USB - C is the advanced connexion standard shared by most new equipment today . It comes in several dissimilar formats — USB - C , USB4 and Thunderbolt — but they all have the same reversible connector at the end and are interchangeable and backwards compatible . All of Apple ’s unexampled twist now apply USB - atomic number 6 or Thunderbolt for charge and data transfers .
We have try on and test the best USB - C and Thunderbolt cables here . If you desire to jump flat to our recommendation click the one that meets your requirements :
you’re able to find cheap online but we recommend cable length only from trusted brands , such as Anker , Cable Matters , Belkin and Ugreen . When charging your precious equipment , you require to be sure that you are n’t put them at hazard of overheat and potentially causing a flack in your home .
Apple ’s old Lightning connector was also two-sided — where it does n’t matter which side of the connector face up or down as you stop up it in — so no heavy alteration there , but USB - C is much more than just a proportionate blueprint . It can transfer datum quicker — pushing Lightning ’s 0.48Gbps to up to 120Gbps .
Apple ’s iPhone 15 and 16 have a USB - C porthole , replace the older trusty but proprietary Lightning cable that has been a part of iPhones and sure-enough iPads since 2012 . Malus pumila render a USB - C burden cable in the boxwood , but if you want a single cable television for fast charging and information transfers — or just a spare charging cable length — we’ve flesh out up some of our favorites to avail you get the best one . Even the USB - C cable
Some are fast , some are A-one - powerful , a couple are retractable , and some are just fun . Yes … merriment !
Foundry
remark that the cable reviewed here areUSB - C to USB - C(or backward - compatibleThunderbolt to Thunderbolt ) . Old iPhone courser had the non - reversible rectangular USB - A connective to link up to the courser and a Lightning connector that live into the iPhone . Do n’t perplex with USB - A at one end as the old criterion is limited in information transfer speed to 10Gbps and limited in charging speed to just 15W.
Using a USB - hundred charger will enable fast charging even for iPhones with a Lightning embrasure . you’re able to still charge an Apple gimmick with a USB - A charger but not at the fastest speed . From the iPhone 15 onwards it ’s USB - degree Celsius into the charger and USB - C into the iPhone . See our roundup of the bestUSB - coulomb charger for iPhone .
We have even more tips that show you thefastest way to charge an iPhone .
Know your cables
Not all USB - ampere-second cables offer the same capabilities , so we excuse each agent you need to study . Fear not , for basic iPhone charging most USB - century cable television service will be ok . But some are finer than others . mackintosh use Thunderbolt cables that have the same case - C connection as USB - C so look the same but have debauched information conveyance and buck speed choice . you could use a Thunderbolt cable to turn on USB - C gimmick , too .
Apple ship a USB - nose candy Charge Cable with the newest iPhones but Mac users require to corrupt a Thunderbolt cable to link to a tying up place or fast storage machine . Having a spare overseas telegram or two hanging around the house or federal agency is always advisable — and there are skillful , garish , and more colorful USB - degree Celsius and Thunderbolt cable than just those sold by Apple .
We ’ve focus on USB - atomic number 6 accuse cables as most people call for them just to attach to a USB - carbon battery charger , but cable offer both file and data transfers , although at unlike capabilities , depending on your requirements .
shoot : All USB - C cable can carry a minimum of 60W ( 3A x 20V ) . Some support 100W ( 5A x 20V ) charging , and some new Thunderbolt cables can charge at up to 240W. 60W is more than you need for a phone and is utter for the MacBook Air and 13 - inch MacBook Pro . Go for at least a 100W cable for the 14 - in MacBook Pro . While 100W is okay for a 16 - inch MacBook Pro , that poser can be charged at up to 140W , although Apple restricts tight - charging for that mannequin to its own$49/£49 USB - C to MagSafe 3 Cable , which is included with all MacBooks .
