Knowing what is the right USB-C cable for your needs can be challenging because most of us don't really know much about Type-C wires. You might think it's intimidating, but we're here to help you figure out what's the difference between one USB-C wire and another, what makes a Type-C cable better than the rest, and all the important bits such as wattage, length, and data transfer speeds.
Best USB-C cables for all your needs
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If you want the best specs and high data speeds within a reasonable budget, you want USB 3.1 Gen 2, which can support up to 10Gbps data speeds. This includes 4K video transmission and up to 100W charging speeds. The Anker Powerline II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 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.
Anker issues a lifetime warranty with the Powerline II, which is another undeniable plus. Whether you need to charge your smartphone, laptop, or Chromebook, this Type-C wire is the optimal choice. I just wish this cable came in a variety of colors, like the adorable Anker Flow series of USB-C wires.
Baseus has been making a name for itself as of late with its unique and useful charging solutions — and that trend continues with the 100W PD USB-C LED Display Cable. Between the 6.6-foot and 3.3-foot variants, there are two different sizes to choose from. Luckily, both sizes of the USB-C to USB-C cable are incredibly affordable, making them highly accessible.
The Baseus 100W Type-C wire sports a built-in e-marked chip to help regulate voltage and currents. What gives this cord a leg up in terms of powering up our devices is PD and QC 4.0 fast charging. You can easily top up your Samsung, Google, and Apple devices as full speeds. To add to that, there's an LED display built into one of the connectors that displays the power output of the cable while in use.
As a long-time user of Baseus 100W PD cable, I am a big fan of the nylon braided material used to bolster it. It prevents your cord from tearing or getting damaged. If you have pets like me, this is a very important feature for safety, as well as the integrity of your belongings. Sadly, you'll have to put up with mediocre 480 Mbps data transferring rates with this Type-C cable.
This unassuming black cable boasts the cutting edge USB 4 spec, so it too can support 40 Gbps data speeds at a fantastic price. Cable Matters also included Thunderbolt 3 and 4 support, as well as backwards compatibility for USB 3.2, 3.1, and 2.0. The wire is also USB-IF Certified.
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 at up to 100W speeds, so things like your laptop are sure to 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 and future-proof cable. Again, this cable only comes in a single hue. If you find the 2.6-foot length to be too short, there is another size option that measures 3.3 feet, but it costs a few more dollars.
Looking for something that can handle insane charging speeds without setting your house on fire? Try the UGREEN USB-C Cable that's 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. Breakage will be a far off dream thanks to such sturdy construction.
You also get Power Delivery 3.1 with this UGREEN cable. This thing can stretch out across six feet of space, allowing you to sit comfortably while topping up your phone. On top of that, it's compatible with so many devices like laptops and tablets.
The one caveat of this cheerfully cheap Type-C cable is its USB 2.0 specification. You won't get higher than 480 Mbps data transfer speeds with USB 2.0. Just like Anker, this USB-C to USB-C cable is also limited to a single colorway.
The Belkin Thunderbolt 3 cable offers super-fast data transfer speeds of up to 40 Gbps, and charging outputs of up to 100W. It connects to Thunderbolt 3 hosts, which isn't something you'll find in your everyday bargain-bin USB-C wires.
Belkin's Thunderbolt 3 USB-C cord boasts High Gloss Polycarbonate connectors, which looks fantastic. You can buy this Type-C cable in 1.6-foot, 2.6-foot, and 6.5-foot lengths. As is the case with most of these awesome wires, you only get a single color model.
The USB-C cable promises to deliver video output in 4K and 5K resolutions. If you need a versatile wire that can juice up your USB-C devices, and also hook up your monitor, the Belkin Thunderbolt 3 is a great choice. If you choose to purchase the 6.5-foot option, be prepared to spend an exorbitant amount of money.
Anker has mastered the craft of charging solutions, be it chargers, cables, wireless charging pads, or anything else. I've used the brand's products for years and not one has ever failed me. With the Anker Powerline+ USB-C to USB-A cable, you know you're getting a quality product.
Usually, Anker's products sit 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 feet and three feet measurements. You can get the Anker Powerline+ in a common black and grey color combo, but there's also a second red colorway that is sure to excite you.
