USB-C to USB-C CABLE

[RegeSullivan]

I need 4 or 5 USB-C to USB-C cables for our cars. Seems they did away with the old standard USB-A in many newer cars so my question is are some cables better than others. I've had pretty good luck with Anker but my better half believes it's worth the $30 or so to buy the Samsung or in her case Google cable. What say you electronic gurus?

 

[mike93lx]

I only buy anker cables after having some quality issues with cheaper ones

 

[niget2002]

What are you charging?

USB-C has different specs based on the amount of voltage/current your device needs. If you're just charging a phone, then just about anything will be fine. I enjoy anker cables as well.

If you're wanting to try to charge some of the higher-powered devices, laptops, etc, then you may want a more expensive cable.

The Description of the cable should list what USB-C charge levels it supports.

The Anker cables I buy say they work up to 60w

Amazon.com

• Supports Power Delivery: Get up to 60W high-speed charging for all of your USB-C devices when paired with a USB-C charger.(60W=20V * 3A)

It also matters what your vehicle supports. I don't think the USB-C plug on my truck supports more than 60w. It would make no sense in having a more expensive cable. I do have a 12v->5v Anker charger that supports 50w on one of the outlets and 20w on the other.

 

[BillK]

You can buy adapters also and keep your present cables. Thats what I did.

Amazon.com

 

[PCustoms]

I only buy anker cables after having some quality issues with cheaper ones

+1 on Anker.

I buy a lot of them, never seen a failure. There's lower cost options but well worth the price.

 

[CJ7VFR]

You can buy adapters also and keep your present cables. Thats what I did.

Amazon.com

I did the same for our vehicles and to also have a few for the house. The adapters were cheaper than buying new cables.

Jim

 

[niget2002]

You can buy adapters also and keep your present cables. Thats what I did.

Amazon.com

That will not charge your devices at the faster rate. I have some of those for if/when I'm desperate and need to charge something.

 

[drx2]

Works flawlessly:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCRQCSV4?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[HenryAZ]

Anker only.

 

[BillK]

That will not charge your devices at the faster rate. I have some of those for if/when I'm desperate and need to charge something.

He didnt ask about charging rate. Personally I have not noticed a difference but I rarely let my phone etc get way down on charge to where it is an issue anyway.

 

[niget2002]

He didnt ask about charging rate. Personally I have not noticed a difference but I rarely let my phone etc get way down on charge to where it is an issue anyway.

He asked if some cables are better than others. Charge rate is one way a cable would be better than another. I wanted to let others know of the limitations of using the adapter.

Also, if I use the adapter in my truck while the phone is using Android auto and GPS, the phone will continue to discharge. The charge rate isn't high enough to charge the phone with all the antennas being used.

I discovered this on a 3 hour drive when I had the phone plugged in the whole time and I had 70% charge when I got to my destination. It was at 100% when I started the trip. It's what led me down the phone charging rabbit hole in my truckin the first place.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I only buy anker cables after having some quality issues with cheaper ones

same here but sadly even those cables die after a year or so. right after the warranty ends

 

[mike93lx]

same here but sadly even those cables die after a year or so. right after the warranty ends

I havent killed an anker cable yet

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I havent killed an anker cable yet

4 for me

 

[mikedodge]

I buy whatever is a good deal on amazon. Just had my first cable stop working after about 2 years of daily use.

 

[75gmck25]

USB-C cables have different quality and ratings because they are much more multi-purpose than the old USB cables. Some are also used for power delivery with adapters that provide 90-100 watts, or more, so I assume that requires more robust construction.

Example - The USB-C cable that delivers the signal to my Dell monitor (with built-in USB hub) has multiple uses. It provides the signal to drive two high resolution external monitors, and also connects a mouse, keyboard, web cam and backup hard drive. The cable was included with the monitor and I assume it is higher quality than a cheap USB-C cable. I doubt it would work reliably if I tried to use an old USB-A cable with a C to A adapter.

My favorite feature of USB-C is that you don't have to figure out the cable plug orientation. I still have quite a few devices with the old mini and micro USB cables, and determining the orientation of that small fitting is often challenging.

 

[walta]

If you have not tried a USB C to USB C cable you, should it is a huge step forward.

When I would plug my phone in to the computer with the A to C cable it was frustrating to wait for every thing to load. My C-to-C connection feel at least 5X faster.

For faster charging the C-C cable will flow twice the current and up 4 time the voltage.

The C-to-C cable allows the charger, phone and cable to negotiate and the highest Voltage possible given the lowest common detonator of the three. The A cable is limited to 7.5 Watts. The right C cable, charger and device and provide over 100 Watts and power to a laptop.

Yes, the high-power C-C cables have a chip molded into the connector.

I have decided not to buy any USB C cable not labeled over 100 Watts because the means it has a chip. 100 Watts may not be important to you today but as time marches on it will be and thing that should work wont because you are using that old cable without a chip and they all look the same.

Of course, to take advantage of the benefits you need “fast chargers” with C ports.

I also like the right-angle connector. I feel I am less likely to damage the device the connector is plugged into.

Amazon.com

Walta

 

[wssix99]

Here is a great video on differences: