Here are the best Lightning cables for your iPhone

USB type: USB-C

Length: 1m or 2m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: Yes

To unlock Fast Charge on your iPhone you need a USB-C to Lightning cable (and at least an 18W adaptor). Apple’s variant might be one of the more expensive examples, but it’s also the most trustworthy, hailing direct from Apple itself. That said, Apple’s non-braided cables have a reputation for fraying and losing their pristine white color over time.

The standard cable that ships with most Apple products is the 1m cable, but it’s also available at double that length (2m).

USB type: USB-A

Length: 0.5m, 1m or 2m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: No

Not as iconic as the white earbuds, but white and useful nonetheless, you might want to buy your Lightning cable direct from Apple. As a USB-A cable it won’t support Apple’s Fast Charge on iPhone, but it’s pretty handy none the less if you own a charger with the old rectangular USB-A port. We still recommend you upgrade to a USB-C charger and USB-C to Lightning cable.

It is available at half or double the standard 1m length (0.5m is the same price; 2m is a little extra). Either way, it’s still expensive compared to some third-party Lightning cables.

Do note that these Apple white cables often tend to go a nice shade of murky gray pretty fast, depending on your usage.

USB type: USB-C

Length: 1m or 2m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: Yes

Anker is one of the most trusted Apple-accessory brands, and it offers a wide range of USB to Lightning cables. The Apple-certified, nylon-braided Anker 331 USB-C to Lightning Cable is its budget offering but is still more robust than Apple’s cables and available in a wider choice of lengths (from 1m to 2m) and colors (Black, Silver, Blue and Red).

Anker claims that the 331 cable can withstand up to 12,000 bends. The Anker 762 USB-C to Lightning Cable ups that claim to 35,000 bends.

Remember that you need a USB-C to Lightning cable like this one for fast-charging iPhones older than the iPhone 15.

USB type: USB-C

Length: 0.3m, 0.9m or 1.8m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: Yes

Products in the AmazonBasics range just work and they’re very cheap to boot. Cheap does not mean bad though—Basics’ 1.82m cable is cheap, and if you can find the shorter variant in stock it’s even cheaper.

Amazon does note that it works with ‘nearly all cases’, so you may want to double-check, but we doubt this would be a problem for most accessories.

It’s available in multiple color choices, including white, black and red, in most regions.

USB type: USB-A

Length: 0.3m, 0.9m or 1.8m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: No

For older chargers, this is a decent affordable USB-A to Lightning cable available in various lengths and colors. It’s USB-A so not a Fast Charge option like the USB-C version.

USB type: USB-C

Length: Stretches to 1.2m

MFi: No

Fast charge: Yes

If long, messy cable snakes annoy you, then a retractable Lightning cable will save you from tangles, and is much easier to store and carry around.

This retractable USB-C to Lightning cable isn’t Apple certified but worked well in our tests, and we can’t find a certified retractable Lightning cable for sale anywhere.

It is a real boon for keeping your desk or cable drawer tidy. We’d like all our cables to be retractable!

USB type: USB-C

Length: 0.5 m or 1m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: Yes

Another way to avoid cable snakes is a coiled cable that takes up less space on your desk or wherever you lay it.

This coiled Lightning cable from StarTech.com is available with either USB-A or USB-C but USB-C to Lightning is better for Fast Charge, and in either 50cm/20in or 1m/3ft lengths.

The shorter cable extends to 50cm/20in and contracts to 32cm/12.5in. The longer version extends to 1m/3.3ft (1m) and contracts to 38cm/1.2ft.

USB type: USB-A

Length: 0.5 m or 1m

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: No

This coiled Lightning cable with USB-A at the other end fits older chargers but doesn’t support Apple’s Fast Charge like the USB-C version does.

Like its more modern sibling, it is available in either 50cm/20in or 1m/3ft lengths. The shorter cable extends to 50cm/20in and contracts to 32cm/12.5in. The longer version extends to 1m/3.3ft (1m) and contracts to 38cm/1.2ft.

USB type: USB-A

Length: 6m (20ft)

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: Yes

This Lightning cable is an amazing 6m (that’s 20-feet) long. If the plug outlet in your room of choice is further away from your sprawling place of choice then this is the answer.

It’s also handy for passing round in a car. The thicker than Apple cable is more durable and should last you a while.

If you really must stick with a slower USB-A charger, there is a 20-foot USB-A to Lightning cable version.

USB type: USB-C

Length: 0.3m (1ft)

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: Yes

You know what? Sometimes you just need a short cable, rather than a skinny python snaking over your desk.

One of the best short Lightning cables we’ve seen is from Anker, it’s just a foot long, and it’s MFI certified.

USB type: USB-A

Length: 15cm

MFi: Certified

Fast charge: No

This USB-A to Lightning cable from CableCreation is MFI certified but won’t support iPhone Fast Charge as it has USB-A at the other end.

It’s 15cm (6in) long, and available in either black-&-white, black or rose gold depending on which Amazon store you are buying from. 

USB type: USB-C

Length: 1m

MFi: No

Fast charge: Yes

The exterior of these USB-C to Lightning cables is constructed using plant-based materials, thus reducing a reliance on petroleum-based plastics like thermoplastic elastomer (TPE).

The packaging is recyclable (the bio-based cables are secured by a recyclable paper sleeve) and even the shipping is carbon neutral, offsetting the CO2 produced.

Shipping outside the UK is an extra US$6.30 or €6, but if you value the planet that’s not a lot to pay.

Wave also makes a USB-A to Lightning version of the cable, but remember that this won’t support fast charging like the USB-C to Lightning cable.

The cables are not yet MFi certified but could be at a later date, depending on demand.

USB type: USB-C

Length: 1.2m

MFi: No

Fast charge: Yes

Most cables just do one or two things: charging and data transfer or both. The RapidX 2-in-1 Lightning Charging Cable can also be used as a phone stand—great for streaming movies or making FaceTime calls while charging your phone. The stand works in landscape mode only.

The 4-foot braided nylon jacket is made from recycled materials, such as fishing nets and textile production waste. It has USB-C on one end and Lightning on the other,