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The humble cable is often the simplest and fastest way to charge your devices or move files from one device to another. But these ostensibly straightforward power and data conduits come in many shapes and sizes. Even cables that appear identical may perform differently when you plug them into your phone or laptop. Various connectors, specifications, charging rates, and data transfer speeds make for a confusing, messy scene.
Don't worry. We dived into the dreaded box of cables, identified the ones you need for different scenarios, and untangled them, ready for use. You'll find some advice here on USB-C, Lightning, and MicroUSB connectors, as well as a primer on everything you need to know about cables. After all, we're WIRED.
Updated April 2024: We added cables from Bluebonnet, Sharge, and Nomad, removed several discontinued cables, and updated prices throughout.
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There is something to be said for the simplicity of getting the most capable USB-C cable you possibly can, and right now, an Intel-certified Thunderbolt 4 cable like this one will meet all your needs. It carries 100 watts, enough to charge a laptop, and it can transfer data at up to 40 Gbps. It’s also capable of serving an 8K display (or two 4K displays). It supports both DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) and USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), including PPS, which enables fast charging for certain Samsung devices, and it is backward-compatible with all earlier standards.
The two shorter-length cables are passive, and the 6.6-foot cable is active. (Active cables have an extra chip inside to help them push data further without degradation.) I’ve been testing the two shorter cables and have yet to find anything they can’t do. The cables come with a one-year limited warranty in the US (lifetime limited warranty in the UK and a two-year limited warranty in the EU).
Length: 2.6, 3.3, or 6.6 feet. Supports 100 watts, 40 Gbps.
If you're looking for a USB-C to USB-C cable that can handle fast charging and speedy data transfers, look no further than the Anker Powerline II (USB 3.1 Gen 2 version). It is rated to carry 100 watts, meaning it can be used to power the beefiest MacBook Pro, and it can transmit data at up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). It's USB-IF certified, which means it has been tested to ensure it complies with standards set by the USB Implementers Forum, and it boasts a lifetime warranty. The downside? It's only 3 feet long.
Length: 3 feet. Supports 100 watts, 10 Gbps.
You can save a few dollars by going with this USB-C to USB-C cable, and you don’t have to sacrifice, because it is capable of 100-W charging and 10-Gbps data transfer. You can even use this cable to connect a laptop to a 4K display. So, what’s the catch? Well, it is very short, finished in plain black plastic, quite thick with relatively long connectors, and not very flexible. But these specs at this price make it a total bargain. It is also USB-IF certified and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Length: 1.64 or 3.28 feet. Supports 100 watts, 10 Gbps.
If you want to avoid contributing any more plastic to the world, these cables might tempt you. They boast an eco-friendly build with a flexible knit fabric finish crafted from certified recycled plastic and aluminum that looks (and feels) lovely and promises to last. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu has been using a few of these for years with zero issues. Available in three lengths with a two-year warranty, they charge at a rate that should be good enough for most portable devices, but they're slow for data transfer.
Length: 3.3, 6.6, or 9.9 feet. Supports 60 watts, 480 Mbps.
Most USB-C cables are dull and easy to lose in the tangle of your bag, or worse your box of cables. This fun cable from Sharge looks like what Chewy might pass you if you asked for a power coupling. Impossible to lose, this yellow cable has molded plastic ends in what Sharge calls a “cyberpunk style”. Although they look suitably sci-fi they are also quite big, which could be an issue if space is tight at the USB-C port you are using. When you plug something in to charge, both ends of the cable light up. It can charge phones, laptops, and maybe even droids, as it carries up to 240 watts, but it’s quite slow for data transfer. It also comes in purple or gray.
Length: 3.9 feet. Supports 240 watts, 480 Mbps.