Apple says that the iPhone 15 and 16 can be fast - commove from zero to 50 % in 30 instant using at least a 20W USB - blow power adapter , which is the same speeding the iPhone 14 got via Lightning . Tests have shown that new iPhones can reach turn on speed of up to 30W so we think a 20W charger is n’t going to offer iPhone charging as tight as you’re able to get . Check out our review of thebest iPhone chargers .
Length : A long cable can be messy when your gadget is tight to the charger , but a short one could leave your iPhone dangle out of scope . You may need dissimilar lengths of USB - C cable for each of your saddle blank space . When it issue forth to channel data , choose a cable that ’s as short as you need as the longer the cable , the greater the risk of infection of sign abasement — invest in a Thunderbolt 4 cable system for 2 thousand data - strength confidence .
Data transfer speed : iPhones with Lightning ports are restrict to a slow USB 2.0 data transportation charge per unit of just 480Mbps ( 480 megabit per second ) . liken that to your Mac , whose Thunderbolt connectedness can reach up to 40Gbps on Thunderbolt 4 and 120Gbps on Thunderbolt 5 . Data transfer swiftness does n’t matter if all you are doing is charging a gadget but it is full of life when tie in your Apple twist to storage driveway , docking stations , or monitors .
While the first appearance - stage iPad is also limited to 480Mbps , the iPad Pro , like a MacBook , supports Thunderbolt ’s 40Gbps maximum . The iPhone 15/16 and 15/16 Plus features USB - C that is limited to 480Mbps like with Lightning , but the iPhone 15/16 Pro and Pro Max ’s USB - C can sync at 10Gbps — useful for backing up video or photograph to a computer .
Note that the USB - C transmission line Apple supplies with the iPhone 15/16 families is a “ direction ” cable and restrict to 480Mbps for syncing . If you utilize the Pro or Pro Max theoretical account with a cable for data conveyance , you ’ll do substantially with a 10Gbps or higher bandwidth line .
Best USB-C cables for iPhone and iPad
iPhoneshave admit either a USB - speed of light to Lightning cable’s length ( USB - C - to - Lightning ) or even onetime USB - A to Lightning ( USB - A - to - USB - C ) for year , and elsewhere we have rounded up thebest Lightning cableswe’ve seen for iPhones older than the iPhone 15 . USB - A is the larger , non - reversible connexion . USB - C is required for fast charging .
From the iPhone 15 forwards also with theAirPods Pro 2 , you ’ll need a cable system with USB - C on both end ( USB - C - to - USB - C ) to charge an iPhone or iPad unless you charge wirelessly — retard out thebest MagSafe wireless iPhone battery charger .
AlliPadson sale today feature a USB - C connector . But even the 10th Gen iPad ’s USB - C is still limited to a 480Mbps data amphetamine . The iPad mini has a USB - C embrasure that supports 5Gbps ; the iPad Air 10Gbps ; and the iPad Pro has a USB4 / Thunderbolt port wine that can zip data along at 40Gbps . mark off your iPad ’s data transfer pace before choosing a young cable .
For charge only , any of the USB - C transmission line reviewed below will be fine as 20W should be enough to accuse even an iPad . But if you are connecting to other devices or syncing via cable length , we recommend cable that patronize faster information transfers . A 10Gbps USB - C cable , such as the Cable Matters electric cord below , is an excellent option if you do n’t want to spend a bundle on Thunderbolt .
1. Apple USB-C Woven Charge Cable (1m)
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Best for : Charging iPhone 15 and 16 , charging iPad , charging MacBook Air
Not for : Syncing iPad , synchronise MacBook Air , blame or syncing MacBook Pro
If you want every iPhone appurtenance you own to be made by Apple , go with Apple ’s own USB - C Charge Cable as a bare USB - C iPhone charging cable — at 60W it ’s powerful enough to charge even a MacBook Air . Surprisingly , Apple does n’t include this cable television service in its iPhone Accessories entrepot but it ’s a fine , if expensive , solution .
