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Is your lightning cable too short, starting to split, or no longer pairing with your device? We independently purchased all ten products and subjected them to our series of extensive side-by-side tests; we scrutinized their durability, connectivity, charging speed, and storability. We also compared cables of different lengths and materials, as well as the types of USB attachments, to help you decide which cable is right for you.
Editor's Note: On January 11, 2024, we added in new comparisons to each award winner to highlight other models that either excel in some metrics or are a great value for a specific metric.
The Anker Powerline+ II is incredibly durable and a highly efficient charger. The most common point of failure on charging cables is where the cable meets the plug-in point for the device. This connection point is bent repeatedly while plugging and unplugging your device, and a stiff cable can't withstand this kind of movement for long. This cable's durability stems from the braided nylon sheath, which gives it the flexibility to bend and twist without breaking. The flexible cord made this a standout in product durability. Typical of all the Anker products we tested, this cable comes with a convenient Velcro strap, making coiling and storing the cable streamlined and easy.
The Powerline+ II includes a small storage case. Although this adds some bulk, it helps organize your backpack or purse. This cable's durability, charging efficiency, and storability reign supreme over all the others we tested. The Anker Powerline II USB-C is another award winner that uses a USB-C instead of a USB-A connector, which much of the industry is steering towards.
Across the board, The Anker Powerline+ II was our top-performing lightning cable.
USB-C has become a far more common connection port over the last few years, especially with Apple switching their wall block plugs to this connection. USB-C ports have faster charging speeds, which much of the industry is heading towards. The Anker Powerline II USB-C is upping the ante with fast charge times. Anker's iteration of the USB-C to lightning cable is well-built like their other cables. Covered in a thick, bendy, vinyl-like coating, the cable did well in the durability tests. This was one of the most durable non-braided cables. The vinyl coating is malleable and holds its shape surprisingly well while coiled.
Not all older generation Apple devices are compatible with these cables, and when out and about, finding a charging port can be more difficult (we're looking at you, airplane seats). However, more places are providing these ports as they become more popular. Overall, the Anker Powerline II USB-C is our favorite USB-C to lightning cable with no connectivity issues, a durable cable, and the fastest charging times of all the tested products. If you are an Apple products aficionado, you should check out the Apple Lightning to USB-C] cable. Offering a similar level of connectivity and charging speed at a slightly lower price point, it's the only other USB-A to USB-C tested that should be considered.
The Amazon Basics Lightning to USB A cable is simple, cost-effective, and entirely adequate. Reminiscent of the original Apple version, this cable has a thin plastic sheath that visibly stresses when you bend it. If you consistently lose your charging cables but still want a semi-high-quality option, check this one out.
Unfortunately, we encountered some connectivity problems during testing. These issues were particularly prominent when first plugging the cable in to begin charging. While we only experienced this with some devices, it occurred frequently enough to raise concerns about overall longevity. The charging times are adequate, but the material makes it difficult to coil and store. If you're seeking similar performance to the Apple cable without the name-brand price, the Amazon Basics is a viable alternative. If price point isn't your biggest concern, the Anker Powerline + II 6 ft Lightning offers much better connectivity and charging speed. It also comes with our highest recommendation.
Simple and affordable, the Amazon Lightning cable is a great deal.
The Nomad Kevlar Universal Cable 1.5 m is a top-tier cord. It is made from high-quality components and receives high scores across the board; we'd be hard-pressed to find a better-made cable. This cable will withstand almost any abuse consumers put it through with an outer sheath constructed of braided Kevlar. Not only does its Kevlar sheath give it high marks in durability, but it also significantly adds to the cable's storability. The thick and supple sheath coils and stays coiled incredibly well. In addition to the material being easy to coil, the cable comes equipped with a clever rubber “ratchet” strap that secures the coiled cord in place. The strap lets you feed the cable out of the coil if you want to change the cord length while charging. A huge plus is not having a big pile of extra cable spilled all over your workspace.
With a micro USB as its base, the Nomad Kevlar cable has a Lightning and USB-C attachment connected via semi-rigid rubber extensions. The rigidity of the attachments prevents the end pieces from flopping around and keeps the whole package a little neater while not in use. At 1.5 meters long, the Nomad can do tasks shorter cords can't, like reaching the back seat of a car. The only real downside with this cable is the bulk. If you don't need the universal charging capabilities, lugging this thing around might feel like a waste of space. This charger is perfectly suited to rideshare drivers and businesses, given its rugged durability and extra length. The Native Union Belt Cable XL is another long cable option that uses a braided Kevlar design with slightly faster charging speeds.