You will never find yourself without a cable again if you slip this clever, compact, Swiss-designed multi-cable onto your key ring. It offers six charging combinations, with USB-C and USB-A on one end of the short braided cable, and Lightning, MicroUSB, and USB-C on the other. It can charge most devices at full speed and can be used for data transfer in a pinch. The USB-C connectors felt a little tight in some devices and the unusual Lightning and MicroUSB combination confused me at first, but it works. This improved version adds a cap to protect the connectors, but you must be careful not to misplace it. If you need a longer multi-cable, the InCharge XL ($29 to $39) is available in 1-, 6.6-, and 10-feet lengths.
Length: 5 inches. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps.
This cable matches our top pick on most features, with 40 Gbps data transfer and support for displays up to 8K at 60 Hz, but it also includes Extended Power Range support to charge Power Delivery devices at up to 240 watts. Some laptops top out at 100 watts anyway, so check before you buy, but for those that can handle the extra power this cable will be the speediest option. It’s also braided and tangle-resistant.
Length: 3.2 feet. Supports 240 watts, 40 Gbps.
Apple's cables are notoriously bad. The casing around the wires easily falls apart over a short period of time, so it's smart to invest in a durable USB-C to Lightning cable. This thick braided cable only comes in black and is reinforced with Kevlar for durability. There is a leather clip you can use for cable management, and the ridged finish on the connectors makes them easy to grip when unplugging. There are USB-C to Lightning and USB-C to USB-C versions, and both are Made for iPhone-certified (MFi), so they'll work perfectly with your iPhone or iPad. Caudabe offers a one-year warranty.
Length: 5 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps.
★ Another alternative: The Ugreen USB-C to Lightning Cable ($18) offers similar performance in a durable package with braided nylon and metal covers. It is MFi certified and comes in 3-, 6-, or 10-foot varieties.
Some devices with USB-C ports (certain camera accessories, portable battery packs, and other cheap gadgets) can only charge using a USB-A to USB-C cable instead of a USB-C to USB-C. Usually, this is because USB-C charging ports use the Power Delivery protocol and need to be told the required voltage by the device charging, which means it needs a controller chip. This USB-IF certified, braided nylon cable should do the trick and offers reasonably speedy charging and data transfer to boot.
Length: 3 or 6 feet. Supports 18 watts, 5 Gbps.
★ Alternative pick: The Cable Matters Gen 2 USB-A to USB-C cable ($10) is a good alternative if you want faster data transfer speeds (it maxes out at 10 Gbps), but it is limited to 15 watts for charging.
Some pets like to chew charging cables, and some people just seem to wear through cables faster than others. If you've been looking for a more durable option, this Fuse Chicken cable should do the trick. The cable combines aluminum sleeves with several layers of cable protection, including Kevlar and stainless steel chainmail. They are not as flexible as other cables and are relatively heavy and pricey. But Fuse Chicken does offer a lifetime warranty. I encouraged my cat to attack one of these cables (when it wasn't plugged in!), but it still works and is unscathed.
Length: 6.6 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps
★ Another alternative: The RUGD Rhino Power USB-C to USB-C (£11) is a solid option for folks in the UK. It has a braided nylon finish and can withstand a minimum of 100 kilograms of tension and 100,000 bends. It can also deliver up to 60 watts.
A long charging cable lets you place your devices wherever you want while charging (or continue using them without crouching at the outlet). This braided nylon cable from Anker is a durable option with a lifetime warranty. It is 10 feet long and can go up to 100 watts, which is enough to fast-charge practically any laptop, phone, or tablet, and it comes with a handy cable tie. You can get it in black or white, but I like the red, as it is easy to spot and less of a tripping hazard.
Length: 10 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps
Avoid tangles with this clever retractable cable from Baseus. Available in a few fun colors, this flat cable comes rolled up inside a circular case. Pull the USB-C ends and you can fix it at preset lengths (1.1, 1.9, 2.7, or 3.3 feet). When you’re done, simply pull and release it to have the cable coil back up inside the case.
Length: 3.3 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps.
