The best USB-C cables for the iPhone 15 in 2025: Expert tested

Technology

At (long) last, Apple switched from its proprietary lighting connector to USB-C when it released the iPhone 15 in 2023. USB-C, a standard used by Android devices and most other electronics, was a welcomed change for many. It particularly became applicable since current-generation MacBooks no longer support lighting connectors. 

The iPhone 15 lineup supports many types of USB-C. For example, the iPhone 15 and the iPhone 15 Plus supports 18W charging and USB 2.0 data transfer speeds of 480 Mbps. In contrast, the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max feature faster charging with up to 29W and supports USB 3.2 Gen 2×1, delivering data speeds up to 10Gbps. 

Also: Buying an iPhone 15 but still want your Lightning port? Apple’s got a dongle for you

for USB 2.0 and the Monoprice AtlasFlex
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Pros
  • -6-foot cable
  • High-wattage suitable for charging laptops and tablets
Cons
  • Expensive compared to commodity cables

Anker 765 USB-C

Best high-power USB-C 2.0 cable

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The best USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cables

If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or iPhone 15 Pro Max, you’ll need a USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 cable for higher data transfer speeds between your phone and your PC or Mac.

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What is the best USB-C cable for the iPhone 15?

If you have the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus, the Anker Powerline III USB-C cable is the best option for you. However, if you have the iPhone 15 Pro or the iPhone 15 Pro Max, we recommend the Monoprice AtlasFlex USB-C cable. 

USB-C Cable

Price

Power

USB-C Type

Anker Powerline III USB-C

$10

 100W

2.0

DeWalt USB-C

$15

100W

2.0

Anker 765 USB-C

$18

140W

2.0

Belkin Boostcharge Pro Flex USB-C

$16

N/A

2.0

Monoprice AtlasFlex USB-C 

$18

100W

3.2

UGREEN USB-C

$13

140W

3.2

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Which USB-C cable is right for you?

The right USB-C cable for you will depend on your iPhone 15 model, what kind of power you’re looking for, and what other device compatibilities you need. 

Below, we’ve broken down our top picks so you can choose the right one for you. 

Choose this USB-C cable…

If you want…

Anker Powerline III USB-C

The best overall option for iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus. It has 100W of power and a lifetime warranty. 

DeWalt USB-C 

A durable USB-C 2.0 cable. It has a heavy-duty Kevlar braided design so it’s built to last. 

Anker 765 USB-C

A USB-C charger with lots of power. It has 140W of power, making it great for charging larger devices like laptops and tablets. 

Belkin Boostcharge Pro Flex USB-C

Fast charging capabilities. It also has a super long cord at 6.6 feet. 

Monoprice AtlasFlex USB-C

The best overall option for iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max. It has a high data transfer rate and 100W of power. 

UGREEN USB-C

4K video output compatibility. You can connect the cable to a MacBook or a second monitor display for high-quality video output. 

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How did we choose these USB-C cables?

To find the best USB-C cable for the iPhone 15 lineup, there are several factors to keep in mind.

  • Power rating: Each USB-C is rated for a certain amount of power, whether it is 60 watts or 140 watts. The higher the number of watts, the more power you will have and the faster your device will charge.

  • Compatibility: Before you buy a USB-C, be sure to check that it is compatible with your new iPhone. From your mobile phone to your laptop, there may be specific charging requirements that need to be met in order for you to benefit from fast charging technology. 

  • Price: The cost of USB-C cables can vary, but most are under $40. You can easily find a USB-C cable for under $20 if you have a budget to stick to. 

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FAQs on USB-C cables for iPhone 15

Which USB-C cables work with the iPhone 15?

With this shift to the USB-C connector on the iPhone 15, there will be confusion about which USB-C cable to buy because not all are created equal. Some support higher wattage levels to charge laptops and other higher-capacity consumer electronics such as power stations and portable batteries. Some even possess USB-IF or Thunderbolt certifications, meaning they have been tested to more rigorous performance, safety, and build quality standards. 

Most USB-C cables sold support USB 2.0 data rates (480mbps), whereas others support higher data rates supported by the iPhone 15 Pro. 

Many cables on the market, such as Apple’s OEM USB-C charge cable, also only have 1-year warranties, effectively making them throwaway products, whereas others have 18-month,  2-year, 5-year, or even lifetime warranties. For this list, we’ve chosen a variety of well-known vendors with reputable support policies.

  • If you have the iPhone 15 or iPhone 15 Plus or only need a charging cable with your iPhone 15 Pro, any Charging/USB 2.0 cables on this list are fine. 

  • If you plan to charge the iPhone, iPad Pro, and laptop, you’ll want cables with a 100W charge capacity or higher.

  • If you have an iPhone 15 Pro or an iPhone 15 Pro Max and want to transfer data at high speed (10Gbps), you will want a Thunderbolt/USB 4 cable or USB 3.1 Gen 2/USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable.

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What’s the difference between USB 2.0, USB 3.1 Gen 2, USB 3.2 Gen 2, USB 4, Thunderbolt, and USB PD?

The USB 2.0 data connectivity standard was introduced in April of 2000, with a data transfer rate of 480Mbps. Lightning, the connector standard used from the iPhone 5 to the iPhone 14, and the USB-C connector on the iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Plus, use USB 2.0 signaling protocols and data transfer rates.

The USB 3.1 data connectivity standard was introduced in July 2013, and the USB Type-C connector was finalized by the USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) in August 2014. USB 3.2 was introduced in September 2017, replacing, absorbing, and renaming the USB 3.1 specification.

However, USB 3.1 Gen 2 and USB 3.2 Gen 2 data connectivity standards are the same, also known as SuperSpeed+, delivering 10 Gbps. Products labeled under either specification should work on the iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone Pro Max at native speeds, especially if they are USB-IF certified.

Thunderbolt is a proprietary technology owned by Intel and co-developed with Apple. It is a hardware interface for connecting external peripherals to a computer (a PC or a Mac). Thunderbolt version 3 is the basis for the USB4 specification, supports up to 40Gbps throughput, and is backward compatible with USB 3.2 Gen 2, which the iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max are compatible with. 

USB Power Delivery (USB PD) is a fast charging standard delivered over USB-C cables, supporting up to 100W with Standard Power (SPR) and up to 240W with Extended Power (EPR) provided the cable and device support it. With USB PD, The cable “listens” to the device’s wattage needs and adjusts its energy flow accordingly. So, if you connect an 18W iPhone 15 to a cable that can support up to 240W, the charger brick and cable with USB PD support will throttle down to 18W maximum charge rate.

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Should I buy a Thunderbolt-certified cable?

In our discussions with Bernie Thompson, the founder of Plugable, which sells USB-IF-certified and Thunderbolt cables, he recommended that you should buy a Thunderbolt-certified cable if you are using it for fast data transfer on an iPhone 15 Pro, as that is the industry standard Apple has aligned itself with (and is a founding member along with Intel) for its products. It is overkill, but it is guaranteed to work.

However, a less expensive USB 3.1 Gen 2/USB 3.2 Gen 2 cable should also work – but we haven’t had the chance to test one on an iPhone 15 Pro yet. Per Apple’s support page“iPhone 15 Pro and iPhone 15 Pro Max support fast USB 3.2 Gen 2 speeds up to 10Gbit per second when using an optional USB 3 cable.”

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