The 12 Best iPhone Charging Cables, No Matter Which iPhone You've Got

You'd be forgiven for assuming that the best iPhone charging cables come from Apple itself. Yet as we wrote in our recent guide to the best chargers for iPhones, this stuff isn't Cupertino's strong suit. The best charging cables these days come from third-party manufacturers that have nailed Maslow's Hierarchy of Low Battery Needs: price, speed, durability, and length. Of course, it's never quite as simple as finding one cable to rule them all. (Though we did find one of those—sort of.)

As you've learned by now, even the simplest tech doodad has asterisks and caveats. A charging cable that can handle high-wattage speeds might not necessarily be worth the money, depending on your situation. A long iPhone charging cable is nice for lounging on the couch—but possibly overkill for your night stand. An ultra-durable charging cable lasts longer, but costs more. And then, of course, when it comes to what you should look for in the best iPhone charging cable, there's the whole connector situation.

The Best iPhone Charging Cables, at a Glance

So your phone is dead. And your charger. What's new? Forget all the chitter chatter and figure out which one you need right now.

• The Best Charging Cable Overall: Anker 534 USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable, $17 $13
• The Budget Pick: Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-A, $7
• The Best Lightning Cable to USB-A: Anker Powerline II Lightning Cable to USB-A, $16 $14
• The Best Lightning to USB-C Cable: Anker Powerline II Lightning Cable to USB-C, $18
• The Best USB-C to USB-A Cable: Belkin Braided USB-C to USB-A Cable, $15 $13
• The Best 90-Degree Angle Cable: Anker 90-Degree USB-C to USB-C Cables, 2-Pack $16 $14
• The Best Braided Cable with Style: Native Union USB-C to USB-C Cable, $35 $30
• The Best Extra-Long Cable: Anker USB-C to USB-C Braided Cable, 10-Feet, $19 $14

In 2023, Apple ditched the Lightning cable, the proprietary connector that had bedeviled countless iPhone users since it was introduced in 2012. The iPhone 15 launched using the industry-standard USB-C cable connector (only, oh, 10 years behind the rest of the mobile phone world), which meant that the same cord can charge a phone, the latest AirPods, fairly recent iPads, and MacBooks. Of course, if you have an iPhone 14 or older, you still need the Lightning cord. And if you have an iPhone 15 or newer, you need to wade through rat king of USB-C charging cables with differing specs. There are 100-watt and 240-watt USB-C cables, Thunderbolt-certified USB-C cables, USB-A to USB-C cables…

Deep breath. Read on to find the best charging cables for iPhone 15, as well as our favorite Lightning cables for iPhone 14-and-older models. (And while you're here, consider grabbing an iPhone-compatible fast charger if you want to make sure you're not standing around waiting for on a slow-charging phone.)

Your Charging Cable FAQs, Answered:

→ What to look for in an iPhone charging cable
→ What is a Lightning connector?
→ What are Thunderbolt cables, and do I need one?

The Best iPhone Charging Cable Overall: PowerLine III Flow USB-C to USB-C

This is the cord to get if you want a USB-C cable that can charge anything with an Apple logo at relatively high speeds. Rated at 100W, it lets an iPhone chug electricity at maximum speeds (20W), plus has more than enough bandwidth for a MacBook or speedy data transfers. Also nice: it comes in two lengths and multiple pastel colors. The silicone cord has a soft matte finish that's flexible and durable, as proven out over a year of heavy use and travel without any wear and tear. That said, it's not as tangle-free as Anker promises, and it doesn't come with the lifetime warranty of other Anker charging cables.

The Best Budget USB-C Charging Cable for iPhone 15: Amazon Basics

Just need a cheap replacement for a worn-out, fraying cable? This Amazon Basics cable is exactly what the brand says: basic. Despite the etailer billing it as a fast-charging cable, it's not. Per Amazon, the cable's good for 15W charging, which is the same as using a solid wireless charger, but nothing magical for a cable. We'd definitely recommend using it for your iPhone, but not your laptop. Still, it comes in multiple lengths and even in a 5-pack if you're looking to strew them throughout the house like you're Johnny Apple-charger. (FYI: It's also available in a USB-A to USB-C version if your wall adapter is old-school like that.)

