Best USB-C charging cables for iPhone, iPad and Mac | Macworld

USB-C is the modern connection standard shared by most new devices today. It comes in several different formats but they all have the same reversible connector at the end. By the end of 2023, most of Apple’s devices will use USB-C for charging and data transfers.

Lightning was also reversible—where it doesn’t matter which side of the connector faces up or down as you plug it in—so no big change there, but USB-C is much more than just a symmetrical design.

It can transfer data faster—pushing Lightning’s 0.48Gbps to up to 40Gbps (USB4 and Thunderbolt use the same Type-C connector), and next year to 120Gbps.

Apple’s iPhone 15 has a USB-C port, replacing the old trusty but proprietary Lightning cable that has been a part of iPhones and older iPads since 2012. Apple supplies a USB-C charging cable in the box, but if you want a single cable for fast charging and data transfers—or just a spare charging cable—we’ve rounded up some of our favorites to help you get the best one.

Some are fast, some are super-powerful, a couple are retractable, and some are just fun. Yes… fun!

Foundry

Foundry

Foundry

Note that the cables reviewed here are USB-C to USB-C (or backward-compatible Thunderbolt to Thunderbolt). Old iPhone chargers had the non-reversible rectangular USB-A connector to connect to the charger and a Lightning connector that went into the iPhone.

Foundry

Foundry

Foundry

Using a USB-C charger will enable fast charging even for iPhones with a Lightning port. You can still charge an Apple device with a USB-A charger but not at the fastest speed. From the iPhone 15 onwards it’s USB-C into the charger and USB-C into the iPhone. See our roundup of the best USB-C chargers for iPhone.

We have even more tips that show you the fastest ways to charge an iPhone.

Not all USB-C cables offer the same capabilities, so we explain each factor you need to consider. Fear not, for basic iPhone charging most USB-C cables will be fine. But some are finer than others. Macs use Thunderbolt cables that have the same Type-C connector as USB-C so look the same but have faster data transfer and charging speed options. You can use a Thunderbolt cable to charge USB-C devices, too.

Apple ships a USB-C Charge Cable with the newest iPhones but Mac users need to buy a Thunderbolt cable to connect to a docking station or fast storage device. Having a spare cable or two hanging around the house or office is always advisable—and there are better, cheaper, and more colorful USB-C and Thunderbolt cables than just those sold by Apple.

We’ve focused on USB-C charging cables as most people need them just to attach to a USB-C charger, but cables offer both charging and data transfers, although at different capabilities, depending on your requirements.

Charging: All USB-C cables can carry a minimum of 60W (3A x 20V). Some support 100W (5A x 20V) charging, and some new Thunderbolt 4 cables can charge at up to 240W. 60W is more than you need for a phone and is perfect for the MacBook Air and 13-inch MacBook Pro. Go for at least a 100W cable for the 14-inch MacBook Pro. While 100W is fine for a 16-inch MacBook Pro, that model can be charged at up to 140W, although Apple restricts fast-charging for that model to its own $49/£49 USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable, which is included with the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Apple says that the iPhone 15 can be fast-charged from zero to 50% in 30 minutes using at least a 20W USB-C power adapter, which is the same speed the iPhone 14 got via Lightning. SO, we don’t expect that the new iPhone 15 family will charge any faster than earlier models.

Length: A long cable can be messy when your device is close to the charger, but a short one could leave your iPhone dangling out of reach. You may need different lengths of USB-C cable for each of your charging spaces. When it comes to transferring data, choose a cable that’s as short as you need as the longer the cable, the greater the risk of signal degradation—invest in a Thunderbolt 4 cable for 2m data-strength confidence.

Data transfer speed: iPhones with Lightning ports are limited to a slow USB 2.0 data transfer rate of just 480Mbps (480 megabits per second). Compare that to your Mac, whose Thunderbolt connection can reach 40Gbps—over 8,000% faster! Data transfer speed doesn’t matter if all you are doing is charging a device but it is vital when connecting your Apple device to storage drives, docking stations, or monitors.

While the entry-level iPad is also limited to 480Mbps, the iPad Pro, like a MacBook, supports Thunderbolt’s 40Gbps maximum. The iPhone 15 and 15 Plus features USB-C that is limited to 480Mbps like with Lightning, but the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max’s USB-C can sync at 10Gbps—useful for backing up video or photos to a computer.

