Best Lightning Cables

At this point, just about everyone owns a smart phone, mp3 player, or some other type of electronic device that needs to be synced or charged by plugging it into a computer’s USB port. Since most of us use the cable that came with the device to do this, we don’t usually think too much about it until we lose the cable or it needs to be replaced. At that point, we have to figure out what the thing is called (hint: it’s a lightning cable) before we can even start shopping for one, and once we do, it’s an easy mistake to think that they all must be the same. They aren’t, so here are some ways you can find the best lightning cable for your devices.

Lightning cables are one of those products that don’t really have a wide variety: they are, by their nature, fairly standard. The differences that do exist between models come down to the specific devices that can be plugged into the computer by using them (more on that in a moment).

Here are some of the qualities reviewers point to when they talk about the lighting cables they purchased:

• Solid connections: The purpose of a lightning cable is to connect your mobile device to the computer, so it stands to reason that the quality of that connection is of paramount importance. The best models connect securely to both the computer and the device.
• Speed of syncing and charging: If there is a lot of data being transferred from the computer to the device, syncing speed is important. However, the big concern is charging speed: the best brands can fully charge a music player or phone in a very short amount of time.
• Does it keep working? Just like the devices they serve, the connections and other parts of a lightning cable will eventually wear down. Looking through the reviews of cables, it’s easy to determine which ones have a reputation for lasting the longest; the best brands will continue working for pretty much the entire lifespan of the devices and computers themselves.
• Durable wires: This deserves a special mention. The wires on certain cables tend to fray and become exposed pretty quickly, especially around the connections. This can affect performance and is a potential safety issue. The better models don’t have this problem as often, and even when they do, it’s something that happens after an extended period of use.

• Compatibility: A cable isn’t going to work with every single device; all you need to do is look at your phone’s USB port and compare it to, say, your camera’s, and you’ll probably spot differences pretty quickly. Therefore, when shopping for a lightning cable, make sure that you search for one that will work with your particular device.
• Certification: Compatibility is fine, but certification is even better—if you can find a lightning cable that is certified to work with a particular device (or set of devices made by a single company), that is an even stronger signal of quality.
• Cord length: You want to look for a cable that is long enough to be useful wherever you may need to charge your device (at home, in the office, etc.) without being an annoyance or potential tripping hazard.

iXCC: iXCC produces a range of products to support electronic devices, including lightning cables and plug-in chargers.

RND Power Solutions: RND is an American company that produces a variety of aftermarket products for smart phones and other devices, including lightning cables, chargers, and car mounts.

Skiva: Skiva is an American manufacturer of power supplies, speakers, and other equipment for computers and mobile devices.

Belkin: Belkin has been producing accessories for computers, phones, and other devices since 1983. The company makes just about any accessory you might need for your electronic device, including chargers, covers, and docks.