We’ll tell you what to look out for when buying a USB Type-C cable , because although it’s a standard size cable, not all cables are the same. So if you’re looking for a cable like this for one or more of your devices, there’s one thing you should look out for so that you don’t buy one that won’t suit you, or that will be worse than you expected.
I will therefore try to explain briefly what you should consider when making your decision. These are not commandments or something that you must follow to the letter, but tips that can try to increase the chances of success.
There are three types of cables
The first thing you need to know is that when looking for a USB-C cable, you can find three different types of cables. For example, there are those that are specifically designed for charging, supporting technologies such as Power Delivery, which prioritise the transfer of power over the transfer of data.
There are also active cables designed with electronics to amplify the signal, which you’ll find in longer-than-normal cables to prevent performance loss. And finally, there are those that combine all the technologies, are the most versatile and are fully applicable to data, video and charging. Not that others can’t do it, but these 0.8-3 m cables can do it all in a balanced way.
Note the white marks
USB-C comes in the form of multiple connectors, but there can be a lot of technology inside the cable. Over the years, different USB standards have been used in these Type-C connectors, and depending on which one is in the cable you buy, the experience and connection speed will be better.
So if you don’t see any speed information on the box or in the product description, it’s better not to take the risk, as you may end up with a USB-C that uses slightly older standards and is not very fast. Although they are more expensive, it is also better to choose trusted brands that care about quality, such as Anker, Apple, Ungreen or Baseus.
Pay attention to data transfer speeds
As we mentioned in the previous point, there are several USB standards and data transfer technologies that use USB-C connectors. So if you’re buying a cable, it’s important to look for one with the highest possible data transfer rate. Even if you don’t think you need that much right now, it’s worth making sure that the cable is future-proof.
In this case, it’s best to go for a Thunderbolt cable or a cable with USB4, which offer connection speeds of up to 40 Gbps. To make sure of this, you need to look on the box to see if it’s the right USB, or look for the lightning shape that stands for Thunderbolt.
Remember that they are a little more expensive, but it’s definitely worth spending a little more for Thunderbolt or USB4 certified cables and knowing that you’ll get the most out of them. Even if the device you’re using has USB-C with fewer capabilities, at least they’ll be the cables of the future.
Take a look at its capabilities as a charger
If you’re buying a USB-C cable and head for use as a charger, you’ll want to pay attention to the recommended charging capacity of both the device and the cable, as well as the charger. The bottom line is that if your mobile phone accepts, for example, a 20W charge, make sure that both the cable and the head that you connect it to the power source support the power so that charging is not too slow.
Be careful if the cable has two types of connectors
The latest USB standards use only USB Type-C connectors. So if you are going to buy a cable that has both a Type-C and a regular USB Type-A connector on one side, you should be aware that it will be a cable with a much lowertransfer rate.
In such cases, if you don’t want to buy a cable that can only be used with two different connectors, you can buy a cable that has USB-C on both sides and then check for adapters. That way you will have a good high-speed cable that can be used in many different ways.
Choose your cable length wisely
This should apply to every cable you buy, as it is important to choose the right length. In this case, if you buy it too long, it may be uncomfortable to work with, but this is always better than buying it too short and it will not perform well in certain circumstances.
Does the weight of the cable make a difference?
Although it may sound like a question mark or nonsense, the classic grandmotherly method of comparing the weight of cables is a valid exercise. This is because higher quality cables are often manufactured with a thicker cross-section to provide a cleaner signal.
And of course, thicker cables mean heavier components, although the sheathing may also vary. Of course, a heavier cable is not always better, so it’s best to check the technical specifications, especially if you buy it online. However, if there are two that look the same on the inside, but one weighs more… take this into account.
Beware of magnetic chargers
There are a number of magnetic tip adapters that can be connected to a USB-C cable and charge your phone magnetically. Rather than inserting the cable into the connector, leave it stuck to the back or where it’s attached. This is not a good idea.
Some of these adapters do not protect against damage from incorrect connection and some do not have short circuit protection. The USB-C standard is designed to be connected via the USB-C port and has systems that disconnect the power if cable pull-out is detected. With a magnetic charger, the disconnection is faster and may cause some damage.
Keep old cables out of the house
If you have an old USB-C cable lying around the house, you should treat it with care. Over the years, these standards have improved not only in terms of speed, but also in terms of safety, so an old one can be dangerous. So it’s worth spending a few euros on a new cable if your existing one is a few years old.
It’s not like you’ll blow up your phone when you plug it in, but it may damage components a little faster or not protect your phone as well against power surges. So, especially when you’re going to use them with devices that cost you a lot of money, it’s better to be safe than sorry.
