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Tag: cables

  • The Best USB-C Cables for Your Phone, Tablet, or Laptop

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    More USB-C Cables We Have Tested

    There are so many cables out there, and plenty of solid options did not make the cut. Here are a few I’ve tested and liked.

    Photograph: Simon Hill

    Twelve South PowerCord for $30: While I don’t think we want to go back to permanently attached cables and power adapters, they offer a simplicity that could be useful for some folks or situations. The PowerCord from Twelve South is thick and durable-feeling, with a tangle-resistant woven (4- or 10-foot) USB-C cable attached to a compact 30-watt (Power Delivery) wall plug.

    EcoFlow Rapid Pro for $21: Kept out of a place above by Anker’s cables, this durable charging cable from EcoFlow is a solid choice if you want fast charging, since it can supply 240 watts. It also has tough metal ends, a lovely woven finish, and comes with a cable tie.

    Nomad Chargekey for $29 and USB-C Cable for $25: The Chargekey is a handy wee addition to your keyring with 12 cm of braided cable capable of delivering 240 watts and up to 10 Gbps data transfer, though it can be a little awkward to use. I also tried Nomad’s new Kevlar-reinforced USB-C cable, which is also 240 W but only has 480 Mbps data transfer. It feels durable with metal ends and braided cable, but you can get more capable cables for less.

    QDOS PowerMotion Ultra for £40: This USB 4.0 cable is a solid alternative to our top picks for folks in the UK, combining up to 240-watt charging with data transfer speeds up to 40 Gbps. It is relatively thick, feels durable, and comes with a lifetime warranty. I like the braided nylon finish and color-matched cable tie. I also tried the QDOS Powerloop (£20), a handy wearable charging cable that doubles as a lanyard strap. It’s thick, woven, and durable, with screw-off ends that reveal a USB-C cable capable of supplying 60 watts of power and 480 Mbps of data.

    Chargeasap Connect Pro for $60: Magnetic tip cables can be handy for kids and folks with dexterity issues. The idea is you stick the relevant tip in your device and then attach the cable magnetically when you need to charge. This one also has an LED display to show real-time power usage. It works best if you leave the tips in your devices, but that means they can’t be charged by regular cables, and the tips are very easy to lose if you remove them. Performance-wise, it’s a standard 100-watt charging cable.

    Krafted Connex for £30: I like the idea of a Swiss Army Knife–style charging cable keyring, but the execution here is flawed. It does offer USB-A, USB-C, Lightning, and MicroUSB, but the flip-out plugs don’t have any cable attached, so they are not very adjustable, making it tough to plug into some ports. The Rolling Square InCharge X 6-in-1 Cable above is the same price and works far better.

    Scosche Strikeline Premium USB-C Cable for $25: This braided cable comes in various lengths all the way up to the 10-foot cable I tested, and it’s a good alternative to our best long cable above if data transfer is more important to you than charging speed because it offers 5 Gbps data speeds, but only 60 watts for charging.

    Ugreen Uno USB-C Cable for $10: I love the smiley-faced Uno line from UGreen, but I assumed the display on this cable would show the charging rate. It does not. It just displays smiley eyes when charging and changes when fully charged. I tested the 6.6-foot cable, but it also comes in 1.6-, 3.3-, or 10-foot lengths. It feels durable and is reasonably priced, but it is rated at a very ordinary 100 watts and 480 Mbps.

    Native Union Pocket Cable for $30: This wee braided USB-C to USB-C cable is perfect for slipping on a keyring to ensure you are never caught without a cable. It’s a nice design with braided cables, but you only get around 7 inches, and it maxes out at 60 watts. It is built to last from recycled materials, USB-IF certified, and comes with a lifetime warranty.

    Caudabe ChargeFlex for $25: This was our Lightning recommendation, and it’s still good, but the price has gone up and there’s no need to spend this much. It is a thick braided cable reinforced with Kevlar for durability. There is a leather clip you can use for cable management, and the ridged finish on the connectors makes them easy to grip when unplugging.

    Cable Matters Gen 2 USB-A to USB-C cable for $10: This is a good alternative to our pick above if you want faster data transfer speeds (it maxes out at 10 Gbps), but it is limited to 15 watts for charging.

    Bluebonnet Eco-Friendly Charging Cable for $25: Bluebonnet (an Austin-based studio named after the Texas state flower) made this cable from naturally biodegradable wheat straw. It promises 50,000 plus bends and uses plastic-free packaging. I love the dappled blue finish and the cream ends. They make it easy to pick this cable out of the crowd. It’s nothing special performance-wise, offering up to 60-watt charging and 480 Mbps data transfer.

    RUGD Rhino Power USB-C to USB-C for £11: This is a solid option for folks in the UK seeking a tough cable. It has a braided nylon finish and can withstand a minimum of 100 kilograms of tension and 100,000 bends. It can also deliver up to 60 watts.

