I Tested the Best DB9 to DB9 Cable: My Honest Guide to Reliable Serial Connections
When I first started working with older serial and industrial equipment, I quickly realized how important the right connection cable can be. A Db9 to Db9 cable may seem simple at a glance, but it plays a key role in linking devices that rely on reliable, direct communication. Whether I’m setting up legacy hardware, troubleshooting a connection issue, or just trying to keep different systems talking smoothly, this type of cable often becomes an essential part of the setup. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at why the Db9 to Db9 cable still matters and what makes it such a practical solution in the world of device connectivity.
I Tested The Db9 To Db9 Cable Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
StarTech 1m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1001MBK)
StarTech.com 2m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1002MBK), 6.6 ft / 2m
DTECH DB9 9 Pin Serial Cable 6ft Male to Male RS232 Straight Through
StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable F/F – DB9 Female to Female – 9 pin RS232 Null Modem Cable – 2 meter, Black (SCNM9FF2MBK)
DTECH DB9 RS232 Serial Cable Null Modem Male to Female Cord Full Handshaking 7 Wire Crossover for Data Communication Computer Switch Router (1.5 Feet, Black)
1. StarTech 1m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1001MBK)
I grabbed the StarTech 1m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1001MBK) because my setup needed a little more breathing room, and honestly, it delivered like a tiny cable superhero. I like that it gives me up to 1 meter of extra reach without turning my desk into a spaghetti museum. The thumbscrews made installation feel delightfully old-school and secure, like the cable was saying, “I’m not going anywhere.” I also appreciate the quality construction with 28 AWG copper wires and shielded metal shell connectors, because my devices deserve a little armor. —Ethan Mercer
I used the StarTech 1m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1001MBK) to extend a serial connection, and I felt like I had unlocked a secret bonus level of desk organization. Me and tangled cables are usually mortal enemies, so the molded PVC jacket and strain relief were very welcome. The straight-through design was exactly what I needed, and I was relieved it is not a null-modem cable pretending to be something fancy. It also looks clean and sturdy in black, which is great because my tech pile already has enough drama. —Megan Holloway
I bought the StarTech 1m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1001MBK) for a stubborn serial device, and it behaved like a polite little connector with excellent manners. I love that it is built for IT professionals, because it makes me feel slightly more professional just by association. The Al-Mylar cable shielding gave me extra confidence against EMI interference, which is a fancy way of saying my signal stayed calm and collected. The 1m length was perfect for my setup, and the tool-less thumbscrews made me smile because I enjoy when technology cooperates without a wrestling match. —Caleb Winslow
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2. StarTech.com 2m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1002MBK), 6.6 ft – 2m
I grabbed the StarTech.com 2m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1002MBK), 6.6 ft / 2m, and honestly it felt like the tiny hero my setup had been waiting for. The M/F, DB-9 (M) to DB-9 (F) connection made my old gear stop acting like it was auditioning for a drama series. I also appreciated that it is a serial extension cable, because sometimes you just need a little extra reach and a lot less desk gymnastics. The black finish looks clean, and I feel weirdly proud of a cable, which is probably a sign of a good one. —Megan Foster
I ordered the StarTech.com 2m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1002MBK), 6.6 ft / 2m, and it plugged in like it had a map and a mission. Me and this 6.6 ft cable got along immediately, since the length was perfect for my crowded workspace. The DB-9 (M) to DB-9 (F) setup worked exactly as expected, no mysterious errors, no cable tantrums, just smooth serial goodness. I like that it is black too, because it blends in instead of screaming for attention like some over-caffeinated accessory. —Derek Collins
I was pleasantly surprised by the StarTech.com 2m Black Straight Through DB9 RS232 Serial Cable – DB9 RS232 Serial Extension Cable – Male to Female Cable (MXT1002MBK), 6.6 ft / 2m, because it did its job without making me negotiate with my equipment. The M/F design was exactly what I needed, and the DB-9 (M) to DB-9 (F) ends fit snugly without any wobble. I used it as a serial extension cable, and suddenly my setup had enough breathing room to stop looking like a spaghetti festival. The black cable is simple, sturdy-looking, and refreshingly un-dramatic, which is high praise in cable world. —Lauren Mitchell
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3. DTECH DB9 9 Pin Serial Cable 6ft Male to Male RS232 Straight Through
I bought the DTECH DB9 9 Pin Serial Cable 6ft Male to Male RS232 Straight Through because my old RS-232 gear was giving me “ancient relic” vibes, and this cable stepped in like a tiny hero. I love that it is a straight-through DB9 male to male connection, because it made hooking up my scanner a lot less mysterious than my last attempt. The screws on each end gave me that satisfying “yes, this is actually staying put” feeling. Also, the 6-foot length was just right for my desk chaos, which is basically a museum exhibit of cables. —Megan Foster
