Do the nyalon-braided cables wear and fray over time like you would expect from anything that is woven/braided? There’s just one downside: Native Union only seems to offer these cables in 10-foot lengths, which charged our test devices five to 10 minutes slower than more typical 4- to 6-foot cables. If speed isn’t of the essence, though, the practical design here may be well worth that small sacrifice. There is a USB-C version for faster charging as well, though we didn’t test that model ourselves. We did find Belkin’s cables to be a bit more flexible than Anker’s slightly stiffer offering — but with only a two-year warranty, we thought the Ankers were a better buy for just about everyone. Belkin offers these cables in both USB-C and USB-A variants. After publication, Belkin sent us another cable, which exhibited no fraying out of the box. They tell us this isn’t a common issue, and they’re looking into it. After researching many different lightning cables, we narrowed in on the top ten options, which we put through extensive side-by-side testing. After using each one to charge various generations of iPhones and iPads, we determined our preferences for length, cable material, and how efficient each cable was at charging. Through our testing, we could see the best and worst qualities in each model.

Anker PowerLine+ III USB-to-Lightning cable Review: Anker PowerLine+ III USB-to-Lightning cable

With all that said, at the end of the day, I am your average customer that is looking for a versatile and quality cable that I can use in my day-to-day life. And as your average customer, I was confused on what truly differentiated the Powerline cables from each other (hence this thread). Pair with a 30W USB-C charger to power up your MacBook Air in just over 2 hours. (Charger not included) Mophie’s USB-C and USB-A cables offer a braided design in three different lengths, but otherwise didn’t stand out much from the competition — they’re thinner than Anker’s cables without being more flexible, and the warranty lasts only two years. But they performed well in our tests, so if you like the design, they’ll do the job. Them Ohm’s law, the voltage drop across a cable is fixed (at time of manufacturing bit increases with use) a property of the cable, but that fixed absolute Voltage drop becomes a relatively smaller impact at higher voltage, therefore the cable matters less for 60W 20V than it does for say 10W 5V, which is why it matters more to use a shorter Type A than a PD 60W C cable.

Conclusion

I have an Apple iPhone XS Max, but I am seeking a well-rounded cable that can handle everyday use for everyday devices, like the iPad, iPhone, and possibly future Apple products that use the lightning cable and USB-A charging. On that note, it is still unknown whether Apple will begin utilizing USB-C fully across all their devices, but if need be, I will make the switch to USB-C cables. In regards to micro USB’s, again, I find no need for them as I do not specifically use devices that utilize micro USB’s. Satechi’s cable is clearly designed to be a durable monster, similar to Nomad’s Kevlar cables. However, while the Satechi performed just as well as its competition in charging and data transfer, we found it much stiffer than every other cable we tested, without the extra-strong joints of the Nomad cables. It’s a good option — we just prefer the more flexible nature of the other cables we tested.

Anker iPhone Charger Cable, PowerLine II Lightning Cable (3ft

Strength In Numbers: Extreme reinforcement ensures internal wiring is protected to keep phones charging—able to support over 175 lb (80kg). It also comes with a leather snapping strap for coiling the cable, though our model was already flaking when we took it out of its brand-new box, which didn’t inspire a ton of confidence. Belkin also offers a USB-A version of this cable in a few lengths and colors, though we didn’t test that version ourselves. Anker’s latest cable is called the Powerline III Flow, no doubt because of the cable’s unparalleled flexibility. Unlike the typical hard rubber you tend to find in charging cables, the Powerline III flow uses an incredibly soft silica gel, and flexes freely in a way no other cable we tested could match.At this point, I suppose I am juggling bend lifespan, cost, and how the warranties factor in and potentially “cover up” the other two former factors. 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. Ultimate Durability: Lasts 12x longer than other Lightning cables and proven to withstand over 12,000 bends in strict laboratory tests.