Like many folks around here, I just ordered a new iPad Pro today. I’m trying to get my accessories sorted before it arrives next week. I’ve been using USB-C fast chargers and USB-C to Lightning cables to fast charge my iPad Pro for several years now, so I’ve got an array of good USB-C chargers at home, at work, and in various bags. However, I don’t have very many USB-C cables.
Looking at The Wirecutter’s guide to the best USB-C cables this seems like a rather complicated area. Some cables can fast charge, others can’t. Some can support higher data transfer speeds, others are limited to USB 2.0 speeds. What USB cables are Mac Power Users who are already living in the USB-C universe using?
I’m hoping these will work with the new iPad, though I’ll test on Wednesday. I do use these cables exclusively for charging, but will happily buy one with USB 3.1 speeds if the iFixit teardown reveals the iPad port is cable of that (I don’t see why it wouldn’t be, but still).
In addition to USB-C Charge and Data cables, I’m looking to pickup some USB-A to USB-C cables. While I know that this will mean slower charging spreads and data speeds, the rest of the world still uses USB-A ports. So for purposes of plugging into existing chargers and accessories and using public charging station, it seems like a good idea to have a few on hand for compatibility purposes.
It is quite expensive but with a cable like that I can use it for really anything that fits into a USB-C port without having to think if it supports a certain speed or fast charging or whatever. @RosemaryOrchard’s second recommendation might be a better choice though because it seems to be the same and is costing less.
For USB-A to USB-C, the cables @katiefloyd has mentioned look really interesting.
Yup, this is what I’m going to do as well, at least to start. I have a few small, portable chargers with two USB-A output ports (Aukey I think), and they charge my 9.7 iPad Pro, iPhone 8+, and watch just fine. Seems to me there is no real reason to shell out money to get another USB-c charger just for an 11 inch iPad Pro when I can just get another cable as Katie suggested and use my existing gear. “Fast Charging” is nice, but for my use, most of my devices don’t really need it.
I purchased a couple of new outlets for our bar, where all our devices end up getting charged. One has two USB-A outlets, and the other has one USB-A and one USB-C outlet. I’ll probably install more around the house as needed. It’s so convenient not to use the bricks…
