Apple offers wireless charging on their phones from iPhone 8, but you may have noticed that it still includes a Lightning cable in the box with the phone. Sometimes it is the best, or fastest, way to charge a device. But even the model included by Apple may fall short. Literally. If you are looking, for example, for a different color or length than Apple's default, here we will help you. We have tested countless cables and these are our favorites.
The MFi certification explained
Not all Lightning cables are the same. If you are purchasing a Lightning cable for your iPhone, iPod or iPad, you must ensure that it is MFi certified. MFi stands for "Made for iPhone / iPod / iPad". It is a program that producers of accessories for those devices must follow in order for Apple to approve their hardware. It is a strict process and it makes the price somewhat more expensive, but when a product is MFi certified, you can be sure that it is reliable to use. We recommend that you avoid buying and using Lightning cables that are not MFi certified (yes, those cheap cables from the corner store). These can cause all kinds of damage to both the cable itself and your iOS device.
The risks of non-MFi cables
For starters, the wrong cable can damage your device. This can be as simple as scratching the contacts on the charging port or as serious as permanently damaging the battery. It could also damage the cable itself, causing the connector to overheat or even break. It is not worth the risk.
Our MFi Cable Recommendations
Manzana
The first place where you can search for MFi cables is obviously Apple. It sells a handful of cables ranging from half a meter (about 20 inches) to 2 meters (just over 6 feet) (from $ 19; amazon.com). As is the case with all Apple cables, they come in white. Unfortunately, they are not the most durable because the materials that Apple uses to make them are very environmentally friendly but tend to be less flexible. They are also thin enough to easily tangle, which can be a hassle. That said, they work well and are less expensive than many of their competitors. And while they are not the most durable cables, you will know they are legitimate.
Anker
In our dictionary the name Anker is synonymous with power and portability. Whether it's batteries, surge protectors, cables, or other accessories, you can expect something reliable and, in this case, MFi certified. One of these products is the MFi Certified 10ft PowerLine Lightning Cable ($ 16.99; amazon.com). We use it often and it does a great job charging iOS devices. The 10-foot length makes it versatile, and it's also quite thick and durable, resisting tangles you'd normally experience with thinner cables. The 10 foot version is only available in white, but there is also a shorter version that comes in two colors.
Anker's PowerLine series comes to PowerLine III, so if you go for a shorter option, MFi certified Lightning PowerLine III cable (starting at $ 12.99; amazon.com) is the way to go. This upgraded cable comes in 3 foot and 6 foot lengths with black and white color options. PowerLine III is more durable, but thinner than previous generations. When we tested this cable, it seemed like it was more likely to get tangled. However, the tough exterior doesn't feel brittle in any way. The cable comes with a lifetime warranty, which is really appreciated.
If you're looking to go something even smaller, Anker's MFi Certified 1-foot USB Type-C to Lightning Cable ($ 17.99; amazon.com) is a good option. This one also comes in black and white. Like others in the PowerLine III series, it is a thin and durable cable. And with USB Type C, you'll have even faster charging. We found the length to be perfect for connecting your phone to an external battery or laptop. And finally, if durability is what you want, there's the 10-foot Anker Powerline + II Lightning cable (starting at $ 16.99, originally $ 19.99; amazon.com). It has a braided nylon exterior for added strength and you get that lifetime warranty. This cable comes in black, red, gold, and silver.
Belkin
Belkin offers a host of energy-related accessories, many of which appear on the Apple website. When it comes to MFi certified Lightning cables, a good place to look first is one of their affordable Lightning to USB cables (starting at $ 11.95; amazon.com). These measure 6 inches, 4 feet, 2 meters, or 3 meters. And, depending on availability, they come in black, pink, white, and blue. If you are looking for a cable to keep in your pocket, choose the 6-inch one. But for something that will span an entire room, the 3-meter cable is the one you want. And while these cables don't share the twisted exterior of others on this list, they're certainly affordable.
For something stronger, check out the MIXIT DuraTek Lightning to USB Cable (starting at $ 15.99, originally $ 29.99; amazon.com). You can choose one in gold, silver, rose gold or black. With a sleek connector housing, these cables look really good. They also feature a double braided nylon exterior, a durability favorite that can also reduce tangling.
And last but not least, it's the BOOST CHARGE Lightning-to-USB A cable (from $ 23.69; amazon.com). This beautiful cable comes in 4-foot and 10-foot variants, with pink, white, and black color options. On Amazon, you can select a 6-foot version, but that doesn't come in the pink option. Regardless of length and color, these cables feature double braided nylon for added tangle resistance. Furthermore, the connector housing is extra long and flexible. These properties help you absorb tension and strengthen the connection between the cable and the connector. To top it off, each one comes with a leather cable strap, which visually and functionally complements these MFi Lightning cables.
Nomad
If there is one company to turn to for durability, it is Nomad. Among its variety of equipment and accessories, its MFi certified Kevlar Lightning cables stand out. The models below even come with a five-year warranty. We tried several and in short we were impressed. The first ones we tested were the 1.5-meter Kevlar Lightning cable ($ 34.95; amazon.com) and the 1.5-meter Kevlar USB Type-C to Lightning cable ($ 39.95; amazon.com). Both come only in black. These cables feature heavily braided Kevlar exteriors along with reinforced Kevlar cores. This provides great durability that you can really feel when touched, not to mention tangle resistance. Aesthetically speaking, they are some of our favorite cables.
