6 Best iPhone Lightning Cables 2023
6 Best iPhone Lightning Cables 2023 | The Strategist
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The one that comes in the box with your iPhone is short in length and notoriously short in lifespan, but third parties like Anker and Nomad have stepped up to make cables that can outlast and outperform Apple’s own offerings. To find the best options, we spoke with tech experts and iPhone users about their favorites and included a couple of ours.
Lightning cables range in length from one to ten feet.
If you often charge your phone while driving, you may want a shorter cable for your car to prevent it from getting in the way or being stepped on, but if you sometimes need to charge your phone while playing mobile games or sitting far away from an outlet, you may want a longer option.
Depending on where you’ll be plugging in the non-Lightning end of the cable, you’ll need either a USB-A connector or a USB-C connector. The USB-A connector is a bit older but still fairly common, and it has a larger, rectangular shape. The smaller, more powerful USB-C connector has become the standard on newer devices and can charge much faster. It can also transmit video, so it works as something of an HDMI replacement on devices that support USB-C input and is compatible with larger devices like monitors. Do keep in mind, though, that Apple no longer includes a charging brick with new iPhones, so make sure your cable is compatible with whatever charging block you use (i.
e., if your cable has a Lightning connector on one end and a USB-A connector on the other, you’ll want a charging brick with at least one USB-A port, and the same goes for USB-C compatibility).
While standard charging speeds may be sufficient for overnight charging, sometimes you need to top off your phone before heading out the door. In those cases, you’ll want a cable that supports fast charging — anything with a wattage of 20W or more. With that, you can get from 0 percent to 50 in as little as 30 minutes, depending on the cable. It has to be paired with a charging brick that’s capable of fast charging.
Apple’s standard Lightning cables are encased in rubber, which is prone to damage from bending and other general wear and tear.
Braided nylon tends to be more durable, especially against twists and bends. These cables typically cost a little more, but you’re less likely to need a replacement a few months or a year down the line. Some cables come wrapped in Kevlar, which is the most durable material we’ve seen on a Lightning cable, but it’s also the most expensive.
Apple verifies whether a third-party manufacturer is meeting its standards and providing safe charging performance for Apple devices through MFI certification. It’s best to steer clear of non-MFI-certified cables because they could damage your device or overheat from charging. All the cables we recommend have this certification.
The straight connector is what most people are used to, but some cables have a right-angle connector that can handle more stress and make the phone more comfortable to hold while it’s charging, as the bottom of the connector won’t be sticking down and digging into your palm.
That may be more of an issue if you’re right-handed, though.
Anker Nylon USB-C to Lightning Charging Cord
From
$12
$15 now 20% off
From
$12
Length: 1 ft., 3.3 ft., 6 ft., 10 ft. | Connection: USB-C | Fast charge support: Yes | Material: Braided nylon | MFI certification: Yes | Connector shape: Straight
Anker makes a variety of cables and chargers for Apple devices and has a well-earned reputation for its sturdy, reliable products. Many Anker cables, including this one, come in multiple lengths. If your nearest outlet is pretty far away, a longer cable will come in handy, and this one goes all the way up to ten feet.
The braided nylon cover holds up well over time and is MFI certified. “It has a few loose threads here and there but doesn’t look anywhere near as dilapidated as my old Apple Lightning cable,” says former Strategist writer Jordan Bowman. This cable comes in four colors: black, silver, light blue, and red.
From
$12
at Amazon
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Anker USB-C to 90 Degree Lightning Cable
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$16
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$16
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Anker USB-A to 90 Degree Lightning Cable
$18
$18
$18
at Amazon
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$18
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Length: 3 ft.
, 6 ft. | Connection: USB-C | Fast charge support: Yes | Material: Rubber | MFI certification: Yes | Connector shape: Right angle
If you need a USB-C– or USB-A–to–Lightning cable and want a right-angle Lightning connector, try this one from Anker, which comes in three- and six-foot lengths. While the USB-C end has a straight connector, Anker’s cables are typically stronger than Apple’s. This MFI-certified cable also comes in white. Note that the USB-A version doesn’t support fast charging.