Best Lightning Cables for iPhone 14 and Older: Anker Powerline II in USB-C and USB-A

When Lightning debuted, most cables were being plugged into an older, blockier USB-A port. Nowadays, it's a USB-C world when it comes to laptop ports and wall adaptors for chargers. Even if you need a Lightning cable for your iPhone, we'd suggest you get the USB-C to Lightning cable. You'll be able to take advantage of fast charging, especially when buying newer travel power adaptors, and you can plug your phone into a MacBook for emergency juice.

That said, if switching to USB-C isn't helpful and you need to stick with USB-A, our recommendation is basically the same. Anker's Powerline II products are the industry standard as far as we're concerned: speedy, Apple MFi-certified, and backed by a lifetime warranty. They only come in white and black, but we don’t think that's too big of a trade-off for a trustworthy charge.

The Best USB-A to USB-C Cable: Belkin Braided USB Cable

Only the iPhone 15 currently uses USB-C cables to charge, but comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable…and no wall adaptor. What's a person to do if they've got a bunch of perfectly useful power adaptors, wall warts, and travel chargers with USB-A ports? Buy this cable.

Like Anker, Belkin makes quality gear you can trust. The flexible braided material along the cord adds durability, so it won't start to peel and crack like an Apple cable will. Also, shout out to the metric system, which results in this cord getting some extra length compared to Anker's cords, thanks to Belkin's 1-meter (3.3-foot) and 2-meter (6.6-foot) options.

The Best 90-Degree Angle USB-C Cable: Anker USB-C Right Angle Cable, 2-Pack

In tight spaces (think cars, airplanes, and power outlets awkwardly placed behind beds), a 90-degree connector port like this can be a godsend. In our opinion, it's actually an improvement on the original design, as USB cables tend do stick out about an inch or so from the connecting port. While this product lacks Mfi or USB-IF certification, it has a 240W max and fast data transfer speeds.

The Best Stylish iPhone 15 Charging Cable: Native Union USB-C to USB-C

We love Native Union's durable and stylish braided cables, available in four high-visibility styles, ranging from a slate green and mustard yellow to the brand's signature Zebra pattern (pictured above). At eight feet long, there's no worry about it stretching from sofa to outlet, plus and it comes with a leather strap and snap to keep it organized and tangle-free on the road. The fact that it comes in 100W and 240W versions is a hint that the cable's designed for laptops, so if you're only charging an iPhone—or, frankly, anything short of a MacBook Pro—the 100W model will do nicely. And probably earn some jealous looks while you siphon juice at the coworking spot or airport gate, too.

The Best Thunderbolt Cable: Satechi Thunderbolt 4 Cable

Even ignoring the fact that thunder is a sound and lightning is electricity, you're right to be confused about what makes a Thunderbolt-certified cable special beyond the little Harry Potter tattoo icon. For one, it's capable of delivering 240 watts of power, the maximum a USB-C cord can support (when paired with a 240W-capable charger and device.) Thunderbolt certification also means that the cable can connect a laptop to an external display as well as transfer data at speeds up to 40 gigabytes per second (this is fast).

Amazon's version is built to meet the latest Thunderbolt 4 standard (you can read all about it below), which means it can support two 4K monitors at once, or a single 8K monitor. As an iPhone charging cable, it's complete overkill. But as a do-it-all cable that can simplify your commuting situation, it's pretty hard to beat.

Most Durable Lightning Cable: Belkin DuraTex Plus USB-A to Lightning Cable

Belkin claims that this cable is 10 times stronger than Apple’s silicone charger cables. That's both a low bar to clear—Apple's charging cables have a slightly longer lifespan than ripe bananas—and also a claim we can't verify. But we can say for certain that Belkin's strongman cable feels pretty beefy. The nylon “DuraTek” material features a smooth braided construction that gives it a herringbone design. Wisely, the harder-plastic connector on either end extends farther up the cord than on other charging cables, ostensibly protecting the weakest part of the operation. The little leather cord strap is a handy addition, though we'd trade it for a lifetime warranty given the claims.

The Best Extra-Long Cable: Anker USB-C Braided Cable, 10 Feet

Plenty of other cords here are available in lengths of eight to 10 feet, but if our main priority is distance-for-dollars, we'd opt for this Anker USB-C cable. The nylon braiding, made from plant-based materials, means longer life and fewer tangles. As a 240-watt cable, it can be used to charge anything Apple makes, from AirPods to MacBook Pros. And the integrated cord keeper makes it easier to stow the charging cable in your bag, or shorten it up a little if it's too long for your night stand situation.

