We’ve done all the legwork for you and put together a curated list of what we believe are the best USB-C cables for iPhone 16 and iPhone 15. Of course, these cables also work with your iPad, MacBook, Android phone, Windows laptop, and more.
Compared to the old Lightning cables, USB-C offers faster data transfer speeds, more power for charging, and broader compatibility with other devices.
If you’re looking for a USB-C charging cable for your iPhone, we’ve spent hours reviewing numerous options and compiled a list of what we believe are the best USB-C cables for your regular, Plus, Pro, and Pro Max iPhones.
Best USB-C cables for iPhone
Cable Matters 240W 3.9ft USB-C cable
The consensus across experts seems to be that Cable Matters makes some of the best USB-C cables around. This particular model features support for up to 240W of power, meaning it will work for everything from your iPhone to your MacBook and supported Android phones and Windows laptops. The cable is also certified by the USB-IF, meaning it meets certain criteria for efficiency and safety.
Note: Cable Matters also offers a 6-foot cable for $18 and an 8.2-foot version for $20, so you won’t be tethered directly next to the wall. These cables also support the same 240W charging. However, unlike the former, these versions offer slower file transfer speeds, but that’s still several times faster than the USB-C cable that comes in the box.
Anker Powerline III 100W 6ft USB-C charge cable
Charging accessories from Anker are always going to be an easy sell. The company has built up a solid reputation over the years for producing good products at affordable prices. The Anker Powerline III is no different. It measures 6 feet in length, so again, you won’t be so closely tied to the outlet, and can move up to 100W of power. The cables are also tested to withstand up to 25K bends, meaning they shouldn’t break quickly at weak tension points, and come with a lifetime warranty.
Nomad Kevlar 100W 9.8ft USB-C Cable
For a more rugged, durable option, there’s the Kevlar Cable from Nomad. It supports 240W of power delivery and is wrapped in a double-braided Kevlar outer sheath with metal alloy connector plugs. Nomad doesn’t offer any lifetime bend numbers, but it does back the cable with a 2-year warranty. They make the cable in three sizes: 0.3m, 1.5m, and 3.0m—we like the last one, which is nearly 10 feet long.
Amazon Basics USB-C 60W USB 3.1 Gen 2 Cable
The iPhone 15 and 16 are capable of video output at 4K resolution, with 60Hz refresh rates, and even HDR. To accomplish this, however, you’ll need a USB-C cable that supports USB 3.1 or higher. The cable that comes with the iPhone, as well as some of the cables on this list, only supports USB 2.0, so that’s something to look for when shopping if you’re interested in outputting video. This Amazon Basics cable is shorter at just 3ft and moves just 60W of power, but it does support USB 3.1 for under $15.
Cable Matters 240W 3.3ft USB 4 USB-C Cable
It’s probably overkill for the iPhone, but if you want a more robust cable that’s compatible with all of the latest tech and devices, this one from Cable Matters should do the trick. It’s a shorter cable at just 3.3ft, but it supports 40 Gbps data transfer speeds, 240W of juice, USB 4, Thunderbolt 4, PD 3.1, and 8K video. That’s a long way of saying it should work with just about any USB-C device on the market and support any feature you’re trying to use.
FAQs
What is USB PD?
USB PD stands for USB Power Delivery, and it’s a specification that enables the maximum functionality of USB by providing more flexible power delivery along with data over a single cable. This is what allows you to charge your iPhone at maximum charging speed (up to ~30W).
Will I need to buy a new power adapter?
If you already have a 20W PD power adapter, no, it should work fine. If you’re using an older USB-C adapter, or worse, a USB-A charger, you’re probably going to want to upgrade. It’s $20 (or less) for a new PD adapter, and if you spend a little more, say for a 65W or 100W, you can fast-charge your smartphones as well as larger devices such as an iPad Pro or even a MacBook Pro.
Pro vs. non-Pro USB-C?
There is a stark difference between the USB-C port on the iPhone 15, 15 Plus, 16, and 16 Plus and the USB-C on the iPhone 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, 16 Pro, and 16 Pro Max. The regular and Plus models have USB 2.0 Type-C ports, and the Pro and Pro Max models have USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C ports. The former is limited to 480 Mbps high-speed data transfer, and the latter is capable of 10 Gbps data transfer. This fast data transfer speed enables the Pro to do things like record 4K 120 fps videos directly to an external drive.
Why did Apple ditch the Lightning connector?
Apple hasn’t given a clear answer as to why it switched ports, but the USB-C port is far more universal and capable of much higher charging and data transfer speeds. Of course, switching to a new port also allows Apple to introduce new accessories for sale.
Also, check out: The best 3-in-1 USB cables