As one Amazon reviewer notes, however, the short length of the Lightning connector on this model may prove to be an issue if you’re using a particularly thick phone case.
If you don’t want to take your case off to charge your phone, you may be better off with one of our other recommendations.
Anker Powerline II 3-in-1 Cable
$22
$22
Length: 3 ft. | Connection: USB-A | Fast charge support: No | Material: Rubber | MFI certification: Yes | Connector shape: Straight
Nobody likes having to plug and unplug cables just to charge devices that require different connectors. That’s where multi-connector cables come in: With them, you can turn a Lightning cable into a USB-C cable when you need to let your friend charge their Android phone or swap to micro-USB when your old Bluetooth speaker needs a charge.
Anker’s Powerline II three-in-one cable packs three connectors (Lightning, USB-C, and micro-USB) into a single cable using two attached adapters to swap between connectors. One enthusiastic Amazon reviewer said the Powerline II “significantly cuts down on the amount of cables I carry with me when I travel” since you don’t have to lug around a separate cable for each device you need on the go.
A few caveats, though: The primary connector is micro-USB, which isn’t omnidirectional, so you’ll have to make sure you plug it in the right way, and it comes in only one length. Additionally, since this cable uses adapters to switch connectors, there may be a lag in data transfer that you wouldn’t get with a straight USB-A connector. This is also the only cable we recommend that doesn’t support fast charging. That trade-off may be worth it if you’re looking to save yourself time swapping cords, but you’re better off with another cable if you need to charge your phone in a hurry.
$22
at Amazon
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Nomad Kevlar USB-C to Lightning Cable
From
$40
From
$40
Length: 3 ft., 10 ft. | Connection: USB-C | Fast charge support: Yes | Material: Kevlar | MFI certification: Yes | Connector shape: Straight
Nomad is known for its well-made Apple accessories, from Apple Watch bands to cables to charging pads. The Nomad Lightning cable is about as durable as one can be — I’ve been using mine since early 2020 and it’s only now beginning to show signs of wear and tear, namely a bit of fraying near where it’s bent the most, but it still functions just fine.
It’s covered in thick, double-braided Kevlar, a heat-resistant synthetic fiber. The Nomad Kevlar cable comes in 3-foot and 10-foot versions. It has MFI certification and comes with a rubber tie to keep the cable wrapped up and tangle free when you’re not using it.
From
$40
at Amazon
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AmazonBasics 3ft Nylon USB-A to Lightning Cable Cord 2-Pack
From
$10
From
$10
Length: 3 ft., 6 ft. | Connection: USB-A | Fast charge support: Yes | Material: Rubber | MFI certification: Yes | Connector shape: Straight
The AmazonBasics Lightning cable is a favorite among Amazon reviewers due to its thick wire and consequent durability.
“The last AmazonBasics charger I had lasted for two years, which I thought was long enough for the price, so I came back for a second one,” writes one reviewer. AmazonBasics sells its cables in multipacks, which is great for households with lots of devices or people who are prone to losing cables. You can choose between three or six feet in length and buy cables in a two-pack or five-pack. Depending on the length and number of cables you want, you can choose between four colors: red, silver, rose gold, and dark gray. The cables are MFI certified, and if you pick up a whole pack, you’ll always have an extra on hand.
From
$10
at Amazon
Buy
From
$10
at Amazon
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Anker Powerline III USB-C to Lightning Cable
$24
$24
Length: 3 ft.
, 6 ft. | Connection: USB-C | Fast charge support: Yes | Material: Rubber | MFI certification: Yes | Connector shape: Straight
If you like your cables to have a little variety, Anker’s Powerline III USB-C to Lightning cable comes in eight colors while offering nearly the same features as other cables that are available in fewer color options. “The Anker cables I have can put a respectable Hail Mary charge on my iPhone 12 Pro battery in as little as ten minutes,” says Strategist senior editor Jen Trolio. “It’s basically always worth plugging in my phone even if I have only a few minutes before I have to leave again.”
