In such an oversaturated market, you probably often find yourself asking, what’s the best iPhone charging cable? We’ve taken length, strength, and more into account to bring you a definitive list of the best iPhone cables out there, to keep your phone tethered while it’s out of your hands.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade in time for the iPhone 16 or your cat went to town on your old reliable cable, there’s a charging wire here for you. Head below to find a wide variety of choices for the best Lightning cables, from Apple, Anker, and many other top manufacturers on the market.
Here are the best iPhone charging cables:
Apple USB-C to Lightning cable
The best Apple cable.
Apple USB-C to Lightning cable specifications:
Reasons to buy
- Two length options
- Simple design
Reasons to avoid
- Durability concerns
- Expensive
We’ll be honest: if you’re a huge fan of Apple and only go for iOS products, you don’t have much of a choice in the cable department on Apple’s website. Both of the USB-C to Lightning cables are completely identical, with the only differentiating factor being the length of the cables.
There isn’t too much to note about the official Apple cables other than that you’re guaranteed quality with them – they work perfectly and unify the aesthetic of your Apple devices. Still, while we may not have had issues with these cables, it’s not too uncommon to hear that others don’t fare so well with them, so that’s something to bear in mind when considering this product.
To go one step further onto the weird train, when I got my Magic Mouse and Keyboard, I received a gorgeous braided cable, yet Apple insists on selling the dull white cables. To that end, you need to be willing got part with at least $70 to get the braided cable, though, at least you get a decent mouse if you do.
Anker Powerline III Flow
The best non-Apple charging cable.
Anker Powerline III Flow specifications:
Reasons to buy
- Good value
- Colorful
- Trusted brand
You can’t get much better than the Anker Powerline III thanks to its good value and durablity – those two factors are what help to cement it as the best iPhone charging cable and yes, that includes Apple. The length is 6ft, so you don’t have to worry about moving too far away and accidentally disconnecting the cable. Plus, with the colors available, you can really let your personality shine through.
Beyond that, this cable will work with any charging brick and is fast-charging compatible, so with the right charger, you’ll have juice back in your device in no time.
Its silicone design is durable and soft at the same time, so if you don’t fancy a braided cable and are worried about Apple’s durability, this Anker cable is a great way to go. Still, the design might be a bit much for you – but that’s okay, we’ve got even more options below.
Anker braided USB-C to Lightning cable
The best braided iPhone charging cable
Anker braided USB-C to Lightning cable specifications:
Reasons to buy
- Pleasant design
- Great value
Drop anchor, boys, because we’re anchored to Anker for the foreseeable future. They’re an excellent brand for whatever power-based accessories you need, and it’s no different with charging cables.
These braided cables are great value for money, at around $12 each if you buy a 2-pack. They’ll get the job done and look good doing it, and that’s all that matters. Some reviews suggest the tips are a bit fragile, though we can’t corroborate this – we’re inclined to think the user was just a tad aggressive, but it’s important to keep in mind.
Anker New Nylon USB-C to Lightning charging cord
The best budget iPhone charging cable.
Anker New Nylon USB-C to Lightning charging cord specifications:
Length |
1.8m, 3.3ft, and 6ft |
Reasons to buy
- Inexpensive
- Trusted brand
Reasons to avoid
- Durability concerns
- Questionable build
Sometimes, you just want a good solid charger, to hell with all the fancy complications such as material and color, and that’s where Anker New Nylon USB-C to Lightning charging cord comes in. This cable does the job at a decent price, which is fantastic for those of you on a budget.
Sure, a lower price may come across as a red flag for some, and that’s fine, but you can trust us when we say that these cables are excellent, carefully crafted, and extremely reliable. But if you have your heart set on something a bit more luxurious, this isn’t the cable for you – personally, we love a bargain at Pocket Tactics.
Belkin Universal cable
The best multi-use iPhone cable.