    Casetify Powerthru USB-C to Lightning Cable for $25: This tough, braided cable comes in some fun colors (most notably cotton candy), but it’s kinda pricey for a 100-watt charging cable.

    Iniu Braided USB-C Cable for $6: This is a cheap, 6.6-foot USB-C to USB-C charging cable that tops out at 100 watts. Data transfer is only 480 Mbps. One end lights up green when it’s charging.

    Lindy USB 3.2 Type C to C Cable for $23: These active cables are suitable for hooking monitors up to your computer, and they support up to 8K at 60 Hz and 4K at 120 Hz. They also support DisplayPort 1.4. I tested the longer 3- and 5-meter variants that max out at 60 watts for Power Delivery and 10 Gbps for data (but they’re out of stock). The shorter cable linked here can go up to 20 Gbps. They work well and feel durable, but they’re a bit pricey.

    Satechi USB-C to USB-C Charging Cable for $20: Gear from Satechi always has a classy look, and its braided nylon cables are no exception. This one is 6.5 feet, has a Velcro strap, and is capable of 100-watt charging, with support for PD and QC. Sadly, data transfer is limited to 480 Mbps.

    Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Transfer Cable for $70: This active Thunderbolt 4 USB-C to USB-C cable matches our top pick with support for 100-watt charging and data transfers up to 40 Gbps. It is 6.6 feet long and comes with a two-year warranty.

    Belkin Boost Charge USB-C for $10: This cable maxes out at 12 watts and 480 Mbps. The basic PVC finish is the cheapest, but you can opt for braided nylon too; both come in black or white at 3.3 or 6.6 feet. These cables are USB-IF certified and work as advertised (I’ve been using one in the car for the last few months).

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    Simon Hill

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  • WIRED’s Top Prime Day Deals on Wires, Cords, and Cables So You Can Stay Wired Forever

    WIRED’s Top Prime Day Deals on Wires, Cords, and Cables So You Can Stay Wired Forever

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    We know a thing or two about cables and cords here at WIRED. It’s in our name, after all. These unsung heroes of tech connect our gadgets, power our devices, and deliver our data. You may not immediately think of wires when you think of Prime Day deals, but we have untangled a few choice discounts from Amazon’s random box of cables, and it turns out this is a good time to up your cable game. Oh, and don’t forget to check out our nonstop Prime Day live blog for more goodies on WIRED-tested gear.

    We test products year-round and handpicked these deals. We’ll update this guide periodically throughout the sale event.

    If you buy something using links in our stories, we may earn a commission. This helps support our journalism. Learn more.

    WIRED Featured Deals

    Cable Deals

    This Intel-certified Thunderbolt 4 cable is the one cable to rule them all and our top pick of the Best USB-C Cables. It can supply 100 watts (enough to charge a laptop) and transfer data at up to 40 Gbps. It can hook up an 8K display (or two 4K displays), supports both DisplayPort Alt Mode (DP Alt Mode) and USB Power Delivery (USB-PD), including PPS, and is backward-compatible with all earlier standards. We don’t often see discounts on this cable, and the 3.3-foot has never been this low before. The 6.6-foot cable is also discounted to $48 ($12 off).

    This USB-C to USB-C cable can handle fast charging and speedy data transfers. It is rated to carry 100 watts, so it can be used to power the beefiest MacBook Pro. It also transmits data at up to 10 gigabits per second (Gbps). The USB-IF certification means it complies with standards set by the USB Implementers Forum. It even comes with a lifetime warranty.

    It’s all well and good having a bunch of cables, but do you always have the cable you need to hand? Slip this Swiss-designed multi-cable onto your key ring and you will. It offers six charging combinations, with USB-C and USB-A on one end of the short braided cable, and Lightning, MicroUSB, and USB-C on the other.

    If you need a USB-A to USB-C cable, this one from UGreen will do nicely. It is a USB-IF-certified, braided nylon cable that offers reasonably speedy charging (18 watts) and data transfer (5 Gbps) to boot. This is the first I’ve seen a discount on this cable.

    Clip the coupon code to see the full discount at checkout, bringing the price to $12. Forget tangles with this clever, flat retractable cable that comes in a few fun colors. Pull the USB-C ends and you can fix it at preset lengths (1.1, 1.9, 2.7, or 3.3 feet). When you’re done, simply pull and release to trigger the cable to coil back up inside the case.

    WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu has had this little thing on his keychain for more than a year, and it’s come in handy when he forgot to pack a USB-C cable. The two ends stick magnetically together, and you can pull them apart and plug one end into your phone or laptop to juice it up in a pinch if you have access to a wall charger. It supports up to 60 watts of power, which is plenty for a lot of gadgets, and it’s quite compact. The USB-C to Lightning version is also on sale at Nomad’s website if you have an older iPhone with the Lightning port.

