Best USB-C cables | Android Central

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At a glance1. Best overall2. Best for iPhone3. Best cheap cable4. Best cheap cable for iPhone5. Best premium cable6. Best premium cable for iPhone7. Best short cable8. Best durability9. Best styleFAQHow to choose

Searching for the best USB-C cable doesn't have to be a headache. We're here to help you choose the right one and discover the difference between a USB-C wire and another. The winning option will depend on what's most important to you, but the good news is that you have various options to choose from. You can also learn what makes a Type-C cable better than the rest and all the essential bits, such as wattage, length, and data transfer speeds.

So whether you're trying to juice up one of the best Android phones or connect to your car's Android Auto with a cable, the best USB-C cables money can buy are below.

Now that the iPhone 16 series comes with USB-C, you can grab one of the best USB-C cables for iPhones. Remember that the base iPhone 16 and 16 Plus support USB 2.0 with 480Mbps data transfer. Meanwhile, the iPhone Pro and Pro Max support USB 3.2 Gen 2 with 10Gbps data transfer.

Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart knickknacks. After writing about consumer tech for nearly a decade, she has become an expert in the Android accessories space. She spends her free time guzzling coffee, writing some more, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends.

Best overall

Best overall

The Anker USB 4 Gen 2 cable earns the top spot on our list of the best USB-C cables thanks to its USB-IF certification, 18-month warranty, 20Gbps transfer speeds, and charging speeds of up to 240W. This can be used with both Android and iPhone devices.

Read more below.

Best for iPhone

Best for iPhone

Apple also offers the iPhone 16 USB-C. If you want to take advantage of the port on both the base and Plus models and the upper-tier Pro and Pro Max variants, the UGREEN USB-C to USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Cable is perfect.

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Best cheap cable

Best cheap cable

Don't worry about the brand name here, Amazon Basics still produces some reliable cables for cheap. This one is three feet long and boasts 10 Gbps data transfer speeds.

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Best cheap cable for iPhone

Best cheap cable for iPhone

CONMDEX gives you an amazing deal with the USB 3.1 Gen 2 Android Auto USB-C Cable. There are two wires in the box, and you can choose among 1, 2, 3.3, 6.6, and 10-foot options. This is the cheapest Type-C cable for the iPhone 15 lineup as well.

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Best premium cable

Best premium cable

With the Chamer Thunderbolt 4, you get what you pay for, which includes 40 Gbps and 240W speeds, 4K/5K video output, and up to 6.6 feet of length.

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Best premium cable for iPhone

Best premium cable for iPhone

Cable Matters has an excellent selection of premium, long-lasting cables with high specifications. The 20Gbps USB C to USB C Cable with USB-C 3.2 is the ideal premium cable for any USB-C phone or other compatible device.

Read more below.

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Best short cable

Best short cable

If you just need something short to reach from your desk to your device, this 2.6-foot cable is a stellar choice, complete with 100W charging and 8K video output.

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Best durability

Best durability

Just as sturdy as it is reliable, this USB-C cable from UGREEN boasts 240W support, Power Delivery 3.1, and six feet of length, plus it's quite reasonably-priced.

Read more below.

Best style

Best style

Available in two color varieties, including a stylish red, the Anker Powerline Plus also features 5Gbps data transferring and double-braided nylon construction.

Read more below.

Our expert review:

If you want the best specs and high data speeds within a reasonable budget, you want the Anker USB 4 Gen 2 cable. This technology can support up to 20Gbps data speeds on Android phones and compatible iPhones. It also includes a 4K video transmission and up to 240W charging speeds. The Anker Powerline II USB-C to USB-C cable can give you exactly that.

This three-foot-long cable from Anker may look bland and unremarkable, but its spec sheet makes this a worthwhile purchase. You can rely on that USB-IF certification for safety, even if it doesn't have the most robust build. As this is an E-Marked wire, you can rest assured that it'll deliver the fastest charging speed with your 60W or 100W USB-C charger.

Another plus is that Anker issues an 18-month warranty with the Powerline II. Whether you need to charge your smartphone, laptop, or Chromebook, this Type-C wire is the optimal choice. I wish this cable came in various colors, like the adorable Anker Flow series of USB-C wires.

Our expert review:

The iPhone 16 and the iPhone 16 Plus feature a USB-C connector that supports USB 2 for up to 480MB. The iPhone 16 Pro and the Pro Max come with a USB-C connector that supports USB 3 for up to 10Gbps.

Naturally, these specifications are useless unless you get the right cable. It doesn't make sense to get an ancient USB profile like USB 2.0. Instead, get something future-proof like the value-packed UGREEN USB-C to USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 Cable. Not only can it deliver the highest 10Gbps transfer speeds to the Pro and Pro Max iPhone 16 models, but it's also an e-marked cable.

E-marked cables or 5A USB-C cables can take loads over 60W, all the way up to 240W. So you can fast charge other devices such as Chromebooks or MacBooks with this. It also has Thunderbolt 3, which is a sweet benefit.

