From laptops to phones to wireless Bluetooth speakers, earbuds and more, USB-C connections have become the de facto standard for charging and data transfer of devices. While USB-C is just about everywhere now, including longstanding holdout Apple since the iPhone 15, not all ports or cables are the same. They look identical, sure, and have some interoperability, but there are ratings for different charging and data speeds. That can make choosing a USB-C cable more complicated than it should be.
This guide will help you determine exactly what you need the next time you're cable shopping. You might not need the most expensive USB-C cable, but understanding why you might is important, too. So with that said, let's start with the basics and go from there.
What is USB-C?
USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. The latest version, Type-C, is arguably the most universal USB type yet. It is found in everything from phones to cameras to laptops -- really just about any new tech that needs charging. It's the name of the connection port on a piece of electronic equipment, as well as the cable that connects them. USB-C can be used to charge devices and transfer data between devices. The USB-C standard was developed by the USB Implementers Forum, or USB-IF for short. That forum consists of a number of companies you're probably familiar with, including Apple, Intel, Microsoft, Samsung and others.
Like Apple's Lightning connector, USB-C's plug orientation is reversable. Gone are the days of three attempts to plug in a USB-A cable the right way. No more will you fight a micro-USB cable due to its odd angular design. Just grab a USB-C cable and plug it in.
You can get USB-C cables with different connectors at the other end, should you need them. For example, some legacy devices and cheaper accessories still use USB-A, so a USB-C-to-USB-A cable, dongle or adapter is required. Cables for that exist, as do cables that have a standard USB-C connector at a 90-degree angle, which can help keep your desk tidy.
Can all USB-C cables transfer data and power?
David Carnoy/CNET
The short answer is no. That's good news if you just want a relatively cheap charging cable, because they're cheaper to make with no data transfer components inside. Unfortunately, it does mean that you need to be careful when buying your cables. If you want one to transfer data, like from a computer to an external hard drive or SSD, check you're getting a cable that handles data as well.
How fast can USB-C charge my devices?
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