Plug your mouse and keyboard into USB 2.0 ports whenever possible. These input devices need minimal bandwidth and power, so they gain no benefit from faster connections. Reserving USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 or USB4 ports for portable SSDs, external monitors, and USB-C hubs ensures those bandwidth-hungry peripherals hit their rated speeds.

Exceptions exist. If you route a mouse and keyboard through a dock that also carries storage or high-resolution displays, connect the dock to a high-speed port. Similarly, keyboards with built-in USB 3.x hubs should plug into a capable upstream port so downstream devices perform properly. If your keyboard only passes through a mouse, a slower port may suffice.

Port shape matters too. USB-C ports on modern laptops typically outpace USB-A, so a USB-C mouse or keyboard works best with a USB-C to USB-A adapter cable that frees the faster native port. Match each device to the slowest port that still meets its needs.

This hierarchy prevents the common mistake of wasting a 40 Gbps port on a 1.5 Mbps mouse while an SSD bottlenecks on a 480 Mbps connection. A deliberate port map keeps every peripheral running at its ceiling.