The 6 Best Lightning Cables of 2023

Best Overall Lightning Cable

Anker Powerline + II 6 ft Lightning

$18 at Amazon

90

OVERALL
SCORE

• Durability 8.0
• Connectability 10.0
• Charging Speed 10.0
• Storability 7.0

Length: 6 ft | Type of USB Attachment: USB-A

REASONS TO BUY

Durable braided nylon sheath

Comes with a carrying case

REASONS TO AVOID

Expensive

Bulky

The Anker Powerline+ II is incredibly durable and a highly efficient charger. The most common point of failure on charging cables seems to be where the cable meets the plug-in point for the device. This connection point is bent repeatedly while plugging and unplugging your device, and a stiff cable can't withstand this kind of movement for long. This cable's durability stems from the braided nylon sheath, which gives it the flexibility to bend and twist without breaking. The flexible cord made this a standout in product durability. Typical of all the Anker products we tested, this cable comes with a convenient Velcro strap, making coiling and storing the cable streamlined and easy.

The Powerline+ II includes a small storage case. Although this adds some bulk, it helps keep your backpack or purse organized. Given this cable's durability, charging efficiency, and great storability, it reigns supreme over all the others we tested.

Best USB-C to Lightning

Anker Powerline II USB-C

$13 at Amazon

89

OVERALL
SCORE

• Durability 9.0
• Connectability 10.0
• Charging Speed 8.0
• Storability 8.0

Length: 6 ft | Type of USB Attachment: USB-C

REASONS TO BUY

Fast charging times

Durable sheath

REASONS TO AVOID

USB-C ports aren't as prevalent

USB-C is becoming a common connection port, and the Anker Powerline II USB-C is upping the ante with its blistering fast charge times. With faster charging speeds, USB-C cables seem to be the direction the industry is heading. Anker's iteration of the USB-C to lightning cable is a well-built product like their other cables. Covered in a thick and bendy, vinyl-like coating, the cable did well in the durability tests. This was one of the most durable non-braided cables. The vinyl coating is quite malleable and holds its shape surprisingly well while coiled.

Not all older generation Apple devices are compatible with these cables, and when out and about, finding a charging port can be more difficult. This is our favorite USB-C to lightning cable with no connectivity issues, a durable cable, and the fastest charging times of all the tested products.

Best Bang for the Buck

Amazon Basics Lightning to USB A

$10 at Amazon

58

OVERALL
SCORE

• Durability 5.0
• Connectability 6.0
• Charging Speed 7.0
• Storability 5.0

Length: 3 ft | Type of USB attachment: USB-A

REASONS TO BUY

Inexpensive

Small

REASONS TO AVOID

Low durability

Some connectivity issues

The Amazon Basics cable is simple, cost-effective, and entirely adequate in every way. Reminiscent of the original Apple version, this cable has a thin plastic sheath that visibly stresses when you bend it. If you consistently lose your charging cables but still want a semi high-quality option that won't stop pairing after a few weeks, this cable is for you.

Unfortunately, we encountered some connectivity problems during testing. These issues were particularly prominent when first plugging the cable in to begin charging. While we didn't experience this with every device, it occurred frequently enough to raise concerns about overall longevity. The charging times are adequate, but the material makes it a bit difficult to coil and store. If you're seeking similar performance to the Apple cable without the name-brand price, we feel the Amazon Basics is a viable alternative.

Best For Business Use

Nomad Kevlar Universal Cable 1.5 m

See It

88

OVERALL
SCORE

• Durability 9.0
• Connectability 10.0
• Charging Speed 8.0
• Storability 7.0

Length: 5 ft | Type of USB Attachment: USB-A

REASONS TO BUY

Has Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning capabilities

Efficient charger

Durable braided Kevlar sheath

REASONS TO AVOID

Bulky

Expensive

The Nomad Kevlar Universal Cable 1.5 m is a top-tier cord. It is made from high-quality components and receives high scores across the board; we would be hard-pressed to find a better-made cable. With an outer sheath constructed of braided Kevlar, this cable will stand up to almost any abuse that consumers put it through. Not only does its Kevlar sheath give it high marks in durability, it significantly adds to the cable's storability. The thick and supple sheath coils and stays coiled incredibly well. In addition to the material being easy to coil, the cable comes equipped with a clever rubber "ratchet" strap that secures the coiled cord in place. The strap allows you to feed cable out of the coil if you want to change the cord length while charging. Not having a big pile of extra cable spilled all over your workspace is a huge plus.

