SPOILER: THE CHEAP CABLE HAS SOME LIMITATIONS.
Are all USB-C cables the same? That’s what we wondered when we found two different Amazon Basics models, one priced at about $9 and the other at $19. Is the cheaper USB-C cable just as good, or are we getting something extra with the more expensive one?
To complement our related story on how to buy a USB-C cable (go.pcworld. comh2uc/), we tested the $8.62 Amazon Basics cable as well as the $18.99 upgrade to find out what you get and what you give up. We applied the same rules for the two Amazon Basics cables in charging speed, data transfer speed, and connecting to a display. In the end, we did find reasons why the more expensive cable might be worth it—and a few scenarios where the cheaper cable would be just as good. Keep reading to learn more.
OBVIOUS PHYSICAL DIFFERENCES
There are a few significant physical differences in the cables themselves. The weight and thickness of each cable is hard to see unless you have both, as we do. The $8.62, 6-foot cable weighs just 38 grams, versus 86 grams for the $18.99, 6-foot Amazon Basics cable. Although the sheathing adds to that weight, some of the weight also comes from the additional wires inside, and the thickness (or gauge) of those wires. When they’re coiled up, you can see the difference (image below with the cheap cable on the left, and the expensive one on the right).
CHARGING PERFORMANCE
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Private Internet Access: A low-price, high-value VPN for everyone
This veteran VPN shows it can still hang with the best.
Hands-on: Kensington's first Thunderbolt 5 dock is built for the future
Thunderbolt 5 is here...but you'll need more than just this well-built Kensington dock to take advantage of it.
Tested: Intel's Lunar Lake chip wants you to forget Qualcomm laptops exist
Great battery life, mediocre performance, surprisingly decent gaming: That is how Intel's Lunar Lake chip stacks up.
7 laptop habits that coax the most out of your battery
Don't send your laptop into an early grave.
WordPad is gone from Windows 11. Here's how to bring it back
With the arrival of Windows 11 version 24H2, WordPad is officially gone. Want to keep using it? You're in luck.
Hackers know your social security number. Here's how to stay safe
Thanks to a multitude of data leaks, your most sensitive information is now easily accessible to the world.
20 insanely useful Windows 11 keyboard shortcuts I use every day
After so many years, I'm still discovering new keyboard shortcuts.
WHAT THE HECK IS AN NPU, ANYWAY? HERE'S AN EXPLAINER ON AI CHIPS
ALL PCS WILL SOON HAVE NEURAL PROCESSING UNITS. HERE'S WHAT THAT MEANS FOR YOU IN SIMPLE TERMS.
WINDOWS 11'S 2024 UPDAATE: 5 BIG CHANGES I REALLY LIKE (AND MORE)
WINDOWS 11'S ANNUAL UPDATE IS ROLLING OUT OVER THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.
Hackers are using AI-generated code for malware attacks
Two separate attacks have been spotted using code that was probably written by artificial intelligence.