Note that the USB-C cable Apple supplies with the iPhone 15 family is a “Charge” cable and limited to 480Mbps for syncing. If you use the Pro or Pro Max model with a cable for data transfer, you’ll do better with a 10Gbps or higher bandwidth cable.

iPhones have included either a USB-C to Lightning cable (USB-C-to-Lightning) or even older USB-A to Lightning (USB-A-to-USB-C) for years, and elsewhere we have rounded up the best Lightning cables we’ve seen for iPhones older than the iPhone 15. USB-A is the larger, non-reversible connector. USB-C is required for fast charging.

From the iPhone 15 onwards and also with the AirPods Pro 2, you’ll need a cable with USB-C on both ends (USB-C-to-USB-C) to charge an iPhone unless you charge wirelessly—check out the best MagSafe wireless iPhone chargers. Apple supplies a USB-C-to-USB-C cable with all new iPhones, which can be used to change any Apple device that has a USB-C port, including AirPods and Mac accessories, once they are updated.

Apple has released a Lightning–to–USB-C adapter—confusingly named the Apple USB-C to Lightning Adapter ($29 at Apple’s U.S. store or £29 at Apple’s UK store) so you can convert an old Lightning cable into a USB-C cable for your new iPhone 15, but, as you might expect from Apple, it’s way more expensive than just buying one of the new and superior USB-C cables we’ve reviewed below.

We’ve rounded up our favorite USB-C cables. You can find cheaper online but we are recommending cables from trusted brands, such as Anker and Cable Matters. When charging your precious devices, you want to be sure that you aren’t putting them at risk of overheating and potentially causing a fire in your home.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 60W

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Colors: White

If you want every iPhone accessory you own to be made by Apple, go with Apple’s own USB-C Charge Cable as a spare USB-C iPhone charging cable—at 60W it’s powerful enough to charge even a MacBook Air. Surprisingly, Apple doesn’t include this cable in its iPhone Accessories store but it’s a fine, if expensive, solution.

Unlike Apple’s rather feeble plastic USB-C to Lightning cables, this 3.3ft (1m) charging cable has a robust woven design that means it is far less likely to fray or break with frequent winding and tugging. Apple also sells a 2m USB-C Charge Cable that is now also woven—it’s rated at up to 240W, overkill for an iPhone but top-end charging for any Apple USB-C device.

Its USB 2.0 data-transfer speed is super slow compared to 5Gbps or faster USB-C cables but it’s the same as Lightning. That doesn’t make a difference when charging your iPhone but if you are syncing an iPad or Mac via cable, transfer speeds will be frustrating.

As the iPhone 15 Pro models boast 5Gbps data transfer, this cable’s low bandwidth is a bit of a disappointment if you sue the cable for syncing.

It’s available in only white. If you fancy a color that matches your new iPhone or your soft furnishings, you need to read on for one of the third-party USB-C cables that we recommend. Read on.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m)

Colors: Black

Like the Ford Model T, this 60W USB-C charging cable is available only in black. But the Anker 310 is a quality cable, with a tough braided construction that’s super affordable—especially in this twin pack.

Its data-transfer speed is slow (480Mbps) but, for charging an iPhone or small MacBook, it’s just what you need at a price that significantly undercuts Apple. And, as you’ll read later in this feature, it’s perfectly good for charging iPads and mid-sized MacBooks, too.

Pros

Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 10Gbps

Monitor support: 4K

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Black or White

Apple has increased wired data transfer bandwidth to 10Gbps on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max—20x faster than the USB-C of the plain iPhone 15’s 480Mbps (0.48Gbps).

If you want to take advantage of this significantly increased wired bandwidth, you’ll need a cable. like this one from Cable Matters, that also supports 10Gbps or higher, as the USB-C cable that Apple includes with all the iPhones is really for charging only and rated at 480Mbps.

It can also charge at up to 100W—more than enough for an iPhone but also enough for even the 16-inch MacBook Pro.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 10ft (3m)

Colors: Black, Red, Silver

Sometimes you just need a very long charging cable. Maybe your wall socket is on the other side of the sofa or desk—or even in another room—and you need your iPhone to hand for calls and messaging. This 10-foot USB-C cable should be long enough for you.

Sometimes you need a more colorful charging cable. Ok, you don’t really need a more colorful charging cable but it’s nice to have the option. If you want even more color variations, but at a shorter cable length, keep reading…

Available in black, red or silver, this USB-C cable can charge at a decent 60W—more than enough for an iPhone or iPad and decent for a mid-sized MacBook.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 0.8ft, 9.6in (0.24m, 24cm)

Colors: Black

There are times when you don’t want a long cable snaking all over your desk or tabletop. All you need is a short cable to charge your device.

