Your phone deserves a good cable

The USB Type-C port is fast becoming a universal connector on mobile devices. If your device has one, you need a USB-C cable to charge it or transfer data. But unfortunately, not all USB-C cables are made the same. Some can deliver fast charging speeds, while others are great for quick data transfer.

So if you are in the market for a USB-C cable for your Android phone, tablet, or other mobile devices, it's easy to get confused. To help, we have handpicked the best USB-C cables for various use cases. You can pick the one that most suits your needs.

The Cable Matters USB-C to USB-C cable shines on multiple fronts. You can use it to charge your devices, transfer data between them quickly, or output video to a compatible display. And it does all of these things very well. This is possible because the cable supports up to 100W power delivery, USB 3.2 Gen 2 data transfer speeds (10Gbps), and DisplayPort (DP) Alt Mode. Plus, it's USB-IF certified, so you know you are getting everything the company claims.

Like all USB spec-compliant cables, it is also backward-compatible. Additionally, the cable uses a durable rubberized thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) jacket and copper conductors.

Anker's premium 643 USB-C to USB-C cable focuses on not only function but also look and feel. So unlike the typical black USB cables, it's available in seven exciting colors. The cable also uses silicone material to make it soft to touch, and the interior graphene coating adds to its flexibility.

In terms of function, it supports up to 100W power delivery and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds. So it's most suitable for charging. Plus, the company includes a silicone tie for tangle-free storage.

This Ainope USB-C cable pack offers excellent value for $10. You get two 6.6 feet USB-C to USB-C cables, each capable of delivering up to 60W power, enough to fast charge most smartphones and tablets. You can also charge many laptops quickly using the cable.

One of the highlights of the Ainope cable is the right-angle connector on one end that will come in handy while gaming on your phone as it keeps the cable out of the way. But unfortunately, it's not the best cable for data transfers as it only supports USB 2.0 speeds.

Lastly, the cable has nylon braiding and reinforced joints for enhanced durability.

If you want to be future-proof and looking for the fastest possible data speeds, there is no better option than the Cable Matters USB4 cable. It's also one of the few USB4 cables to come in a 3.3 feet size. Most other USB4 cables are only 2.6 feet long. And thanks to the USB-IF certification, you know you are getting the full feature set in both sizes.

The USB4 USB-C to USB-C cable supports up to 100W charging, 8K video output via DP Alt mode, and the full 40Gbps data transfer rate. Additionally, as USB4 is compatible with Thunderbolt, this cable will also work with your Thunderbolt devices and support pretty much all features.

If you are looking for a USB-C cable that supports fast data transfer speeds, Tripp Lite has an excellent option in the form of this USB-C to USB-A cable. It's great for transferring data from computers and other devices with a Type-A to storage drives, mobile devices, and more, as it supports up to 10Gbps speeds.

Beyond that, it can also carry up to 3A current, which means, depending on your charger, you will get up to 60W fast charging with the Tripp Lite cable. So it's a fantastic cable for both data transfer and charging.

There are instances when a shorter cable is more suitable than a longer one. For such cases, we recommend picking up the CableCreation Short USB-C Cable. It's available in lengths as low as 0.5 feet to 1.6 feet. In addition, it comes with a USB-A port on one end and a Type-C port on the other, so you can use it with most power banks.

Thanks to the 3A current support, it can deliver up to 60W of power. But when you use it to transfer data, you'll only get USB 2.0 speeds, so it's not ideal for external SSDs or HDDs. Lastly, the cable uses cotton braiding for durability, and you can buy it in five exciting colors.

90-degree or right-angle cables are very useful in narrow spaces or when you want to use your mobile device while charging. So if you are looking for a USB-A to USB-C cable with 90-degree connectors on each end, this Ugreen cable is a good option. Thanks to the nylon braiding, it's also very durable.

Sadly, as the cable only supports 18W fast charging and 480Mbps data transfer speed, you aren't getting a high-speed cable for charging or data transfer, but the 90-degree ports are its main highlight. You can buy the Ugreen cable in multiple sizes from 1.5ft to 10ft.

Affordable, durable, and fast charge-capable are the best ways to describe Baseus' USB-C to USB-C cable. It's great for charging your phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices that accept power over USB cables. In addition, the cable supports up to 100W of power delivery so that you can fast charge most of your devices.

The Baseus cable also has nylon braiding for durability, and the company claims it will last over ten years of use. Additionally, you get a strap for cable management, which will come in handy for storage. Unfortunately, the data transfer speeds are limited to USB 2.0. Best of all, you receive two USB-C to USB-C cables in one pack.

This Ugreen USB Type-C cable is a good budget option for your charging and data transfer needs, mainly if your device charger or computer has a Type-A port. It is rated for USB 3.2 Gen 1, meaning you will get up to 5Gbps data transfer speeds. Plus, the cable also supports 18W charging.

In other features, while the USB-C cable has a fairly utilitarian design, Ugreen has added nylon braiding for enhanced durability. You can buy it in three feet and six feet lengths.

The Anker Powerline USB-C is quite similar to the Ugreen 5Gbps USB A to USB-C Cable in terms of features. For example, it also offers up to 5Gbps data transfer speeds and is sold in three feet and six feet sizes. But you can also buy the Anker cable in a longer 10-feet length. However, the Powerline USB-C Cable only supports up to 15W charging.

While there is no braiding on the Anker cable, it uses aramid fiber reinforcement for extra durability.

USB Type-C cables come in various flavors. So before buying a USB-C cable, ensure it meets all your requirements because it's not necessary that a fast charging cable will also offer a fast data transfer rate or vice versa. Similarly, many USB Type-C cables don't support DP Alt mode for video output, so if you plan to connect your laptop to a display using the cable, look specifically for video output support.

Among our recommendations, it's hard to go wrong with the Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C to USB-C Cable. It can do fast charging, quick data transfer, and even video output. But, more importantly, it's very accessible price-wise.

But if you also value how a cable looks or feels, our premium pick—the Anker 643 USB-C to USB-C cable—is an excellent option. It's available in seven exciting colors and feels great in hand. Moreover, it's capable of delivering 100W power for charging. Lastly, Ainope's two-pack is a fantastic value at $10. It comes with two 6.6 feet USB-C cables that feature a right-angle connector. Additionally, the cable is braided and supports up to 60W charging.

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Arol is a tech journalist and contributor at Android Police. He first began writing online for the short-lived portal of Spanish-language gaming forum Emudesc in 2013. Years later, in 2017, he got his true start in tech journalism working for a small Google-focused site called Pixel Spot. He transitioned to a news and feature writer role at XDA Developers that same year, where he worked until 2021 before making the jump to AP. Arol brings half a decade of writing experience, and the occasional hot take, to his writings. While he's a technology lover at heart, he holds Android phones, and smartphones in general, close to heart. You'll normally find him covering news, although he has also written the occasional deal, buyer's guide, how-to post, and round-up. In addition to his role at AP, Arol is also a staff writer for sister site MakeUseOf, where he writes mostly about computing. He's also a Pharmacy student. When he's not writing, you'll probably find him hitting the gym, trying to ace a new hobby, reading his textbooks, or traveling. You can reach him at arol@androidpolice.com.