Skip to content
Tech News
← Back to articles

This $14 retractable USB-C cable is my secret to surviving long car rides with my kids

read original more articles
Why This Matters

This affordable $14 retractable USB-C cable offers a compact, durable, and fast-charging solution for busy consumers and families on the go. Its portability and high power support make it especially useful for charging laptops and devices during long car rides or daily commutes, addressing common cable clutter and durability issues in the tech industry.

Key Takeaways

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Follow ZDNET: Add us as a preferred source on Google.

The Talix retractable cable is typically $22, but on sale for $14 with an Amazon coupon. This USB-C to USB-C cable supports up to 240W, PD 3.2, making it powerful enough to quickly charge laptops and phones. This USB-C-to-USB-C cable is surprisingly fast and efficient for a 4-or 5-foot cable.

Also: These 10+ car gadgets upgrade your daily commute for cheap

If you see me out and about, chances are I'm carrying a charging cable. I don't typically let my kids bring their tablets everywhere, but sometimes a four-year-old needs to wait 90 minutes for their sibling's gymnastics class to end, and a tablet does the trick when the contents of my purse aren't enough entertainment.

Because of this, I keep a USB-C cord on my person or in my purse in case my phone or another device nearby dies, even if I'm not carrying my laptop. But cables can be cumbersome, especially when you're trying to fit them into a tiny pocket in a bag or your pants.

Also: This GaN charger is a cross between a yo-yo and a tape measure

I've tried several retractable cables with little luck because they are either low-quality or their retractable mechanisms break down after a few uses. Truthfully, I was expecting much of the same when I tested this Talix 4-foot-long retractable cable. Yet it pleasantly surprised me.

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The enclosure is the size of a compact mirror, so it fits easily in a purse and slides right into your pocket, with magnets to keep the ends neatly tucked onto its sides. It's also surprisingly fast for a 4-foot cable, which comes in quite handy when I need to charge my laptop on the go.

... continue reading