When you have multiple devices with varied charging ports, you often need multiple charging cables, but this clever offering from Smartish packs three connection types into one. It is technically USB-A to MicroUSB, but there's an adapter at the tip that converts it to USB-C or Lightning. It has a durable fabric finish in a choice of four colors and can charge most of your gadgets at top speed. WIRED review editor Julian Chokkattu has used it to juice up a range of devices, from wireless keyboards to a Fire tablet. It's also MFi certified for Apple devices.
Length: 6 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps.
This cable combines a couple of unusual features that could prove handy. It comes with three magnetic tips (USB-C, Lightning, and MicroUSB) that are designed to stay put in your chosen devices. The cable has a USB-C connector at one end and connects magnetically to the tips at the other. The magnetic end also sports a swiveling head that can rotate through 180 degrees. It is braided nylon with metal connectors and feels very durable. Just be careful where you use them, because the magnetic tips are tough to remove once inserted into a device.
Length: 4 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps.
If you are curious about the charging rate of a device, this USB-C to USB-C cable from Baseus can tell you. It sports a tiny blue LED display that's built into one of the ends, and when you plug it in, the charging rate pops up in watts. When I measured it against my digital USB tester, it appeared accurate, though it rounds up to the nearest whole watt. It maxes out at 100 watts, so it can fast-charge most gadgets but is not a good pick for data transfer. The braided nylon finish and metal ends feel durable.
Length: 3.3 or 6.6 feet. Supports 100 watts, 480 Mbps.
Making cables from recycled plastics is good, but Bluebonnet (Austin-based studio named after the Texas state flower) has taken a different approach to eco-friendly cables by making them out of naturally biodegradable wheat straw. It promises these cables are still good for 50,000 plus bends after extensive testing and they come in plastic-free packaging. I love the dappled blue finish and the cream ends, as they make it easy to pick this cable out of the crowd. It’s nothing special performance-wise, offering up to 60-watt charging and relatively slow data transfer.
Length: 4 feet. Supports 60 watts, 480 Mbps.
If you’re looking for a way to plug your USB-C device into a monitor or TV, this adapter can help. The USB-C to HDMI cables and adapters scene is a minefield for compatibility, so do your research first to ensure you get something that works. Provided your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone supports DP (DisplayPort) Alt Mode, you can use this adapter to switch to HDMI 2.1 (you will still need an HDMI cable). It’s a durable aluminum adapter with a braided cable, and it supports 8K at 30Hz or 4K at 120Hz. It can also handle 4K at 144Hz if the USB-C source is DP 1.4 and the monitor is HDMI 2.1, but it is limited to 4K at 60Hz for Macs. The adapter supports HDR and is lag-free, making it a solid choice for hooking up to the latest gaming monitors, though sadly, it does not support VRR, FreeSync, or G-Sync. We recommend you check compatibility before you buy.
Folks looking to add connectivity to a laptop using the USB-C port should consider this compact and versatile hub from Anker. It tops our Best USB Hubs and Docks guide because it plugs in via the attached USB-C cable to give you two USB-A 3.0 ports, an HDMI output, and a full-size and MicroSD card reader. Using HDMI, you can get 4K video output at 30 Hz or 1080p at 60 Hz.
Keeping cables neat and orderly, ready to grab and plug in when you need them, requires a little help. I’ve tested various cable management options, and these simple clips from Syncwire are my favorites. You get five stick-on strips in the pack with between one and five slots for holding cable ends neatly in place. They stay put, hold your cables securely, and are fairly unobtrusive.
★ Alternative pick: I use the Smartish Cable Wrangler ($30) on my desktop to stop cable ends from disappearing off the back of my desk. It works great with metal connectors, but for some cables, you must attach a special cable collar that sticks magnetically (you get three in the box).
There are so many cables out there, and plenty of solid options did not make the cut. Here are a few I’ve tested and liked.
