USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | USB-C to USB-C 3.1 | USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | USB-C to Lightning | Thunderbolt 3
Which USB-C Cable Do I Need?
The USB-C cable you want depends on what two things you’re connecting, and for what purpose. You can get a high end cable that’ll do everything. But that’s more expensive, especially if you are only charging a device.
Connecting Two USB-C Devices
- USB-C to USB-C 2.0: Best for charging a USB-C device with a USB-C charger.
- USB-C to USB-C 3.1: Best for data transfers between two USB-C devices. Can also charge, but costs more.
Connecting a USB-C Device to a USB-A Device
- USB-C to USB-A 2.0: Best for charging a USB-C device with a USB-A charger. And for data transfers involving a USB 2.0 port.
- USB-C to USB-A 3.0: Best for data transfers between a USB-C device and a device with a USB 3.0 port. Can also charge, but costs more.
Fast Charging iPhone 8/X/XR/XS
- USB-C to Lightning: Allows fast charging of newer iPhones with an 18W or better USB-C PD charger. Can also connect an iPhone to a Mac with USB-C.
Connecting Two Thunderbolt 3 Devices
- Thunderbolt 3: Connects two Thundertbolt 3 devices for high-speed data transfers. Some can also double as regular USB-C cables.
USB-C to USB-C 2.0
| Cable | Price | Length | Charge Rate | Data Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $7.02 | 6 inches, 3, 6, & 9 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified |
| AmazonBasics Double Braided USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $15.99 | 1, 3, 6, & 10 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified Nylon Braided |
| Anker PowerLine USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $9.99 | 3 & 6 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $12.99 | 6 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified |
| Apple USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $18.99 | 3.3 & 6.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 480 Mbps | Nathan K Approved |
| AUKEY USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $7.99 | 3 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | Nylon Braided |
| AUKEY USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Gray | White | $7.99 | 6 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | |
| Belkin USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | from $7.90 | 6 inches & 6 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified Nylon Braided |
| Cable Matters USB-C to USB-C 2.0 | $9.99 | 3.3 & 6.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified |
| Nekteck USB-C to USB-C 2.0 (2-Pack) | $10.99 | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified |
| ZMI USB-C to USB-C 2.0 (2-Pack) | $9.99 | 5 feet | 3A (60W) | 480 Mbps |
USB-C to USB-C 3.1
All cables listed are USB-IF Certified.
| Cable | Price | Length | Charge Rate | Data Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-C 3.1 | $14.62 | 3 & 6 feet | 3A (60W) | 5 Gbps | |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 | $11.99 | 3 feet | 3A (60W) | 5 Gbps | |
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | $19.99 | 3 feet | 5A (100W) | 10 Gbps | |
| Belkin USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | from $27.38 | 3.3 feet | 3A (60W) | 10 Gbps | |
| Cable Matters USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | $13.99 | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 10 Gbps | |
| CHOETECH USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | Currently not available | 3.3 feet | 3A (60W) | 10 Gbps | |
| DockCase USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | from $19.99 | 0.7 feet | 5A (100W) | 10 Gbps | |
| dodocool USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | $12.75 | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 10 Gbps | Nylon Braided |
| Nekteck USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | $11.99 | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 10 Gbps | |
| Veckle USB-C to USB-C 3.1 Gen 2 | $16.99 | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 10 Gbps | Nylon Braided |
USB-C to USB-A 2.0
All cables listed contain the proper 56k Ohm resistor.