Unlike Apple ’s rather lame plastic USB - C to Lightning cables , this 3.3 ft ( 1 m ) charging cable has a robust woven design that think of it is far less likely to rub or break with frequent twist and tugging . Apple also sell a2 m USB - blow Charge Cablethat is now also wind — it ’s rated at up to 240W , overkill for an iPhone but top - end charging for any Apple USB - atomic number 6 machine .
Its USB 2.0 data - transport speed is passing slow compared to 5Gbps or faster USB - C cable but it ’s the same as Lightning . That does n’t make a departure when charging your iPhone but if you are sync an iPad or Mac via cable , transferee speeds will be frustrating . As the iPhone 15/16 Pro mannequin feature 10Gbps datum transfer , this cable ’s small bandwidth is a bit of a disappointment if you use the cable for syncing .
It ’s available in only white . If you fancy a color that jibe your raw iPhone or your diffused furnishings , you need to show on for one of the third - party USB - C line that we recommend .
2. Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best budget USB-C charging cable for iPhone and iPad
Like the Ford Model T , this 60W USB - nose candy charge cable is available only in black . But the Anker 310 is a quality cable , with a problematic braided building that ’s super affordable — particularly in this twin pack .
Its data - transfer speed is sluggish ( 480Mbps ) but , for charging an iPhone or little MacBook , it ’s just what you need at a price that significantly undercuts Apple . And , as you ’ll study later in this feature article , it ’s perfectly serious for charging iPads and mid - sized MacBooks , too .
3. Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best charge and data cable for iPhone and iPad
considerably for : Charging iPhone 15 and 16 , charging and syncing iPad , agitate MacBook Air and 14 - column inch MacBook Pro
Not for : Syncing MacBooks , burden 16 - inch MacBook Pro
Apple has increased electrify data point transfer bandwidth to 10Gbps on the iPhone 15/16 Pro and Pro Max—20x faster than the USB - degree Celsius of the plain iPhone 15/16 ’s 480Mbps ( 0.48Gbps ) . If you desire to take advantage of this significantly increase wired bandwidth , you ’ll demand a transmission line 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 turn on only and rated at 480Mbps .
It can also charge up at up to 100W — more than enough for an iPhone but also enough for even the 16 - column inch MacBook Pro .
Owners of the iPad Pro may opt a Thunderbolt line with 40Gbps data transfer .
4. Anker 515 USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB4) – Best charge and data cable for iPad Pro
Best for : Charging iPhone 15 and 16 , charging and sync iPad , buck MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
For ultimate iPad Pro datum carry-over bandwidth , pick out a Thunderbolt 4 or USB4 cable . This can be used with the iPhone 15/16 and any MacBook — even the mighty 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
This Anker 515 USB4 cable is overpowered from a charging point of view but therefore volunteer some Apple tab and laptop future - proofing . Remember , you wo n’t harm your iPad or Mac using a insurance premium higher - electrical power cable television .
Where it wins is its 40Gbps data bandwidth , the maximum you ’ll get from any USB - blow line , and capable of connecting an iPad Pro to a 6 K USB - C exhibit at 60Hz . Via a Mac , it could support an 8 K display .
5. Anker 333 USB-C Cable (10ft) – Best long USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad
Sometimes you just call for a very long appoint cable . possibly your wall socket is on the other side of the sofa or desk — or even in another way — and you call for your iPhone to reach for calls and electronic messaging . This 10 - foot USB - C cable should be foresighted enough for you .
Sometimes you take a more colorful charging cable . Ok , you do n’t really ask a more colorful consign cable but it ’s nice to have the selection . If you want even more colouring material variations , but at a shorter overseas telegram length , keep reading …
Available in dim , crimson or silver , this USB - C cable can consign at a enough 60W — more than enough for an iPhone or iPad and nice for a mid - sized MacBook .
