Lightning ports were once ubiquitous across Apple ’s iPhone and iPad agate line - up . Apple is switching to USB - C port for its iPads and from the iPhone 15 class , the Lightning port wine is now replaced by USB - C.
But for iPhone versions 5 to 14 , Lightning is the interface you need a cable for .
For iPhones and older iPads that apply the Lightning port , you may buy a cable that has aLightningconnector at one end and either full - sizeUSB - Aor the little , reversibleUSB - Cconnector at the other to plug into a charger .
If you still have a courser with a USB - A port , believe upgrade to a USB - blow battery charger as iPhone tight - charging only works with a USB - coke charger . The best frame-up for iPhones before the iPhone 15 is a USB - C battery charger and a USB - ascorbic acid to Lightning cable length . Check out our tests for thebest USB - C chargers for iPhone .
As most Apple user will agree , one phone - charging cable is never enough . Whether it gets damage through clothing and tear , or it is misplaced , borrowed or steal , you could guarantee it is never there when you need it .
Third - party Apple - certify transmission line are more expensive than many online alternatives but we highly advocate you bribe a certified cable , because cheap third - party option have a nasty habit of abruptly deciding to stop work with your machine . Moreover , they can be dangerous — here are somegood reasons why you should n’t buy a brassy Lightning cable television .
There are exceptions , however , so a few of the cable’s length advocate below have been test by us but do n’t have the MFi stamp of approval . These are understandably marked .
If you ’re eternally buying new cable television , you might also want to reckon aQi wireless chargeror for iPhone 12/13/14/15 aMagSafe courser , with traditional dock , stands and domiciliation as well asportable wireless chargerswith built - in batteries now available . All current - propagation iPhones support radio charging , but do note that this is a boring unconscious process than buck via a cable television ( reckon on your cable system and arranger ) . Buy a MagSafe version only if you have an iPhone 12 , 13 , 14 or 15 .
iPhone 15 and USB - C iPad exploiter should go to our roundup of thebest USB - C charging cable system for iPhone .
Best Lightning cables for iPhone and iPad in 2025
Apple Lightning to USB-C Cable – Apple’s own USB-C to Lightning Cable
Pros
Cons
USB eccentric : USB - degree centigrade
Length:1 m or 2 K
MFi : endorse
dissipated charge : Yes
To unlock Fast Charge on your iPhone you need a USB - C to Lightning cable television ( and at least an 18W adaptor ) . Apple ’s form might be one of the more expensive examples , but it ’s also the most trustworthy , hailing direct from Apple itself . That say , Apple ’s non - braided cable system have a reputation for chafe and lose their pristine white color over clock time .
The standard cable that ships with most Apple products is the 1 m transmission line , but it ’s also uncommitted at double that duration ( 2 m ) .
Apple Lightning to USB-A cable – Apple’s own USB-A to Lightning Cable
USB character : USB - A
Length:0.5 m , 1 MB or 2 molarity
immobile direction : No
Not as iconic as the white earbuds , but white and useful nonetheless , you might want to corrupt your Lightning cable’s length direct from Apple . As a USB - A cable television it wo n’t support Apple ’s Fast Charge on iPhone , but it ’s pretty ready to hand none the less if you own a courser with the old orthogonal USB - A port . We still commend you elevate to a USB - C courser and USB - C to Lightning cable .
It is useable at half or double the received 1 molarity distance ( 0.5 meter is the same price ; 2 megabyte is a little extra ) . Either way , it ’s still expensive compare to some third - party Lightning cables .
Do observe that these Apple white cables often lean to go a dainty nicety of murky gray passably fast , depending on your use .
Anker 331 USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best budget USB-C to Lightning cable
Anker is one of the most trusted Apple - accouterment brands , and it offers a wide range of USB to Lightning transmission line . The Apple - certify , nylon - pleach Anker 331 USB - C to Lightning Cable is its budget offer but is still more rich than Apple ’s cables and available in a wider option of distance ( from 1 m to 2 m ) and colors ( contraband , Silver , Blue and Red ) .
Anker claim that the 331 cable can withstand up to 12,000 bends . The Anker 762 USB - C to Lightning Cable ups that claim to 35,000 bends .
Remember that you need a USB - C to Lightning cable like this one for fast - charge iPhones older than the iPhone 15 .
Amazon Basics USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best basic USB-C to Lightning cable
Length:0.3 m , 0.9 m or 1.8 m
product in theAmazonBasicsrange just work and they ’re very cheap to boot . Cheap does not intend bad though — BASIC ’ 1.82 m cable is cheap , and if you’re able to find oneself the shorter strain in farm animal it ’s even punk .
Amazon does note that it works with ‘ intimately all cases ’ , so you may want to forked - stop , but we doubt this would be a job for most accessories .
It ’s usable in multiple coloration pick , let in white , black and ruby , in most regions .
AmazonBasics Lightning cable – Best basic USB-A to Lightning cable
For older chargers , this is a adequate low-priced USB - A to Lightning cable useable in various distance and colors . It ’s USB - A so not a Fast armorial bearing choice like the USB - degree centigrade version .
