I was today years old when I learned USB cables with on/off switches exist and I want five

caveman using a computer
(Image credit: Getty - comstock)

The Miyoshi Company just released a new USB 3.0 extension cable with an on/off switch (spotted by PC Watch), and I find myself going, "Wow, great idea. Why hasn't anyone thought of this before?"

Well, it is a great idea, and as it turns out, someone did think of this, like, a lot of someones, years ago. 

Not only have these cables existed for ages, but you can find them for $12. Do I feel a little foolish? Absolutely! Does it change that having an off/on switch on a USB extension cable is still a good idea? Absolutely not.

So, what's the big deal about an on/off switch? Some USB devices like lights, Raspberry Pi projects, or storage devices don't have power switches. You're left constantly disconnecting those devices when you want them turned off. Just thinking about the thumb drives I've ruined and DC ports I've ruined over the years is upsetting. 

These cables do both data and power, so if you're concerned about privacy, you could plug in a webcam and just hit the switch whenever you're done. Most importantly, having these devices off is more power efficient when not in use. Say you have a smartphone and are worried about degrading the battery by overcharging it. This is a good solution for that. 

In my defense, my hardware colleague Jacob Ridley was also shocked to learn about the existence of USB switches which made me slightly less embarrassed. We both feel like men explaining how this whole 'fire thing' will be an absolute game-changer in 2022. Better late than never, I guess.  

Best gaming PCBest gaming laptop


Best gaming PC:
The top pre-built machines from the pros
Best gaming laptop:
Perfect notebooks for mobile gaming

TOPICS
Jorge Jimenez
Hardware writer, Human Pop-Tart

Jorge is a hardware writer from the enchanted lands of New Jersey. When he's not filling the office with the smell of Pop-Tarts, he's reviewing all sorts of gaming hardware, from laptops with the latest mobile GPUs to gaming chairs with built-in back massagers. He's been covering games and tech for over ten years and has written for Dualshockers, WCCFtech, Tom's Guide, and a bunch of other places on the world wide web. 

Read more
StarTech 3.3ft (1m) USB-C Cable with side screw locking mechanism on yellow and orange background
Remember those fiddly screw-locks for VGA and DVI-D? Bet you didn't know USB-C also has them
The Buffalo RUF3-KEV USB drive on a red-orange gradient
This USB flash drive has a built-in anti-malware system, but I still wouldn't use one I found in a parking lot
K.A's graphics card cable adapter with built-in monitoring
Graphics cards are so demanding now there are devices with tiny screens that plug into connectors and monitor temperatures
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con skating on surface
Looks like the Nintendo Switch 2's Joy-Cons double as gaming mice, which is neat but I can't help think about how I basically never use the Legion Go's same feature
An image of two MSI adapter cables for its RTX 50-series graphics cards against a dark, out-of-focus background
If you're worried about your RTX 50-series graphics card suffering another 4090-meltgate, MSI's yellow-tipped adapter cables might just give you peace of mind
Nvidia RTX 5090 Founders Edition graphics card on different backgrounds
We asked a PSU expert which adapters or extensions are okay for the RTX 50-series. His answer: 'DO NOT BUY adapters or extenders, they can all be dangerous'
Latest in Hardware
A woman wearing a VR headset with dramatic, colourful lighting across the background
'World’s smallest LEDs' could lead to accurately lit screens with 127,000 pixels per inch and much more immersive VR
The NES themed 8BitDo Retro mechanical gaming keyboard on a blue background
I love the 8BitDo Retro C64 keyboard but I'd pick its cheaper NES-themed model near its lowest price ever during Amazon's Big Spring Sale
The snazzy red and black HyperX Cloud Alpha wireless headphones float in a teal void. The microphone is attached to the headset.
The best wireless gaming headset is now even better in the Amazon Big Spring Sale, boasting a more than $50 discount
A chip being held up in an Intel fab
Intel is reportedly 'working to finalize commitments from Nvidia' as a foundry partner, suggesting gaming potential for the 18A node
Amazon box
Don't panic! The 'Do Not Send Voice Recordings' option Amazon just removed was only used by 0.03% of customers and they can still have it
Digital generated image of people surrounded by interactive transparent and glowing panels with data. Visualising smart technology, blockchain and artificial intelligence
Now I shall demand the cookies! Proposed new browsing agreement turns the tables and lets users dictate terms to websites
Latest in News
Image of Ronaldo from Fatal Fury: City of the Wolves trailer
It doesn't really make sense that soccer star Ronaldo is now a Fatal Fury character, but if you follow the money you can see how it happened
Junah beginning a battle in Metaphor: ReFantazio.
Today's RPG fans are 'very sensitive to feeling like they wasted time' when they die, says Metaphor: ReFantazio battle planner—but Atlus still made combat hard anyway
Image of Cersei Lanniser from Game of Thrones: Kingsroad Steam early access trailer
A new Game of Thrones RPG is coming to Steam today with a cast of 'familiar faces,' which is good because it's really the only way to tell it's a GoT game at all
The new Prime Asset featured in the upcoming update for the Outlast Trials.
The Outlast Trials puts its already paranoid players under surveillance for a time-limited story event
A Viera looking confused in Final Fantasy 14.
Old armor continues to fall victim to Final Fantasy 14's bizarre two-channel dye system, unless you're super into changing the colour of teeny-tiny eyelets: 'Why even bother at this point?'
Starfield: Shattered Space
By the time Bethesda was on Starfield, you'd 'basically get in trouble' for breaking schedule, says former dev: 'A lot of the great stuff within Skyrim came from having the freedom to do what you want'