It goes without saying that a charger is needed to charge electronic devices properly. Yet, a lot of people tend to focus on purchasing a charger and paying no attention to the actual cable. Unfortunately, it is very easy to get charged slowly or even damaged due to a poor choice of a charging cable. In this article, we will find out what factors should be considered while buying a charging cable.
Types of Charging Cables
First of all, there are several types of cables on the modern market, each having certain characteristics. One must understand the distinctions between those types in order to buy an appropriate charging cable.
The most common type of a charging cable is the regular USB-A to USB-C or USB-micro charging cable. The main advantages of this kind of the cable are affordability and availability; yet, it is not the fastest nor the most durable one. Thus, using a regular cable may cause a very slow charging process since it usually allows charging up to 2.4A.
Another kind of a cable is a high-speed cable. High-speed charging cables provide a fast charging speed and are rather durable as they usually contain special materials like Kevlar or nylon. Moreover, many high-speed cables have special features like overcharge protection, etc. For instance, such a charging cable as Aukey USB-C to USB-C cable supports charging up to 100W. Therefore, it is quite fast.
Length and Durability of a Cable
Length and durability are two important characteristics of a charging cable that need to be taken into account while choosing one.
One should understand that long cables may seem convenient since they allow charging the device from a distance. Yet, they can easily tangle. In addition, a shorter charging cable is more convenient, as it is easier to carry around than a long one.
Thus, while looking for a cable, pay special attention to durability of a chosen product. It would be better to select a charging cable which has a reinforced jacket. Moreover, the cable’s ability to resist any physical influence should be taken into consideration.
Compatibility and Certification of a Charging Cable
Compatibility and certification of the chosen cable are extremely significant aspects to think about while choosing one.
One should pay particular attention to this characteristic as a non-compatible charging cable may cause a great damage to the device or not work at all. In addition, one must be aware that each charging cable is allowed to transmit a definite power flow. For example, a high-quality charging cable like Anker Powerline II is certified by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF). Moreover, it has the highest quality level for cables, which is the USB-IF Level 2 certification.
Safety Features and Certification of a Cable
Safety is extremely important as a charging cable that is not safe cannot be used for charging one’s device. There are several safety criteria one needs to take into consideration.
The first one is the UL (Underwriters Laboratories) or IEC safety certificate, which means that a cable is tested for the possibility of overheating or sparking and cannot cause any damages. Another safety feature one might want to consider is overcharge protection as it prevents the device from being charged too much. For example, Anker charging cable with the USB-C connector supports PD (Power Delivery). Thus, a special algorithm allows charging devices safely without damaging their batteries.
Materials and Design of a Charging Cable
This factor is crucial for a charging cable since its materials affect how quickly a device will be charged. Therefore, one must choose a product made of good materials.
As one of the key factors, it is possible to mention braiding of a cable. Thus, one needs to prefer braided charging cables as they are less likely to get tangled. Also, it would be better to pay attention to material of a cable’s inner wire as some wires are made of copper, some – of silver alloy, and others – of aluminum. Copper cables are faster.
Brand and Warranty
The last criterion to be considered while choosing a charging cable is the brand. As for me, a brand is very important since it guarantees high quality.
Moreover, one needs to think about warranty provided by the seller. Thus, it would be preferable to buy a cable with a lifetime warranty or money-back guarantee, e.g., AUKEY 100W PD Quick Charge.
