When your phone is leashed to a power bank in your backpack while you try to corral your kids on vacation, you should only trust your phone to the best long USB-C cables. Whether you need to recharge your phone, power bank, headphones, or your Chromebook, we've got some lengthy USB-C cables in two varieties: USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A for whichever power bank or travel charger you use. Here are the cables you can trust year after year, trip after trip to charge without fail.
USB-C to USB-C cables
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Best overall
This is the USB-C cable I carry most often when I go to parks. Anker is a highly-trusted brand known for quality cables and this one comes with a handy magnetic and Velcro carrying wrap. It's flexible without swinging everywhere and won't fall out of your USB-C ports at every bump and snag.
Best affordable cable
Amazon doesn't just make smart speakers and eReaders, the company also makes its own cables, and they offer great value for dollar. This one supports 480Mbps speed, is USB-IF certified, and comes in an up to 9-foot length. Plus, you can get it in black or white, and even buy in five or 10-packs so you have ones to use all around the house.
Best extra-long cable
Yes, Anker deserves a second entry on this list since the brand is known for its reputable mobile accessories, including cables. This one measures a nice 10 feet long so it can wrap around the couch and stay hidden. It supports 100W speeds and USB 2.0 and even comes in a striking red colour if you want something bolder than black.
Best cheap cable
I'll preface this by saying that you should never skimp on something that will be plugged into a charging port and especially your expensive device. But these super-cheap cables come with thousands of good reviews. Available in a two-pack, they have a basic white industrial look to them. But the 10-foot length means you can keep them hidden and charge at a decent 60W speed.
Best right-angled cable
Ever try to charge a phone while carrying it around in your pocket? It's a royal pain. Enter these right-angled cables from ANSEIP. Unlike most cables that are only right-angle on one end, these are right-angled on both, so one end isn't sticking out straight in your backpack or charger, and the other end is still sitting almost flat with your phone.
Best power cable
This cable can support up to 100W charging, and while you probably haven't heard of Uni before, they make some excellent USB-C adapters, cables, and hubs that will last years and can take a beating. Another benefit to Uni's cables is that it comes in a 15-foot length, which is great if you need to run a cable across your entire room.
The best long USB-C cables will serve you for years to come
Long USB-C cables that come with a carrying wrap like the Anker Powerline+ are ideal for travel, but when you're looking for a long cable to snake from the wall plug to your bed, you'll want the rugged reliability of Uni's Type-C Charging Cable, which also has the benefit of coming in a 15-foot option if you need the absolute longest cable you can get without giving up charging speeds.
You should note I'm focusing on charging speed of data transfer speeds here, and that's because if you need a USB 3.1 Gen 2 cable (aka a 10Gbps cable), you're going to be hard-pressed to find a cable longer than three feet that is affordable and reliable. Most long USB-C cables focus on charging speed more than data speeds because long cables tend to be used for — you guessed it — charging. But we're already seeing more high data speed USB 2.0 cables instead of just high charging speed cables in the 6-12 foot range.
USB-C to USB-A cables
Best overall
This double-braided cable is long enough to stretch from that one outlet behind the hotel nightstand or across three seats at the airport lounge. Plus, it's from Anker so you know it won't leave you powerless in a pinch on vacation. This cable should last you until you no longer use USB-A chargers.
Best cable 2-pack
Two is always better than one, and for a great price, you get two highly rated USB-C to USB-A cables. They're nylon braided so you know they'll hold up to the rigours of the depths of your backpack. Plus, at 10-feet long, they can reach to the backseat of the car so kids can plug in their tablets. Choose from eight colors as well to spice things up.
Best right-angle cable
When you're charging on the go from a power bank, you don't want your cables sticking straight up in your backpack — or worse, your pants pocket. That's just asking to break something when you sit down. Get a right-angle cable and some peace of mind with this cable.
Best ultra-long cable
Whether it's for wiring a smart speaker into your home theater or navigating a tricky spot where you need to run the cable along the baseboards, this 20-foot cable will reach. It's made of premium braided nylon and the grey finish will nicely blend in (or choose from three other colors). It's durable, resistant to wear and even heat, bend-tested so it can weave around corners without breaking a sweat (or breaking, period).
Best cheap cable
You can't get any more affordable and good quality than Amazon's own branded cables. These ones offer 480Mbps speed, USB-IF certification, and a basic black color. The longest length is 10 feet but that's more than enough to wrap around the night-table or reach from the loveseat to the wall plug so you can keep popping bubbles on your phone while relaxing.
Best flexible cable
Need something with a ton of flex to use in places like the car? The name says it all with the Cable Matters set, which includes a three-pack so you have one for the car, one for home, and one to keep in your carry-on. Each cable is 10 feet long and charges at 15W. They can not only flex nicely, but they also won't tangle, a dream for the traveler.
The best USB-C cables for your older chargers
We've finally reached a point where we have a ton of selection for USB-C to USB-A cables, and while it's hard to go wrong with the Anker Powerline+ or Amazon Basics cables. Most cables start to degrade and act up after spending months in my car in triple-digit heat, but good-quality braided cables remain strong and are worth the investment if you're using them in a setting like that.
How long is too long?
When deciding on a length of cable for charging on the go, it's very easy to slip into the mindset of, "Oh, I should get as long a cable as I can." But you don't want to be dealing with tons of excess cable tripping you up as you walk around, getting snagged on a pylon, or breaking something. For trips, I tend to like 6-foot cables for charging in places such as theme parks and airports. That gives you a decent length for snaking from your backpack to your phone or from the overcrowded outlets to the other side of the couch or bed, or in the airport lounge.
For charging in unfamiliar locations with potentially obstructed or out of the way outlets like hotel rooms, 10-foot cables ensure that no matter how well a port is hidden, you'll be able to snake your charger in and get your tech powered back up. The longer a cable is, the slower it tends to charge and the more likely it is to get in the way. But 10-foot cables make for good emergency cables for unfamiliar environments. Ten-foot cables are also great if the whole family is tethered to a single, massive power bank in Mom's backpack, as 10 feet will give everyone a tiny bit of breathing room.
Again, be mindful of your slack when using long cables in public. Breaking a cable mid-morning and running out of power by mid-afternoon can derail your day and your mood. Charging cables at vacation spots tend to be short, low-quality, and severely overpriced, so it never hurts to bring a spare from home! If you don't need something six feet or longer, check out our picks of the best USB-C cables, overall, including options in shorter lengths.
