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After a new round of testing, we’ve added fresh picks. dc extension cable
Buying a USB-C cable might seem like a simple task, but behind this universal connector lies an array of complex options.
The best phone-charging cable, for instance, may not be the best choice for backing up data to a hard drive, and the fastest cables for data transfer may be overkill for connecting an external monitor. Newer connectivity interfaces such as Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 only complicate matters further.
We’ve tested dozens of USB-C cables and adapters to find the best options for every scenario and to rule out those that don’t work or are unsafe. Whether you’re replacing a lost USB-C cable or looking to get the best performance from your chargers and peripherals, these are the best cables to consider.
I’m a freelance contributor to Wirecutter with more than 15 years of experience writing about consumer technology. Over that time I’ve reviewed countless phones, computers, tablets, streaming devices, and accessories, and I’m never not charging something.
Whether you have the latest iPhone, an Android phone, or a recent laptop, you need USB-C cables for charging and data transfer. While you’ve probably accumulated a bunch just from buying new phones or other gadgets, such accessories tend to support only bare-minimum charging speeds and data-transfer rates. And even if you’re just replacing a lost cable, it’s a chance to invest in a higher-quality model that will help you get the most out of your chargers and peripherals.
For instance, a growing number of laptops now support 100 W or faster charging speeds. If you have a 100 W or 140 W USB-C charger, getting the fastest charge requires a 100 W or 240 W cable, respectively.
USB-C cables with fast data transfer can also be helpful for backing up data to external drives, transferring data between devices, or connecting external monitors that support USB-C input. (Alternatively, you can use a USB-C–to–HDMI adapter for video output instead.) In our testing, we’ve found that USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cables can read data nearly 50 times faster than cables with basic USB 2.0 transfer speeds.
Thunderbolt 4 cables look the same as standard USB-C but guarantee much greater bandwidth and additional features when connected to the Thunderbolt 4 port on compatible laptops. Using a Thunderbolt laptop dock, for instance, you can connect to external displays, high-speed storage drives, and a wall charger, all with a single cable running between your laptop and the dock. Thunderbolt 4 also supports extremely fast data-transfer speeds when connected to specialized USB4 or Thunderbolt drive enclosures containing high-performance NVMe drives.
At the same time, the world is still full of USB-A, Lightning, and Micro-USB ports, so we’ve also scouted out the best USB-C cables and adapters that have those connections on the other end.
We’ve linked to the different cord lengths available for each of our picks. While 6-foot cables are ideal for charging from an outlet, shorter cables can be tidier for data transfer and for plugging into tabletop charging stations, such as the kind you find on hotel nightstands.
We looked for the highest-ranked and best-selling cables in Amazon search results for each subcategory, along with cables recommended on other review sites. Our final testing list consisted of the cables that offered desirable features at competitive prices.
USB-C cables can be unreliable or even dangerous if they’re not engineered properly. To check the integrity of USB-C–to–USB-C cables, we plugged both ends into a Total Phase Advanced Cable Tester, a $1,500 device that manufacturers use to test their own products. This piece of equipment supports only USB-C connections, so for USB-C–to–USB-A cables, we ran the same tests with a Jsaux USB-C–to–USB-A adapter on one end.
After consulting with Derek Cooper, a Total Phase sales representative, we removed cables from consideration for certain errors that arose in testing. For instance, continuity errors can indicate improper wiring, which can lead to poor performance or even safety issues, while significant DC-resistance errors can warn of excess heat due to excessive voltage. We also watched out for signal-integrity issues indicating when a cable wasn’t performing as it should, along with a failure to comply with USB-C specifications.
To test cable charging speeds, we connected one end to a compatible charger (Anker’s 140 W 717 Charger for USB-C and Anker’s PowerPort II Charger for USB-A) and connected the other end to a Plugable USB C Power Meter plugged into a 16-inch MacBook Pro (an early 2023 M2 Max model for most cables, and a late 2023 M3 Max model for cables with 240 W charging). We confirmed the maximum wattage using the Mac’s System Report feature, and then we checked the wattage on the power meter to confirm that the actual charging speeds were close to what the manufacturer advertised.
To test data-transfer speeds for USB-C–to–USB-C cables, we plugged one end into the MacBook Pro’s USB-C port and plugged the other end into a ZikeDrive USB4 enclosure with a WD Black 1 TB SN850X NVMe drive installed. We then used AJA System Test Lite to test the read and write speeds, running each test three times and reconnecting the cable between each test.
