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01USB cable finder
The finder starts from the two plugs because that's the one thing you can't get wrong. Then it adds the rating your job needs. A phone, a laptop, a fast SSD and a monitor all plug into the same USB-C port, yet each needs a different cable to work at full speed.
Can't tell your plugs apart? USB-C is small, oval and fits either way up. USB-A is the older flat rectangle. Lightning is Apple's slim plug on iPhone 14 and earlier. Micro-USB is the small trapezoid on older Android phones, cheap earbuds and many gadgets.
02What each result means
USB-C to USB-C, 60W
The default for phones, tablets, earbuds and small laptops. A 60W cable carries 3 amps, enough for fast charging on iPhones, Pixels and most other Android phones. Galaxy models with 45W charging need the 5A kind below. No special chip needed.
USB-C to USB-C, 100W or 240W
Needed for laptops that charge above 60W, and for phones that use 45W or faster charging with a 5A requirement. These cables have an e-marker chip that tells the charger it's safe to send 5 amps. Our e-marker explainer has more.
USB-C to Lightning
For iPhone 8 through iPhone 14 and older AirPods cases. Paired with a 20W or bigger USB-C PD charger, it fast-charges those iPhones. Look for MFi certification. Lightning vs USB-C covers the switch.
USB-A to USB-C, or anything to Micro-USB
These work, but slowly. USB-A ports can't do USB Power Delivery, so a modern phone charges at a basic rate. They're right for car USB-A ports, older computers and small gadgets that only sip power anyway.
10Gbps, USB4 or Thunderbolt
Picked when the job is data or video. Charging cables usually move data at USB 2 speed (480 Mbps), which turns a 4K video transfer into a coffee break. For an SSD or a Pro iPhone, use a 10Gbps cable. For a monitor, use USB4 or Thunderbolt. See USB4 vs Thunderbolt.
03Look up your device
| Device | Cable to buy | Minimum rating |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone 15 and later | USB-C to USB-C | 60W |
| iPhone 8 to iPhone 14 | USB-C to Lightning | MFi certified |
| Galaxy with 45W charging | USB-C to USB-C | 5A (100W or 240W) |
| Other Galaxy, Pixel, most Android | USB-C to USB-C | 60W |
| iPad, Android tablet | USB-C to USB-C | 60W |
| MacBook or laptop over 60W | USB-C to USB-C | 100W or 240W |
| Portable SSD | USB-C to USB-C, short | 10Gbps or faster |
| External monitor | USB-C to USB-C | USB4 or Thunderbolt |
| Car with USB-A port | USB-A to USB-C or Lightning | Any decent cable |
04Check the cable you already own
If your cable passes these checks but charging is still slow, the cable probably isn't the problem. Start with USB-C cable not charging and a quick port clean.
05Cables that match the finder
A 100W USB-C cable for phone and laptop, USB-C to Lightning for older iPhones, and USB-A to USB-C for car ports.
Want the reasoning behind length and jacket choices too? How to choose a charging cable goes step by step.
Questions people ask
How do I know which USB cable I need?
Look at both ports. Your device end is USB-C, Lightning or Micro-USB; your charger end is USB-C or USB-A. Then match the rating to the job: 60W for phones, 100W or 240W for bigger laptops, 10Gbps or faster for big file transfers.
Can I use any USB-C cable to charge my phone?
Almost any working USB-C to USB-C cable will charge a phone, and a 60W one will fast-charge nearly all of them. The exception is phones with 45W charging that need a 5A cable to reach top speed.
What's the difference between a charging cable and a data cable?
Most charging cables do carry data, but only at USB 2 speed (480 Mbps). Data cables rated 10Gbps, 20Gbps or USB4 have extra wires for high-speed transfers and video. A few cheap cables are charge-only and carry no data at all.
Do I need a special cable for an iPhone?
iPhone 15 and later use any standard USB-C cable. iPhone 14 and older need a Lightning cable; for fast charging, a USB-C to Lightning cable with MFi certification.