USB-C cables get no respect. Most people shop for the lowest-priced cable and call it a day under the assumption that they are all the same. They’re not though, and here’s how I weed out the good cables from the bad cables in the review process.
For the record, the vast majority of PCWorld’s cable tests are performed on cables I purchased retail, but occasionally, I will accept cables directly from manufacturers to expedite the review process. Our cable reviews are actually physically performed on the cables and are not regurgitated from reading other reviews or reading user-generated reviews from consumers.
Further reading: Best USB-C cables
Examine the marketing claims
Cables are commodities no different than salt, rice, or meat, but as we know that doesn’t mean they’re all the same. Unlike hardware, it’s easy for a company to fluff up a product in its advertising or marketing, so we carefully examine the performance and feature claims of each cable to see if it matches reality. Respected brands tend to play it safe (but even they can stretch the truth a bit), while smaller brands often make claims that are flat out wrong. Whether that’s due to a translation issue, confusion with a complicated subject, or flat-out misrepresentation isn’t judged — but I call it out when I see it.
If a cable claims USB IF certification, I attempt to verify that.
If a cable claims USB IF certification, I attempt to verify that.
Gordon Mah Ung
If a cable claims USB IF certification, I attempt to verify that.
Gordon Mah Ung
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</div></figure><p class="imageCredit">Gordon Mah Ung</p></div>
Check certifications
If the cable claims to have USB Implementers Forum certification or UL certification, I’ll query both organizations’ databases or contact the organization in an attempt to verify the claim.
Examine the eMarker
Higher-performance charging or data transfer USB-C to USB-C cables feature an embedded eMarker chip that tells the phone, tablet, laptop, and charger just what the cable supports. I read the eMarker’s data using a Charger Lab KM003C and compare it to the cable’s marketing claims. Usually they should match, but some small-brand companies get the eMarker data flat-out wrong, which should give you pause about purchasing them.
I examine the cable’s eMarker if it has one
I examine the cable’s eMarker if it has one
Gordon Mah Ung
<div class="lightbox-image-container foundry-lightbox"><div class="extendedBlock-wrapper block-coreImage undefined"><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized enlarged-image"><img decoding="async" data-wp-bind--src="selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc" data-wp-style--object-fit="selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit" src="" alt="We examine the cable's eMarker if it has one" class="wp-image-2301173" style="width:1412px;height:auto" width="1200" height="676" loading="lazy" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><p>I examine the cable’s eMarker if it has one</p> </figcaption></figure><p class="imageCredit">Gordon Mah Ung</p></div>
</div></figure><p class="imageCredit">Gordon Mah Ung</p></div>
Weigh it
Although it isn’t perfect, I’ve found that one easy way to gauge the quality of a cable is to simply weigh it. Sure, the outer coating can be an influence in the weight, but you’d be surprised at how often a cable that has poorer resistance and fewer features also ends up weighing less. Again, it’s not a predictor of a cable that won’t function, but a lighter cable typically means higher resistance and can portend a shorter life span if abused by the owner due to its thinner wires.
Test resistance
To gauge the quality of the cable, I use a four-wire, milliohm meter attached to the cable using USB breakout boards on the VBUS and ground wires. Subtracting the added resistance of the breakout board, I can easily see which cables are constructed with better wiring. For example, the Belkin BoostCharge 240-watt braided cable measures in at 62 milliohms of resistance versus 209 milliohms for a super-budget JSAUX USB-C cable I looked at recently. That’s a significant difference between the cables (lower is better) and it tells us the Belkin BoostCharge’s higher price tag pays in charging quality and likely longevity as thicker wires should withstand more abuse in theory.
I load test for a minimum of 30 minutes
I load test for a minimum of 30 minutes
Gordon Mah Ung
<div class="lightbox-image-container foundry-lightbox"><div class="extendedBlock-wrapper block-coreImage undefined"><figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized enlarged-image"><img decoding="async" data-wp-bind--src="selectors.core.image.enlargedImgSrc" data-wp-style--object-fit="selectors.core.image.lightboxObjectFit" src="" alt="We load test for a minimum of 30 minutes" class="wp-image-2301171" style="width:1412px;height:auto" width="1200" height="676" loading="lazy" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption"><p>I load test for a minimum of 30 minutes</p> </figcaption></figure><p class="imageCredit">Gordon Mah Ung</p></div>
</div></figure><p class="imageCredit">Gordon Mah Ung</p></div>
Load test
Charging is probably the number one feature used on all cables. To test that, I load test the cable using a USB Power Delivery 3.1 trigger connected to an artificial load tester and stress test the cable for a minimum of 30 minutes. As a backup to that test, I also connect t