If you use your smartphone daily, you understand the great benefits fast charging can add to your life. No one prefers to wait hours for their smartphone to get fully charged. Through fast charging technology, you just need a few minutes to get enough battery to last hours. But do all cables support fast charging?
Not all cables support fast charging, as there are different types of USB cables. But reading the descriptions and looking at the cable thickness can help you spot a fast-charging one. And the cable you choose affects how fast your device can charge.
And while most devices come with fast charging built-in, the accessories you get can influence the system’s efficiency. So if you’re shopping for a new smartphone, fast charging is one of the features you should consider. Now, let’s learn more!
Do All Cables Support Fast Charging?
Before you explore the idea of finding the right cables for fast charging, it’s important to understand the technology. Every modern device, including laptops and smartphones, comes with built-in rapid charging technology, which boosts and helps the device charge as fast as possible.
From the Qi standard for wireless charging to Quick Charge technology, a fast charger can output from 10 to 65 watts, enough to power up a laptop or phone in half an hour or one hour.
However, not all cables are made equally, so you will not achieve the same results using different cables. One of the ways you can identify a fast charger is to get a charger from a reputable brand.
The wires in regular USB cables are standard-sized 28 gauge, but fast charging cables offer thicker 24 gauge, which allows more current to move between the source and the device.
While standard wires on some USB cables supply 0.5A, fast-charging cables can carry up to 2A or more. So, not all cables support fast charging. You need to consider several factors to find a cable that would be suitable for your device.
Fast Charging Cables vs. Regular Charging Cables
While it’s not easy to instantly distinguish fast charging cables from normal ones, there are several varieties of USB cables you can find. Indeed, USB cords affect how quickly a device can charge from 0% to 100% battery.
To achieve quick charging speeds from a device equipped with fast charging technology, you must also use a fast-charging power brick and the accompanying cable.
It’s a combination of tools to make the system work seamlessly. However, a few things show the difference between fast charging and regular USB cables.
Power
The power sent to the device’s battery at a time is one of the things that show the difference. Compared with regular cables, fast charging varieties can send more current to the battery, filling it up quicker than any standard cable.
Watts
When using regular USB cables, you can only get up to 2.5 watts of power to the battery. On the other hand, depending on your smartphone model and the manufacturer, fast charging cables can deliver up to 120W to the battery.
For example, Xiaomi offers the Super Charge Turbo, which includes a fast cable that can supply up to 100W to the battery. Vivo also offers the FlashCharge, which can charge a 4,000mAh battery in about 14 minutes. The fast charging cable by Vivo can deliver up to 120W to the battery.
Mix and Matching
If you’re using a regular USB cable with a fast charging adapter, you’ll still not achieve fast charging speeds. The standard cable is limited in the power it can send to your smartphone’s battery.
How the fast charger functions depends on whether the cable can handle the amount of power coming in. For a faster charge, try using a USB-C cable.
How to Identify Fast Charging Cables
Now that you’ve seen how fast charging works and the great benefits you can enjoy, how do you identify a fast charging cable? While the cable might look like a regular USB cable, here are some distinguishing factors you should consider.
Read the Description/Label
Some manufacturers make it easier to identify the kind of cable they’re selling. For example, if you’re on the market for a fast charging cable, you should look for something that indicates the cable can support quick charging.
Often, manufacturers indicate this information on the label or description. For example, some cables include a quick charging label to help consumers be aware of the type of cable they’re getting.
Cable Amperage
Another thing to look at is the cable’s amperage, which helps you see if the cable can deliver the amount of electricity you need for fast charging. Fast charging cables can carry 2A, so ensure the cable is labeled 2A or the current your smartphone needs.
Thicker Cables
Cables that can support fast charging also come with broad wires. It’s often believed thicker cables can deliver power faster than slim cables. This is often true but not the best way to identify a fast-charging cable. But for obvious reasons, you should avoid thin cables as most of them are not suited for fast charging.
Buy from Certified Stores
If you want to save yourself from the hassle of finding and differentiating regular cables from fast charging cables, you should only buy from certified stores. It’s preferable if you can get the cable from the same store by your device manufacturer.
OEMs offer their fast charging standard and cable requirements. So, if you get accessories from the manufacturer, you’ll surely get a genuine cable.
The Best Fast Charging Cables Out Right Now
If you’re looking for the best fast charging cables, these are some of the top brands you should consider.
Anker
The Anker PowerLine III Plus is USB-IF certified and offers a convenient six-foot length. When it comes to speed, the cable supports up to 60W fast charging. Besides, the cable is fiber-wrapped and can endure 35,000 tugs and bends.
Belkin
This is another popular option if you’re looking for a fast-charging cable. Belkin offers Thunderbolt 3 cables, and the technology supports up to 100W fast charging and is suitable for 4K displays. You can find the Belkin cable at a convenient length of 2.6 feet.
AmazonBasics
Amazon offers this affordable option for people on the market for a fast-charging cable. This double-braided USB-C to USB-C cable (on Amazon) can top out data transfer of 10Gbps with charging speeds of up to 60W. In addition, there’s no worry about the cable breaking as the ends are tested to handle bending up to 95 degrees 2,000 times.
Conclusion
Using the correct cable will speed up charging. If you have a fast charging break and want to enjoy those charging speeds truly, you need to find a cable that supports fast charging.
Go for 24 gauge USB cables, as this can charge your device faster. Get an OEM product designed to work with your device to ensure compatibility.