15 best USB-C cables (2025): for iPhone, Android phones, tablets and laptops

With different standards and technologies to load the workplace is much more difficult than it should be to understand what a cable can do. There are a few things that are worth knowing when shopping.

USB standards: The universal serial bus (USB) dates back to 1996, but over the years many new standards, revisions and types of connectors have been observed. Instead of running through everyone here, we try to emphasize what matters.

Connectors: While the USB-C graciously becomes a standard type of connection, you want cables with connectors that meet your existing devices. Today, this can still mean USB-A, Lightning or even MicroUSB. Remember that the capabilities of each cable are limited to its oldest connection type.

Data: The data transmission speed is always in megabits per second (Mbps) or gigabits per second (GBPS). You will know that the speed at which the cable can be able to be capable of standard:

• USB 2.0 supports 480 Mbps
• USB 3.0 supports 5 Gbps
• USB 3.1 supports 10 Gbps
• USB 3.2 Gen 1 supports 5 Gbps
• USB 3.2 Gen 2 supports 10 Gbps
• USB 3.2 Gen 3 supports 20 Gbps
• USB 4.0 supports 40 Gbps

Power: While cable manufacturers always list the maximum boot speed, your device will determine how much power to download, so it is important to know what standards it supports and combine your cable with the right power adapter. The cable charging rate is measured in wadding (W). Sometimes manufacturers will list the specifications of the cable in Tiny Print. If there is no listed W, you can calculate it by multiplying the voltage (V) and current (A) by assuming that they are listed.

The main USB-C cables are passive and can only carry up to 60 watts. Cables that can carry 100 watts or more, sometimes described as active, must contain chips for electronic markers that identify the cable and its capabilities.

The power supply standard (PD) is as close as it needs to a common standard. Several manufacturers, such as OnePlus, Oppo and Xiaomi, still have their own boot standards. Then there is a Qualcomm QC standard (QC) standard, which has been the most popular for phones for many years, although fasting 4+ supports PD. Even PD has an option called programmable power supply (PPS), which is part of the USB PD 3.0 standard. PPS allows real -time adjustments to increase efficiency and charge phones as Samsung’s Galaxy S22 range With up to 45 watts instead of the usual 18. The latest addition to PD is an extended power range (EPR), which allows the USB-C cables to carry up to 240 watts (they were limited to 100 watts).

Thunderbolt was a patented interface developed by Intel and Apple, but is now open for trouble -free use (still certified by Intel). With the Thunderbolt 3, the standard has accepted the USB-C connector and is capable of data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps and can supply 100 watts using the PD standard. Thunderbolt 4 brings various improvements, mostly related to the video signal (support for two 4K displays or 8K display). It also supports the USB 4 standard and is compatible with previous standards.

Cable Certification: There are several types of certification of cables. When a certified cable, it usually means that it has been tested independently and meets specific standards. This gives you as a buyer calm that your cable presents, as the manufacturer claims. Certification can be expensive, so many cable manufacturers divert it, but that does not necessarily mean that their cables are of poor quality. Thehe USB contractor forum (USB -F) is a non-profit organization dedicated to the development of USB technology. Managed by members such as Apple, Google, HP, Microsoft and Intel, it sets specifications and offers certification. If the cable is certified by USB-IF, it is tested to ensure that it meets its standards. Apple has its own iPhone (MFI) certification for lightning. Intel certifies Thunderbolt cables. Certified cables usually have the corresponding connector logo. (For example, Thunderbolt’s cables have lightning.)