. What’s different between them is how much of each they support, and what kind of accessories they let you connect while doing it.

What’s USB-C?

USB-C is the shape of the connector at the end of a cable, as well as the kind of port you’ll connect that cable to. However, it’s not a specific protocol itself. Thunderbolt 4, Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB 3.2 protocols all use USB Type C cables and ports. Only some cables and ports are certified for Thunderbolt.

Advantages of Thunderbolt

Thunderbolt is generally the fastest, most versatile technology on the market capable of reaching top speeds, connecting multiple high-res monitors at once, daisy-chaining storage devices, and more — all through a single port.

  • Best for intensive, creative workflows
  • Best for daisy-chaining
  • Best for peripherals
  • Best for faster charging

Advantages of USB

USB — or Universal Serial Bus — is the most common protocol for transferring data to and from storage devices, connecting accessories such as your mouse and keyboard, and keeping your day-to-day tech charged.

  • Best for everyday tasks
  • Best for quick, easy setup
  • Best for universal compatibility
  • Best for affordability

Compare Thunderbolt & USB Generations

Take command of connected workflows by learning more about USB vs. Thunderbolt.

  Thunderbolt 4 Thunderbolt 3 USB 4 USB 3.2
Data Transfer 40 Gbps 40 Gbps 20Gbps/40 Gbps 40 Gbps
Video Two 4K Monitors
One 8K Monitor
Two 4K Monitors
One 5K Monitor
Two 4K Monitors One 8K Monitor Two 4K Monitors
Power/Charging Cable up to 100W
Port minimum 15W
Cable up to 100W
Port minimum 15W
Cable up to 100W
Port minimum 7.5W
Cable up to 100W
Port minimum 4.5W
Daisy-Chaining Yes (up to 6 devices) Yes (up to 6 devices) No No
Passive Cable Length 2M 0.8M 0.8M 1M
Mandatory Certification Yes Yes No No
Backwards Compatibility Full ≥1m = 480Mbps (USB) Full Full
Connector USB-C USB-C USB-C USB-C, USB-A

Using Thunderbolt 4 vs. Thunderbolt 3 for SSD Storage

Is there a difference between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt for SSD data storage?

No, both Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 are great options for your SSD data storage workflow. Each generation supports speeds of up to 40 Gbps, so they’re equally fast.

Will I get the same data storage performance with Thunderbolt 3 vs. Thunderbolt 4?

Yes, using Thunderbolt 3 for data transfer to and from your SSD storage devices will not put you at any disadvantage compared to Thunderbolt 4.

Why would I use Thunderbolt 4 in my SSD storage workflow?

Thunderbolt 4 optimizes the docking experience for peripherals and allows you to support additional, higher-res video displays. If that’s a priority for you, Thunderbolt 4 is a great option — and Thunderbolt 3 devices will be fully compatible with your Thunderbolt 4 system, so long as they’re downstream.

For Casual Users

Thunderbolt

SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE PRO SSD

Edit your favorite content, transfer large files quickly, and store it in one durable form factor with Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.

USB

WD Elements SE SSD

Get affordable SSD performance in a pocket-size design for your on-the-go lifestyle.

For Creative Professionals

Thunderbolt

SanDisk Professional G-RAID SHUTTLE SSD

A transportable 8-bay hardware RAID SSD solution with Thunderbolt 3 compatibility offering content professionals massive capacity and high-powered performance.

USB

SanDisk Professional PRO-G40 SSD

Immerse yourself in the action with a supercharged, ultra-rugged portable SSD that comes with USB 3.2 Gen 2 and Thunderbolt 3 connectivity.

For Gamers

Thunderbolt

WD_BLACK D50 Game Dock NVMe SSD

High-performance gaming storage features blazing speeds, shock-resistant design, and USB 3.2 compatibility.

USB

WD_BLACK P40 Game Drive SSD

High-performance gaming storage features blazing speeds, shock-resistant design, and USB 3.2 compatibility.

Frequently Asked Questions

You can use USB devices with Thunderbolt cables — they’ll just default to USB’s standards rather than Thunderbolt’s. However, to get the most out of Thunderbolt devices, you’ll need both a Thunderbolt-certified system and cables. Otherwise, you may not get full — or any — functionality or performance.

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