The Maximum Length USB Cable Varies By Device
When considering a USB cable there are two different maximum lengths that can be used. For a high speed USB device the maximum length USB cable is 5 meters which is approximately 16'-5". For a low speed device the maximum length USB cable is 3 meters which is about 9'-10". Therefore, if you want to use a maximum length USB cable, it'll depend on the speed of you USB device.
The electrical design of this standard does not allow for the USB cable to be longer than these specified lengths. When the USB standard was being designed it was decided by the makers to handle the propagation of electromagnetic fields on USB data lines, so that limited the maximum length of the USB cable to be around the range of four meters. By limiting the length of a USB cable it provides advantages for the user and considering that USB cables are for use in a desktop environment, the limitations of the length of the USB cable were considered acceptable.
Taking into account the fact that there are two different types of USB cables, the one to choose will depend on the speed of the device in which the user will be operating with. Generally in a desktop environment — for a high or low speed device — there is usually enough room to use a maximum length USB cable.
If you are a laptop user it's even easier, as the computer is portable and you can move around to wherever you need to be. If this is the situation, in most cases a maximum length USB cable will not be required. But you can still utilize a maximum length USB cable to gain a bit more freedom for moving around.
When using a maximum length USB cable you can wrap it around desk legs or otherwise tuck it back to keep the cable out of the way. Be sure to keep the cable tucked away when not in use as it's possible to trip or kick the cable and cause damage to the port if it is violently yanked out.
Do You Really Need A Maximum Length USB Cable?
When considering to buy one, make sure that you really need the maximum length USB cable available, because if you can use a shorter length cable, do so. Who wants to have the entanglements that longer cables can bring about.