Fonemax Retractable USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best retractable Lightning cable
Length : stretchability to 1.2 1000
MFi : No
If longsighted , mussy cable’s length snakes rile you , then a retractable Lightning cable will save you from tangle , and is much easier to store and take around .
This retractable USB - C to Lightning cable length is n’t Apple certified but worked well in our run , and we ca n’t find out a manifest retractable Lightning cable television for sales agreement anywhere .
It is a real blessing for keeping your desk or cable draftsman tidy . We ’d like all our cables to be retractable !
StarTech.com USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best coiled USB-C to Lightning cable
Length:0.5 m or 1 m
Another path to avoid line snake is a coiled cable that takes up less space on your desk or wherever you consist it .
This coiled Lightning cable from StarTech.com is available with either USB - A or USB - speed of light but USB - C to Lightning is salutary for Fast Charge , and in either 50cm/20 in or 1m/3 ft length .
The shorter cable television service extend to 50cm/20 in and contracts to 32cm/12.5 in . The longer translation extend to 1m/3.3 ft ( 1 m ) and contracts to 38cm/1.2 ft .
StarTech.com USB to Lightning Cable – Best coiled USB-A to Lightning cable
Like its more modern sib , it is uncommitted in either 50cm/20 in or 1m/3 ft lengths . The shorter cable extends to 50cm/20 in and contracts to 32cm/12.5 in . The longer variation extends to 1m/3.3 ft ( 1 m ) and contract to 38cm/1.2 ft .
Bawanfa Extra Long Lightning Cable – Best long Lightning cable
Length:6 thou ( 20 foot )
This Lightning cable is an awesome 6 m ( that ’s 20 - feet ) long . If the plug release in your way of pick is further by from your sprawling spot of choice then this is the answer .
It ’s also handy for passing cycle in a car . The boneheaded than Apple cable is more durable and should last you a while .
If you really must stick with a slow USB - A charger , there is a20 - foot USB - A to Lightning cableversion .
Anker New Nylon USB-C to Lightning Cable
Length:0.3 m ( 1 foot )
You know what ? Sometimes you just need a short cable length , rather than a skinny python snaking over your desk .
One of the ripe short Lightning cable we ’ve seen is from Anker , it ’s just a ft long , and it ’s MFI licence .
CableCreation Short iPhone Charger Cable – Best short USB-A to Lightning cable
Length:15 cm
This USB - A to Lightning cable from CableCreation is MFI certified but wo n’t keep going iPhone Fast Charge as it has USB - A at the other end .
It ’s 15 cm ( 6 in ) long , and available in either black-&-white , black or rose gold depending on which Amazon store you are buying from .
Wave Bio-Based Lightning Charging Cable – Best eco-friendly Lightning cable
Length:1 m
The exterior of these USB - blow to Lightning cables is construct using plant life - based material , thus concentrate a reliance on crude oil - based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer ( TPE ) .
The packaging is reusable ( the bio - establish cablegram are secured by a reclaimable theme sleeve ) and even the shipping is carbon neutral , offset the CO2 produced .
ship outside the UK is an special US$ 6.30 or € 6 , but if you rate the satellite that ’s not a spate to pay .
Wave also makes aUSB - A to Lightning versionof the cable system , but remember that this wo n’t support dissipated charging like the USB - C to Lightning cable .
The cable are not yet MFi certified but could be at a late date , look on need .
RapidX Lightning Charging Cable Stand – Best Cable/Stand hybrid
Length:1.2 m
Most overseas telegram just do one or two thing : charge and data transfer or both . The RapidX 2 - in-1 Lightning Charging Cable can also be used as a phone stand — not bad for streaming movies or make FaceTime calls while charging your phone . The stand operate in landscape style only .
The 4 - invertebrate foot braid nylon jacket is made from recycled stuff , such as fishing nets and material production waste matter . It has USB - C on one end and Lightning on the other ,
USB-A vs USB-C: Which Lightning cable should I buy?
Fast Charge on an iPhone ( available on iPhone 8 and above ) can be achieve only when using aUSB - coke to Lightning cable , and mate it with either an 18W - asset charger ( now available in20Wup to96W , with the140Wmodel not recommended for iPhone ) or a third - company model that supports Power Delivery . See our roundup of thebest iPhone chargers .
AUSB - A to Lightning cablewill charge your iPhone more easy , regardless of what adapter it is paired with .
It is honest that there are also some differences between USB - C and USB - A when it come to data point - transferral speeds , with only USB - C able to accommodate the a la mode USB 4.0 banner , which can achieve Thunderbolt 3/4 - equivalent speeds of 40Gbps . irrespective , Lightning can carry only 480Mbps ( consanguineous to USB 2.0 speed ) , establish this a disputable point in time for this batch of cables .
Identical in intent to Thunderbolt , USB - C is a conveniently reversible and future - proofed connector . But USB - A stay commonplace and , for that , it is still sought after by iPhone and iPad users .
