Most Lightning cables look the same, sometimes with varying colors, but what’s inside can vary widely.
The materials used in the Lightning cables can affect everything from long-term durability to charging speed.
Wirecutter recently measured the charging speed of nearly 50 Lightning cables and then sent the fastest 11 cables to an electrical engineer for teardown analysis and found that the three-foot long Anker Lightning to USB Cable, which starts at $5.99 in white (prices vary per color), is the one to buy.
The cables sport a compact (0.34in × 0.22in / 8.6mm × 5.6mm), heat-resistant Lightning connector that fits into virtually all external case cutouts. Anker cables also come with a long 18-month warranty.
Wirecutter reports, “The Anker stands out among the competition thanks to solid build quality inside and out, a Lightning-connector plug that works with almost any case, and a price tag that’s less than half of what you’ll pay for one of Apple’s cables.”
MacDailyNews Take: Interestingly, the Apple MFi Certified Anker cables are the exact same make of Lightning to USB cables we use when we’re not using Apple’s.
We also use the shorter Anker 12-inch Lightning to USB cables in conjunction with Anker PowerPort 4 USB Wall Chargers featuring 4 ports with a with foldable plug ($26.99) when on the road. These are smart chargers that provide the fastest possible charge for iPads and iPhones no matter which of the four ports you use. Each wall outlet spouts 4 Lightning cables for your iPhone, iPad, Apple Watch, and iPod touch devices. It’s perfect. Nothing goes uncharged!
I got three of these cables for Christmas and they work just fine. They seem to be well made, so I expect them to last a long time. I also got an Anker wall plug. I never had enough chargers or cables before, but everything’s always charged now.
I also bought several cables for my wife and kids for Xmas. I also bought 4 each Powerport 4’s to go with them. Made great stocking stuffers. Really great products.
Exactly what I did, I mean exactly!.
Anyone smart enough to give cables for Christmas is cool.
I gave the multi-port charger to my GF for Christmas. She seemed to have trouble appreciating the sentiment. So it’s definitely cables for Valentine’s Day.
Santa always brings earbuds, cables and chargers for stocking stuffers at our house.
I have 3 of these chargers and cables to go with them. They’re really well made.
I’m all Anker cable/chargers now. Have been for over a year. No issues at all. Good stuff at a good price.
I’ve been buying Anker stuff in general off of Amazon for quite some time now. Never had a problem with any of it. Great stuff for the money.
Based on The Wirecutter review, I purchased two dual USB port wall chargers, three 6′ cables, and a 5 USB port charging station before the holidays.
Anker also offers different colored 6 foot Lightning to USB cables for only $13 each at Amazon. Red, blue, green, black and white.
The 10 foot winner offers 7 colors for only $8 each.
This is great except you are only touting 1 brand. How about second and third place? Even if they’re all that how about a distant 2nd.
Why bother? Anker stuff works, and works reliably, and is usually the least-expensive out there. If someone else wants to focus on quality and price as well as Anker does, by all means mention them.
Second place just means the first loser.
Here’s the article: http://thewirecutter.com/reviews/best-lightning-cable/ Runner up is Best Buy’s Dynex of all things: Best Buy’s Dynex 3′ Charge/Sync Cable with Lightning Connector ($8) If you’re in a hurry and need one now, #2 would be a good option. Also, I’m not sure if only the 3′ Anker is the one to get and not the 10′ for instance. The article mention a 6″ winner: 6″ Lightning Charge-and-Sync Cable ($15).
I like the Dynex cable. Got one on clearance at Best Buy. Discontinued, now.
Love Apple but what’s up with their awful cables? Never ever ever have I had charging cables of any other device fail like the fn lightning iPhone cables. Everywhere I go micro usb cords are everywhere. On the floorss, closets, drawers, you trip over them they are everywhere. And all work perfectly.
That we all have to get them and congratulate each other for getting them for Christmas is insane. Apple just needs to make better cables. F this having to buy them in bulk crap.
If there ever was a REAL reason for a class action lawsuit this is it. I want Apple to get rid of the 3.5 jack, but lord help us if we have this same problem with the headphones
Newer Technology premium cables are solid as well, offer a 5 year, Yes, five year, warranty. Check them out at macsales.com.