The best charging cables overall
Anker's charging cables are our top pick for the best charging cable in our lightning, Micro USB, and USB-C cable buying guides because they are simply the best.
These cables are fast to charge your phone or sync data, they're durable, and they're affordable. You can get lightning cables for your iPhone, USB-C cables for your new Android phone or laptop, or Micro-USB cables for your older Android phone and other electronics.
The cable is strengthened with Kevlar and the stress points near the charger and the USB connector are reinforced for added durability. They're slightly wider than the connectors on other cables, but the Anker cables should fit most phone cases.
Anker also makes different kinds of cables, including basic ones and slightly pricier Powerline+ cables that are covered in double-braided nylon for added strength. Either way, you're getting a great charging cable.
To ensure that it's cables last, Anker bent the PowerLine cables more than 5,000 times in testing. The company also offers an 18-month warranty in case of any issues.
Anker's PowerLine cables come with a Velcro tie to help you wrap up any extra cord length you don't need. You can get the cables in black, white, blue, red, or gray.
Buyer reviews are very positive, and tech reviewers agree that Anker makes excellent cables for a very reasonable price. Digital Trends, Best Products, and The Wirecutter give Anker high marks.
Pros: Made from durable aramid fiber, lots of lengths, 18-month warranty, fast charging, reinforced stress points, lightning cables are MFi certified by Apple, USB-C cables are safe
Cons: None
Shop all Anker Powerline charging cables for $6 to $30The best long charging cables
If you've ever struggled with a short cord, you'll absolutely love Native Union's 10-foot-long Night Cable. It also has a weighted knot that keeps it from pulling your phone off the table while it's charging. Plus, it's durable and stylish. You can get the cable with lightning and USB-C endings in several colors.
Native Union makes its cables out of braided nylon, which is strong and doesn't tangle. The cable is covered in braided nylon, a TPE rubber sleeve, a tinned copper braid, and a grounding layer for protection. Inside all those layers are wires that are also protected and reinforced, some with Kevlar fibers.
To test for durability, Native Union puts is cables through a 10,000 bend test. The company also offers a limited lifetime warranty in case of any mishaps.
I've used the Native Union Night cable for the past five years as my main charger, and it has never let me down. I've bent it all sorts of ways, and it hasn't frayed at all. I typically use the weight to keep my iPhone on my nightstand while I charge it, but it's easy to adjust when I need the weight anchoring the cord in another place.
The Night cable is also highly rated by users on Amazon and Native Union's website. Many tech publications also recommend Native Union's Night cable.
Pros: It's 10-feet long, weighted so it doesn't fall, covered in sturdy woven fabric, 12-month warranty, lightning cable is MFi certified by Apple, it bends but doesn't break
Cons: Expensive
Buy the Native Union Night lightning and USB-C cables on Amazon for $39.99The best universal charging cables
If you've ever wished for a cable that could charge all your devices — including a USB-C laptop, a lightning iPhone, and a Micro-USB pair of wireless headphones — you're in luck: The Universal Cable from Nomad is the one cable to rule them all.
It has lightning, Micro-USB, and USB-C ends to charge any phone and many other devices. The core cable is USB A to Micro USB, and it has conversion caps for charging lightning and USB-C devices.
The cable measures 1.5 meters in length, so it's a decent length, and you can wrap up the excess cable with the included tie. You can also get shorter lengths.
The cable is 10K Mil-spec flex tested and Apple MFi approved. Its braided ballistic nylon covering keeps it strong and prevents fraying even with intense use. Nomad guarantees that the cable will last at least five years.
We tried out one of these cables and loved it. It's the only cable you'll ever need. No matter what devices you, your friends, and your family carry, this cable can charge them — no questions asked.
Pros: Works with all phones, MFi certified, strong, five-year guarantee
Cons: A bit pricey
Buy the Universal Charging Cable at Nomad for $29.95 to $34.95The best durable charging cables
If you're the kind of person who always breaks your charging cables and just about everything else you own, you need an extra durable cable. The Fuse Chicken Titan cord is so tough that its creators literally took a chainsaw to it, and it survived, so trust me, you'll have a hard time destroying it through normal rough use. You can get the cables with lightning, Micro-USB, and USB-C endings.
