I Destroy iPhone Charging Cables!
June 2, 2023 5:37 AM Subscribe
I need recommendations for an indestructible (okay,okay, best quality, most longevity) charging cable for iPhones.
I always use my phone while charging it, and eventually end up ending the next of the charging/ lightening cable. I go through at least a couple every year. I’ve tried everything from a fancy Anker cable with a knit outer tube, to really crappy Amazon cables, and everything in between. I usually end up just sticking with Apple brand cables, but now I’m down to one. What’s my best bet for a long lasting charger?
I always use my phone while charging it, and eventually end up ending the next of the charging/ lightening cable. I go through at least a couple every year. I’ve tried everything from a fancy Anker cable with a knit outer tube, to really crappy Amazon cables, and everything in between. I usually end up just sticking with Apple brand cables, but now I’m down to one. What’s my best bet for a long lasting charger?
You need one with reinforcement around the point where the wire and tab connect. I have a generic one from Amazon that has a silicone guard around it that's lasted me well over a year so far (I also use my phone while charging).
You can also buy that moldable silicone Sugru and reinforce the connection point yourself.
posted by ananci at 6:05 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
You can also buy that moldable silicone Sugru and reinforce the connection point yourself.
posted by ananci at 6:05 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yeah, I'd vote for wireless charging here. For me, the problem is that the lightning cables eventually refuse to connect. I don't know if it's dust and lint gathering in the port or what, but I've had two phones that eventually refused to charge by wire. (for some reason, my iPads don't have this problem) I only charge my phone wirelessly now.
posted by Naberius at 6:13 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Naberius at 6:13 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
I use mag-connect braided connectors with 360+180-degree rotating attachment points.
Honestly, this has been such a game changer that as soon as I started using the first set I reordered another set - not only do all the phones and tablets and e-readers in this house now have mag connectors in them, but all the rechargeable speakers/headphones/earbuds, labelmaker, my desk fan and portable monitor, etc etc. Only need two cables in the car, I now just have one cable by the bed, two are zip-tied to our portable power stations, I have one short and one long that live in the pocket of my purse that holds one or more battery packs.
The particular set I linked have a soft blue LED near the business end, which I (piiiiicky about rogue LEDs) am not bothered by even on my nightstand because it isn't bright enough to shine IN my eyes and it means I can find the end if I yank my phone disconnected, but it would be a moment's work to further dim it with a sharpie or dark nail polish, or put some tape over it. But I like these more than another set I bought (not noticing that the mag connectors were not quite the same) that have a slightly looser grip/tinier dock point and the LED is inside the magnet portion and so more difficult to dim when not in use. These ones will snap to if you just dangle them near the connector, and seat more firmly.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:30 AM on June 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Honestly, this has been such a game changer that as soon as I started using the first set I reordered another set - not only do all the phones and tablets and e-readers in this house now have mag connectors in them, but all the rechargeable speakers/headphones/earbuds, labelmaker, my desk fan and portable monitor, etc etc. Only need two cables in the car, I now just have one cable by the bed, two are zip-tied to our portable power stations, I have one short and one long that live in the pocket of my purse that holds one or more battery packs.
The particular set I linked have a soft blue LED near the business end, which I (piiiiicky about rogue LEDs) am not bothered by even on my nightstand because it isn't bright enough to shine IN my eyes and it means I can find the end if I yank my phone disconnected, but it would be a moment's work to further dim it with a sharpie or dark nail polish, or put some tape over it. But I like these more than another set I bought (not noticing that the mag connectors were not quite the same) that have a slightly looser grip/tinier dock point and the LED is inside the magnet portion and so more difficult to dim when not in use. These ones will snap to if you just dangle them near the connector, and seat more firmly.
posted by Lyn Never at 6:30 AM on June 2, 2023 [2 favorites]
Rolling Square InCharge XL is the answer. Lightning, MicroUSB, and USB-C all in one and very strong.
posted by dobbs at 6:33 AM on June 2, 2023
posted by dobbs at 6:33 AM on June 2, 2023
Mod note: Hey folks, please keep in mind that the OP is asking for cables that charge iPhones, which currently do not use USB-C. Iphones use Lightning Connectors
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:58 AM on June 2, 2023
posted by Brandon Blatcher (staff) at 6:58 AM on June 2, 2023
Have you tried the Anker Powerline III? It has a silicone outer tube instead of a knit one, and I've found it to be pretty durable. The silicone is a little thicker than what you get with Apple's own cables, which seems to make a difference.