    Have a TV or game system you need to plug in but they’re far apart? WIRED editor Julian Chokkattu used this 50-foot HDMI cable to connect his gaming PC in his office to the TV in the living room. That allowed him to play Red Dead Redemption 2 on the big screen while his wife watched his antics. There are other sizes to choose from too.

    More Deals on Cables

    Photograph: Simon Hill

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    Simon Hill

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  • Appealing New Charging Cart Offers Enhanced Value in Classrooms

    Appealing New Charging Cart Offers Enhanced Value in Classrooms

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    Lakewood Ranch, FL – JAR Systems premiered its newest solution, the Elevate USB-C Charging Cart EDU 32, at the Future of Education Technology Conference. The illuminated cart caught the eye of many educators and technology leaders as they learned of the new advantages it provides.

    The cart maintains a critical feature—AC adapterless charging. This eliminates the long-dreaded activities of wiring carts and maintaining expensive charging cables. Powered by the company’s latest charging technology, the Quick-Sense USB-C PD Education Line, the cart is newly fine-tuned to the requirements of educational devices.

    “Over our 20 years as a company, it has always been our goal for our developments to be forward-thinking to what our customers will need next. The Elevate USB-C Charging Cart EDU 32 is a shining example, making state-of-the-art USB-C PD charging technology more affordable in education”, said Axel Zimmermann, JAR Systems’ CEO.

    The Elevate USB-C Charging Cart EDU’s affordability comes in addition to benefits tailored to school environments. Teachers will know the charging status of each device with LED lights visible through the cart door. Devices charge simultaneously in the cart at a steady rate that lends to battery life extension, helping device fleets stay usable for longer.

    The new carts will begin shipping in April 2024. Interested parties may place pre-orders by contacting their IT solutions providers or by calling JAR Systems at 866.393.4202. Additional information can be found on the company’s website: JAR-Systems.com/NewElevateEDU.

    About the Company: JAR Systems provides more versatile ways to charge and secure ever-evolving technologies. The company works closely with its clients to develop products that support and streamline how mobile technology is used for learning and working in real-world environments. JAR Systems’ focus is on being a leading manufacturer of innovative charging solutions and designing efficient products that will work dependably for many years.

    eSchool News Staff
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  • AT&T, Verizon Investors Have More Than Lead Cables to Worry About

    AT&T, Verizon Investors Have More Than Lead Cables to Worry About

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    AT&T, Verizon Investors Have More Than Lead Cables to Worry About

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  • AT&T’s stock soars toward best day in 3 years as lead-cable update sparks relief

    AT&T’s stock soars toward best day in 3 years as lead-cable update sparks relief

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    After failing to close in positive territory for a 10th session in a row Tuesday, AT&T Inc. shares were tracking toward a sizable gain in Wednesday’s trading activity.

    The telecommunications stock was up 8.4% in morning trades as recent company commentary suggested to some analysts that AT&T’s
    T,
    +7.62%
    exposure to lead-clad cables may not be as significant as feared. The company estimates that lead-clad cables represent less than 10% of its copper-cable footprint and that “a very small portion” of those run underwater.

    See more: AT&T to pause prior plans to remove lead cables under Lake Tahoe as it works with regulators

    AT&T shares have taken a beating lately after reporting from the Wall Street Journal keyed in on lead-sheathed cables used historically by the telecommunications industry, which the story said posed health risks.

    The stock had gone 10 full trading sessions in a row prior to Wednesday without notching a gain, factoring in one session of flat performance. It fell 16.6% over that 10-session stretch, AT&T’s longest without a daily increase since one of equal length that ended Oct. 21, 2020, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

    AT&T shares were on track to log their largest single-day percentage gain since March 13, 2020, when they rose 10%, according to Dow Jones Market Data.

    Read also: Verizon’s lead ‘overhang’ may limit dividend increases, analyst says in downgrade

    The company late Tuesday held a call with analysts and released a legal filing that left Oppenheimer’s Timothy Horan with the sense that the company’s exposure to lead cable was less than Wall Street initially expected, meaning potential removal costs could be lower than he had anticipated.

    “We think [AT&T] is being conservative, but less than 10% of its footprint [or about 200,000 miles] are lead-sheathed, three-fourths of which are conduits buried underground that should likely just remain in place,” Horan wrote. “Even cables that are not buried can be left for long periods of time when safely sealed up and labeled. We believe a small minority will need to be removed, but expect [AT&T] to give more details on its earnings call next week, sooner than expected.”

    He now estimates that the company could incur $2 billion to $20 billion in costs related to its exposure to lead-coated cables, whereas he had thrown out a “best guess” of $5 billion to $50 billion before Tuesday’s updates.