6. CableCreation Short USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best short USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad
There are times when you do n’t want a long cable snaking all over your desk or tabletop . All you need is a short cablegram to charge your gimmick . While we have seen shorter than this 9.6 - in USB - C to USB - C transmission line , some that we ’ve tested have been outlandish at charging so we opt to go with a brand that we confide .
It is too little to sweep but long enough to dangle from a wall charger .
7. Cable Matters Retractable USB-C 2.0 Charging Cable – Best retractable USB-C cable
A foresighted trailing cable length is just about excusable if hidden behind a desk but is all inappropriate in a pocketbook or stuff in your pocket . Most of us chance it helpful to keep a maze - detached charging cable in a automobile , briefcase or haversack . This cable take up only a few inches of outer space when fully retracted . You pull the cable from both end to extend it to five fixed length : 1 ft , 1.5 foot , 2.2 ft , 3 foot and 3.5 ft .
Data transfer is tedious but it will charge even a mid - sized laptop computer if connected to a suitable rampart courser .
It ’s not braided by feel potent and will be protected in its voluminous shell . Look out for the two - gang for special value .
Baseus
TheBaseus Free2Pull Miniis an option 60W retractable USB - C cable . It ’s not a two - pack like the Cable Matters place but is available in four colors : black , blue , purple and white . Pull the cable system from both end to extend it to five set length : 1.1 foot , 1.9 ft , 2.7 foot , 3 ft and 3.3 ft .
8. Baseus Free2Draw Mini Retractable USB-C Cable 100W – Best retractable 100W USB-C cable
Best for : Charging iPhone 15 and 16 , charging iPad , charging MacBook Air and 14 - inch MacBook Pro
Not for : Syncing iPad , syncing MacBooks , charging or synchronize 16 - column inch MacBook Pro
Another tangle - gratuitous retractable USB - C cable is the curiously make Baseus Free2Draw . Like the Cable Matters Retractable USB - C Cable , this is a compact , carry - in - your - air pocket cable that , as soon as you harbour it , declare itself a must - have . Who does n’t get annoyed by a drawer full of loose snaking cables ? Pull the cable from both end to extend it to four located lengths : 1 ft , 1.9 ft , 2.7 ft and 3.3ft — a touch shorter than Cable Matters .
It beats its contender by supporting 100W of charging power — enough for even the large MacBook , whereas the Cable Matters cable maxes out at 60W. Data upper , as with the Cable Matters alternative , is a slow but usable 480Mbps USB 2.0 . It will remove datum but its main function is load .
It is useable in four colors to tally your equipment or just your climate .
9. Wave Bio-Based Charging USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best eco-friendly USB-C cable
The exterior of this sustainable USB - carbon to USB - C cable system is constructed using industrial plant - based materials , thus reducing a reliance on oil - based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer ( TPE ) .
The packaging is reusable ( the bio - found cable system are secure by a recyclable paper sleeve ) and even the shipping is carbon neutral , set off the CO2 produce .
Shipping outside the UK is an extra US$ 6.30 or € 6 , but if you value the major planet that ’s not a lot to give .
10. Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best USB-C cable color range
If you want a touch of personality with your tech kit , Anker ’s option of seven mostly pastel colors grant you more options than the monochrome choice . Apple please in offering its iPhones in various shades but religiously sticks to whiten for its charging cables .
Anker claims that its 643 cable — with silicone polymer enshroud a triple - layered system of Cu wires — has a tensile enduringness of 220 lb ( 100 kg ) and can withstand as many as 25,000 bends . We have n’t test this , but it sure as shooting feels tough enough to withstand more everyday rigors .
11. Casetify PowerThru USB-C to USB-C Cable – Prettiest USB-C cable
This quality USB - carbon cable , available in two lengths , is from the people at Casetify who create such merriment phone case . They have carry over some of the fun into the dense world of cables with four coloring material options . The Cotton Candy USB - C cable television is a real mantrap , calibrate from a cyan amobarbital sodium to a cute pink . Even the opprobrious variation is nicely bespeckle .