This universal charger is great for road trips, when you bringing multiple devices.
Compatible with micro USB, USB-C, and lightning ports
Durable sheath
REASONS TO AVOID
Bulky
The Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1 cable comes complete with a Micro USB, USB-C, and, most relevant to us here, a lightning connector attachment. The cable is sheathed in a vinyl-like material similar to the Apple Cable. This coating, however, is thicker and more pliable than the Apple version. When coiled, the cable holds its shape well and doesn't spring back open like the Apple version is prone to do. Combined with the standard Anker Velcro strap, that makes coiling and storing this cable quick and simple.
The micro USB attachment is the base connector, which the USB-C and lightning connector snap onto. Both connectors snapped firmly into place without any connectivity issues. Like other universal models, you might only want to sacrifice the additional space this bulky cable requires if you need the additional charging capabilities. However, the shorter length, great storability, and good durability make the Anker 3-in-1 a perfect universal charger for travelers who don't want to carry a suitcase full of tangled cables. The Nomad Kevlar Universal Cable 1.5 m provides notable durability and a similar level of performance, with the ability to connect to multiple devices. We recommend taking a look at this one too.
This compact multi-charger is ideal for traveling with multiple devices.
The Native Union Belt Cable XL not only produced some of the fastest charging times of any cables we tested, but its commitment to a higher visual aesthetic is also noteworthy. While most options on the market are purely utilitarian in design, it's nice to see a company putting in the extra thought to ensure the devices we surround ourselves with are visually appealing. The leather strap used for securing the coiled cable and its high contrast color pattern are subtle details that give this product a more refined look. The 10-foot length is simultaneously one of its greatest selling points, but depending on your needs, one of its most significant drawbacks.
No matter where your closest outlet is, you'll likely be able to plug in your device and still be free to use it. On the flip side, ten feet is a lot of cable with the potential for twists, snares, and cluttering your workspace. Given the specialty nature of this product, we don't recommend it as your main charging cable. Still, given its high-quality build and excellent performance, it is worth adding to your quiver if you need a long cord. If you don't need the best performance and instead require several USB-A to USB-C cables, be sure to look at the TAKAGI iPhone Charger, which offers three cables at an affordable price point.
The extra-long length of this cable will let you use your device while charging, regardless of where the closet outlet is.
Credit: Buck Yedor
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Why Trust GearLab
To eliminate bias, we ordered each at retail price and began testing. We spent several hours with each product, assessing the construction, bending them in all directions, and testing performance by connecting and charging several of our home devices. Through this testing we were able to determine the best and worst qualities of each contender.
Our testing was divided into the following four key metrics:
Durability (30% of overall score weighting)
Connectability (30% weighting)
Charging Speed (25% weighting)
Storability (15% weighting)
As an avid user of lightning cable products for both work and personal use, our primary tester, Buck Yedor, has been plugging and unplugging lightning cables since their inception. He has come to value well-built products that can go the distance by sharing cables on job sites, using, abusing, and losing cables through extensive travel, and generally beating everything he owns into the dirt. Having used countless lightning cables over the years, Buck has a keen eye for early signs of wear. As busy as the next person, he relies on his phone and devices to be charged as efficiently as possible.
Checking connectivity
Many of the cables in our test.
We plugged in and unplugged each device countless times to check for durability and connectivity.
Analysis and Test Results
To test the different lightning cables, we started by incorporating them into our daily charging routines. After an initial informal assessment to see how the various cables held up to everyday use, we changed our testing protocols to a systematic and repeatable testing process that ensured each cable was subjected to the same conditions. We tested each model with three different generations of iPhones and three different generations of iPads. We wanted to test the cables' durability, find any connectivity issues, track how efficient their charging speeds were, and identify how easy each cable was to coil and store away.
What's the Best Value?
While there are certainly many budget options when shopping for lightning cables, most aren't worth buying. Perhaps the most important thing you want to keep in mind is the longevity of the cable you're considering. If your cable breaks or loses its ability to pair with your device after just a few weeks, it's not worth the low price. There is a sweet spot between the most premium options and the mid-range products.
While most of the Anker products may be more expensive, we believe they are worth the price. They are extremely durable and high-quality products that will last you a long, long time. If you're constantly losing cables, the Amazon Basics might be a better choice. While it's not the highest performer in any metric, it's more than adequate, considering the price point.
