The Best USB-C Cables for Your Phone, Tablet, or Laptop
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Best Overall USB-C to USB-C CableCable Matters USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4Read more
Another Good USB-C to USB-C CableAnker USB 4 Gen 2 Bio-Based CableRead more
Best Budget USB-C to USB-C CableMonoprice USB-C to USB-C Select Series 3.1 Gen 2 Read more
Best USB-C to USB-C Charging CableAnker Prime USB-C to USB-C CableRead more
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 various 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 November 2024: We added cables from Anker, Scosche, UGreen, and Native Union, added specs tables for each entry, removed several older picks, and updated prices throughout.
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- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Overall USB-C to USB-C Cable
Cable Matters USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 4There 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 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).
Specs Length: 2.6, 3.3, or 6.6 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 40 Gbps Warranty: 12 months (US) - Photograph: Simon Hill
Another Good USB-C to USB-C Cable
Anker USB 4 Gen 2 Bio-Based CableIf you're looking for a USB-C to USB-C cable that can handle fast charging and speedy data transfers, look no further than this Anker cable (USB 4 Gen 2). It is rated to carry 240 watts, meaning it can power the beefiest MacBook Pro and transmits data at up to 20 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. Anker describes it as bio-based because around 40 percent of the exterior is made from corn and sugarcane. The downside? It's only 3 feet long.
Specs Length: 3 feet Charging: 240 watts Data: 20 Gbps Warranty: 18 months
- Photograph: Monoprice
Best Budget USB-C to USB-C Cable
Monoprice USB-C to USB-C Select Series 3.1 Gen 2You 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-watt 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 USB-IF certified and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Specs Length: 1.64 or 3.28 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 10 Gbps Warranty: Lifetime - Photograph: Simon Hill
Best USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable
Anker Prime USB-C to USB-C CablePerhaps you just want a cable that will charge all of your gadgets at the maximum possible speed and you don’t care about data transfer. If so, the Anker Prime is the USB-C cable for you. The braided nylon exterior is tough and made from 100 percent recycled plastic. Anker promises this cable will last a century and it can operate in temperatures from -40 degrees to 176 degrees Fahrenheit. I love the ribbed cuffs, because they make it easier to grip for plugging and unplugging. It is USB-IF certified and comes with a lifetime warranty.
Specs Length: 3 or 6 feet Charging: 240 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: Lifetime
- Photograph: Nimble
Best Eco-Friendly Cable
Nimble PowerKnit USB-C to USB-CIf 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.
Specs Length: 3.3, 6.6, or 9.9 feet Charging: 60 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 24 months - Photograph: Simon Hill
A Cyberpunk Cable
Sharge Phantom Charging CableMost 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.
Specs Length: 3.9 feet Charging: 240 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 6 months
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Key Ring Cable
Rolling Square InCharge X 6-in-1 CableYou 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-foot lengths.
Specs Length: 5 inches Charging: 100 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 24 months - Photograph: Simon Hill
Best for Laptops
Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Pro CableThis 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.
Specs Length: 3.2 feet Charging: 240 watts Data: 40 Gbps Warranty: 12 months
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best USB-C to Lightning Cable
UGreen USB-C to Lightning CableApple'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 feels tough and is Made for iPhone-certified (MFi), so will work perfectly with your iPhone or iPad. There are USB-C to Lightning and USB-C to USB-C versions.
Specs Length: 3, 6, or 10 feet Charging: 60 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 24 months - Photograph: UGreen
Best USB-A to USB-C Cable
UGreen USB-C to USB-A Cable 3.0Some 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.
Specs Length: 3 or 6 feet Charging: 18 watts Data: 5 Gbps Warranty: 24 months
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Most Durable USB-C Cable
Fuse Chicken Armour ChargeSome 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.
Specs Length: 6.6 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 12 months - Photograph: Anker
Best Long USB-C Cable
Anker New Nylon USB-C to USB-CA 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.
Specs Length: 10 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: Lifetime
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Best Retractable Cable
Baseus Mini Retractable USB-C CableAvoid 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.
Specs Length: 3.3 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 18 months - Photograph: Smartish
Best Multi-Connector Cable
Smartish Crown Joule 3-in-1 CableWhen 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.
Specs Length: 6 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: Lifetime
- Photograph: Simon Hill
Charging Rate Display
Baseus USB-C Cable With LED DisplayIf 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.
Specs Length: 3.3 or 6.6 feet Charging: 100 watts Data: 480 Mbps Warranty: 18 months - Photograph: Cable Matters
Best USB-C to HDMI
Cable Matters USB-C to HDMI 2.1 AdapterIf 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.
Specs Length: 5.9 inches Data: 48 Gbps
- Photograph: Anker
Best USB-C Hub
Anker 5-in-1 USB-C HubFolks looking to add connectivity to a laptop using the USB-C port should consider this compact and versatile hub from Anker. It is an affordable option in our Best USB Hubs and Docks guide that 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.
- Photograph: Syncwire
Best Cable Tidy
Syncwire Mini Cable Clip HoldersKeeping 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).
Photograph: Simon HillHonorable Mentions
Other Good USB-C CablesThere 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.