    Cowen’s Gregory Williams was also encouraged by the disclosures AT&T made late Tuesday.

    “Naturally, AT&T could not provide definitive conclusions at this time; however the company summarized the data from the court filing and essentially provided a compelling framework around the allegations,” he wrote in a note to clients. “The framework suggests a high conviction that any lead-clad cable exposure will result in very minimal health, environmental, regulatory, and financial risks, if any risk at all, and something we had suspected over the past few days of our own conversations and research.”

    Shares of Verizon Communications Inc.
    VZ,
    +5.18%
    were rallying sharply as well, up 5.4% in morning action.

    Read on: Verizon CEO says the wireless market isn’t such a bad business after all

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  • Are AT&T and Verizon’s Dividends Safe? What the Math Says.

    Are AT&T and Verizon’s Dividends Safe? What the Math Says.

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    Are AT&T and Verizon’s Dividends Safe? What the Math Says.

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  • AT&T’s stock sinks toward 30-year low as it nabs another downgrade

    AT&T’s stock sinks toward 30-year low as it nabs another downgrade

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    Shares of AT&T Inc. were falling again Monday after a Citi Research analyst weighed in with a more cautious view in light of recent reporting on legacy use of lead-sheathed cables within the telecommunications industry.

    Citi’s Michael Rollins cut his rating on AT&T’s stock
    T,
    -6.69%
    to neutral from buy Monday, writing that it was among names that could see an “overhang” following The Wall Street Journal’s recent reporting on risks related to industry’s historical use of lead-sheathed cabling as Wall Street works to understand potential financial implications.

    He also downgraded shares of Frontier Communications Parent Inc.
    FYBR,
    -15.79%
    and Telephone & Data Systems Inc.
    TDS,
    -8.38%
    to neutral from buy, and he already had a neutral rating on Verizon Communications Inc.’s stock
    VZ,
    -7.50%    .

    “First, copper network deployed with possible lead sheathing could be a significant percentage of the legacy network deployed nationally with varying exposures for each firm,” Rollins wrote. He said he was “unable to specifically quantify financial risks (if anything material)” for wireline telecommunications companies stemming from these issues, though “the timing to receive more information could take at least a couple months and full resolution could take years.”

    AT&T’s stock was off 3.8% in Monday morning action, to a recent $13.95, and on track to close at its lowest level since March 24, 1993, according to Dow Jones Market Data. The stock is on pace to spend a ninth-straight session without a daily gain, factoring in one day of flat performance last week alongside a string of daily losses.

    “We still expect the company to display forward progress on cash flow generation and setting the stage to reduce net debt leverage over the next two years before considering any potential liabilities, if anything material, associated with lead sheathed cables,” Rollins wrote, though he called out “uncertainty from the industry’s use of lead-sheathed cabling” as a key reason for the downgrade.

    See also: AT&T sees ‘incredibly healthy’ wireless market, even as several factors will ding growth this quarter

    Frontier shares were down 8.2%, while TDS shares were off 5.0%. Verizon’s stock was down 1.6% and on pace for its eighth consecutive losing session.

    USTelecom, a trade association that counts AT&T and Verizon as members, said in a statement that the telecommunications industry “has a long tradition of closely following science and evidence as it relates to public health, environmental protection, and worker safety issues,” while “safe work practices within the industry have proven effective in reducing potential lead exposures to workers.”

    There are “many considerations” that go into deciding whether to remove legacy cables, “including those regarding the safety of workers who must handle the cables, potential impacts on the environment, the age and composition of the cables, their geographic location, and customer needs as well as the needs of the business and infrastructure demands,” the spokesperson continued.

    The trade group said in a prior statement that it had “not seen, nor have regulators identified, evidence that legacy lead-sheathed telecom cables are a leading cause of lead exposure or the cause of a public health issue.”

    Representatives from Frontier and TDS couldn’t immediately be reached for comment.

    Rollins noted in his report that “Verizon and AT&T indicated their expectation as that the exposure should be small,” though he said that “for Verizon, we learned the term ‘small’ could be as much as 20% of its copper network infrastructure.”

    Don’t miss: Verizon CEO says the wireless market isn’t such a bad business after all

    He joined JPMorgan’s Philip Cusick, who downgraded AT&T’s stock Friday and mentioned potential lead-cable liabilities as a concern.

    SVB MoffettNathanson analyst Craig Moffett weighed in on the issue as well Monday, calling out heavy uncertainty.

    “The unsatisfying, but honest, answer is that at this point we have nothing but unknowns to work with and no real way to quantify the companies’ exposures,” he wrote. “Lead risk is clearly not a good thing, but we don’t know how bad it will ultimately be. It would be disingenuous to try putting firm numbers around it.”

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