From time to time, we will see a review or get feedback from a customer that the right angled cable or adapter they bought from us is in fact a left angled cable or adapter.

Is there such a thing as a left angled cable? The short answer is no. The longer answer is it can depend on what you mean by left angle.

Right Angle vs. Left Angle

Traditionally, a right angle refers to the one of the ends being perpendicular to the axis of the cable or adapter itself. Some cables or adapters can only be plugged in one way so the rest of the cable or adapter will always appear to go up or down and others will always appear to go left or right.

Now it is possible that some plugs will only allow you to connect the cable or adapter in one specific orientation so it will be a right angle connector with the cable always going left (or “left angled”) or a right angle connector with the cable always going to the right (or “right angled”).

However, what complicates this issue is that some devices will use the same plug in one orientation and still others will use it in a different orientation. A great way to illustrate this phenomenon is by using our right angle YCS Basics 3-foot USB mini extension cable:

A closer look at the male plug reveals the unique shape of the USB mini male to be similar to a trapezoid with a shorter side and an opposite longer side. Read on »