| Cable | Price | Length | Data Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $14.14 | 3, 6, 9 feet | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified |
| Anker PowerLine+ USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $13.99 | 3 & 6 feet | 480 Mbps | |
| Anker PowerLine+ II USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $11.99 | 3 feet | 480 Mbps | Nylon Braided |
| Anker PowerLine+ II USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $13.99 | 6 feet | 480 Mbps | Nylon Braided |
| Anker Premium USB-C to USB-A 2.0 (2-Pack) | $9.99 | 3 & 6 feet | 480 Mbps | |
| AUKEY USB-C to USB 2.0 | $6.99 | 3.3 & 6.6 feet | 480 Mbps | |
| Belkin USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $7.56 | 6 feet | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified |
| BrexLink USB-C to USB-A 2.0 (2-Pack) | $10.99 | 6 feet | 480 Mbps | USB-IF Certified Nylon Braided |
| Cable Matters USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | from $10.99 | 3.3, 6.6, 9.8, & 13 feet | 480 Mbps | Benson Approved |
| CHOETECH USB-C to USB-A 2.0 (2-Pack) | $9.59 | 3.3 & 6.6 feet | 480 Mbps | |
| Nintendo HAC-010 USB-C to USB-A 2.0 Included with Pro Controller, Joy-Con Charging Grip, and Poke Ball Plus | 1 & 5 feet | 480 Mbps | ||
| PowerA Premium USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | from $6.11 | 10 feet | 480 Mbps | Nylon Braided |
| Veckle USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $10.99 | 6.6 feet | 480 Mbps | Benson Approved Nylon Braided |
| ZMI Premium USB-C to USB-A 2.0 | $8.99 | 1 & 3.3 feet | 480 Mbps | Nylon Braided |
USB-C to USB-A 3.0
All cables listed contain the proper 56k Ohm resistor.
| Cable | Price | Length | Data Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AmazonBasics USB-C to USB-A 3.1 | $9.49 | 3 feet | 5 Gbps | USB-IF Certified |
| Anker PowerLine USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | 6 feet | 5 Gbps | ||
| Anker PowerLine II USB-C to USB-A 3.1 Gen 2 | $12.99 | 3 feet | 10 Gbps | USB-IF Certified |
| AUKEY USB-C to USB 3.0 | $2.99 | 3.3 feet | 5 Gbps | |
| AUKEY USB-C to USB 3.0 | $7.99 | 3.3 feet | 5 Gbps | Nylon Braided |
| AUKEY USB-C to USB 3.0 | $8.99 | 6.6 feet | 5 Gbps | Nylon Braided |
| Cable Matters USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | $5.99 | 3.3 feet | 5 Gbps | Benson Approved |
| CHOETECH USB-C to USB-A 3.0 (3-Pack) | $13.99 | 3.3 & 6.6 feet | 5 Gbps | Nylon Braided |
| Nekteck USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | $6.99 | 3.3 feet | 5 Gbps | Benson Approved Nylon Braided |
| Nekteck USB-C to USB-A 3.1 | from $29.99 | 3.3 & 6.6 feet | 5 Gbps | Benson Approved |
| Orzly USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | $7.99 | 3.3 feet | 5 Gbps | Benson Approved |
| Veckle USB-C to USB-A 3.0 | $12.99 | 6.6 feet | 5 Gbps | Benson Approved Nylon Braided |
USB-C to Lightning
All cables listed are MFi certified by Apple.
Thunderbolt 3
Thunderbolt is a hardware interface standard created by Intel and Apple. Thunderbolt 3 cables use USB-C connectors, but are not the same as a USB-C cable. Passive Thunderbolt does supports USB 3.1 data transfers. Active Thunderbolt only supports USB 2.0 with USB-C devices.
All cables listed are Thunderbolt Certified.
| Cable | Price | Passive/Active | Length | Max Charging Rate | Max Data Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Thunderbolt 3 | $34.99 | Active | 2.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Belkin Thunderbolt 3 | $24.25 | Passive | 3 feet | 3A (60W) | 20 Gbps |
| Belkin Thunderbolt 3 | from $17.89 | Passive | 1.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 | $19.99 | Passive | 1.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 | $54.99 | Active | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 | $57.99 | Active | 6.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 | $22.99 | Passive | 3.3 feet | 5A (100W) | 20 Gbps |
| Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 | $27.99 | Passive | 6.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 20 Gbps |
| Nekteck Thunderbolt 3 | $19.99 | Passive | 1.5 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Nekteck Thunderbolt 3 | $55.99 | Active | 6.6 feet | 5A (100W) | 40 Gbps |
| Nekteck Thunderbolt 3 | $25.99 | Passive | 3 feet | 5A (100W) | 20 Gbps |
| Nekteck Thunderbolt 3 | $29.99 | Passive | 6 feet | 5A (100W) | 20 Gbps |
Prices are from Amazon Product Advertising API, last updated on 2019-08-23.
