If you were searching for the iPhone Cable then your search ends here. While a growing number of Apple products support wireless or USB-C charging, many still rely on the company’s exclusive Lightning connection, including older iPhones,iPads, AirPods, Magic Keyboards, and more.The problem is that third-party cables, even ones that Apple has certified, operate just as well as its own Lightning cables and are sometimes cheaper than Apple’s Lightning cables due to their reputation for being fragile.
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We’ve evaluated dozens of Lightning cables to determine the top choices for a range of uses, so if you’re dissatisfied with the cord that came with your Apple iPhone or simply want a backup, you can use our guide to pick the best Lightning cable.
Who should purchase iPhone Cable:
Anyone looking for a long, sturdy cable to charge their iPhone and other Lightning-powered devices as quickly as is physically possible.
Why it’s great:
The Anker PowerLine II USB-C to Lightning Cable (10 feet) is fantastic first and foremost because it offers the quickest charging rates.
The PowerLine II can charge most iPhones up to three times faster than a USB-A-to-Lightning connection when used in conjunction with a USB-C port that can output at least 18 watts of electricity, such as those found in many of our favorite laptops, power banks, and wall chargers. A sufficiently potent wall charger can fully recharge an iPhone 8’s battery or newer can only be charged to 17% using Apple’s regular cord and charger from fully dead to 50% in 30 minutes. (As we discovered in experiments using an iPhone XR).
Lightning cables without this certification, like those you might purchase at a gas station, aren’t necessarily much cheaper, and with those, you run the risk of experiencing slower charging or even damaging your devices. This cable is MFi-certified, which means Apple has confirmed that it will perform optimally (in terms of charging and data-transfer capabilities) with its Lightning-powered devices.
The PowerLine II’s rubber sheath cable:
The PowerLine II’s rubber sheath is smooth but gripping, and in our testing, it has held up well after more than a year of regular use. The housings on the cable, which join the metal plugs to the cable’s body, are the most durable and comfortable to hold of any we’ve tried. The housings, which are made of a single piece of matte-textured rubber, offer enough room for you to firmly grasp the plug while plugging and unplugging, which is the best approach to prevent fraying and breaking. We saw very little shaking when we put both ends of each cable into a variety of devices; this steadiness assures a reliable connection for charging and data transfer.
This Lightning cable is a stunning 10 feet long, unlike other Lightning cables. The extra length is a game changer if you frequently charge your phone far from an outlet, such as when in bed, relaxing on the couch, or spending time by your gate at the airport.
The 3-foot and 6-foot version:
The 3-foot version of this cable is attractive and compact, and it can coil up tiny enough to fit in a pocket or handbag if you want a shorter cable. The 6-foot model works as well for stable charging on a desk or nightstand, as well as for transport in a backpack or briefcase.
The 6-foot model also comes in a dark green color. All three models are covered by Anker’s lifetime warranty and are available in black or white. In addition, the 3-foot and 6-foot cables cost less than their Apple equivalents as of this writing (Apple doesn’t offer a 10-foot Lightning cable).
The Anker PowerLine II USB-C to Lightning Cable:
The Anker PowerLine II USB-C to Lightning Cable isn’t nearly as slim as some other cables we tested, including Apple’s Lightning cables, but that is our only complaint. We’re pleased with a little more bulk, though, because it’s still one of the most compact alternatives and it outperformed the competition in every other manner.