The Best Apple-Brand Charging Cable: Apple Woven USB-C Cable

We do all this work testing and reviewing and explaining, but you're still dead set on buying an Apple-branded charging cable. Fine. At least get Apple's woven USB-C cable, which shouldn't turn into a shock hazard as quickly as the regular silicone versions. Though Apple's cable is slightly more expensive and lacks third-party certification, it at least delivers 240-watt fast charging, so everything from an iPhone to a MacBooks gets back to 100% as speedily as your charger allows.

The Most Versatile Charging Cable: Anker Powerline II 3-in-1 Cable

This cable from Anker is like a museum exhibit on charging ports in a single cable: it's USB-A to MicroUSB, with attached adapters for Apple's Lightning and USB-C. This is the kind of thing you're likely to see dangling over the back of the passenger seat in an Uber.

The fact that it's technically a MicroUSB cable—basically, Byzantine technology here in 2024—means you're not getting anything resembling fast charging for a phone. And don't even try to power up your laptop. That said, if you're on the road with a Kindle (which uses MicroUSB), an iPhone, and some AirPods—and not in a hurry—it's entirely possible that this one cord covers all your charging needs.

Length: The standard charging cable lengths are 3 feet (or 1 meter) and 6 feet (or 2 meters). Some models come in shorter lengths (kinda useless) or stretch up to 10 feet (very useful). For a car or desk, you're fine on the shorter side. If you're on the road or on a couch, and the power outlet isn't right nearby, a long cable will give you mobility while still allowing you to charge. The best charging cables from brands like Anker and Belkin come in multiple lengths, so you can choose the option that works best for you.

Apple MFi certification: Originally launched in 2005, the Made for iPod program let third party manufacturers certify that their iPod-related accessories were actually compatible with iPods (and not just fudging it). The program was later shortened to “MFi” to account for iPods, iPhones, and iPads. If you ever buy an accessory for your Apple product and it's not manufactured by Apple, make sure it has MFi certification for extra piece of mind.

USB-IF certification: More recently, you'll see iPhone charging cables marketed as USB-IF certified. This means that the product in question has been certified by the USB-IF organization (a non-profit industry group) to meet necessary quality standards.

Durability: Charging cables don't last forever (even the ones with lifetime warranties). Over time, your cable will inevitably start to wear down and fray as you tug it and bend it and toss it into your bag. (If you've used an Apple cable for more than six months, you know what we're talking about.) Manufacturers mostly improve the durability of their charging cables by using braided cable coverings and more flexible connections at the ends.

Watts: Because many MacBooks now use USB-C ports for charging, manufacturers are producing USB-C charging cables that can handle the necessary power load. Thus, some of the best charging cables can accommodate 100W or 240W. However, your iPhone maxes out at about 25W, with fast charging kicking in at 20W, per Apple. If you only intend to use your cable for charging an iPhone, a 240W charging cable is overkill. But it can often be cost-effective to jump up to the faster cable if you'll ever use it for a laptop.

Between 2012 and 2023, iPhones charged via Lightning—a proprietary eight-pin connector that replaced Apple's older 30-pin models. Love ‘em or hate ’em, Lightning connectors were small, reversible, and worked both for power and transferring data like photos and files. Lightning cables are also exclusive to Apple products, which has been a source of frustration as the industry-standard (and non-proprietary) USB-C ports become much more widely used across the tech industry on everything from phones to laptops to tablets to headphones. To help stem e-waste, the European Union forced all devices to be charged by USB-C by 2024, which is why Apple switched to the new charging port for its latest iPhone, the iPhone 15. (The idea for establishing a common standard for charging is so popular that U.S. U.S. senators are pushing for the same thing, but don't hold your breath.)

While the latest iPhones charge both wirelessly or via USB-C cables, older iPhones—as well as recent AirPods, and some iPads from as recent as 2020—have Lightning ports. We've included a few of the best Lightning charging cables in our above guide.

Thunderbolt cables and ports may look identical to their USB-C cousins at first glance, but there's an important difference. This hardware standard was originally developed by Intel and Apple for Mac devices. With the most recent Thunderbolt 4 standard (all Thunderbolt products must be certified by Intel), these cables can transfer data at up to 40 gigabytes per second, provide charging power between 15W and 100W, and support a 4K or 8K display. You can also use a Thunderbolt cable with any compatible USB-C charger, though Thunderbolt certification is absolutely not necessary or helpful if you're just charging your phone or some other small device.