Fuse Chicken's cable is covered in two layers of flexible steel, making it tough and fairly stiff compared to other cables. You can twist it into shapes or even tie it in knots, and the Titan cord will be just fine. The neck of the cable is a bit wide, so the connector may not fit in some phone case cutouts.
The cable comes with a limited lifetime warranty, so if you do find a way to break it through normal use, you may be able to get it replaced. Just don't be like The Verge and take a sword to it, hammer it on an anvil, or slice it with a sander — that kind of barbarism will, apparently, cut the cord and probably void your warranty.
The Titan is 3-feet long, which should be the perfect length for most people. however, Fuse Chicken makes other cable lengths if you want it shorter.
Buyer reviews on Amazon are positive and the tech site Digital Trends recommends the Titan as one of the best lightning cables you can buy.
Pros: It's made from industrial-grade flexible high-strength steel, lifetime guarantee, lightning cable is MFi certified by Apple, it's pet proof, it survived a chainsaw attack, so yeah ... it's durable
Cons: Expensive
Buy the Fuse Chicken lightning, USB-C, and Micro-USB cables on Amazon for $35Check out our guides to the best phone accessories
Without a charger, your smartphone is nothing more than a pricey paperweight, so we've rounded up the best phone chargers of all kinds.
Some people might need only one of the units from this list to meet all their charging needs, while others who are always on the move might be wise to grab two or even three of the chargers to cover their bases.
Here are the best phone chargers you can buy:
- Best charging cables: Anker lightning, USB-C, Micro USB, and Apple USB-C to lightning
- Best wall charger: Aukey Dual Port USB-C and USB 56.5-Watt Wall Charger
- Best wireless charger: Belkin Boost Up Wireless Charging Pad
- Best desk charger: Twelve South HighRise 2 Charging Stand
- Best car charger: Scosche ReVolt Dual USB Car Charger
- Best charging station: Satechi 7-Port USB Charging Station Dock
- Best fast charger: Anker PowerPort II Wall Charger
We've rounded up the best iPhone case companies so you can find an excellent case for your iPhone no matter the model number or your style.
Whether you want a fancy leather case, a folio, a rugged case or a basic no-frills one that gets the job done — we have a pick for you. We also have advice on how to figure out which iPhone model you have and which cases will fit it here.
Here are the best iPhone case companies:
- Best leather cases: Nomad
- Best Apple official cases: Leather and Silicone
- Best cases for grip: Speck
- Best simple cases: Incipio
- Best rugged cases: Otterbox and Lifeproof
- Best feminine cases: Case-Mate
- Best unique materials: Native Union
- Best eco-friendly cases: Pela
- Best stylish cases: Moshi
- Best cheap cases: Silk
If you own an iPhone, you are spoiled for choice when it comes to accessories. You can get cases in any color, style, and material. There is an endless array of lightning cables, memory expansion gadgets, screen protectors, and iPhone-related paraphernalia available for you to buy. It can be downright overwhelming.
Which accessories do you actually need? How can you know which brands to trust with your money?
We've rounded up all the accessories you need to make the most of your iPhone. We've personally tested nearly every item in this guide (and heavily vetted the ones we haven't) to showcase only the very best iPhone accessories that you actually need.
Here are the best iPhone accessories you can buy:
- Best lightning cables: Anker lightning cable
- Best phone grip and stand: PopSocket Grip
- Best wireless chargers: Belkin BoostUP, Mophie, Anker PowerWave 7.5 Pad, PowerWave 7.5 Stand
- Best cases: Nomad cases, Otterbox, Case-Mate, Speck,Incipio, Nodus, Moshi
- Best wireless earbuds: Apple AirPods, Bragi Dash, Jabra Elite Sport
- Best screen protectors: TechMate screen protector andZAGG screen protector
- Best cleaning kit: WHOOSH! cleaning kit
- Best battery pack: Jackert Bolt battery pack
- Best wireless headphones: Sennheiser HD 1 Wireless
- Best iPhone docks: TwelveSouth iPhone dock and Native Union Dock+
- Best battery pack: Jackert Bolt battery pack
- Best gadget to expand storage: SanDisk iExpand
- Best camera attachment: Olloclip