The Best Micro-USB Cable
Micro-USB cables aren’t the charging cables we deserve: They charge more slowly than Lightning and USB-C, and they’re nearly impossible to plug in right-side up on the first try. But for many devices—from Bluetooth speakers to baby monitors—they’re the charging cables we need. After spending 13 hours testing 11 models, we think the best Micro-USB cable for most people is the Anker PowerLine Micro-USB (3ft) cable.
The Anker PowerLine Micro-USB (3ft) cable has sturdy plastic housings that are the perfect size and shape to grip firmly—the best way to avoid breakage—while you’re plugging and unplugging. Its metal connectors slide smoothly into ports and then stay put, ensuring a strong connection. The Anker PowerLine has a slim, flexible body encased in water-resistant rubber, and (in addition to the 3-foot version we recommend) is available in 4-inch, 1-foot, 6-foot, and 10-foot variations. Our pick is also available in multipacks from some retailers, including Amazon and Walmart. The Anker PowerLine has an 18-month warranty, from a company with helpful and responsive customer service, and it’s one of the least expensive cables we tested.
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If you need a Micro-USB–to–USB-C cable—to connect to a MacBook Pro or other USB-C power source—the AmazonBasics USB Type-C to Micro-B 2.0 Cable is the best we’ve found. The housings around the neck of the plugs are flimsier than the ones on the Anker PowerLine cables, but like our top pick, this cable’s metal connectors fit snugly in corresponding ports. The AmazonBasics has a slim, rubber-encased body, and it’s available in a wide range of lengths, from 6 inches to 6 feet. It’s relatively inexpensive and backed by a one-year warranty.
The Anker PowerLine II 3-in-1 Cable is nearly identical to our top pick, but it has Lightning and USB-C adapters attached to the main cable by short, flexible tethers. We don’t recommend three-in-one cables for everyday use—the adapters add extra bulk and can be fussy to use—but they can be handy for travel or as a backup, so you don’t have to keep three cables on you at all times. Anker’s 3-foot cable is well built, easy to use, and highly portable, and the Lightning plug is MFi-certified to work with iOS devices. Plus, it has a lifetime warranty.