While we have seen shorter than this 9.6-inch USB-C to USB-C cable, some that we’ve tested have been flaky at charging so we prefer to go with a brand that we trust.

It is too short to tangle but long enough to dangle from a wall charger.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Cable length: 4 inches (0.1m) or 3.5ft (1m)

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Colors: Black

A long trailing cable is just about excusable if hidden behind a desk but is wholly inappropriate in a handbag or stuffed in your pocket.

Most of us find it helpful to keep a tangle-free charging cable in a car, briefcase or backpack. This cable takes up only a few inches of space when fully retracted.

You pull the cable from both ends to extend it to five set lengths: 1ft, 1.5ft, 2.2ft, 3ft and 3.5ft.

Data transfer is slow but it will charge even a mid-sized laptop if connected to a suitable wall charger.

It’s not braided by feels strong and will be protected in its winding shell. Look out for the two-pack for extra value.

Baseus

Baseus

Baseus

The Baseus Free2Pull Mini is an alternative 60W retractable USB-C cable. It’s not a two-pack like the Cable Matters set but is available in four colors: black, blue, purple and white.

Pull the cable from both ends to extend it to five set lengths: 1.1ft, 1.9ft, 2.7ft, 3ft and 3.3ft.

Pros

Charging: 100W

Cable length: 4 inches (0.1m) or 3.5ft (1m)

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Colors: White, Black, Purple, Blue

Another tangle-free retractable USB-C cable is the curiously named Baseus Free2Draw. Like the Cable Matters Retractable USB-C Cable, this is a compact, carry-in-your-pocket cable that, as soon as you hold it, declares itself a must-have. Who doesn’t get annoyed by a drawer full of loose snaking cables?

Pull the cable from both ends to extend it to four set lengths: 1ft, 1.9ft, 2.7ft and 3.3ft—a touch shorter than Cable Matters.

It beats its rival by supporting 100W of charging power—enough for even the largest MacBook, whereas the Cable Matters cable maxes out at 60W. Data speed, as with the Cable Matters alternative, is a slow but usable 480Mbps USB 2.0. It will transfer data but its main function is charging.

It is available in four colors to match your device or just your mood.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Speckled recycled white

The exterior of this sustainable USB-C to USB-C cable is constructed using plant-based materials, thus reducing a reliance on petroleum-based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

The packaging is recyclable (the bio-based cables are secured by a recyclable paper sleeve) and even the shipping is carbon neutral, offsetting the CO2 produced.

Shipping outside the UK is an extra US$6.30 or €6, but if you value the planet that’s not a lot to pay.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m)

Colors: Misty Blue, Daffodil Yellow, Lilac Purple, Lavender Grey, Mint Green, Cloud White, and Midnight Black

If you want a touch of personality with your tech kit, Anker’s choice of seven mostly pastel colors gives you more options than the monochrome alternatives. Apple delights in offering its iPhones in various shades but religiously sticks to white for its charging cables.

Anker claims that its 643 cable—with silicone covering a triple-layered system of copper wires—has a tensile strength of 220 lbs (100kg) and can withstand as many as 25,000 bends. We haven’t tested this, but it certainly feels tough enough to withstand more everyday rigors.

Available in two lengths and a multitude of colors, there should be an option for one of your cable needs here.

Pros

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m) or 6.6ft (2m)

Colors: Cotton Candy, Light Mint, Lavender, Black

This quality USB-C cable, available in two lengths, is from the people at Casetify who create such fun phone cases.

They have carried over some of the fun into the dull world of cables with four color options. The Cotton Candy USB-C cable is a real beauty, graduating from a cyan blue to a cute pink. Even the black version is nicely speckled.

You’ll pay more than usual but you will get a premium braided cable that will bring joy everything you connect it to your device.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3.9ft (1.2m)

Colors: Black

While Apple’s move to USB-C will eventually mean fewer different cables and chargers, many of will live in a now more cluttered world of Lightning for this and USB-C for that.

This cable can handle just about any charging connector you require—even horrible old fiddly MicroUSB. It come with three connectors heads that magnetically clamp to cable end: USB-C for newer devices, such as the iPhone 15, Lightning for older Apple devices, and MicroUSB for whatever still requires this most-hated of connections—often a pair of cheap headphones.

The end that the connectors fit on can angle 180 degrees, which should prevent cable wear and tear when moving the connected device. It’s also nicely braided for strength.