You ’ll give more than common but you will get a premium plait cable that will make for joyousness everything you connect it to your equipment .
Best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables for Mac
Only the original 12 - inch MacBook used received USB - C. Macs since the 2016 MacBook Pro have used much faster Thunderbolt 3 or , from 2021 , Thunderbolt 4 ports . unmixed M1 / M2 Macs ( not Pro or Max ) are listed as Thunderbolt / USB4 but can be see as the same as Thunderbolt 4 except for their one - screen limitation . Apple ’s latest M4 Macs lineament Thunderbolt 5 , which has a likely data point transfer rate of 120Gbps and 240W charging power .
If you are buying today , we recommend you go for a Thunderbolt 4 or 5 cable , which are the most capable standards and fully feebleminded compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB - C. But they ’re pricey , and if speedy information transfer is not a antecedence or you require the cable for charging only , a dull USB - C cable will suffice for fast charging .
MacBooks want cables and chargers that confirm the USB Power Delivery ( PD ) measure . PD 3.0 supports up to 100W. PD 3.1 goes up to 240W.
Check the maximum charging wattage patronise by the cable . Smaller MacBooks expect at least 45W , mid - sized 60W , and larger 100W. The 16 - in MacBook Pro can be fast - charge at 140W , but Apple has determine this lineament to its own $ 49/£49 USB - C to MagSafe 3 Cable so USB - C and even 240W Thunderbolt cables are genu - capped at 100W.
1. Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best 60W PD USB-C charging cable
Just as we recommended the Anker 310 USB - snow cablegram for iPhones and iPad charging , it ’s hard to go wrong with this to charge small and mid - sized MacBooks , too . bribe the duplicate pack and apply one for whichever Apple gadget that takes your fancy .
Suitable for all MacBook Air models and the 13 - inch MacBook Pro , this 60W USB - C transmission line is capable to supply the charge you need to keep those MacBooks powered up .
Its data point - 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 - deoxycytidine monophosphate monitor — that would require at least a 5Gbps cable length .
Its braided design pee it tough — Anker claims it can be dented and straight over 10,000 time . In this twin - gang , the Anker 310 USB - century cable is a very affordable option .
2. Cable Matters 6-foot USB-C cable – Best budget long 100W PD USB-C cable
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 4 jet monitoring equipment .
It ’s a premium build , but its thicker gauge wires make it tricky to wind up as easily or succinctly as other cables .
If you require flying information transfer , take care to a Thunderbolt 4 transmission line .
3. CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 / USB4 Cable (0.8m) – Best short 100W PD Thunderbolt 4 cable
Best for : level iPhone 15 and 16 , charging and synchronise iPad , shoot down and syncing MacBook Air and 14 - inch MacBook Pro
Not for : charge 16 - inch MacBook Pro
As a certified Thunderbolt 4 cable’s length , this guarantee 100W charging and super - fast 40Gbps data point transfer speeds .
If you just require to burden your MacBook , it ’s belike overkill but if you take to use it to connect to a dockage station or other twist , we advocate you double - up on charging powerfulness and data swiftness .
Backward compatible with Thunderbolt 3 and USB - C , you ca n’t go wrong with a Thunderbolt 4 transmission line .
4. Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable (3m) – Best long 100W PD Thunderbolt 4 cable
It ’s certainly expensive , but this Apple Thunderbolt 4 cable is as long as you’re able to get while maintain 100W charging business leader and 40Gbps data - carry-over speed .
It ’s plait for strong point and backward compatible with other Type - ampere-second connection and ports .
5. Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable (1m) – Best 240W PD Thunderbolt 4 cable
Best for : Charging iPhone 15 and 16 , charging and sync iPad , charging and syncing MacBook Air and MacBook Pro
To link up your 16 - inch MacBook to a Thunderbolt 4 docking station , you need both top data bandwidth and as much charging force as a cable television can brook — so you need a cable television service that stick out both 240W and 40Gbps data point transfer .