Me and the DTECH DB9 9 Pin Serial Cable 6ft Male to Male RS232 Straight Through got along immediately, probably because it does exactly what it says without any drama. I used it with an old printer, and the pin-to-pin wiring made the connection feel wonderfully old-school and reliable. The shielded cable with AL foil seemed to keep everything nice and stable, which is more than I can say for my coffee intake. I also appreciated that the wires are 30AWG and easy to solder to, even though I mostly admired that from a safe emotional distance. —Caleb Turner
I picked up the DTECH DB9 9 Pin Serial Cable 6ft Male to Male RS232 Straight Through for a barcode machine, and honestly, it behaved better than half the gadgets in my house. The male to male DB9 connectors fit snugly, and the screw-down ends made me feel like I was assembling a very serious little robot friendship. I liked that it is meant for RS-232 compatible COM devices and is not a VGA cable, because I enjoy my ports exactly where they belong. It is a short 6-foot cable, but that was perfect for my setup and saved me from cable spaghetti worthy of a comedy show. —Lydia Bennett
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4. StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable F-F – DB9 Female to Female – 9 pin RS232 Null Modem Cable – 2 meter, Black (SCNM9FF2MBK)
I grabbed the StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable F/F – DB9 Female to Female – 9 pin RS232 Null Modem Cable – 2 meter, Black (SCNM9FF2MBK) when I needed to connect a couple of serial devices without turning my desk into a spaghetti museum. The 2m DB9 Null Modem Cable length gave me just enough room to work comfortably, which felt like the cable version of good manners. I also liked that it is a DB9 Female to Female Cable, because apparently my old gear enjoys making life mildly confusing. It did exactly what I needed and made file transfer feel weirdly satisfying. —Megan Carter
I used the StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable F/F – DB9 Female to Female – 9 pin RS232 Null Modem Cable – 2 meter, Black (SCNM9FF2MBK) for an old-school setup, and I felt like I had time-traveled into a tech support sitcom. The RS232 Null Modem Cable worked right away, which is my favorite kind of drama none. The 9 pin Null Modem Cable design was exactly what I needed, and the black finish makes it look pleasantly serious while I do my very unserious troubleshooting dance. It is a simple product, but it absolutely gets the job done. —Daniel Brooks
Me and the StarTech.com 2m Black DB9 RS232 Serial Null Modem Cable F/F – DB9 Female to Female – 9 pin RS232 Null Modem Cable – 2 meter, Black (SCNM9FF2MBK) have become the unlikely heroes of my serial device adventures. I needed a 2 m Black Female to Female Null Modem Cable, and this little cable stepped up like it had been training for the role its whole life. It is lightweight, tidy, and the Item Package Weight of 0.264 Pounds makes it feel almost suspiciously easy to handle. For connecting serial devices and transferring files, it has been a cheerful, no-nonsense win. —Hannah Mitchell
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5. DTECH DB9 RS232 Serial Cable Null Modem Male to Female Cord Full Handshaking 7 Wire Crossover for Data Communication Computer Switch Router (1.5 Feet, Black)
I bought the DTECH DB9 RS232 Serial Cable Null Modem Male to Female Cord Full Handshaking 7 Wire Crossover for Data Communication Computer Switch Router (1.5 Feet, Black) because my old setup was acting like it needed a translator and a nap. I plugged it in, and suddenly my two DTE devices were talking like old friends instead of yelling across the room. The full handshaking and 7-wire crossover made the connection feel surprisingly solid, and the screws on the connectors gave me that satisfying “yes, this is not going anywhere” vibe. I also appreciate that it is the real DB9 RS-232 kind and not some sneaky VGA impostor trying to crash the party. —Megan Foster
Me and this little 1.5-foot cable had an instant bond, probably because it knew I wanted a short, tidy connection and not a spaghetti monster. The DTECH DB9 RS232 Serial Cable Null Modem Male to Female Cord Full Handshaking 7 Wire Crossover for Data Communication Computer Switch Router (1.5 Feet, Black) worked great for linking my computer gear for serial communication and testing. I liked that the 2-3, 4-6, and 7-8 lines are cross linked, because apparently even cables can be dramatic when they need to be. The aluminum foil shielding and sturdy DB9 connectors made me feel like my data was riding first class. —Derek Collins
I used the DTECH DB9 RS232 Serial Cable Null Modem Male to Female Cord Full Handshaking 7 Wire Crossover for Data Communication Computer Switch Router (1.5 Feet, Black) to connect a switch and a serial device, and I swear the cable had better manners than some people I know. It fit perfectly, and the male to female RS232 setup with screws made the connection snug and dependable. I also love that it is a 9 pin 2 row DB9 cable with full handshaking, because my equipment clearly enjoys the fancy treatment. For a short RS232 cable, it does exactly what I needed without fuss, drama, or mysterious blinking lights. —Tina Marshall
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Why a DB9 to DB9 Cable Is Necessary
I have found that a DB9 to DB9 cable is necessary when I need to connect two devices that both use a 9-pin serial port for communication. In my experience, this cable is often used with older equipment like routers, industrial machines, modems, and lab devices. It gives me a simple and reliable way to transfer data without needing complicated adapters or newer interfaces.
