The Greatest USB-C Cables for Tablets, Laptops, and Phones
Discover the cables you require to transfer data and charge your devices by sorting through the tangled world of cords.
The quickest and easiest method for charging your devices or transferring files between them is frequently using a humbly cable. These seemingly simple power and data conduits, however, come in a variety of sizes and shapes. Plugging cables into your laptop or phone can cause them to behave differently, even if they look the same. The variety of connectors, specifications, charging rates, and data transfer speeds creates a disorganized and confusing scene.
Remain calm. We dug into the dreaded cable box, found the necessary ones for each situation, and neatly arranged them so they could be put to use. This article contains some tips on USB-C, Lightning, and MicroUSB connectors in addition to an overview of all the information you require regarding cables. We are, after all, WIRED.
Updated January 2024: We revised prices throughout and added cables from Baseus, Raycon, Rolling Square, and Satechi, among others.
Advice on USB-C Cables
Generally, the device you buy comes with cables in the packaging. Usually, these can charge the gadget at its fastest possible rate. Keep it simple, secure, and, if it’s not labelled, think about marking it.
Check the standards on your device. Choose a cable based on your requirements. For instance, purchase a PD cable if your device is capable of Power Delivery. Recall that the charging adapter needs to adhere to the same specifications. Additional information about standards can be found at the bottom of this guide.
USB-C is compatible with displays. On some cables, the manufacturers will list the support for 4K or 8K video along with the data transfer speed. This implies that all you need to do to send video from your laptop to your monitor is use a USB-C to USB-C cable. You can connect displays and video sources that support DisplayPort by taking into account DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) support.
Your phone will charge more slowly while it is charging, but it is still safe to use. It is advisable to take a break when your phone feels warm because heat is also detrimental to battery life.
Cables with poor construction can overheat and catch fire. If you want to increase the likelihood that the cable you purchase is reliable, look for USB-IF certification or stick with reputable brands such as Syncwire, Anker, or Cable Matters.
Best Overall USB-C to USB-C Cable
Cable Matters USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4
There’s merit to the ease of obtaining the best USB-C cable you can afford, and as of right now, this Thunderbolt 4 cable with Intel certification will suffice for all your needs. It can transfer data at up to 40 Gbps and carries 100 watts, which is sufficient to charge a laptop. It can also serve two 4K displays, or an 8K display. It is backward-compatible with all previous standards and supports DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) and USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), including PPS, which enables fast charging for some Samsung devices.
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The 6.6-foot cable is active, while the two shorter cables are passive. (Active cables include an additional chip inside to enable data transmission without degradation.) I haven’t discovered anything that the two shorter cables can’t accomplish while I’ve been testing them. In the US, the cables are covered by a one-year limited warranty; in the UK and the EU, it is a lifetime limited warranty and a two-year limited warranty.
Another Good USB-C to USB-C Cable
Anker Powerline II (USB 3.1 Gen 2)
For those in search of a USB-C to USB-C cable that is capable of rapid data transfers and charging, the Anker Powerline II (USB 3.1 Gen 2 version) is the ideal choice. It can power the most powerful MacBook Pro because of its 100 watt rating, and it has a 10 gigabit per second (Gbps) data transmission speed. It has a lifetime warranty and is USB-IF certified, indicating that it has undergone testing to verify compliance with standards established by the USB-C CablesImplementers Forum. The drawback? Just three feet are on it.
The Greatest Value USB-C to USB-C Cable
Monoprice USB-C to USB-C Select
By using this USB-C to USB-C cable, you can save a few bucks without sacrificing anything because it can transfer data at a speed of 10 gigabit per second and charge at 100 watts. This cable can even be used to link a laptop to a 4K display. What’s the catch, then? It’s not very flexible, finished in plain black plastic, quite thick, and has relatively long connectors. However, these features at this cost make it an incredible value. It also has a lifetime warranty and is USB-IF certified.
Top Green Cable
Nimble PowerKnit USB-C to USB-C
These cables might be tempting if you want to stop adding plastic to the environment. They have an eco-friendly construction made of certified recycled plastic and aluminium, with a flexible knit fabric finish that looks (and feels) great and is meant to last. They charge at a rate that should be sufficient for most portable devices and come in three lengths with a two-year warranty, but they are slow when it comes to data transfer.