iPhone and iPad cables have a habit of vanishing or breaking right when you need them. Whether you want a cheap spare, a more durable alternative, or to unlock faster charging, these are the best Lightning cables you can buy today.
Lightning ports were once ubiquitous across Apple’s iPhone and iPad line-up. While they remain a standard feature on all iPhones, it is now only the standard iPad that uses a Lightning port for charging and data transfer, with all other current-generation iPads instead favoring a USB-C port.
For iPhones and older iPads that use the Lightning port, you can buy a cable that has a Lightning jack at one end and either full-size USB-A or the smaller, reversible USB-C connector at the other. Which you choose will depend partly on charging speed, and partly on the device to which you intend to plug in your iPhone or iPad.
As most Apple users will agree, one Lightning cable is never enough. Whether it gets damaged through wear and tear, or it is misplaced, borrowed or stolen, you can guarantee it is never there when you need it.
It makes sense to have more than one to hand, though Apple’s own Lightning cables can be rather expensive—as can third-party versions certified as Made for iPhone, iPad or iPod (MFi).
Nevertheless, we highly recommend you buy a certified cable, because cheap third-party alternatives have a nasty habit of suddenly deciding to stop working with your device. Moreover, they can be dangerous—here are some good reasons why you shouldn’t buy a cheap Lightning cable.
If you’re forever buying new cables, you might also want to consider a wireless charger or for iPhone 12/13/14 a MagSafe charger, with traditional docks, stands and pads as well as portable wireless chargers with built-in batteries now available. All current-generation iPhones support wireless charging, but do note that this is usually a slower process than charging via a cable (depending on your cable and adapter). Buy a MagSafe version only if you have an iPhone 12, 13 or 14.
Apple Lightning to USB-C Cable – Most Trusted USB-C to Lightning Cable
USB type: USB-C
Length: 0.5m, 1m or 2m
MFi: Certified
To unlock Fast Charge on your iPhone you need a USB-C to Lightning cable (and at least an 18W adaptor). Apple’s variant might be one of the more expensive examples, but it’s also the most trustworthy, hailing direct from Apple itself.
Available in 0.5m, 1m and 2m lengths, the Apple Lightning to USB-C cable is available in just one colour: iconic Apple white. Do note that it can get rather grimy fast.
Apple Lightning to USB-A cable – Most Trusted USB-A to Lightning Cable
USB type: USB-A
Length: 0.5m, 1m or 2m
MFi: Certified
Not as iconic as the white earbuds, but white and useful nonetheless, you might want to buy your Lightning cable direct from Apple.
The standard cable that ships with most Apple products is the 1m cable, but it’s also available at half or double that length (0.5m is the same price; 2m is an extra tenner).
As a USB-A cable it won’t support Apple’s Fast Charge on iPhone, but it’s pretty handy none the less.
Do note that these Apple white cables often tend to go a nice shade of murky grey pretty fast, depending on your usage.
Anker 331 USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best Budget USB-C to Lightning Cable
USB type: USB-C
Length: 1m or 2m
MFi: Certified
Anker is one of the most trusted Apple-accessory brands, and it offers a wide range of USB to Lightning cables. The Apple-certified, nylon-braided Anker 331 USB-C to Lightning Cable is its budget offering but is still more robust than Apple’s cables and available in a wider choice of lengths (from 1m to 2m) and colors (Black, Silver, Blue and Red).
Anker claims that the 331 cable can withstand up to 12,000 bends. The Anker 762 USB-C to Lightning Cable ups that claim to 35,000 bends.
UNBREAKcable Lightning cables – Best Budget USB-A to Lightning Cable
USB type: USB-A
Length: 1m or 2m
MFi: Certified
Maybe don’t take a knife to it, but otherwise the UNBREAKcable lives up to its name. The company claims that this cable is able to last 20 times longer than other cables and withstand over 20,000 bends.
Its tensile strength is provided by a high-performance and ultra-strong aramid fibre core, allowing it to support loads up to 15kg.
This cable is available in white or black and at either 1m or 2m lengths.
UNBREAKcable USB-C to Lightning Cable
USB type: USB-C
Length: 1m
MFi: Certified
To fast-charge your iPhone you need a Lightning cable with USB-C at the other end, and this MFI-certified cable from UNBREAKcable is both strong and fast-charging.
It is available in one colour (Silver Gray) and one length (1m, 3.3ft).
StarTech.com USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best Coiled USB-C to Lightning cable
USB type: USB-C
Length: 0.5 m or 1m
MFi: Certified
If cable snakes annoy you, then a coiled cable takes up less space on your desk or wherever you lay it.
This coiled Lightning cable from StarTech.com is available with either USB-A or USB-C but USB-C to Lightning is better for Fast Charge, and in either 50cm/20in or 1m/3ft lengths.
The shorter cable extends to 50cm/20in and contracts to 32cm/12.5in. The longer version extends to 1m/3.3ft (1m) and contracts to 38cm/1.2ft.
Amazon Basics USB-C to Lightning Cable – Best Basic USB-C to Lightning Cable
USB type: USB-C
Length: 0.3m, 0.9m or 1.8m
MFi: Certified
Products in the AmazonBasics range just work and they’re very cheap to boot. Cheap does not mean bad though—Basics’ 1.82m cable is under a tenner, and if you can find the shorter variant in stock it’s even cheaper.
Amazon does note that it works with ‘nearly all cases’, so you may want to double-check, but we doubt this would be a problem for most accessories.
It’s available in multiple color choices, including white, black and red, in most regions.
Syncwire Charge & Sync Cable – Best Value Durable Cable
USB type: USB-A
Length: 1m
MFi: Certified
Syncwire’s MFi-certified charging cable looks just like an Apple Lightning cable with its smooth white casing, but it’s tougher than it looks and promises to be 30 times stronger than the original article.
It’s a USB-A cable, so you won’t get more than 12W charging, but if that’s sufficient for your needs then we think sometimes it pays to keep things simple.
This 1m cable comes from a well-known brand and is pleasingly affordable. It also has a handy loop attached to help avoid cable clutter and keep things neat.