Thunderbolt™ vs. USB-C™

Compare how different cable, connector, and port protocols can power your workflow, and find compatible storage devices to help.

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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.

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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.

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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
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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

Still have questions? Head to our FAQs.

Compare Thunderbolt & USB Generations

Master connected workflows by learning more about USB vs. Thunderbolt.

  Thunderbolt 41 Thunderbolt 3 USB4 USB 3.2
Data Transfer 40 Gbps 40 Gbps 20 Gbps/40 Gbps 5-20 Gbps
Video Two 4K Monitors
One 8K Monitor
Two 4K Monitors
One 5K Monitor
Two 4K Monitors
One 8K Monitor
One 4K Monitor
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 Length2 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 Storage

Is there a difference between Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 for data storage?

No, both Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 are great options for your 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 storage devices will not put you at any disadvantage compared to Thunderbolt 4.

Why would I use Thunderbolt 4 in my data 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

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Thunderbolt

SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE Project

Transfer, edit, and archive large volumes of high-value content daily with Thunderbolt 3 compatibility that’s made for makers.

Starting at {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.amountFormatted}} / {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.billingPlanName}}

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USB

WD Elements Desktop Hard Drive

Instant add-on, high-capacity storage for ultrafast data transfers — all with USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 compatibility.

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For Creative Professionals

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Thunderbolt

SanDisk Professional G-RAID SHUTTLE 4

Transportable 4-bay RAID with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C for consolidated backup, super-fast access, and real-time editing.

Starting at {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.amountFormatted}} / {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.billingPlanName}}

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USB

SanDisk Professional G-DRIVE ArmorATD

High-capacity, all-terrain drive with pro-grade durability and dual USB 3.2 Gen 1 and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility. 

Starting at {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.amountFormatted}} / {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.billingPlanName}}

For Gamers

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USB

WD_BLACK D10 Game Drive for Xbox

Add 12TB of storage to your compatible Xbox console with a Micro-B connection, so you can grow your game library to include up to 300 games3.

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USB

WD_BLACK P10 HDD Game Drive

Top-tier external HDD in capacities up to 6TB, built specifically for gamers looking to expand their console or PC with on-the-go storage via USB-A connection.

Starting at {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.amountFormatted}} / {{productReferenceObject.minPricedSkuObj.prices.sale.billingPlanName}}

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.