6 cables, cords, and adapters still work surprisingly well – and I never throw them away

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There’s an old joke that some of us who live and work with gadgets have accumulated too much tech detritus. We have old cable boxes and adapters that should have been thrown away many moons ago, but we hold on to these things like life preservers because “they’ll come in handy…someday.”

Sure, it’s been a while since someone needed a VGA-to-HDMI adapter, but — and you heard me on this one — what if my Aunt Jackie’s cat neighbor next door needs to borrow one?

Well, frankly, I’m going through a downsizing phase in my life, and while I’m still far from achieving Feng Shui enlightenment, I’ve been getting rid of a lot of things. And one group to consider are cables, adapters, and dongles.

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But even though I’m loading things into boxes for the seagulls at my local recycling center to deal with, I realize there’s a selection of cables and adapters I need to keep. Not because of that one millionth request from a cat rescuer, but because they continue to be useful despite their obsolescence.

Of course, just because something is old doesn’t mean it’s useless. At least, not yet. As I go through the boxes and drawers of things, I grab some things. It’s a small part of the overall pile, but it’s still important, or at least still necessary.

Let’s take a look.

USB-A-to-USB-C cables

Experts have told us that the USB-C connection will make everything better; one cable and charger for everything. But you’d be surprised how many gadgets with a USB-C port won’t charge if a USB-C-to-USB-C cable is attached to a USB-C charger. That problem usually arises because gadgets don’t have ways to turn on the charger.

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The biggest clue to the problem is that the item ships with a USB-A-to-USB-C cable. Another indication that something is wrong is that nothing happens when you connect the device to your smartphone’s charging cable.

This translation explains why it is still a good idea to keep someone loyal USB-A-to-USB-C cable all around. Oh, and a charger that can accept it.

Micro USB cable

Also, this is a port that will never die. Many cheap devices still use this port (for example, it is often used by cheap power banks from Temu and eBay).

While communication is annoying, chronic, and prone to breakdowns, having USB-A-to-microUSB charging cable it’s still a good idea.

Power lines

As our reliance on USB-powered power grows, the power cord is slowly but surely disappearing. But don’t throw away all your old threads. I suggest keeping one C7 (two pegs, often called a “figure of eight”) and three clay pegs C13.

Ethernet cable

Wireless may be important today, but wired connections still have their place. Just the other day, I needed an Ethernet cable to connect to a security camera during setup, then I used the same cable to connect the camera channel to the router.

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The moral of the story? Keep several Ethernet cables of various lengths (one, three, and six feet) nearby. If you’re feeling the urge, hold on cable wire, some connectors, and an RJ45 crimping tool to make your own. It’s a strangely satisfying process.

Those DC warts

Although USB chargers have largely replaced DC chargers, there is still a place for these older devices for wireless handsets, routers, and more.

If you don’t want a drawer full of different chargers, take a universal device.

USB dock

My Mac has an SD card reader, but no microSD slot, Ethernet port, or USB-A port. That’s why I stay keep a USB dock around; the Swiss Army Knife of ports. Over the years, I’ve amassed a small collection of docks, and while I don’t keep them all, I will keep a couple “just in case.”

Some useful bits and bobs

There are other things you can add to your tech gear utility belt. These items are useful beyond their size and cost, including:

• USB-C upgrade modules: These develop modules they are big. USB-C power goes in one end, and up to 20V DC comes out the other. All you need to do is flip a few switches to get the voltage you need. (You also need a USB-C charger that can handle the output power.)

• Multiple charging cables: These signs themselves as “one cable to rule them all,” and although they are very useful, they have some limitations (for example, the ends can be a little on the large side, and I ended up cutting them). But if you take a decent thread, like Rolling Square inCharge XL 6-in-1 or InCharge XSit can replace a handful of cables.

• USB adapters: Small dongles it converts USB-C to USB-A, and vice versathey are very useful and can get you out of a jam. These adapters are the kind of thing you don’t think about until you’re in a jam, and wonder how you ever lived without them.
• USB power meter: This meter is for when you want to know for sure if the power is flowing. A a simple USB power meter it only costs a few bucks and has saved me many hours of grief over the years.

Of course, I’m still plagued by a vague, nagging fear that when I remove a cable or adapter, some weird, one-in-a-million situation will appear that I need it for. But you know what? When Aunt Jackie’s neighbor’s cat comes knocking, she is alone.