It seems a great solution but only if you don’t lose the tiny magnetic connectors.

Raycon also sells a longer cable, the 6.6ft (2m) Magic 180° Cable Pro ($29.99), which ships with an additional USB-C to USB-A adapter in case your charger is the old USB-A type. using it won’t enable fast-charging with USB-A but it might save you buying a newer USB-C charger.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m), 6.6ft (2m) or 10ft (3m)

Colors: Black, Blue, White and Pink

Curiously, this lovely cable from Belkin has a range of colors, including pink, and lengths, up to 10 feet, only in the U.K. The U.S. version is black or white and 3.3 or 6.6 feet only.

It’s a quality braided USB-C to USB-C cable in whatever length or color, but U.S. users might have to ask a friend across the pond to send them the fetching pink version.

Most iPads on sale today feature a USB-C connector—only the entry-level 9th Generation iPad still uses Lightning. But even the 10th Gen iPad’s USB-C is still limited to a 480Mbps data speed.

The iPad mini has a USB-C port that supports 5Gbps; the iPad Air 10Gbps; and the iPad Pro has a USB4/Thunderbolt port that can zip data along at 40Gbps. Check your iPad’s data transfer rate before choosing a new cable.

For charging only, any of the iPhone USB-C cables reviewed above will be fine as 20W should be enough to charge an iPad—the Anker 310 twin pack, reviewed above, would supply great USB-C charging cables for two devices.

But if you are connecting to other devices or syncing via cable, we recommend cables that support faster data transfers. A 10Gbps USB-C cable, such as the Cable Matter cord below, is an excellent option if you don’t want to spend a bundle on Thunderbolt.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m)

Colors: Black

Our favorite USB-C charging cable for iPhones is also our recommended budget charging option for USB-C iPads. It’s such a flexible solution that it is also our budget USB-C cable choice for smaller MacBooks; see below.

Forget about it for data transfer or connecting a USB-C monitor, but for charging this affordable, durable cable is a great choice.

Pros

Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 10Gbps

Monitor support: 4K

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Black or White

If you want to sync your iPad or connect it to a storage device, dock, or monitor, as well as fast-charging the tablet, you’ll need a superior data transfer rate.

The 10Gbps bandwidth gained with this premium USB-C cable should be plenty for most users, and the option of a white version is rare in such USB-C cables.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 240W

Data transfer speed: 40Gbps

Monitor support: 6K

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Black

For ultimate iPad Pro data transfer bandwidth, choose a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 cable.

This Anker 515 USB4 cable is overpowered from a charging point of view but therefore offers some Apple tablet future-proofing. Remember, you won’t harm your iPad using a premium higher-wattage cable.

Where it wins is its 40Gbps data bandwidth, the maximum you’ll get from any USB-C cable, and capable of connecting an iPad Pro to a 6K USB-C display at 60Hz. Via a Mac, it could support an 8K display.

Only the original 12-inch MacBook used standard USB-C. Macs since the 2016 MacBook Pro have used much faster Thunderbolt 3 or, from 2021 Thunderbolt 4 ports. Plain M1/M2 Macs (not Pro or Max) are listed as Thunderbolt/USB4 but can be regarded as the same as Thunderbolt 4 except for their one-screen limitation.

If you are buying today, we recommend you go for a Thunderbolt 4 cable, which is the most capable standard and fully backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C. But they’re pricey, and if speedy data transfer is not a priority or you require the cable for charging only, a slower USB-C cable will suffice for fast charging.

MacBooks require cables and chargers that support the USB Power Delivery (PD) standard. PD 3.0 supports up to 100W. PD 3.1 goes up to 240W.

Check the maximum charging wattage supported by the cable. Smaller MacBooks require at least 45W, mid-sized 60W, and larger 100W. The 16-inch MacBook Pro can be fast-charged at 140W, but Apple has limited this feature to its own $49/£49 USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable so USB-C and even 240W Thunderbolt cables are knee-capped at 100W.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m)

Colors: Black

Just as we recommended the Anker 310 USB-C cable for iPhones and iPad charging, it’s hard to go wrong with this to charge small and mid-sized MacBooks, too. Buy the twin pack and use one for whichever Apple device that takes your fancy.

Suitable for all MacBook Air models and the 13-inch MacBook Pro, this 60W USB-C cable is able to supply the charge you need to keep those MacBooks powered up.