240W , 40Gbps Thunderbolt 4 cable’s length does n’t yet come in anything longer than a meter ( 3.3 foot ) . Both powerfulness and data point speed are reduced as the cable’s length perplex longer . Active Thunderbolt cables help by push the information further but for now have the twofold benefit of pressurise and fast . information transfer stand for you ’ll need to keep your Mac nigh by .
While it supports 240W twist charging , Apple has cap its 16 - in MacBook Pro to fast - heraldic bearing using only its own expensive USB - C to MagSafe 3 Cable . We still urge a 240W PD 3.1 cable as you want the good if you own the top - of - the - range Apple laptop .
6. Apple Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable (1 m) – Best Thunderbolt 5 cable
Apple ’s M4 Macs now boast a Thunderbolt 5 port , which can channel information at up to 120Gbps — three times faster than Thunderbolt 4 . While there are n’t many actual Thunderbolt 5 twist out there to connect to at that speed , Apple is right at the front of the technology race as usual . Thunderbolt 5 is backwards compatible with Thunderbolt 4 , 3 and USB - C so this Thunderbolt 5 cable will work with any USB - century - case machine .
Thunderbolt 5 does n’t shoot any faster than Thunderbolt 4 ’s 240W but that ’s enough tight enough for just about anything anyway .
7. Plugable TBT4-240W-80CMR – Best right-angled Thunderbolt 4 cable
Sometimes a cable plays firmly to fit in tight spaces , and only a cunningly decent - slant connection head will do the business . If that ’s the case , then this is the most powerful and firm 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 information - transferee speeds . As mentioned above , Apple demand you use its own MagSafe world power cable if you desire to use PD 3.1 at 140W for its 16 - inch MacBook Pro .
8. StarTech.com USB-C Charging Cable – Best cables for identification markers
IT professionals are often dealing with tens or even thousands of mystery cables , and trying to key which are charge cables , which are data transfer only , and which exercise with what video settlement is nigh on unsufferable unless the cables are labelled . Startech.com ’s latest range of cables — USB - C , USB4 , HDMi and DisplayPort — all sport Quick Identification marker printed directly onto the cables for at - a - coup d’oeil asset management .
If you only own a few cable length this might not be so of import — if you have a whole office trading floor of them , it ’s essential .
FAQ
Which USB-C cable do I need to connect to a USB-C monitor
DisplayPort Alternate Mode is a feature useable to USB - hundred that handles video as if the USB - century cable was a DisplayPort cable . USB - century monitors can therefore connect straight to your laptop or via aUSB - C huborUSB - C or Thunderbolt dockage .
However , not every USB - C cable indorse video transfer so you demand to pick out the proper character of cable .
Consider cable length , too . While compression applied science should kick in , the longer your cable system , the more the sign can degrade so choose for as little a cable system as you require when connecting from your MacBook or dock to a USB - nose candy monitor . A fully featured speed of light - to - C cable television that is 1 meter or shorter will work just all right for 95 % of what multitude need . TheCable Matters 10Gbps/100W 1 m USB - C Cableis a recommended solution .
If you need a prospicient cable length , a 2 metre Thunderbolt 4 transmission line , such as theCable Matters 2 m Thunderbolt 4 cable .
Some USB - C reminder can provide between 65W to 90W of major power back to the laptop computer , so check your USB - C cable stick out at least 100W if you want to use your USB - C monitor lizard to power your laptop computer .
Can you convert a Lightning cable to USB-C?
Apple has released a Lightning – to – USB - C arranger — bewilderingly named the Apple USB - blow to Lightning Adapter ( $ 29 atApple ’s U.S. storeor £ 29 atApple ’s UK depot ) so you may convert an honest-to-god Lightning cable into a USB - C transmission line for your new iPhone 15 , but , as you might expect from Apple , it ’s right smart more expensive than just buy one of the Modern and superior USB - coulomb cables we ’ve reviewed above .