And I haven't tried these myself, but Chubby Cables have been recommended to me as being particularly durable.
posted by neushoorn at 7:07 AM on June 2, 2023
And I haven't tried these myself, but Chubby Cables have been recommended to me as being particularly durable.
posted by neushoorn at 7:07 AM on June 2, 2023
The charging port is at the base, right? I use my iPad while it’s charging and I rotate the screen so the port is at the top. That way I’m not accidentally pressing the cord while using it. 6’ Anker cords so there’s plenty of slack as well.
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:45 AM on June 2, 2023
posted by TWinbrook8 at 7:45 AM on June 2, 2023
Keep in mind that at least some of the fancy Anker cables do have a lifetime warranty which Anker appears to actually honor — if yours is one of those you may be able to get a replacement to tide you over for the remainder of the Lightning era.
posted by sesquipedalia at 7:49 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by sesquipedalia at 7:49 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Switch to magnetic tip cables, something like this: Magnetic Charging cable 2 pack 6 ft with 4 tips Lightning
If you press on the cord sideways, the tip simply disconnect from the cable. It also cannot stress the port as it'll simply "pull out". It also makes connecting a breeze since both sides are magnetically aligned so they snap together. You'll be wondering how you'd live without it. If you search a bit, I'm sure you can find something similar that cost less, but there's no need to reinforce the cable if you just rethink it. :)
You can get those fancy bending 360 rotating 180/bending cables too. :) Same idea.
posted by kschang at 8:18 AM on June 2, 2023
If you press on the cord sideways, the tip simply disconnect from the cable. It also cannot stress the port as it'll simply "pull out". It also makes connecting a breeze since both sides are magnetically aligned so they snap together. You'll be wondering how you'd live without it. If you search a bit, I'm sure you can find something similar that cost less, but there's no need to reinforce the cable if you just rethink it. :)
You can get those fancy bending 360 rotating 180/bending cables too. :) Same idea.
posted by kschang at 8:18 AM on June 2, 2023
There are a ton of videos and articles about repairing/protecting the charging cable with Sugru.
posted by theora55 at 8:41 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by theora55 at 8:41 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Similar to solutions already mentioned, but without the moving parts or magnets: you might want to try a cable like this with a built-in 90º bend. The connector shape routes the wire away from your hand/body without adding stress at a point that's not meant to handle it.
posted by Ryon at 11:53 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Ryon at 11:53 AM on June 2, 2023 [1 favorite]
Seconding Anker's warranty program as not-as-painful-as-expected.
Depending on the specifics of how they're breaking, I'll put a plug in for using a wooden toothpick to extract out the lint and detritus from your phone port. The wood won't hurt the port and you'll be shocked by how much stuff is inside. It's fixed many a broken phone and broken cord for me.
posted by matrixclown at 3:58 PM on June 2, 2023
Depending on the specifics of how they're breaking, I'll put a plug in for using a wooden toothpick to extract out the lint and detritus from your phone port. The wood won't hurt the port and you'll be shocked by how much stuff is inside. It's fixed many a broken phone and broken cord for me.
posted by matrixclown at 3:58 PM on June 2, 2023
What’s my best bet for a long lasting charger?
Buy any charger but when it's new give it a protective collar of Sugru in the area where they usually break.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:55 AM on June 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
Buy any charger but when it's new give it a protective collar of Sugru in the area where they usually break.
posted by The corpse in the library at 6:55 AM on June 3, 2023 [2 favorites]
I vote Sugru or Elmer’s-type glue. Both have served me well.
posted by Samarium at 6:39 PM on June 3, 2023
posted by Samarium at 6:39 PM on June 3, 2023
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Notes: if your phone is new enough to support MagSafe (iPhone 12 or later) or Qi (iPhone 8 or later) charging, you might find that to be a better option. And the upcoming iPhone 15s are likely to use USB-C instead of Lightning charging ports.
posted by box at 6:04 AM on June 2, 2023 [3 favorites]