Our expert review:

Amazon Basics caters to the budget side of USB-C cables, and you'd be surprised how decent the brand's offering is. This one-foot-long USB Type-C to USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 Cable comes in two plain shades: dark gray or silver.

The Amazon cable supports 5V and 3A power output, which equals a 15W charging speed. While you don't get crazy fast charging speeds, transferring files is swift business thanks to USB 3.1 Gen 2 bundles with USB 3.0 and 2.0 backward compatibility. Impressively, the Amazon Basics C-to-A wire is capable of up to 10Gbps transfer speeds, and it is USB-IF Certified.

As USB-A is already pretty outdated, it's okay that you can't use the Amazon Basics cord with monitors, and there are no fancy extras like Qualcomm's QC fast charging tech. Chances are, you'll only use this cable to move media and files to an older device and not for charging purposes. From that perspective, this basic Type-C to A cable provides some value for your coin.

Our expert review:

It's hard to believe that the CONMDEX USB 3.1 Gen 2 Android Auto USB-C Cable costs so little. For less than $15, you get a set of two USB-C to USB-A wires that are perfectly compatible with the iPhone 16's lower-specced 480Mbps and higher-specced 10Gbps data transfer speeds.

According to CONMDEX, this USB 3.1 Gen 2 Type-C cord is nylon braided and has an 18-month Breakage Assurance. You can use it in your car with Android Auto or top up your iPhone with it. The cables support QC 3.0 for fast charging.

There are plenty of sizes and colors available to purchase. You can get a two-pack in 1, 2, 3.3, 6.6, and 10-foot options. The assortment of shades available ranges from dark hues like black and gray to bright colors such as orange, blue, green, red, and white, so you can even match it to your car.

Our expert review:

The Chamer Thunderbolt 4 cable offers super-fast data transfer speeds of up to 40Gbps and charging outputs of up to 240W. It connects to Thunderbolt 4 hosts, which isn't something you'll find in your everyday bargain-bin USB-C wires.

The Thunderbolt 4 USB-C cord boasts a nylon braided plus aluminum alloy shell, which looks fantastic. You can buy this Type-C cable in 3-foot and 6.6-foot lengths. As is the case with most of these awesome wires, you only get a single-color model. This cord works with both Android and iOS phones that have Type-C ports.

The USB-C cable promises to deliver video output in 5K and 8K resolutions. If you need a versatile wire to juice up your USB-C devices and hook up your monitor, the Belkin Thunderbolt 4 is a great choice. But keep in mind that the short version is a 3-foot option, so this is only for short distances, but it's perfect for use in your home office.

Our expert review:

Cable Matters makes some of the best cables and cords on the planet. This 20Gbps USB C to USB C Cable with USB-C 3.2 is highly versatile because it has many high-end USB specifications. First, it's a USB-C 3.2 type-C wire, so of course, it supports the iPhone 16 Pro and Pro Max's 10Gbps data speeds.

You can also use this 3-foot cable to stream video, supporting 4K video at 120Hz and 8K at 30Hz. While a 6-foot option is available, it does not have the same specs and limits data transfer speeds to 5Gbps, so it's essential to take note of this trade-off if you need something longer.

The good news is that the Cable Matters 10Gbps USB C to USB C Cable has a high rating. Because this is a PD e-marked 5A cable, you can charge at speeds as high as 240W. We just wish it had Thunderbolt 4 to complete the picture.

Our expert review:

This unassuming black cable boasts the cutting-edge USB 4 spec, so it can also support 40Gbps data speeds at a fantastic price. Cable Matters also included Thunderbolt 3 and 4 support and backward compatibility for USB 3.2, 3.1, and 2.0. The wire is also USB-IF Certified, making it a surefire-compatible cable for Android and iOS devices.

With such an advanced USB-C wire in your hands, transferring media files or large chunks of data will be reduced to a considerably lower time frame. You can use the Cable Matters USB4 Cable to charge devices up to 240W, so things like your laptop will likely top up exceedingly fast.

Cable Matters also added support for 8K and 4K high-res videos. Hook it up with your compatible monitor and enjoy crispy footage with this compact, future-proof cable. Again, this cable only comes in a single hue. If you find the 2.6-foot length too short, another size option measures 3.3 feet, but it costs a few more dollars.

Our expert review:

Are you looking for something that can handle insane charging speeds without setting your house on fire? Try the UGREEN USB-C Cable, which is rated for 240W speeds. This e-marked USB-C cable is resilient in more ways than one, owing to the nylon braiding in its design. Thanks to such sturdy construction, breakage will be a far-off dream.

This UGREEN cable also includes Power Delivery 3.1. It can stretch out across six feet, allowing you to sit comfortably while charging your phone. In addition, it's compatible with many devices, such as laptops and tablets.