We did not run charging-speed, data-transfer, or Total Phase tests for USB-C–to–Lightning cables. Instead we looked for such cables with MFi certification, which indicates that they’ve undergone Apple’s testing program to ensure safety and compatibility.
For the cables that passed our tests and met our criteria, we considered the suppleness of each cable by gripping one end with one hand and then pulling down on the cable with the other, noting the extent to which the cable bounced back due to excessive stiffness. We also considered the design of each cable, giving preference to more compact and flexible connectors, which would be less of an intrusion while plugged into a phone or computer. Finally, we looked for small niceties, such as cable ties and on-cable labeling of performance specs.
This 240 W cable can fast-charge even the latest 16-inch MacBook Pro, but the flexible, woven cord works just as well with phones.
Of all the USB-C charging cables we tested, the Belkin BoostCharge USB-C to USB-C Power Cable is the most versatile. It supports 240 W charging, which is required for fast charging with certain laptops such as the 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro, but it’s still thin and flexible enough to work well as a phone charger. Its aluminum connectors and woven nylon are nice touches, too.
It’s versatile. As a 240 W cable, this Belkin model is capable of fast-charging any laptop that can draw power over USB-C when paired with a high-wattage charger. That includes Apple’s 16-inch M3 MacBook Pro, which requires both a 140 W charger and a 240 W cable to fast-charge over USB-C instead of the proprietary MagSafe connector.
It’s great for phones, too. This do-it-all charging cable is still thin and flexible enough to let your phone rest comfortably on a nightstand or side table while charging.
It just feels nice. The smooth, woven-nylon cable and aluminum connectors are a touch classier than the rubber and plastic found on standard charging cables, and it comes in either white or black.
We noticed a tiny amount of fraying in the nylon weaving after bending this Belkin cable. Our Total Phase testing showed a DC-resistance error that was not enough to cause concern.
You don’t get a lifetime warranty, but Belkin’s two-year policy is still more generous than the coverage on many bargain cables.
Like other charging cables with USB 2.0 data-transfer speeds, this model isn’t a great option for connecting external storage drives and can’t output video to external monitors.
This cable two-pack is a great value for phones, tablets, and plenty of laptops.
The woven 60 W Anker USB-C to USB-C Cable can fast-charge any device that doesn’t demand a 100 W or 240 W connection. At $14 (or $10 for Amazon Prime members), this pack of two is a bargain if you just need a couple of inexpensive phone or tablet charging cables. Plus, they come with a lifetime warranty.
They’re a great value, especially for Amazon Prime members. Anker typically sells a two-pack of these cables for $14, but they’re often on sale for less, and the regular price drops to $10 with a Prime membership.
They can fast-charge most gadgets. The 60 W connection should be just fine for phones, tablets, accessories, and many laptops with USB-C charging ports. These cables can’t fast-charge MacBook Pro models, but they do work with the MacBook Air’s default 30 W charger.
They’re guaranteed for life. Anker backs many of its cables with a lifetime warranty, including these cables.
Compared with the Belkin USB-C–to–USB-C cable, these Anker cables are stiffer and have a rougher texture. They’re also limited to the same poky USB 2.0 data-transfer speeds.
This durable cable offers 10 Gbps transfer speeds and 4K video-output support for a great price.
Compared with the basic USB-C charging cables above, USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 cables offer much faster data-transfer speeds and can send 4K, 60-frames-per-second video to external monitors with USB-C inputs. We like the Cable Matters USB-IF Certified 10 Gbps Gen 2 USB-C to USB-C Cable because it doesn’t cost much and passed all of our signal-integrity tests.
USB 3.1 Gen 2 speeds make a difference. In our testing, this Cable Matters cable read data at 1,743 megabytes per second, in contrast to cables with USB 2.0 speeds, which managed about 36 MB/s. If you're transferring 1 TB of data from a high-speed external drive to a MacBook Pro, for example, that's the difference between waiting about 10 minutes versus nearly eight hours.
It’s reliable. We tested a couple of cheaper cables that also claimed to support fast data transfer, but they both failed our Total Phase testing procedure. This Cable Matters cable is inexpensive enough and does everything right.
The basic, rubberized design isn’t flashy, and this cable’s 100 W charging prevents it from fast-charging an M3 MacBook Pro. We wish the warranty were longer than one year.
Get extreme speeds for Thunderbolt peripherals with a better design than competing cables offer.