Cables are usually included in the box for whatever device you purchase. These are generally capable of charging the device at the maximum rate. Keep it safe, keep it simple, and if it is unmarked, consider labeling it.
Check your device's standards. Look for a cable that matches your needs. For example, if your device supports Power Delivery, then get a PD cable. Remember: The charging adapter also must support the same standards. We have more details about standards at the bottom of this guide.
You can use USB-C for displays. Manufacturers will state the data transfer speed or list support for 4K or 8K video on select cables. That means you can just use a USB-C to USB-C cable to transmit video from your laptop to your monitor. You should consider DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) support, as this enables you to hook up displays and video sources that support DisplayPort.
It is safe to use your phone while it is charging, but it will charge at a slower rate. Heat is also bad for battery health, so it is best to take a break when your phone feels warm.
Poorly made cables can overheat and start fires. To boost your chances of buying a dependable cable, look for USB-IF certification or stick to trustworthy brands like Anker, Cable Matters, or Syncwire.
With various standards and charging technologies at work, it is much harder than it should be to work out what a cable can do. There are a few things worth knowing when shopping.
USB Standards: The Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard dates to 1996 but has seen many new standards, revisions, and connector types in the years since. Instead of running through all of them here, we try to highlight what matters.
Connectors: While USB-C is mercifully becoming a standard connection type, you want cables with connectors that fit your existing devices. Today, that still might mean USB-A, Lightning, or even MicroUSB. Remember that the capabilities of any cable are limited to its oldest connection type.
Data: The data transfer speed is always in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (Gbps). You'll know the speed a cable should be capable of by the standard:
Power: While cable manufacturers always list the maximum charging rate, your device will determine how much power to draw, so it's important to know what standards it supports and combine your cable with the correct power adapter. The charging rate of a cable is measured in Watts (W). Sometimes manufacturers will list specifications on the cable in tiny print. If there’s no W listed, you can calculate it by multiplying the voltage (V) and the current (A), assuming they are listed.
Basic USB-C cables are passive and can only carry up to 60W. Cables that can carry 100W or more, sometimes described as active, must contain e-marker chips that identify the cable and its capabilities.
The Power Delivery (PD) standard is as close as we have to a common standard. A few manufacturers, like OnePlus, Oppo, and Xiaomi, still have proprietary charging standards. Then there's Qualcomm’s Quick Charge (QC) standard, which was the most popular for phones for many years, although Quick Charge 4+ supports PD. Even PD has a variant called Programmable Power Supply (PPS), which is part of the USB PD 3.0 standard. PPS allows for real-time adjustments to maximize efficiency and charge phones like Samsung's Galaxy S22 range at up to 45W instead of the usual 18W. The latest addition to PD is Extended Power Range (EPR), which allows USB-C cables to carry up to 240 watts (they used to be limited to 100W).
Thunderbolt was a proprietary interface developed by Intel and Apple, but it's now open for royalty-free use (still certified by Intel). With Thunderbolt 3, the standard adopted the USB-C connector and is capable of data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps and can deliver 100 watts of power using the PD standard. Thunderbolt 4 brings various improvements mostly related to the video signal (support for two 4K displays or an 8K display). It also supports the USB 4 standard and is backward compatible with previous standards.
Uv Resistant Cable Tie Cable Certification: There are a few types of cable certification. When a cable is certified, that usually means it was independently tested and conforms to specific standards. It gives you, as a buyer, peace of mind that your cable performs as the manufacturer claims. Certification can be expensive, so many cable manufacturers shun it, but that doesn’t necessarily mean their cables are poor quality. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing USB technology. Run by members like Apple, Google, HP, Microsoft, and Intel, it sets specifications and offers certification. If a cable is certified by the USB-IF, it has been tested to ensure it complies with its standards. Apple has its own Made for iPhone (MFi) certification for Lightning cables. Intel certifies Thunderbolt cables. Certified cables usually have the relevant logo on the connector (for example, Thunderbolt cables have a lightning bolt).