The best Micro USB cables

The 10-foot AmazonBasics Double Braided Nylon USB solves the eternal problem of the short cable with plenty of length and strength.

If you've ever struggled with a short cord, you know the pain of being a few inches shy of the perfect amount of cable. The Double Braided Nylon USB cable from Amazon's AmazonBasics brand is 10-feet long, which is long enough to cover for most distances.

Besides length, what we also like is the tough braided exterior. In case it's stepped on or accidentally pulled, you don't risk damaging the wiring inside. Amazon claims that the nylon-braided housing can withstand 90-degree bends, up to 10,000 times. The connectors are also gold-plated for durability and strong performance.

The Double Braided Nylon USB cable supports USB 2.0, which has a theoretical 480-Mbps data transfer speed. Note that with cables this long, it won't be as fast as shorter versions. But for regular charging of most devices, it is fine.

Available in different colors, the Double Braided Nylon USB cable is backed by a one-year warranty, which is great because some Amazon shoppers said the cable failed after a short period of time. That not uncommon with cables in general, but in our usage, we found AmazonBasics cables to work well. It's also available in shorter lengths.

Pros: 10-foot length, covered in sturdy braided fabric, one-year warranty

Cons: Some buyers complained cable fails after a short period of time

The Fuse Chicken Titan Micro USB Cable survived chainsaw attacks to be the most durable cable in town.

Cables can be so fragile, but luckily, there's a new, nearly indestructible Micro USB cable available for your Micro USB chargeable devices. The Fuse Chicken Titan cord is so tough that its creators literally took a chainsaw to it, and it survived.

Fuse Chicken's cable is covered in two layers of flexible steel, so it's tough and stiff. You can twist it into any shape or tie it in knots.

The company offers 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. Obviously, if you deliberately try to kill it with power tools or fire, Fuse Chicken won't reimburse you.

You can get the cable in either a short keychain style or a 19-inch "travel" length. (We previously recommended a 3-foot option, but it is currently unavailable). The keychain option is good for syncing your phone with your laptop or using an external battery pack.

Pros: Made from industrial-grade, flexible high-strength steel, lifetime guarantee, super tough

Cons: Short length

The Cable Matters Retractable Micro USB Charge & Sync Cable can be any length you want from 2 inches to 33 inches, and it will never tangle.

If you're sick of tangled up cords, you may want to check out the Cable Matters Retractable Micro USB cable. The cool retractable design snaps back from 33 inches to a mere 2 inches, so you can store it easily in your bag without ending up with a tangled cord.

The cable charges and syncs just like every other Micro USB cord in our guide. It uses gold-plated connectors with "molded strain relief" to ensure that its cables are durable and high performing. The retractable cable supports Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data transfer rates of up to 480 Mbps.

You even get two of the retractable cables for less than $10, which is a real steal. You can have one at home and one in your work or travel bag, so that you're never caught without a charging cable again.

Retractable cables are particularly helpful for travelers, and it's nice to be able to decide what length of cord you need for different situations. User reviews on Amazon are very positive, and it is listed as an Amazon's Choice product.

If you're not happy with it, Amazon offers a 30-day return policy and Cable Matters has a lifetime limited warranty in case your cable is defective.

Pros: Retractable, one-year warranty, 2-pack is a great deal, and support for Hi-Speed USB 2.0 data transfer

Cons: Retractable cables aren't as strong