This cable has a rubber casing around the wires, but Trolio says that’s not a problem; they’re plenty durable.
“They are clearly much sturdier than Apple’s cables,” she says. “These will last far longer — probably at least until there’s finally a USB-C charging standard and all Lighting cables become obsolete e-waste.”
$24
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• Alison Freer, Strategist contributor
• Matt Goulet, Strategist contributor
• Steven John, former Strategist tech columnist
• Jen Trolio, Strategist senior editor
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Rexant USB cable for iPhone 5/6/7/8/X models 18-4249 Data cable
Rexant USB cable for iPhone 5/6/7/8/X models 18-4249 Data cable
iPhone 5/6/7/8/X models 18-4249
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Rexant 18-4249
USB cable for iPhone 5/6/7/8/X models, gold metal, 1 meter REXANT
Buy at low prices Rexant 18-4249
Description Rexant 18-4249 900 04
USB data cable is designed for charging and synchronizing mobile devices with the appropriate connectors.
The cable connects on one side to your Apple mobile device with a Lightning 8 pin connector, and on the other side to the USB connector of a power source or other electronic device (computer, tablet, laptop).
Main advantages:
The length of the cord is 1 meter – the optimal size, convenient for both storage and use.
The cable acquired a stylish design thanks to the metal braid of the cord, which has increased anti-vandal characteristics, prevents creases and is resistant to repeated bending, and is not of interest to pets.
Suitable for:
Apple iPhone 5/5c/5S/6/6+/6s/6s+/SE/7/7+/8/8+/X
Apple iPad 4/mini/Air tablets
Apple iPods touch 5, nano 7
Characteristics:
Connector interface #1: Lightning 8 pin
Connector interface 2: USB
Cord length: 1 meter
Braid material: metal
Color: gold
The REXANT cable will allow you to synchronize your gadget in a matter of seconds , transfer data at a very high speed and charge the internal battery as quickly as possible.
Specification Rexant 18-4249
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Packing width
10 cm -
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10 cm -
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10 cm
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1 kg -
Unit
PC. -
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The Russian brand Rexant was founded in 1999 is a company that is known on the Russian market as a supplier of cable products for television, information networks, video surveillance systems, as well as for fire and security systems, satellite television and access control points. The company’s product range includes consumables and connectors for mounting low-voltage systems. In the Russian market, the company quickly gained immense popularity due to the optimal ratio of product quality and cost.
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Select pickup pointMoscow, st. fan, house 7/2, office 2
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Rexant USB cable for iPhone 5/6/7/8/X models 18-4249
Code: 18-4249
USB cable for iPhone 5/6/7/8/X models, gold metal, 1 meter REXANT
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Original Apple Lightning USB Cable iPhone, iPod, iPad 100 cm (MD818ZM/A)
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Original Apple Lightning USB Cable iPhone, iPod, iPad 100 cm (MD818ZM/A)
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Lightning to USB cable made by Apple for charging and synchronization.
Cable (MD818ZM/A) has a USB 2.0 connector on one side and a Lightning connector on the other side. The Lightning connector uses a special chip that ensures maximum security when working with your iPhone, iPad, etc. This connector can be used by any party.
The cord is made of high quality materials that provide high wear protection, safe operation and a pleasant user experience.
Includes Apple branded carton box, Ligtning to USB prod, paper instructions.
Apple Lightning MD818ZM/A Charging Cable for iPhone, iPad, iPod is the original recommended by Apple for use with compatible devices!
Suitable for: iPhone 5/5c/5s/6/6s/6 plus/ 6s plus, iPad 3/4 (new), iPad Mini /2/3/4, iPod Touch 5/6.
Cable length: 100 cm
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Jacob
The store on Semyonovskaya was on the way. offered a choice of a copy and the original, to be honest, I’m already tired of changing the cables of the copy, they don’t work for long, I took the original, the Apple label on the package, called the serial number, checked it, it’s really the original, the flight is normal for a week, even a child can’t break it yet)) Thanks to the manager Nikita
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