How to choose the right USB-C cable
USB-C is just the shape of the plug. Here's how to read power, data and video capabilities so you buy the cable you actually need.
Every USB-C cable looks the same from the outside. Inside, they can be very different. USB-C only describes the connector. What a cable can actually do depends on three things: how much power it can carry, how fast it moves data, and whether it supports video.
1. Power: 60W, 100W or 240W
All USB-C to USB-C cables must carry at least 3A, which means up to 60W at 20V. Going beyond 3A needs an e-marker, a small chip in the plug that tells the charger the cable can safely handle 5A.
- 60W (3A): enough for phones, tablets, earbuds and small laptops.
- 100W (5A, e-marked): covers most laptops under USB PD 3.0 (up to 20V × 5A).
- 240W (5A, EPR e-marked): needed only for USB PD 3.1 Extended Power Range devices that use 28V, 36V or 48V, such as high-power laptops.
2. Data: most charging cables are USB 2.0
Many charging cables carry data only at USB 2.0 speed (480 Mbps). That is fine for syncing a phone, but slow for large file transfers or external SSDs.
| Label | Max speed | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| USB 2.0 | 480 Mbps | Charging, phone sync, keyboards |
| USB 5Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 1) | 5 Gbps | Flash drives, hard drives |
| USB 10Gbps (USB 3.2 Gen 2) | 10 Gbps | Portable SSDs |
| USB4 / Thunderbolt | 40–80 Gbps | Docks, fast SSDs, external displays |
3. Video needs high-speed lanes
To send video to a monitor over USB-C (DisplayPort Alt Mode), you need a cable with high-speed data lanes: USB 5Gbps or faster, USB4 or Thunderbolt. A USB 2.0 charging cable will charge your laptop but won't drive a display.
4. Length matters for fast data
Longer passive cables struggle to keep high data rates. USB 2.0 cables can be up to about 4 m. Passive 10Gbps cables are usually 1 m or shorter, and passive 40Gbps cables are typically under 1 m. For charging only, length mostly affects convenience.
Quick recommendations
- Phone and everyday charging: a 60W or 100W cable, 1 m for a desk or 2 m for a bed or sofa.
- Laptop charging: 100W, or 240W if your laptop's charger is rated above 100W.
- External SSD or monitor: a dedicated 10Gbps, USB4 or Thunderbolt cable.
