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Fastest charging cables: Which one is best for you?

Free yourself from wall outlets and charge faster!
By
March 5, 2023
Anker 765 cable
By Anker
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Positives
140W charging
Good-looking and durable
Negatives
A bit pricier
It's pretty short
Anker 643 100W USB-C to USB-C cable (6 ft.)
By Anker
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Anker 515 cable
By Anker
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Positives
Up to 240W charging
40Gbps transfers
Pretty resistant
Negatives
Basic design
Pricey
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 cable
By Belkin
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Positives
100W charging
Fast 40Gbps transfers
Thunderbolt 3 support
Negatives
It's very short
Pricey
Amazon Basics Aluminum Braided 100W cable
By Amazon
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Positives
Awesome looks
Aluminum braided cord
Very affordable for what you get
Negatives
Only 480Mbps data transfers
Cable Matters Braided Cable with 100W Power Delivery
By Cable Matters
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Positives
Braided cord
It's very long
Good price
100W charging
Fair price
Negatives
Only 480Mbps data transfers
Cable Matters Active Thunderbolt 4 Cable
By Cable Matters
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Positives
100W charging
40Gbps data transfers
Thunderbolt 4
8K video support
Long cable
Negatives
Very expensive
Apple Thunderbolt 3 cable
By Apple
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Positives
100W charging
40Gbps data transfers
Thunderbolt 3
Negatives
Pricier than comparable cables
Very simple design
Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable
By Apple
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Positives
Pretty good length
100W charging
40Gbps transfer speeds
Thunderbolt 4
Negatives
Expensive
Very simple design
Apple USB-A to Lightning cable
By Apple
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Positives
Good length options
Reversible
Negatives
Very simple design
Lightning connectors are known to wear out
Only USB 2.0
Apple USB-C to Lightning cable
By Apple
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Positives
Good length options
Reversible
Can fast charge iPhones
Negatives
Pricey for the features
Very dull design
Lightning connectors are known to wear out
Belkin BoostCharge Nylon Braided USB C to Lightning Cable
By Belkin
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Positives
Nice length
Great design
Nylon-braded construction
Negatives
Only 18W charging
Pricey
USB C cable port charging
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Fast charging is designed to do one vital thing — spend less time charging. Nobody wants to wait around tethered to the wall, and Qualcomm does its best to help out. The company’s famed Quick Charge is now on version 5, but you need a powerful cable to achieve peak speeds. Here are the fastest charging cables you can buy right now.

See also: How fast charging really works

It may seem like all cables are the same, but some offer more features and speeds than others. Qualcomm isn’t the only player in the game, though, as different companies have their proprietary fast-charging technologies. Make sure to double-check your needs before you grab a cable. We’ve split the list by manufacturer, and all top names make appearances.

The fastest charging cables:

Editor’s note: We’ll update this list of the fastest charging cables as we test new options.

Anker

Anker PowerPort III 25W logo
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Anker sits at the top as one of the leaders in the charging game. The company does everything from power banks to cables, and it does the job well.

Look no further than the Anker 765 cable to see just what we mean. It’s a USB-C to USB-C cable that comes in a convenient six-foot length. If you’re talking speed, the Anker 765 supports 140W Power Delivery 3.1 charging. Even better, the cable is nylon-wrapped from one end to the other and can endure 35,000 bends and tugs.

Another high-speed cable offering from Anker is the 643 Flow cable. It tops out at speeds of 100W. You can also pick between three and six feet in length. It isn’t braided, but it’s still pretty resistant and is estimated to live through 25,000 bends.

If you happen to have one of the very few devices with 240W charging, the Anker 515 can handle those speeds. There aren’t many phones that can handle these speeds out there, but some of you might need it, so here it is.