Each connector has a large housing with a metal exterior for added protection. And to top it off, they come with built-in liquid silicone rubber flanges. The tie is easy to make and break and keeps cables secure for packing and carrying.
When you need to charge more than just your iOS and iPadOS devices, Nomad can also be the solution. Its 0.3 meter Kevlar universal cable ($ 34.44; amazon.com) and the 1.5 meter Kevlar universal cable ($ 39.95; amazon.com) have USB Type A on one end and Lightning, micro-USB and USB Type C connectors on the other . Yes, instead of having three separate cables to charge, all you need is one. By default, the micro-USB connector is on the end of the cable, but the other two are glued close together, so when you need it, just plug it into the micro-USB connector. We tested all three connectors and they worked perfectly. These cables have the durable Kevlar construction, LSR flange and five-year warranty as well. Both come in black. Please note that the charging speed may not be the highest on these multi-connector cables, but it is a small price to pay for convenience.
Satechi
Satechi specializes in technology with an aesthetic very similar to Apple products. Keyboards, external hard drives, cables, whatever. This black MFi certified USB Type-C to Lightning Cable ($ 24.99; amazon.com) definitely suits that sleek aesthetic. The nylon braided jacket not only keeps the cable tangle resistant, but its alternating black and white braid provides a great visual effect. The connector housing is even a shade similar to Apple's usual Space Gray. The cable is 6 feet long, a comfortable length for most situations.
If you need a much shorter cable, Satechi USB Type-A to Lightning cables (starting at $ 11.99; amazon.com) should suffice. These are covered with flexible silicone instead of a nylon braid, which, while less durable, is certainly less expensive. They come in black or white, measuring 6 or 10 inches. They are thick and have an interesting consistency, almost smooth compared to the other cables we observed. Cables of this length are perfect for connecting your iOS or iPadOS device to an external battery or laptop. That way, you won't have to deal with all that excess cable. We certainly find them useful in our practical tests.
Griffin
This brand is known for its protective cases and accessories for smartphones, tablets and computers. Your Lightning cables meet your durability standards, including the 5ft Premium Braided USB Type-C to Lightning Cable ($ 34.99; griffintechnology.com). We take a look at the silver and black varieties of this cable. The first thing we noticed was the thick double braided nylon exterior, a design we know for its durability and tangle resistance. We definitely notice these properties by bending and trying to break them. We also liked the addition of an aluminum housing for the connectors, which provides additional protection to this weak point. All of these features come together to create a visually elegant and physically resistant set of MFi certified lighting cables.
Mophie
Mophie focuses on slim power supply accessories, which is where these MFi certified products come in. The first thing we highlight is a USB Type-A cable with a Lightning connector (starting at $ 19.95; zagg.com). This cable comes in black, in lengths of 2 or 3 meters. Like others we've seen, it has a braided nylon exterior. This provides additional durability and should also reduce tangling. Holding it, we really had a feeling that it could handle a lot of flexing and rough use. And it comes with a two-year warranty.
Alongside this is Zagg's USB Type-C cable with Lightning connector (starting at $ 19.95; zagg.com). This cable is quite similar to the Type A variant, except that it only comes in 1 and 2 meter sizes. That said, it is still an excellent and durable cable. Also, USB Type C is even faster than USB Type A, making it a great option if you have to charge fast. Like its USB Type-A companion, this cable feels smooth and tough from the cable to the connector housing. Remarkably, these are thinner than most of the braided cables we've seen. If you prefer this design over a thicker cable, Mophie may be what you are looking for.
Scosche
Like other companies we have listed, Scosche is known for a wide range of products, from fitness to audio to power supply. Your Strikeline USB Type-C to Lightning cables (starting at $ 24.99; amazon.com) fall into the power supply category. These come in 1 foot, 4 foot, 6 foot, and 8 foot lengths. Its color options are black, silver, gold and mint green, although availability by color and length varies. The 4-foot silver variety is even on sale at Amazon right now ($ 24.99, originally $ 29.99; amazon.com).
First off, the silver wire has a luster that makes it look like it's actually made of silver. The exterior of the braided nylon cable and the metal connector housing make this color stand out. We imagine that others are so attractive in person. They are also difficult to tangle. And while the 8-foot cable isn't as long as the 10-foot options we've seen, it still has plenty of length to work with.
In summary
As you can see, there are plenty of MFi certified Lightning cables to choose from. And when you get down to it, it all depends on your preferences. If you are looking for color options, you can go for Belkin or Anker. When it comes to durability, it's hard to beat the double braided nylon most of these cables have. Nomad does you better with a Kevlar braided exterior. And finally, Apple, Belkin and Anker are more inclined to offer you a good price. With that said, any of the cables we've highlighted here will be perfect for charging your devices over and over again.
Note: The above prices reflect the price at the time of article posting.