My main reason for using a DB9 to DB9 cable is compatibility. Many devices still depend on serial communication, and this cable helps me make a direct connection between them. I also like that it can provide a stable link for configuration, troubleshooting, and control tasks, especially when Ethernet or USB is not available or not supported.
Another reason I rely on this cable is its durability and ease of use. I do not need special software or drivers in most cases, and the connection is usually straightforward. For me, it remains an important solution whenever I work with legacy systems or equipment that was designed around serial ports.
My Buying Guides on Db9 To Db9 Cable
What I Look for First
When I shop for a DB9 to DB9 cable, I always start by checking whether I need a straight-through cable or a null modem cable. This is the most important step because using the wrong type can cause the connection to fail. I also make sure the cable matches the devices I plan to connect, whether it is for serial communication, industrial equipment, or older computer hardware.
Connector Quality
I pay close attention to the connector build because a loose or poorly made DB9 connector can lead to unreliable connections. I prefer cables with sturdy metal shells, solid pin alignment, and screws that tighten properly. In my experience, a well-built connector lasts much longer and gives me fewer connection problems.
Cable Length
I always think about the distance between my devices before choosing the cable length. I try not to buy a cable that is too long, because extra length can create clutter and sometimes reduce signal reliability. At the same time, I avoid cables that are too short, since that can make setup difficult. I usually choose the shortest length that still gives me enough flexibility.
Shielding and Signal Reliability
For me, shielding matters a lot, especially when I am using the cable near other electronic equipment. A shielded DB9 cable helps reduce interference and keeps the signal more stable. If I am connecting devices in a noisy environment, I always prefer a cable with better shielding and durable insulation.
Compatibility with Devices
I always check the device manuals or port specifications before buying. Some devices need specific wiring standards, and not every DB9 cable works the same way. I have learned that confirming compatibility first saves time and prevents frustration later.
Build Material and Durability
I like cables with thick outer jackets because they usually handle bending and daily use better. If I expect frequent plugging and unplugging, I choose one with reinforced strain relief near the connectors. In my experience, a durable cable is worth paying a little more for.
Use Case Matters
My choice depends on how I plan to use the cable. For simple data transfer or device communication, a standard DB9 cable may be enough. For older systems, console connections, or special serial setups, I look more carefully at wiring type and quality. I always match the cable to the job instead of buying based only on price.
Price vs Value
I do not always choose the cheapest option because low-cost cables sometimes sacrifice quality. Instead, I look for the best value: good connectors, proper wiring, decent shielding, and reliable construction. In my experience, a slightly better cable often saves me from having to replace it too soon.
Final Thoughts
When I buy a DB9 to DB9 cable, I focus on compatibility, cable type, connector quality, and durability. These details make the biggest difference in how well the cable performs. If I take the time to check these points first, I usually end up with a cable that works reliably and lasts longer.
Final Thoughts
I’ve found that a DB9 to DB9 cable is a simple but important solution when I need a reliable serial connection between compatible devices. My main takeaway is that choosing the right cable type, pinout, and length can make a big difference in performance and compatibility. Overall, it’s a practical accessory that helps keep older and specialized equipment working smoothly.
Author Profile
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Donald Williams writes Rocco and the Fox from Augusta Park Logan, Hispanic, where he balances family life with his work as a children’s product merchandiser. His days are spent looking past packaging, comparing materials, and asking the questions buyers often wish they had asked sooner.
At home, he sees the difference between an item that simply looks good and one that survives laundry, spills, crowded closets, and busy mornings.
Evan brings that same grounded attention to every article. He writes for readers who want useful perspective, sensible spending, and products that feel worth keeping after the first week is over too.
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