Durability
Almost all of us, at one point or another, have come across an almost entirely decapitated charging cable, barely hanging on by the internal wiring. The goal of the durability testing was to see at what point and where each cable would start to show wear. We wanted to know how well these cables could stand up to the heavy abuse these small but essential pieces of equipment often receive. We found that the most common place to show wear was where the cable attached to the USB connection point.
Cables with either braided nylon or braided kevlar sheaths, such as the Anker+ II and the Nomad Universal Cable, were, without question, one of the most durable. After countless 90-degree bends, using the cables to prop up the devices vertically, and even accidentally letting the cables fall prey to a pair of kittens, the braided cables showed almost no signs of wear.
Braided sheaths fared far better in our durability testing.
Credit: Buck Yedor
The thicker rubberized cables found on the Anker II Lightning to USB-C fared the next best. While not as bendy as braided cables, the thicker rubber kept each one from being bent beyond its ability to recover. The thinner and less pliable rubberized options, such as the Apple and Amazon Basics cables, started to show signs of wear at the connection points.
Checking cable durability on the Apple model - shown after repeated bending.
Credit: Buck Yedor
Connectivity
No matter how much physical abuse a lightning cable can withstand, the inability of a device to register a connection to the cable renders it useless. In theory, an MFI (Made for iProducts) certification should ensure a cable's ability to charge Apple devices and transfer data. However, we found this is not always the case, especially as cables age. To test for connectivity issues, we plugged and unplugged all the cables from multiple devices, monitored the devices for error messages during charging, and attempted to use each device while it was charging.
We found no connectivity issues with either of the Apple cables we tested or with the more premium options like the Anker, Native Union, and Nomad cables. Even with its MFI certification, our devices wouldn't always register a connection with the Amazon Basics Cable but would eventually start charging after unplugging and reinserting the cable. The worst performers here were the Takagi and Yunsong cables. Straight out of the box, it was hit or miss whether or not they would start charging our devices. They would sometimes stop charging altogether if we moved them at all while connected. During one test, the Yunsong cable wouldn't charge one of our devices past 94%, no matter how long we left it plugged in.
We plugged into the Takagi charger but could not find a connection.
Credit: Buck Yedor
Charging Speed
Charging speed refers to how quickly a cable can charge your device. To test charging efficiency, we ran our six devices down to zero percent battery and then timed how long it took to reach various levels of battery charge.
The Anker USB-C to Lightning performed the best, going from zero to one hundred percent charged in under one and a half hours. The Apple Lightning to USB-C came in as a close second.
USB-C cables can offer significantly faster charge times.
Credit: Buck Yedor
The Nomad 3-in-1 cable and the Native Union cables were noticeably faster than the other USB-A cables, with charging times under three hours. The rest of the cables charged at similar speeds, some being faster and then slower, depending on the test and device.
Storability
The final component of our testing metrics was the storability of each cable. We wanted to see how easily and cleanly each cable could be coiled and put away.
For someone who prefers a tidy workspace, cable management is key. The length and material of each cable greatly affected how well it coiled and stayed coiled.
The three-foot Anker+II Powerline in its carrying case, next to the coiled 3.2 foot Apple cable.
Credit: Buck Yedor
The Anker+II Powerline scored the highest marks in storability. Its braided sheath, Velcro storage strap, and small carrying case made for the easiest and cleanest storage of the bunch. The Nomad 3-in-1 cable's flexible kevlar sheath, combined with its rubber ratchet strap (especially considering its length), came in at a close second.
The rubber ratchet strap on the Nomad Universal Charger makes for easy coiling during use and storage.
Credit: Buck Yedor
All of the cables with thin and less rubberized sheaths, such as the Apple and Amazon Basics lightning cables, had a difficult time staying coiled. The elasticity of the material caused them to continually want to spring open. And with no provided mechanism to keep them coiled up, we found these three products to be functionally the worst when it came to storability.
While the more premium brands performed the highest in testing, the big price difference is a significant tradeoff.
Credit: Buck Yedor
Conclusion
After scouring the internet for the best cables sold today, our team of electronic experts handpicked ten products to purchase and compare in a series of side-by-side tests. Although lightning cables themselves aren't the most complex pieces of technology, the devices they charge are essential to most of our daily lives, and having a reliable cable is crucial. The results from our side-by-side testing will help you determine which cable has the right balance of durability, connectivity, charging efficiency, and storability. If you're looking for other types of connectivity cords, we've also tested the top USB-C cables.
