Phone Cords for the snowflake
September 20, 2024 12:51 PM

Why are all the charging cords 3 feet long?

For a few weeks now, I've been lazily looking for a lightning cord to use in my car that is between 8 and 12 inches instead of the standard length one I currently use. I actually need a USB-A to USB-C in the same length now. It seems hard to find them from reputable sources. Either they are really expensive or from a brand I have never heard of, or the search results don't really have what I am looking for. I want to keep from having to coil the cord around my phone mount to keep it out of the way. The wireless charger is in an awkward place in the vehicle.

Is there some kind of advantage to having such a long cord, or it just the default? Do you have a good source for me that isn't Amazon? Don't tell me to use a search engine, please, since I've tried multiple times. If you find a good option searching, I am all ears.
posted by soelo to Technology (10 answers total) 2 users marked this as a favorite
Apple sells this 3 pack of 5" cords - one of the three is USB A to USB C.
posted by mcgsa at 12:59 PM on September 20




I think this might be what you want? 1.5 ft in stock in black and blue.
https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=38910

As for why longer is more common, in *most* cases, a longer cord can be used where a shorter cord would do, but not the opposite.
posted by mrgoldenbrown at 1:02 PM on September 20


Monoprice has a 6" and and 18" versions:
https://www.monoprice.com/category/cables/usb-&-lightning-cables
posted by macfly at 1:05 PM on September 20


5 inches is too short
posted by soelo at 1:19 PM on September 20


Ignore if you already ruled this out - is a twist tie or a slightly sleeker cord tie an option? I use them constantly and they really are helpful; if your cord needs change in the future you won’t have to keep buying diff lengths.

Realizing I linked to Amazon but I don’t have another vendor to recommend, but I’m sure they’re available elsewhere.
posted by seemoorglass at 1:32 PM on September 20


To be clear, I am looking for a USB-A to USB-C cord that is 8-12 inches long and handles power and audio. Data is optional.

Anker's site search for "USB-A to USB-C" is an example of the poor results I have come across: https://www.anker.com/collections/usb-a-to-usb-c-cable
The first result is a to lighting, then some c to c cords, some more a to lightning cords. The second page has some actual A to C cords in 6 foot and ten foot lengths.

Amazon is out, as are Temu and AliExpress. In person pick up in the Twin Cities is fine. I've tried the Best Buy and Target websites but not in person.
posted by soelo at 3:08 PM on September 20


Here is a source that isn't from the big river company: CableMatters 12" USB A to C three pack

I purchased these recently and they are good quality.
posted by soylent00FF00 at 4:09 PM on September 20


You want a 12" Rolling Square InCharge XL cable which will charge just about anything. It's also available in a 6".
posted by dobbs at 7:13 AM on September 22


Just found a 9" USB-A to USB-C cable at Chubby Cable
posted by mcgsa at 8:09 AM on October 1


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