Best USB-C and Thunderbolt 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—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 new devices now use USB-C or Thunderbolt for charging and data transfers.

We have tried and tested the best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables here. If you want to jump straight to our recommendations click the one that meets your requirements:

Best USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad

Best USB-C and Thunderbolt cable for Mac

You can find cheaper online but we recommend cables only from trusted brands, such as Anker, Cable Matters, Belkin and Ugreen. 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.

Apple’s old Lightning connector 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 120Gbps.

Apple’s iPhone 15 and 16 have 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. Even the USB-C cable

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




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. Don’t stick with USB-A at one end as the old standard is limited in data transfer speed to 10Gbps and limited in charging speed to just 15W.




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.

Know your cables

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 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 all MacBooks.

Apple says that the iPhone 15 and 16 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. Tests have shown that newer iPhones can reach charging speeds of up to 30W so we think a 20W charger isn’t going to offer iPhone charging as fast as you can get. Check out our reviews of the best iPhone chargers.

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 up to 40Gbps on Thunderbolt 4 and 120Gbps on Thunderbolt 5. 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 15/16 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 photos to a computer.

Note that the USB-C cable Apple supplies with the iPhone 15/16 families 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.

Best USB-C cables for iPhone and iPad

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 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 or iPad unless you charge wirelessly—check out the best MagSafe wireless iPhone chargers.

All iPads on sale today feature a USB-C connector. 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 USB-C cables reviewed below will be fine as 20W should be enough to charge even an iPad. 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 Matters cord below, is an excellent option if you don’t want to spend a bundle on Thunderbolt.






1. Apple USB-C Woven Charge Cable (1m)














Pros

Made by Apple

60W Power Delivery

Robust woven design


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 60W

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Colors: White

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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 15/16 Pro models boast 10Gbps data transfer, this cable’s low 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 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.







2. Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best budget USB-C charging cable for iPhone and iPad














Pros

Twin pack

60W Power Delivery

Robust braided design

Length options


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

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

Colors: Black

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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.







3. Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best charge and data cable for iPhone and iPad














Pros

100W Power Delivery

4K monitor support

10Gbps data transfer

Available in Black and White









Price When Reviewed:

€17,99





Charging: 100W

Data transfer speed: 10Gbps

Monitor support: 4K

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Black or White

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging and syncing iPad, charging MacBook Air and 14-inch MacBook Pro

Not for: Syncing MacBooks, charging 16-inch MacBook Pro

Apple has increased wired data transfer bandwidth to 10Gbps on the iPhone 15/16 Pro and Pro Max—20x faster than the USB-C of the plain iPhone 15/16’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.

Owners of the iPad Pro may prefer a Thunderbolt cable with 40Gbps data transfer.







4. Anker 515 USB-C to USB-C Cable (USB4) – Best charge and data cable for iPad Pro














Pros

240W Power Delivery

40Gbps data transfer

6K monitor support for iPad Pro


Cons

Short









Price When Reviewed:

€35.99





Charging: 240W

Data transfer speed: 40Gbps

Monitor support: 6K

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Black

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging and syncing iPad, charging MacBook Air and MacBook Pro

For ultimate iPad Pro data transfer bandwidth, choose 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 offers some Apple tablet and laptop future-proofing. Remember, you won’t harm your iPad or Mac 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.







5. Anker 333 USB-C Cable (10ft) – Best long USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad














Pros

Long cable

60W Power Delivery

Robust braided design

Color options


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 10ft (3m)

Colors: Black, Red, Silver

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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.







6. CableCreation Short USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best short USB-C cable for iPhone and iPad














Pros

Short cable

60W Power Delivery

Robust braided design


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

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

Colors: Black

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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.







7. Cable Matters Retractable USB-C 2.0 Charging Cable – Best retractable USB-C cable














Pros

Retractable

60W Power Delivery

Tangle free


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 60W

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

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Colors: Black

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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

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.







8. Baseus Free2Draw Mini Retractable USB-C Cable 100W – Best retractable 100W USB-C cable














Pros

Retractable

100W Power Delivery

Tangle free


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 100W

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

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Colors: White, Black, Purple, Blue

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 syncing 16-inch MacBook Pro

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.







9. Wave Bio-Based Charging USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best eco-friendly USB-C cable














Pros

Eco friendly

60W Power Delivery


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















Charging: 60W

Data transfer speed: 480Mbps

Monitor support: No

Cable length: 3.3ft (1m)

Colors: Speckled recycled white

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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.







10. Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best USB-C cable color range














Pros

Color options

Tough but flexible silicone

60W Power Delivery


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed

















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

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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.







11. Casetify PowerThru USB-C to USB-C Cable – Prettiest USB-C cable














Pros

Color options

Robust braided design with rounded head

60W Power Delivery


Cons

Slow data-transfer speed









Price When Reviewed:

€50




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Casetify




$28



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$28 at Casetify





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

Best for: Charging iPhone 15 and 16, charging iPad, charging MacBook Air

Not for: Syncing iPad, syncing MacBook Air, charging or syncing MacBook Pro

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.







Best USB-C and Thunderbolt cables for Mac

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. Apple’s latest M4 Macs feature Thunderbolt 5, which has a potential data 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 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.






1. Anker 310 USB-C to USB-C Cable – Best 60W PD USB-C charging cable














Pros

60W Power Delivery

Twin pack

Robust braided design

Length options


Cons

Not suitable for monitor connection

Slow data-transfer speed