Finding the best USB-C charging cable for your devices is essential, given that most of the top smartphones, tablets and laptops now feature this port as their power source.

The Type-C standard has rapidly taken over from Micro-USB in recent years, offering a more user-friendly design while also delivering faster data transfer and charging speeds.

However, not all of these newfangled cables are the same. You’ll find that some come in packs, allowing you to keep spares at work, in the car or dotted around the house, and there’s often a big variation in cable length.

It’s also worth keeping in mind that these third-party options will almost always provide a more durable design than your out-the-box cable, and also feature a USB-A fitting on the other end to match your charging port, too.

We’ve tested a whole range of these cables, working out which are made to the highest quality, which can be relied on to charge your devices quickly, and considering things like price and length of cable to work out where the best value can be found.

Below, we’ve highlighted some of the best to help you stay powered for much longer.

Best USB-C Cable: Our Top Pick

For

  • Great quality Reliable manufacturer

Against

  • Could be more flexible

If you want a reliable two-pack of the same length, Anker’s 6-foot nylon braided cables are a solid choice.

The USB-C leads bring a braided nylon design to the fore, offering fast charging capabilities (with a supported plug) and data transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps.

This pair can feel a little rigid at times, but it should be able to hold up for thousands of bends, making them a great, long-lasting replacement for your standard cable.

More USB-C cables we recommend

Here are four more USB-C cable packages to consider picking up.

  • Easy way to double up Durable

  • Better picks on offer for varying lengths

Ideal for those who just want two cables that they can go between, JSAUX provides a 6.6ft USB-A to USB-C pair.

The nylon braiding on the lead ensures it remains durable, with the company suggesting it can withstand around 15,000+ bends.

It can also transfer data up to 640Mbps, though just note you will need a compatible charging brick to take advantage of speedier charging standards.

  • Unquestionable value Good lengths

  • Won’t be the most durable options

For the person who never quite has a charging cable nearby, this borderline-unnecessary five-pack is the answer to your wishes.

The 6-feet cable length (featured on all the cables) means you’ll rarely be trying to reach a wall outlet, and the braided nylon design should ensure the lead remains free from any damage up to roughly 12,000 bends.

For the outlay, this is a solid package. There’s certainly more durable, faster options on the market, but picking up five of them is going to set you back considerably.

  • Another solid bit of value Useful range of sizes

  • You might not use shorter cables

Raviad’s affordable four-pack is a great way to ensure you have a backup in your pocket and still have a fixed charging point at home, in the car and at work.

The braided nylon lead can withstand 8,000+ bends, with all coming in a different size - 0.5-meters, 1-meter, 2-meter and 3-meter.

This is ideal for picking and choosing exactly which fits best in your charging setup and can also negate the need for cable ties or overstretching.

  • Size options Nicely braided

  • Pretty generic-looking

Like other options, Gritin lets you match the cable length to the charging point, with its three cables all coming in different sizes.

Whether you want 1-meter, 1.5-meter or 2-meter cables to fit around your home, office or car, these are reliable and available for a very reasonable asking price.

If you want to be able to distinguish between the three a bit more easily, you can also pick up the set in a red-blue-green finish, not just grey.

Whether you want multiple cables to fit around your home, office or car, these are reliable and available for a very reasonable asking price.

How to choose a USB-C cable

A charging or transfer cable might not seem like the most significant purchase of your life, but buying the wrong one will have you coming back for a replacement really quickly, so it’s worth getting right. Here are some things to consider:

How long should your USB-C cable be?

First up, a key question is the length of your desired cable. If you’ve got a specific power socket in mind, you’ll probably know how much slack you need from your cable, and if you don’t, you should find out. This will help you decide whether you need a shorter cable or a 10-foot monster.

What type of USB-C cable is best for you?

We’re talking about the coating that surrounds your charging cable here - the most popular sort of third-party finish at the moment is braided, a fabric finish that resists tangling pretty nicely. This might not be everyone’s taste, though, so it could be worth checking out other options.

How many USB-C cables do you need?

As you’ll have noticed from our picks, many third-party manufacturers sell their cables in multipacks that give you pretty impressive value. If you’re only short one cable that might not be too impactful for you, but, if you’ve got a home full of gadgets that need charging, or want spares, a multipack could be the perfect solution.