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Don’t plug these 4 devices into the wrong USB port
A recurring complaint with USB is that the "universal" part of the acronym has never been true. Almost since the format's beginning, there have been multiple connector types, and even now many devices are split between USB-A and USB-C. Once you've identified the right connector type for whatever it is you're doing, you then have to play the game of figuring out what data speeds a port can handle, as well as power capacity. Sometimes device makers are generous and take the time to label things, but too often you're expected to look up specifications in a manual or on the web.
This doesn't always matter that much. When it does, though, it can matter a great deal, determining whether a product you paid hundreds or thousands of dollars for is functioning as intended. In this piece I'm going to cover some of the most important match-ups you need to make, assuming the host device is a phone, tablet, or computer. There are plenty of other possibilities, given how many products use USB, but I'd be writing forever if I tried to take the entire electronics industry into account. Keep in mind that you'll also need compatible cables, since it's the slowest part of the chain that bottlenecks performance.
Chargers
This one is important
For a lot of people, this will be the most important category. While USB-C charging is widespread, devices with multiple USB ports may only support charging on one of them, or none at all, forcing you to use a custom solution instead. If they do support charging through multiple USB ports, not all of them may be rated for the USB PD (Power Delivery) spec needed to actually top a device. A 50W charger is only going to slow down your laptop's power drain if it needs 100W to recharge.
If a phone can charge at 45W, but you've only got a 20W power brick, the process is going to take over twice as long as it has to.
Officially, USB-C connections with PD support should be able to handle at least 100W. Gear rated for the USB PD 3.1 spec or later can handle power in increments up to 140W, 180W, or even 240W, that last number being enough for some gaming laptops. You'll have to check which ports are rated for what amount of power, and match cables and adapters as appropriate.
To answer a common concern, no, you won't harm a device if you connect a charger rated for a higher wattage than the thing it's charging. It's falling under maximum charging capacity that you need to worry about -- if a phone can charge at 45W, but you've only got a 20W power brick, the process is going to take over twice as long as it has to.
External SSDs
Don't cap your workflow
Just as the USB PD rating is everything for chargers, so too is data speed for SSDs (solid-state drives). The best drives are so quick that you can only realize their potential by connecting to the fastest available hardware. Let's say you have a drive rated for USB 3.2 Gen 2x2, which supports speeds up to 20 gigabits per second (Gbps). It would take about 43 seconds to copy 100GB over a compatible port and cable, but if part of the chain was limited to USB 3.0 (5Gbps), that same transfer would take about three minutes. At USB 2.0 speeds -- which is still featured in some modern phones, including the iPhone 17 -- you'd be waiting nearly 30 minutes.
Delays aren't such a big deal for the occasional transfer. For professionals like photographers and video editors, however, they can add up, leading to serious production problems. Some photographers and videographers will quickly dump content to an SSD mid-shoot, as backup and/or as a way of freeing up space on their cameras. I used to be in wedding photography -- the difference between 43 seconds and three minutes could mean being in place for a critical shot of the couple or missing it entirely.
Serious media professionals tend to prefer SSDs with Thunderbolt 4 or 5, which can deliver speeds between 40 and 120Gbps. If that's in order, you'll need to use a Thunderbolt-compatible cable, and check for the right version of USB 4 on your device. Only USB 4 v2 ports can handle Thunderbolt 5.
Mice, keyboards, and other controllers
Save the best for the rest
Flipping the script, your priority with mice, keyboards, gamepads, and most other controllers should be connecting them to the worst USB ports available. That's because even USB 1.x ports may have enough power and bandwidth for them, and realistically, you won't find any modern device with something below USB 2.0. There's no point plugging your keyboard into a USB 4 port that might be better occupied by a monitor, SSD, or Thunderbolt dock.
There's not much more to say on this point except that you should keep an eye out for exceptions. Some gaming peripherals could legitimately need better data or power performance, say if they have high polling rates, customizable profiles, or use LCDs or RGB lights. Check official tech specs if you're not sure. Note also that certain controllers may have limited support for your phone or tablet if full functionality is normally dependent on Mac or Windows drivers.
Perhaps the biggest exceptions are AR and VR headsets, like the Quest 3. These can sometimes tether to a computer to play PC VR games like Half-Life: Alyx, but there's so much data flowing that nothing short of a 5Gbps connection is good enough.
Cameras, microphones, displays, and other AV gear
Pay extra attention to audio
With cameras, randing from GoPros and webcams, through to professional photo and video equipment, the rule is no different that SSDs. That is, you should typically connect them to the fastest available port, since doing otherwise could result in lethargic transfers or (in the case of live feeds) an artificial ceiling on quality or resolution. The value of this is going to depend on what the camera itself supports, naturally. There's no sense connecting an Insta360 X5 to USB 4 unless that's your only option, since the camera is limited to USB 3.0.
When it comes to external displays, the important thing is to check that your device and cable are compatible with USB-C's DisplayPort Alt Mode, and that you have any necessary HDMI or DisplayPort adapters.
Microphones and audio interfaces often need little in the way of bandwidth, but you may need to be careful about which port you're connecting to on a computer nevertheless. That's because some front-panel ports may not have enough power or shielding for audio, which can lead to interference or interruptions. It's best to try rear-panel ports first, although if that's inconvenient, it can't hurt to experiment.
When it comes to external displays, the important thing is to check that your device and cable are compatible with USB-C's DisplayPort Alt Mode, and that you have any necessary HDMI or DisplayPort adapters if a screen doesn't support USB input directly. It's also vital to understand the limits on resolutions and refresh rates different connections have -- you may need USB 4/Thunderbolt 4 to support a 4K gaming monitor with refresh rates over 60Hz.