The 10 Best Lightning Cables
Special Honors
Dark Energy Paracord You probably don't expect your Lightning cable to help out in a wilderness survival situation, but the Dark Energy Paracord is the exception. Thanks to the 20 feet of 550-pound paracord wrapped around each one, this is an option worthy of everyday carry. The weather-proof head caps are a nice touch, too. darkenergy.com
Gocase Multicolorido If you are well and truly tired of people stealing your cables, you might try a Gocase Customized. Featuring your first and last name, it certainly won't be mistaken for anyone else's. It's on the short side for the cost, though. gocase.com
Mous Flexline There's nothing gimmicky about the Mous Flexline; it's simply a sleek but stylish cord built to go the distance. You can toss it in your purse or backpack without worry, then count on it in a business meeting without attracting unwanted attention. mous.co
Editor's Notes
January 28, 2021:
During this update we have strayed slightly from our previous decision to only include MFi-certified cables. While we we have still favored them for the most part, we did add the USams Multi as an exception because we think many people may still appreciate it for the versatility it offers to charge several different kinds of devices at the same time. The Spigen DuraSync 3 in 1 is another versatile model that can connect to a range of gadgets, though only one at a time. We also decided to remove the Anker Powerline 4-Inch, as it was simply too short to be very useful for most people. If looking for a short and compact cable, we recommend the Fuse Chicken Titan Loop TLP-100 instead.
October 18, 2019:
When it comes to Lightning cables, the options available are absolutely dizzying, ranging from deluxe to somewhat sketchy. To protect your devices, we've added only those that are MFi certified, so you can use them without any worries. For most users, the best choices come from Anker, a well regarded company that provides cables for all kinds of devices and brands. We've upgraded our top choices to reflect the newest models, including the Anker Powerline III for those using USB-A and the Anker Powerline II for USB-C.
As a budget alternative, we've selected the upgraded AmazonBasics Advanced Collection; it isn't quite as robust as those from Anker, but it comes in many lengths and colors, a nice plus. We also elected to add a couple of ultra-portable choices for those who are always on the go. These include the Fuse Chicken Titan Loop Keychain, which should pair nicely with your portable phone charger. Unfortunately, though, the ends don't have any sort of cap or protection, so be cautious about shoving it into a full or dirty pocket.