We found a lot to like about the 3.3-foot OWC Thunderbolt 4 cable, including its reasonable price (by Thunderbolt standards), 240 W charging, and three-year warranty. But what puts it over the top is the design of the cable itself, which has better flexibility and more compact connectors than several of its competitors.
It’s really fast. When we ran this cable from a 16-inch M2 MacBook Pro to a ZikeDrive USB4 enclosure with a WD Black 1 TB SN850X NVMe drive, we clocked write speeds above 6,300 megabytes per second. Those speeds are nearly six times faster than the results we got from Cable Matters’s USB 3.1 Gen 2 cable, and 175 times faster than the USB 2.0 transfer speeds we saw from Belkin’s power cable.
The design is a cut above. This OWC cable is just a little nicer than the other Thunderbolt 4 cables we tested. All such cables are pretty thick, but this OWC cable has a suppleness that can help it navigate tight desk spaces. The connector is more squat in shape than those of many competing Thunderbolt 4 cables, and both the 240 W charging speed and the 40-gigabits-per-second theoretical data-transfer rate are printed on both ends, so you’ll never be unclear on the cable’s capabilities.
It isn’t outrageously priced. We evaluated several cables that cost $40 or more, but OWC’s cable matches their capabilities for a little less than $35. And it even includes 240 W charging for that amount, whereas some pricier Thunderbolt 4 cables don’t.
The warranty is hard to beat. OWC’s cable comes with a three-year warranty, a longer coverage period than we saw for any other Thunderbolt 4 cable we tested.
This isn’t the longest Thunderbolt 4 cable, but 6-foot variants come with their own trade-offs: They’re pricier, at $60 or more, and they all max out at 100 W charging.
This 6-foot Anker cable is less than half the price of Apple’s, and it comes with a lifetime warranty.
Apple may be phasing out its proprietary Lightning connector, but it’s still around on older iPhones, iPads, and AirPods. We like the Anker PowerLine II USB-C to Lightning Cable as an inexpensive replacement if Apple’s included cable goes missing, or if you just want something longer.
It’s a lot cheaper. Anker’s 6-foot cable typically costs less than $15, while Apple’s costs nearly $30.
The warranty is longer. Whereas Apple covers its cable with a one-year warranty, Anker backs its USB-C–to–Lightning cable for life.
Anker’s cable is a little thicker than the Lightning cables that Apple includes in the box.
A lifetime warranty, smooth braiding, and an included cable tie give Anker’s cable the edge over other options.
USB-A connections are still the norm in cars and hotel rooms, and you’ll still find the connection on plenty of laptops and desktop computers, not to mention all the old chargers you’ve probably accrued over the years. Anker’s Premium Nylon USB-C to USB-A Cable offers an inexpensive way to keep using those old ports with your new USB-C gear.
Cable ties are included. The hook-and-loop strap can keep your cable neatly coiled during travel or help tidy up the spaghetti on your desk.
It comes with a lifetime warranty. Hopefully USB-A will be gone before too long, but Anker backs this cable for life just in case.
We didn’t detect any connection issues. Unlike some cheaper cables from no-name brands, Anker’s cable passed all of our Total Phase tests.
The nylon braiding is slightly on the stiff side.
This thoughtfully designed USB-A cable comes with Micro-USB, Lightning, and USB-C connectors.
Three-in-one cables can be handy for travelers who need to charge devices via Lightning, USB-C, and Micro-USB but want to minimize the number of cables to pack. The Belkin BoostCharge 3-in-1 Universal Cable has a USB-A connection on one end and a Micro-USB connection on the other, while a pair of adapters—one Lightning, one USB-C—snap onto the latter end. The cable supports basic USB 2.0 data-transfer speeds regardless of which connector you use.
The cable hooks are brilliant. Compared with other three-in-one cables, Belkin’s cable includes one particularly thoughtful touch: Each adapter has a small hook on the side, so you can clip it onto the cable when you aren’t using it. That keeps the adapters from dangling freely and possibly snagging on something in your laptop bag.
No connection issues here. This cable passed all of Total Phase’s signal tests, whereas cheaper three-in-one cables failed.
This cable is available only at a length of 3.3 feet and only in black.
The short, braided cable on this adapter offers just enough flexibility when bridging a USB-A connector to a USB-C port. Plus, you get two for the price.
For laptops, phones, and other devices that don’t have USB-A ports, a USB-C–to–USB-A adapter provides a simple way to connect thumb drives, wired game controllers, external keyboards, and other accessories. We recommend the Jsaux USB C to USB 3.0 Adapter, which comes in a two-pack, for its braided cable design and affordability.