Belkin

Edgar Cervantes / Android Authority

Belkin is another popular pick if you want one of the fastest charging cables, with its Thunderbolt 3 cable making the list. You might notice multiple Thunderbolt 3 cables on the list, as the technology supports 100W fast charging and 4K display resolutions. While 100W is more than most of the fastest phones can handle, it should also be a reliable speed for all of the latest USB-C charging laptops. Belkin’s Thunderbolt 3 cable is a more convenient length at 2.6 feet overall.

AmazonBasics

Amazon Basics Aluminum Braided 100W USB C cable

Does a product exist if Amazon doesn’t have a more affordable option on the market? The retail giant has jumped into the fastest charging cable game in a big way, with a very enticing option available. This aluminum-braided USB-C to USB-C cable tops out with maximum charging speeds of up to 100W. You shouldn’t have to worry about breaking the cable since the ends have been tested to bend 95 degrees up to 5,000 times. It also happens to look great.

Cable Matters

Cable Matters Braided Long USB C Cable 10 ft with 100W Power Delivery

You may not be as familiar with Cable Matters, but the company’s USB-C to USB-C is one of the most affordable options on this list of the fastest charging cables. The Cable Matters option only supports data transfer up to 480Mbps. That’s not too impressive, but it can charge at up to 100W, which is really nice. It’s also 10 feet long.

If you need the premium charging speed, though, Cable Matters was also one of the first manufacturers to push a Thunderbolt 4-certified cable, complete with 100W charging. It measures 6.6 feet long, and you’re looking at up to 40Gbps data transfer speeds. Of course, you’ll pay dearly for this power, but sometimes it helps to have top speeds at your fingertips.

Apple-only cables

Apple iPhone 13 Pro Max Lightning Cable.jpg
Robert Triggs / Android Authority

Apple excels at complicating things, and its charging options are no exception. The cables in this section are specifically designed for Apple’s connectors, including Lightning and USB-C options. Many of them come from the manufacturer itself. Unfortunately, that means there’s a bit of Apple Tax to account for with these options.

Apple’s USB-C to USB-C Thunderbolt 3 charging cable is your go-to if you’re charging one of the latest iPads or MacBooks. The cable comes in white — after all, it’s an Apple product — and there are no reinforcements for bend protection. They are pretty fast, though, supporting 100W charging and 40Gbps speeds.

Those with more demanding needs will prefer picking up an Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro cable. It can also handle 40Gbps speeds and 100W charging, but it is also compatible with the Studio and Pro displays.

If you’re looking to recharge your iPhone or any other device with a Lightning port, you’ll want to check out either the USB-A to Lightning option or the USB-C to Lightning. These are the two fastest charging cables for most Apple devices, and both options are available in one-meter and two-meter lengths. The USB-C to Lightning cable is compatible with the company’s 29W, 61W, and 87W adapters, and it has become the standard option with all new iPhone devices.

Apple cables are great. They perform well and look super minimalist. It’s also true some of you might want something a little nicer-looking and more durable. The Belkin Boost Charge is one of the fastest charging cables for those who need a Lightning connector. It’s not amazingly fast, but it can charge your Apple devices pretty quickly at 18W. It also has a braided design and a nice strap for easy carrying.

FAQs

The latest version of the standard is Thunderbolt 4. It can handle speeds of up to 40Gbps and up to 100W charging speeds.

You may have noticed cables with more wattage tend to be shorter. This is because charging capabilities decrease as cables get longer, due to the loss in power current experiences as it travels through a cable.

Cables are only part of the fast-charging equation. The phone needs to support the fast-charging speeds, and so does the charging brick. If all aligns, common phones with super-fast charging speeds usually take 60-80W. Some can go up to 100W. Furthermore, some newer handsets are starting to support 240W.

How fast an iPhone charges depends on the model, the cable, and the charger. Max speeds are 27W, though.

Having one of the fastest charging cables isn’t enough. Aside from your device having to support higher speeds, it would be best to pair your cable with a charger that can handle the fastest charging speeds around. Check out some of our favorite chargers to see what you can get.