With a micro USB as its base, this cable has both a Lightning and USB-C attachment that is connected via semi-rigid rubber extensions. The rigidity of the attachments keeps the end pieces from flopping around and keeps the whole package a little neater while not in use. With more than a foot and half of extra length (than the Anker 3-in-1 cable), the Nomad had more practical applications as a universal charger, such as the ability to reach the back seat of a car. The only real downside with this cable is the bulk. If you don't need the universal charging capabilities, lugging this thing around might feel like a waste of space. Given its rugged durability and extra length, this charger is perfectly suited to rideshare drivers and businesses.

Best for Travelers With Multiple Devices

Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1

$18 at Amazon

85

OVERALL
SCORE

• Durability 8.0
• Connectability 10.0
• Charging Speed 8.0
• Storability 7.0

Length: 3 ft | Type of USB attachment: USB-A

REASONS TO BUY

Has Micro USB, USB-C, and Lightning capabilities

Durable sheath

REASONS TO AVOID

Bulky

The Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1 cable comes complete with a Micro USB, USB-C, and most relevant to us here, a lightning connector attachment. The cable is sheathed in a vinyl-like material similar to the stock Apple Cable. This coating, however, is thicker and more pliable than the Apple version. When coiled, the cable holds its shape well and doesn't spring back open like the Apple version is prone to do. That, combined with the standard Anker Velcro strap, makes coiling and storing this cable quick and simple.

The micro USB attachment serves as the base connector, which the USB-C and lightning connector snap onto. Both connectors snapped firmly into place without any connectivity issues. Like other universal models, you might not want to sacrifice the additional space this bulky cable requires unless you need the additional charging capabilities. However, the shorter length, great storability, and good durability make the Anker 3-in-1 a perfect universal charger for travelers who don't want to carry a suitcase full of tangled cables.

Best Overnight Charging

Native Union Belt Cable XL

Length: 10 ft | Type of USB attachment: USB-A

The Native Union Belt Cable XL not only produced some of the fastest charging times of any of the cables we tested, but its commitment to a higher visual aesthetic is also noteworthy. While most options on the market are purely utilitarian in design, it's nice to see a company putting in the extra thought to ensure the devices we surround ourselves with are visually appealing. The leather strap used for securing the coiled cable and its high contrast color pattern are subtle details that give this product a more refined look. The 10-foot length is simultaneously one of its greatest selling points, but depending on your needs, one of its most significant drawbacks.

No matter where your closest outlet is, you're very likely to be able to plug in your device and still have the freedom to use it. On the flip side, ten feet is a lot of cable with the potential for twists, snares, and cluttering your workspace. Given the specialty nature of this product, we don't recommend it as your main charging cable. Still, given its high-quality build and excellent performance, it is certainly worth adding to your quiver.

Compare Products

Compare select up to 5 products to compare

	Score	Product	Price
	90	Anker Powerline + II 6 ft Lightning	$20
	89	Anker Powerline II USB-C	$20
	88	Nomad Kevlar Universal Cable 1.5 m	$45
	87	Native Union Belt Cable XL	$40
	85	Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1	$18
	72	Apple Lightning to USB-C	$19
	67	Apple Lightning to USB	$19
	58	Amazon Basics Lightning to USB A	$10
	55	TAKAGI iPhone Charger	$10
	53	YUNSONG iPhone Charger	$10

Why You Should Trust Us

After researching many different lightning cables, we narrowed in on the top ten options, which we put through extensive side-by-side testing. After using each one to charge various generations of iPhones and iPads, we determined our preferences for length, cable material, and how efficient each cable was at charging. Through our testing, we could see the best and worst qualities in each model.

As an avid user of lightning cable products for both work and personal use, our primary tester, Buck Yedor, has been plugging and unplugging lightning cables since their inception. He has come to value well-built products that can go the distance by sharing cables on job sites, using, abusing, and losing cables through extensive travel, and generally beating everything he owns into the dirt. Having used countless lightning cables over the years, Buck has a keen eye for early signs of wear. As busy as the next person, he relies on his phone and devices to be charged as efficiently as possible.

Analysis and Test Results

To test the different lightning cables, we started by incorporating them into our daily charging routines. After an initial informal assessment to see how the various cables held up to everyday use, we changed our testing protocols to a systematic and repeatable testing process that ensured each cable was subjected to the same conditions. We tested each model with three different generations of iPhones and three different generations of iPads. We wanted to test the cables' durability, find any connectivity issues, track how efficient their charging speeds were, and identify how easy each cable was to coil and store away.

