The best Micro USB cable overall
You can't beat Anker's PowerLine Micro USB cables — especially now that they're well-priced on Amazon. These cables check all the boxes: They're fast to charge your devices or sync data, they're durable, and they're affordable.
The cable is strengthened with Kevlar, and the stress points near the Micro USB charger and the USB connector are reinforced for added durability. Anker bent the PowerLine cables more than 5,000 times during testing to ensure that they can survive life's knocks.
The company also offers an 18-month warranty and it has a great reputation for following through when users have problems.
Anker's PowerLine cables come with a Velcro tie to wrap up any extra cord length you don't need. It also makes traveling with your lightning cable easier. PowerLine cables also come in a variety of lengths to suit everyone's needs, including 1 foot, 3 feet, 6 feet, and 10 feet.
Although using these cables to charge your phone or tablet is the most obvious use case, you can also use Micro USB cables to charge a number of smart devices like Bluetooth speakers, wireless headphones, e-readers, and external battery packs.
User reviews are very positive, and most say that Anker makes excellent cables for a very reasonable price. Digital Trends, Android Central, and The Wirecutter recommend Anker's Micro USB cables.
Pros: Made from durable aramid fiber, lots of lengths, 18-month warranty, fast charging, and it has reinforced stress points
Cons: None
The best long Micro USB cable
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 best durable Micro USB cable
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 best retractable Micro USB cable
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