USB-C to USB-C Laptop Cables

What these cables are for

A laptop that charges through USB-C needs a USB-C to USB-C cable that can carry its charger's full power. The cable that came with a phone often cannot: it may be rated for 60W or less, and a cable caps whatever charger it is plugged into. The cables in this range are described by the watts they are rated for, 100W or 240W, so you can match one to your charger, a power bank or a car charger.

What you will find here

• Braided charging cables are the biggest group, with a nylon outer that resists tangling and wear, in lengths from half a metre to two or three metres.
• Cables with a small display show the watts going through, and some the volts and amps as well. It is a quick way to see what the laptop is really drawing.
• Right-angle plugs sit flat against the side of the laptop, so the cable does not stick out into the desk or the bag.
• A keyring cable only a few centimetres long, to keep a spare with your keys.
• Fast data cables rated for 40Gbps and 8K video, for a dock, a fast drive or a USB-C monitor.

Some cables also come in a USB-A to USB-C version. That end suits a phone or an older port, but it will not charge a laptop at full speed: laptop charging over USB Power Delivery works between USB-C ends.

How to choose: watts, data and length

Watts come first. The USB-IF labels certified USB-C cables as 60W or 240W, and anything above 60W needs a cable built for 5 amps, which carries a small chip in the plug that tells the charger what the cable can take. Cables sold as 100W are 5-amp cables made before the higher voltages were added: fine up to 100W, but not the cable for a 140W charger. A 240W cable covers every level.

Then data. Many of the charging cables here state 480Mbps, which is USB 2.0: fine for charging, a keyboard or syncing a phone, slow for large files and with no picture for a monitor. For a dock or a screen, choose one of the 40Gbps cables. Then length: short for a power bank, longer for a desk socket.

Questions people ask about USB-C laptop cables

Do I need a 240W cable for a 65W laptop?

No. Any cable rated 100W or 240W carries 65W. A 240W cable simply means you never need to think about it again if you change charger.

Can a high-watt cable harm my phone?

No. The charger and the device agree the power between them, and the cable only sets the most that can pass.

Why does my Mac say "Slow Charger"?

Apple shows it when the charger or the cable supplies too little for that model. Check both are rated for at least the watts of the original charger.

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door.

More to look at

• USB-C laptop chargers
• Laptop power banks
• USB-C to HDMI cables
• USB extension cables
• Cable clips, sleeves and trays
• Guide: USB-C explained: ports, cables, power and video
• Guide: Charging a laptop on the move: power banks and car chargers