- Scosche Strikeline Premium USB-C Cable for $25: This braided cable comes in various lengths all the way up to the 10-foot cable I tested, and it’s a good alternative to our best long cable above if data transfer is more important to you than charging speed because it offers 5 Gbps data speeds, but only 60 watts for charging.
- Ugreen Uno USB-C Cable for $13: I love the smiley-faced Uno line from UGreen, but I assumed the display on this cable would show the charging rate. It does not. It just displays smiley eyes when charging and changes when fully charged. I tested the 6.6-foot cable, but it also comes in 1.6-, 3.3-, or 10-foot lengths. It feels durable and is reasonably priced, but is rated at a very ordinary 100 watts and 480 Mbps.
- Native Union Pocket Cable for $30: This wee braided USB-C to USB-C cable is perfect for slipping on a keyring to ensure you are never caught without a cable. It’s a nice design with braided cables, but you only get around 7 inches and it maxes out at 60 watts. It is built to last from recycled materials, USB-IF certified, and comes with a lifetime warranty.
- Caudabe ChargeFlex for $25: This was our Lightning recommendation and it's still good, but the price has gone up and there's no need to spend this much. It is a thick braided cable 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.
- Cable Matters Gen 2 USB-A to USB-C cable for $10: This is a good alternative to our pick above if you want faster data transfer speeds (it maxes out at 10 Gbps), but it is limited to 15 watts for charging.
- Bluebonnet Eco-Friendly Charging Cable for $20: Bluebonnet (an Austin-based studio named after the Texas state flower) made this cable from naturally biodegradable wheat straw. It promises 50,000 plus bends and uses plastic-free packaging. I love the dappled blue finish and the cream ends. 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 480 Mbps data transfer.
- RUGD Rhino Power USB-C to USB-C for £11: This is a solid option for folks in the UK seeking a tough cable. 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.
- Nomad USB-C Cable for $30: This Kevlar-reinforced, braided cable feels durable, charges at up to 100 watts with a Power Delivery charger, and comes with a handy silicone cable tie, but it’s a USB 2.0 cable, so tops out at 480 Mbps for data transfer. I also tried the Nomad Universal Cable ($35), a USB-C to USB-C cable with slide-on connectors for USB-A or MicroUSB. It’s versatile but the connectors are stiff and you must be careful to slot them on securely for it to work properly. Both are good, if a little pricey.
- Casetify Powerthru USB-C to Lightning Cable for $28: This tough, braided cable comes in some fun colors (most notably cotton candy), but it’s kinda pricey for a 100-watt charging cable.
- Iniu Braided USB-C Cable for $9: This is a cheap, 6.6-foot USB-C to USB-C charging cable that tops out at 100 watts. Data transfer is only 480 Mbps. One end lights up green when it’s charging.
- Anker Powerline III for $10: This cable is slim, but durable, with textured USB-C heads that make it easy to grip when removing. While it can go up to 100 watts for charging, it is—somewhat confusingly—not as good as the Powerline II for data transfer because it maxes out at 480 Mbps.
- Baseus 2-in-1 USB-C Cable for $13: We like the idea of a single USB-C at one end and two at the other, allowing you to charge two devices at up to 100 watts from a single cable. Sadly, the splitter section is bulky, some devices we plugged in were slow to charge, and data transfer maxes out at 480 Mbps. The linked cable is 4.9 feet long, but you can get 3.3-feet and 10-feet lengths.
- Lindy USB 3.2 Type C to C Cable for $22: These active cables are suitable for hooking monitors up to your computer, and they support up to 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz. They also support DisplayPort 1.4. I tested the longer 3- and 5-meter variants that max out at 60 watts for Power Delivery and 10 Gbps for data (but they’re out of stock). The shorter cable linked here can go up to 20 Gbps. They work well and feel durable, but they’re a bit pricey.
- Satechi USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable for $20: Gear from Satechi always has a classy look, and its braided nylon cables are no exception. This one is 6.5 feet, has a Velcro strap, and is capable of 100-watt charging, with support for PD and QC. Sadly, data transfer is limited to 480 Mbps. I also tested Satechi’s equally good-looking 6-foot USB-C to Lightning Charging Cable ($25).
- Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Transfer Cable for $60: This active Thunderbolt 4 USB-C to USB-C cable matches our top pick with support for 100-watt charging and data transfers up to 40 Gbps. It is 6.6 feet long and comes with a two-year warranty.
- Belkin Boost Charge USB-C for $7: This cable maxes out at 12 watts and 480 Mbps. The basic PVC finish is the cheapest, but you can opt for braided nylon too; both come in black or white at 3.3 or 6.6 feet. These cables are USB-IF certified and work as advertised (I've been using one in the car for the last few months).
Photograph: Alex Livinsky/Getty ImagesCable Advice
Tips and TricksCables 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.
Photograph: Drew Mauck/Getty ImagesOther Things You Need to Know
Cables ExplainedWith 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:
- USB 2.0 supports 480 Mbps
- USB 3.0 supports 5 Gbps
- USB 3.1 supports 10 Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen 1 supports 5 Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen 2 supports 10 Gbps
- USB 3.2 Gen 3 supports 20 Gbps
- USB 4.0 supports 40 Gbps
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 60 watts. Cables that can carry 100 watts 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 45 watts instead of the usual 18. 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 100 watts).
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.
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.)