Value

While there are certainly many budget options when shopping for lightning cables, most aren't worth buying. Perhaps the most important thing you want to keep in mind is the longevity of the cable you're considering. If your cable breaks or loses its ability to pair with your device after just a few weeks, it's not worth the low price. There is a sweet spot between the most premium options and the mid-range products.

While most of the Anker products may be more expensive, we believe they are worth the price. They are extremely durable and high-quality products that will last you a long, long time. If you're constantly losing cables, the Amazon Basics might be a better choice. While it's not the highest performer in any metric, it's more than adequate, considering the price point.

Durability

Almost all of us, at one point or another, have come across an almost entirely decapitated charging cable, barely hanging on by the internal wiring. The goal of the durability testing was to see at what point and where each cable would start to show wear. We wanted to know how well these cables could stand up to the heavy abuse these small but essential pieces of equipment often receive. We found that the most common place to show wear was where the cable attached to the USB connection point.

Cables with either braided nylon or braided kevlar sheaths, such as the Anker+ II and the Nomad Universal Cable, were, without question, one of the most durable. After countless 90 degree bends, using the cables to prop up the devices vertically, and even accidentally letting the cables fall prey to a pair of kittens, the braided cables showed almost no signs of wear.

The thicker rubberized cables found on the Anker II Lightning to USB-C fared the next best. While not as bendy as braided cables, the thicker rubber kept each one from being bent beyond their ability to recover. The thinner and less pliable rubberized options, such as the Apple and Amazon Basics cables, started to show signs of wear at the connection points.

Connectivity

No matter how much physical abuse a lightning cable can withstand, the inability of a device to register a connection to the cable renders it useless. In theory, an MFI (Made for iProducts) certification should ensure a cable's ability to charge Apple devices and transfer data. However, we found this is not always the case, especially as cables age. To test for connectivity issues, we plugged and unplugged all the cables from multiple devices, monitored the devices for error messages during charging, and attempted to use each device while it was charging.

We found no connectivity issues with either of the Apple cables we tested or with the more premium options like the Anker, Native Union, and Nomad cables. Even with its MFI certification, our devices wouldn't always register a connection with the Amazon Basics Cable but would eventually start charging after unplugging and reinserting the cable. The worst performers here were the Takagi and Yunsong cables. Straight out of the box, it was hit or miss whether or not they would start charging our devices. They would sometimes stop charging altogether if we moved them at all while connected. During one test, the Yunsong cable wouldn't charge one of our devices past 94%, no matter how long we left it plugged in.

Charging Speed

Charging speed refers to how quickly a cable can charge your device. To test charging efficiency, we ran our six devices down to zero percent battery and then timed how long it took to reach various levels of battery charge.

The Anker USB-C to Lightning performed the best, going from zero to one hundred percent charged in under one and a half hours. The Apple Lightning to USB-C came in as a close second.

The Nomad 3-in-1 cable and the Native Union cables were noticeably faster than the other USB-A cables, with charging times under three hours. The rest of the cables charged at similar speeds, some being faster and then slower, depending on the test and device.

Storability

The final component of our testing metrics was the storability of each cable. We wanted to see how easily and cleanly each cable could be coiled and put away.

For someone who prefers a tidy workspace, cable management is key. The length and material of each cable greatly affected how well it coiled and stayed coiled.

The Anker+II Powerline scored the highest marks in storability. Its braided sheath, Velcro storage strap, and small carrying case made for the easiest and cleanest storage of the bunch. The Nomad 3-in-1 cable's flexible kevlar sheath, combined with its rubber ratchet strap ( especially considering its length), came in at a close second.

All of the cables with thin and less rubberized sheaths, such as the Apple and Amazon Basics lightning cables, had a difficult time staying coiled. The elasticity of the material caused them to continually want to spring open. And with no provided mechanism to keep them coiled up, we found these three products to be functionally the worst when it came to storability.

Conclusion

After scouring the internet for the best cables sold today, our team of electronic experts handpicked ten products to purchase and compare in a series of side-by-side tests. Although lightning cables themselves aren't the most complex pieces of technology, the devices they charge are essential to most of our daily lives, and having a reliable cable is crucial. The results from our side-by-side testing will help you determine which cable has the right balance of durability, connectivity, charging efficiency, and storability.