Aesthetics aside, this USB 3.0 Type-C to USB-A wire can handle 5 Gbps data transfer speeds and you get Anker's lifetime warranty. You won't get more than 15W charging speeds, but it's still a great cable for the price.
Amazon Basics caters to the budget side of USB-C cables, and you'd be surprised how decent the brand's offering is. This three-foot-long USB Type-C to USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 Cable comes in two plain shades: black and white.
The Amazon cable support 5V and 3A power output which equals to 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 backwards compatibility. Impressively, the Amazon Basics C-to-A wire is capable of up to 10 Gbps transfer speeds, and it is USB-IF Certified.
Seeing 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 is a decent basic Type-C to A cable that provides some value for your coin.
What you need to know before buying a USB-C cable
What is a USB-C cable specifically? It's 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 in the world.
A USB-C cable can be used to deliver power and transfer data to compatible devices that have a Type-C port. This includes phones, tablets, accessories, laptops, monitors, and gaming devices like the Oculus Quest 2. As per the EU's new policy, even iPhones will be required to use USB-C by 2024.
Not all USB-C cables are the same, as the amount of power they can deliver and the speed of data transfer varies. 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 have your typical USB-A connector on one end and a USB-C connector on the other. Generally speaking, 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. I'll explain that in depth below, after you've understood the different specifications found in USB-C cables. Some of them overlap, so let's go over a few things real quick:
- USB Type-C rules are only for the physical connections — data speeds are covered by other rules. You can think of USB-C as a set of rules that only exist to make smarter USB plugs, cables, and connectors. Just because a cable says it's Type-C doesn't mean that it works with every standard. It just means it plugs in with a Type-C connector.
- USB Power Delivery is a USB-certified standard designed to improve charging speeds and flexibility when charging devices, as power can be sent or received by a PD device. Unfortunately, Power Delivery chargers can go up to or above 100 watts, which can cause serious damage if not used the right way. Still, PD's standards are designed to help prevent overheating and overcharging when using a wide array of devices with different power needs.
- USB PD 2.0 and 3.0 are different than USB 2.0 or 3.1, and many cables will include both certifications, since USB Power Delivery is part of the USB 3.1. Power Delivery can also extend beyond USB to other types of connectors, but since we're talking about USB-C cables here, let's not get too far down the rabbit hole.
- If you plug a USB 2.0 cable into a USB PD 2.0 wall charger, the highest charge rate will only be 15W — the cable's maximum. 15W is a fast enough charge for charging a phone, but it won't be fast enough for many tablets, Chromebooks, and other laptops. If you want to buy a single C-to-C cable that can charge your laptop and your phone, buy yourself a USB 3.1 cable with PD charging; 2.0 is okay, 3.0 is better.
- While a normal C-to-C wire is rated 3A, an Electronically Marked Cable (or e-marked cable) is rated 5A. A 3A USB-C cable has a maximum wattage of 60W. For higher speeds, you need a wire with an e-marker chip, as these Type-C cables can deliver up to 100W speeds.
- USB-IF's Type C-to-C cable length compliance — to ensure you get the cable's full features — dictates that USB-C cables with USB 2.0 can be up to four meters long; USB 3.1 wires can stretch up to one meter; USB 3.2 Gen 1 and USB 4 Gen 1 cables can measure up to two meters; USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 4 Gen 2 wires can be as long as one meter; and USB 4 Gen 4 Type-C cables are limited to 0.8 meters in length. USB-C to USB-A cable lengths are limited to a maximum of four meters for USB 2.0, and one meter for USB 3.2 Gen 2. It's not that these wires cannot be longer, but crossing these lengths prevents you from getting their maximum possible power and data transfer speeds.
- The upper limit of data transfer speeds is 480 Mbps for USB 2.0, 5 Gbps for USB 3.0, and 10 Gbps for USB 3.1.
- Thunderbolt 3 and 4 are completely separate specifications that enable much higher data transfer rates through compatible Thunderbolt ports, usually found in laptops and monitors. Unless explicitly mentioned, a USB-C cable does not come with these features.
How to choose the right USB-C cable
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!
Which is best, and how to watch your generations when buying USB-C cables
It's hard to go wrong with an Anker cable like the Powerline II, 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 PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 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 C-to-C Power Delivery 3.0 does, 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.
