The best iPhone charging cables 2023

The best iPhone charging cables aren’t always made by Apple, so it’s best to shop around and find a wide range of choices to make sure you get the best.

Best iPhone charging cable header showing a white cable with loops at the bottom and the ends sticking up above in the middle all on a red background.

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AppleMobile tech & hardware

What makes the best iPhone charging cable? Is it how long it is, the material it’s made out of, or some other, more oblique, third thing? Well, that’s what we’re here to answer, whether you’re awaiting the iPhone 15 release date or already have one of the best gaming iPhones and need some extra juice for your play sessions.

Head below to find a wide variety of choices for the best Lightning cables, from Apple and Anker and many other manufacturers that don’t begin with A. If you’re still after a handset, the best Verizon phone deals can offer a bunch of great savings. Alternatively, if you want to hop the fence, check out our iPhone vs. Android guide to see which is the best for you.

Anyway, here are the best iPhone charging cables:

Best iPhone charging cable header showing a white circle on the end of a cable on a mango yellow background.

1. Apple MagSafe charger

The best iPhone charger.

Pros:

  • Super easy to use
  • Neat design

Cons:

  • Only 15W charging speed
  • Expensive

Now, this might be cheating, but this is easily my pick for the best iPhone charging cable. It removes all the fiddliness of plugging in a cable, just by having a nice ring of magnets that snaps to the back of your iPhone. It’s simple and straightforward to use, and that’s the key here.

While it may charge more slowly than a proper, plugged-in cable, the ease of use is unbeatable. If you’re going to charge your phone overnight anyway, it doesn’t need to be fast charging. And, better yet, you can slap it on the magnet without even looking, knowing that all the wireless charging gubbins are lined up.

It solves one of the main issues with wireless chargers – that you have to be super precise in your phone placement with some of them – yet acts like a normal plugged-in one. Then again, it’s also the sort of thing that fits as one of the best wireless chargers too, of course, so maybe I really am cheating with this one.

Best iPhone charging cable header showing a white charging cable on a mango yellow background, wrapped in loops with its USB-C and Lightning ends sticking out.

2. Apple USB-C to Lightning cable

The best Apple cable.

Pros:

  • Two lengths to choose from
  • Simple design

Cons:

  • Durability concerns
  • Cheaper options available

If you’re an Apple die-hard who wants nothing other than Cupertino’s creations, you don’t really have much of a choice. There are two USB-C to Lightning cables for sale on Apple’s website. They’re both identical, except for how long they are.

There isn’t much to say here, really. Just know that this cable works, and it has that Apple design language so it looks good with whatever you use it. However, there are some durability concerns with them, too – while I’ve never had any issues, others have.

Weirder still is that Apple makes a gorgeous braided charging cable, yet doesn’t sell it. I got one with my Magic Mouse and Keyboard – they’re easily the best Apple-made cables. Yet, to buy one, you’d have to drop $70 on a mouse, which is wild. Still, these options are still good enough if it has to be Apple.

Best iPhone charging cable header showing a charging cable, one end coming from the bottom to loop around and show its USB-C end, the other end coming from above to do the same but showing a Lighting connector. It's a pale blue on a mango yellow background.

Anker Powerline III Flow

The best non-Apple charging cable.

Pros:

  • Good value for money
  • Trusted brand

Cons:

  • Loud design

The Anker Powerline III Flow is probably the best iPhone charging cable, given its good value and durability. It’s 6ft long, comes in a variety of different colors, and comes from a trusted brand. It works with any charging brick and is fast-charging compatible too, which is ace.

Its silicone design is durable and soft at the same time, so if you don’t fancy a braided cable and are worried about Apple’s durability, this Anker cable is a great way to go. Still, the design might be a bit much for you – but that’s okay, we’ve got even more options below.

Best iPhone charging cable header showing four ends coming from the right of the frame with loops of a black braided cable below the ends, on a mango yellow background.

Anker braided USB-C to Lightning cable

The best braided iPhone charging cable

Pros:

  • Pleasant, braided design
  • Great value

Cons:

  • Durability concerns

Drop anchor, boys, because we’re anchored to Anker for the foreseeable future. They’re an excellent brand for whatever power-based accessories you need, and it’s no different with charging cables.

These braided cables are great value for money, at around $12 each if you buy a 2-pack. They’ll get the job done and look good doing it, and that’s all that matters. Some reviews suggest the tips are a bit fragile, though we can’t corroborate this – we’re inclined to think the user was just a tad aggressive, but it’s important to keep in mind.

Best iPhone charging cable header showing two ends of a black charging cable coming from the top right corner of the frame, all on a mango yellow background.

Anker New Nylon USB-C to Lightning charging cord

The best budget iPhone charging cable.

Pros:

  • Inexpensive
  • Trusted brand

Cons:

  • Build quality may be sub-par
  • Durability concerns

Look, there’s no need to complicate things, right? A charger’s a charger, and if all you need is some of that magical juice that comes out the hole in your bedroom wall, then this snakey steed is ready to gallop it all straight into your smartphone.

Of course, a low price may raise some eyebrows. If you’re looking for some luxurious build quality, well, look elsewhere. These are excellently made cables, but the inexpensive nature means there are some concessions. Keep that in mind.

Best iPhone charging cable header showing a black braided loop of a cable hat the bottom with two ends of the cable above, all on a mango yellow background.

Native Union universal belt cable

The best multi-use iPhone cable.

Pros:

  • Can charge different devices
  • Durable design

Cons:

  • Not the cheapest

If you’re a proper mobile maven with Samsung smartphones alongside your iPhone favorite, you might want a bit of versatility. Well, this Native Union charger can do it all – well, not everything, but it can charge three different things, which is enough.

With a micro-USB, USB-C, and Lightning adapter on the end of a USB-A, you can charge your Nintendo Switch, iPhone, and whatever device still uses micro-USB (portable keyboards?). Of course, you can only do one at a time, but if you’re using lots of different devices, this can come in handy.

How do I choose the best iPhone charging cable?

First off, look at how much you want to spend. If you only have $15, then you’re not going to want to look at Apple’s options. Second up, work out what you need. If you just need phone juice, then any of these cables can be the reamer of your dreams. Just go for the cheapest.

But, if you fancy something fancy, then there are options there too. Anker’s top-end cable is colorful and durable, while Apple’s options look streamlined with all our Apple devices. Keep in mind all the gubbins and you’re sure to find an iPhone charging cable that will make your heart throb with delight. Maybe.

Anyway, for more beautiful tech nonsense beyond the best iPhone charging cables, check out the best iPhone chargers, the best iPad, or the battle of the century: iPhone vs. Samsung. Who will win? No one knows…

Ben has years of experience with Nintendo games and mobile phones, with bylines for PCGamesN, Gear Nuke, and many more. When he’s not reviewing the latest tech or hunting out smartphone leaks, he’s playing Civilization, Splatoon, and even a little Roblox. He’s covered the biggest tech events, like MWC in Barcelona and IFA in Berlin, interviewed legends like Yoko Taro and bigwigs like Samsung’s Head of Mobile R&D Won-joon Choi, and reviewed the biggest Nintendo games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Xenoblade Chronicles 3. Oh, and he knows Nintendo Switch 2 will run at 4K60, just don’t ask him how…

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