The one caveat of this cheerfully cheap Type-C cable is its USB 2.0 specification. With USB 2.0, you won't get higher than 480Mbps data transfer speeds. While no modern Android phone has such a dated cable, the two basic iPhone 16 and 16 Plus phones have a USB 2.0 Type-C port with this limited data speed. Like Anker, this USB-C to USB-C cable is limited to a single colorway.

Our expert review:

Anker has mastered the craft of charging solutions, whether chargers, cables, wireless charging pads, or anything else. I've used the brand's products for years, and none has ever failed me. You know you're getting a quality product with the Anker Powerline+ USB-C to USB-A cable.

Usually, Anker's products are in the mid-to-upper-tier price bracket. Since the Powerline+ USB-C to USB-A cable is an older model, I'm pleased to report that it is delightfully cheap now. You get a heavy-duty double-braided cord available in six-foot and three-foot measurements. You can get the Anker Powerline+ in a standard black and grey color combo, but a second red colorway is sure to excite you.

Aesthetics aside, this USB 3.0 Type-C to USB-A wire can handle 5Gbps data transfer speeds, and you get Anker's lifetime warranty. You won't get more than 15W charging speeds, but it's still an excellent cable for the price. You won't benefit from this cord if you're a Pro or Pro Max iOS user, but plenty of other devices are limited to 5Gbps or lower speeds.

A USB-C cable is essentially any cable with a 24-pin USB connector, developed by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF), a foundation that regulates, develops, and advocates for all things USB worldwide.

A USB-C cable can deliver power and transfer data to compatible devices with a Type-C port. These include phones, tablets, accessories, laptops, monitors, and gaming devices like the Oculus Quest 2. Thanks to the EU's strict policy, all iPhones—including the recently released iPhone 16—will have USB-C ports.

Not all USB-C cables are the same, as the amount of power they can deliver and the speed of data transfer vary. Since the wattage—aka amps multiplied by volts—differs across these cables, not every USB-C wire is compatible with fast charging.

Also, some Type-C wires have a C connector on both ends. This is what we call a USB-C to USB-C cable. Meanwhile, the other sort has your typical USB-A connector on one end and a USB-C connector on the other. Generally, C-to-C cables are faster than USB-C to USB-A cables for charging and data transfer.

Next, you need to know that the length of a Type-C wire is another variable factor. The maximum possible length of a USB-C cable depends on its specifications. After you've understood the different specifications found in USB-C cables, I'll explain that in depth below. Some of them overlap, so let's go over a few things real quick:

You can't go wrong with an Anker USB 4 Gen 2 cable, even if it isn't equipped with the latest and greatest specifications like the Cable Matters USB4 Cable. Normal people don't need such an advanced wire, which is why the Anker USB 4 Gen 2 cable Cable is more than sufficient for all your needs.

Anker's USB-IF Certified cable features USB 3.1 Gen 2, so you get impressive 10 Gbps data transfer speeds and 4K video support. The 100W Type-C cable charges the best Chromebooks at full speed. If you're looking for more colorful options, there's the Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C Cable. However, you'll have to forgo most of the best features of a stellar USB-C wire if you're gunning for style alone.

As USB-C has become the industry standard, having a durable cable you can use for everything is more than convenient; it's an investment. For a more durable wire, grab the Baseus 100W PD USB-C Cable or the 20W USB-C to USB-C cable from UGREEN. Both nylon braided cords are robust and sure to last you many years. Also, they both share that generous six-foot length at such a low price point.

While C-to-A doesn't offer nearly the same speeds as C-to-C Power Delivery 3.0, it's worth keeping some C-to-A cables around. Most computers and chargers we already own have USB-A ports but might not have USB-C ports.

If you're in the market for one, the Anker Powerline+ USB-C to USB-A Cable is a no-brainer. You get USB 3.0 that delivers fast 5 Gbps data transfers; it comes in two colors, the price is really low, and the entire cord is reinforced with a double-braided nylon exterior.

Because USB-C Power Delivery allows for higher charging speeds, when you're using the best USB-C charger, you should trust your devices with only the best USB-C cables. There's nothing more future-proof than a PD 3.0 wire.

Since it's part of USB 3.1, you know you'll get up to 10 Gbps data transfer speeds. If you're planning on plugging your cable into a 60W USB-C charger or above, a 3A cable won't do. Grab something that has an e-marker chip so you know it can handle up to 100W of power passing through it safely.

Remember, if your USB 3.1 cable is more than one meter long, you won't be able to use all of its features properly. Purchase a USB-C cable that measures one meter or three feet long if you want to tap into your cable's full potential.

When they break, charging cables can fry your device or start a fire. Back in the early days, you had to be extra sure your cables were adequately made. These days, USB-C cables have reached a safe, stable standard (for the most part). So whether you need a USB-A port on the other end or you've gone full USB-C to USB-C, there are great, safe USB-C cables to be had out there without spending an arm and a leg!

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Namerah enjoys geeking out over accessories, gadgets, and all sorts of smart tech. She spends her time guzzling coffee, writing, casual gaming, and cuddling with her furry best friends. Find her on Twitter @NamerahS.

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