The cable connection is helpful. This adapter has a short, braided cable that runs between the USB-A and USB-C connectors. Compared with thumb-sized adapters with no built-in cable, this model is harder to lose and easier to see inside a laptop bag.
You get two of them. At a typical price of $9, this Jsaux adapter two-pack costs the same as our former adapter pick from Amazon Basics, which is only a single adapter. Jsaux offers an 18-month warranty.
Whereas some adapters promise faster, 10 Gbps data-transfer speeds, this adapter manages only 5 Gbps.
Lisen’s 240W USB C to USB C Cable typically ranks high in Amazon search results due to its killer price of $8 for a pack of two, but while we appreciated its slim, woven design, it’s missing an E-Marker chip, which helps safely negotiate power between device and charger. We also found errors with this cable’s DC resistance, signal integrity, and continuity, and when we connected it to an M3 MacBook Pro via a power meter, the connection occasionally dropped off.
The $30 Apple 240W USB-C Charge Cable offers luxuriously thick, woven braiding, but it’s too bulky for phone charging and makes sense only for MacBooks.
We found the Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Fast Charger Cable too flimsy and the Cable Matters 240W USB-C Cable overly stiff.
Anker’s PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Cable couldn’t match our pick in pricing, and the Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 Fast Charging Cable was overly stiff and offered only 60 W charging.
We disqualified 20 Gbps data-transfer cables from Elfesoul and Rampow after finding significant DC-resistance and signal-integrity errors in our testing.
We appreciated the thick, woven braiding on the Apple Thunderbolt 4 Cable. But at $70, it’s pricey for a short cable, and it doesn’t support the 240 W charging that Apple’s latest 16-inch MacBook Pro demands.
Anker’s USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4 100W Cable couldn’t match the value of our pick, and we preferred our pick’s design over that of the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 4 Cable. The 6-foot Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable produced DC-resistance and continuity errors in our Total Phase tests, and the cost of active 6-foot Thunderbolt 4 cables is still considerably higher than that of 3-foot alternatives.
Apple’s USB-C to Lightning Cable is thinner than the competition, but at $19 it’s much pricier than our pick. The braided-nylon Amazon Basics USB-C to Lightning Charger Cable was slightly thicker and pricier than our pick.
We found one Jsaux USB C Cable to be overly thick and stiff. Our previous pick in this category, Belkin’s BoostCharge USB-C Cable, couldn’t match the value of our current winner.
Anker’s PowerLine II 3-in-1 Cable has the same length and pricing as our pick but lacks that model’s clever attachment hooks for each adapter.
We liked the idea behind Onlytang’s 3-in-1 Multi Charging Cable, which splits off into three separate cables instead of using snap-on adapters, but our testing revealed errors with signal integrity, DC resistance, and continuity. DC-resistance errors also arose with the Kobilar 3 in 1 Cable we tested.
The Amazon Basics USB Type-C to USB 3.1 Gen1 adapter has a slightly shorter cable than our pick and comes only as a single piece, not in a multi-pack. And while some folks may prefer an adapter with no extension cable, we found the Syntech USB C to USB Adapter too easy to lose, and the connection a tad too tight.
Since our latest round of testing began, prices have started coming down on USB4 cables, which promise many of Thunderbolt 4’s benefits—including 8K display connectivity and 40 Gbps data-transfer speeds—for less money. We still recommend buying Thunderbolt 4 cables for use with Thunderbolt 4 docks and accessories, and most people who need fast data transfer are still better served by USB 3.1 Gen 2 cables, which are available at lower prices. USB4 will be worth considering instead once it begins to match USB 3.1 Gen 2 in pricing.
Meanwhile, Thunderbolt 5 is on the horizon. All Thunderbolt 5 cables will support 240 W charging regardless of their length, and data speeds will double to 80 Gbps for bidirectional data or 120 Gbps for connections to external displays. The first Thunderbolt 5 models are expected later this year, just when everyone has finally wrapped their head around current-gen connectivity formats.
This guide was edited by Signe Brewster and Caitlin McGarry.
Jared Newman has reviewed USB-C cables for Wirecutter and has spent the past 15 years covering consumer technology as a contributor to PCWorld, Time.com, Fast Company, TechHive, and other outlets. He also writes two tech advice newsletters with a combined audience of more than 40,000 readers.
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