Its data-transfer speed is pretty feeble but as a charging-only cable, this is all you really need. It is not suitable for connecting a Mac to a USB-C monitor—that would require at least a 5Gbps cable.

Its braided design makes it tough—Anker claims it can be bent and unbent over 10,000 times. In this twin-pack, the Anker 310 USB-C cable is a very affordable option.

Pros

Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 5Gbps

Monitor support: 4K

Cable length: 3ft (0.9m) or 6ft (1.8m)

Colors: Black

This jack-of-all-trades high-quality USB-C cable can charge at up to 100W, transfer data at 5Gbps, and connect a Mac to a 4K monitor.

It’s a premium build, but its thicker gauge wires make it tricky to roll up as easily or compactly as other cables.

If you need faster data transfer, look to a Thunderbolt 4 cable.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 40Gbps

Monitor support: 8K

Cable length: 2.6ft (0.8m)

Colors: Black

As a certified Thunderbolt 4 cable, this guarantees 100W charging and super-fast 40Gbps data transfer speeds.

If you just want to charge your MacBook, it’s probably overkill but if you need to use it to connect to a docking station or other device, we recommend you double-up on charging power and data speed.

Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, you can’t go wrong with a Thunderbolt 4 cable.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 40Gbps

Monitor support: 8K

Cable length: 10ft (3m)

Colors: Black

It’s certainly expensive, but this Apple Thunderbolt 4 cable is as long as you can get while maintaining 100W charging power and 40Gbps data-transfer speed.

It’s braided for strength and backward compatible with other Type-C connectors and ports.

Pros

Cons

Charging: 240W

Data transfer speed: 40Gbps

Monitor support: 8K

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Black

To connect your 16-inch MacBook to a Thunderbolt 4 docking station, you need both top data bandwidth and as much charging power as a cable can support—so you need a cable that supports both 240W and 40Gbps data transfer.

240W, 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 cable doesn’t yet come in anything longer than a meter (3.3ft). Both power and data speed are reduced as the cable gets longer. Active Thunderbolt cables help by pushing the data further but for now have the dual benefits of supercharging and fast. data transfer means you’ll need to keep your Mac close by.

While it supports 240W device charging, Apple has capped its 16-inch MacBook Pro to fast-charge using only its own expensive USB-C to MagSafe 3 Cable. We still recommend a 240W PD 3.1 cable as you want the best if you own the top-of-the-range Apple laptop.

Pros

Charging: 240W

Data transfer speed: 40Gbps

Monitor support: 8K

Cable length: 2.6ft (0.8m)

Colors: Black

Sometimes a cable plays hard to fit in tight spaces, and only a cunningly right-angled connector head will do the job.

If that’s the case, then this is the most powerful and fastest right-angled Thunderbolt 4 cable that money can buy.

It will work at up to 240W, and as a Thunderbolt 4 cable of course offers 40Gbps data-transfer speeds. As mentioned above, Apple demands you use its own MagSafe power cable if you want to utilize PD 3.1 at 140W for its 16-inch MacBook Pro.

DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a feature available to USB-C that handles video as if the USB-C cable was a DisplayPort cable. USB-C monitors can therefore connect directly to your laptop or via a USB-C hub or USB-C or Thunderbolt dock.

However, not every USB-C cable supports video transfer so you need to choose the right type of cable.

If your external display supports a direct USB-C connection, look for a cable that has at least a data-transfer rate of 5Gbps for 4K at 60Hz or 10Gbps for 6K. For 8K we recommend you use a 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 cable. The higher the bandwidth, the less risk of signal degradation.

Consider cable length, too. While compression technologies should kick in, the longer your cable, the more the signal can degrade so opt for as short a cable as you require when connecting from your MacBook or dock to a USB-C monitor. A fully featured C-to-C cable that is 1 meter or shorter will work just fine for 95% of what people need. The Cable Matters 10Gbps/100W 1m USB-C Cable is a recommended solution.

If you need a longer cable, a 2m Thunderbolt 4 cable, such as the Cable Matters 2m Thunderbolt 4 cable.

Some USB-C monitors can provide between 65W to 90W of power back to the laptop, so ensure your USB-C cable supports at least 100W if you want to use your USB-C monitor to power your laptop.

Simon has over 30 years of expert experience testing and reviewing ever-smaller and more powerful tech accessories, from USB-C and Thunderbolt docks to chargers, batteries, hubs and adapters. A former Editor of Macworld, he has contributed to PCWorld, Tech Advisor and TimeOut, as well as national newspapers such as The Times, Independent and Telegraph.