Belkin Universal cable specifications:
Reasons to buy
- Interchangeable heads
- Durable design
If you’re a proper mobile maven with Samsung smartphones alongside your iPhone favorite, you might want a bit of versatility. Well, this Belkin universal charger can do it all – well, not everything, but it can charge three different things, which is enough.
With a micro-USB, USB-C, and Lightning adapter on the end of a USB-A, you can charge your Nintendo Switch, iPhone, and whatever device still uses micro-USB (portable keyboards?). Of course, you can only do one at a time, but if you’re using lots of different devices, this can come in handy.
Apple Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) Pro Cable
The best iPhone 15 charging cable.
Apple Thunderbolt 4 (USB‑C) Pro Cable specifications:
Reasons to buy
- Braided cord
- Multiple lengths
Reasons to avoid
- Expensive
- Compatibility issues
We mentioned earlier that the only way to get the braided lightning cable, which is much more durable than the standard silicone-coated one, is by buying an Apple mouse or other product. Well now, you can buy the USB-C version of this cable separately, along with the data transfer power of Thunderbolt 4.
However, the cable on its own is around $70, which is a huge amount of cash to drop on a charging cable. Don’t get us wrong, it works wonderfully for the iPhone 15 line, has Apple’s classic, sleek design philosophy, and lets you speedily transfer your pictures and videos from your phone to your MacBook. It’s definitely the best option for this early on in the iPhone 15’s life cycle, but we’ll keep an eye out for great third-party USB-C cables to recommend.
Opodot short USB-C to Lightning cable
The best short iPhone cable.
Opodot short USB-C to Lightning cable specifications:
Reasons to buy
- Compact
- Versatile
- Handy keyring
If you’re after a small charging cable, we have the perfect suggestion for you – Opodot short USB-C to Lightning cable! It’s got all the bells and whistles you need to charge your iPhone (and Android devices) from a USB, all neatly packaged into a keychain.
This charging cable is recommended for power banks, as it keeps your phone and bank close together with a secure cord. Make sure to keep the small press-studded strap secured around the cable, otherwise, the keyring may fall off.
Crochet Flower Vine Charger Cable
The cutest iPhone charging cable
Crochet Flower Vine Charger Cable specifications:
Compatibility |
Micro USB, Lightning, or USB C |
If you’re anything like me and are much more into style over substance then the crochet flower vine charger cable is the item for you. It’s one of the prettiest charging cables we’ve ever seen and the seller even welcomes custom color requests so you tailor it to your preferences and stand out from the crowd.
We can’t comment too much on the technical specifics of this cable, but honestly, this feels more like a fashionable accessory than a practical charger. Going by its 5/5 star reviews on Etsy, you’re going to get a quality product and be the envy of your friends.
How do I choose the best iPhone charging cable?
First and foremost, it’s best to have a budget in mind before you look at which iPhone charging cable is best for you as if you have a modest budget, you can immediately say no to Apple’s official line of products. Once you determine how much you are willing to spend, you can take a look at what it is that you want from your cable. If you want nothing more than an accessory that can put a bit of juice in your phone, any option from this list, including the cheaper ones, fits the bill.
However, if you want something with a bit more of a wow factor, some cables can be colorful, helping you to express yourself through your accessory. Some, such as Anker’s top-end cable, are highly durable, which can result in a slightly larger cable, whereas Apple streamlines its products. Whatever it is that you’re after, there’s bound to be at least one viable option in this list.
Is it okay to use non-Apple charging cables with my iPhone?
You may have guessed this by now from the sheer number of third-party cables on this list, but yes, you can use cables that aren’t made by Apple.
Plenty of high-quality tech brands offer charging cables for both the lightning port and USB-C iPhone models that work just as well, if not better, than Apple’s own products. We’ve tried and tested all of the entries on our list and have not encountered any issues with our own devices.
Anyway, for more beautiful tech nonsense beyond the best iPhone charging cables, check out the best iPhone chargers, the best iPad, or the battle of the century: iPhone vs. Samsung. Who will win? No one knows…