The best iPhone charger cable: Lightning power cords for iPhones & iPads in 2023

The best iPhone charger cables are a little more expensive than the cheap-as-chips ones you might find in a discount store, or in the murky depths of eBay. But they'll almost certainly be more reliable, last longer, and give you faster charging speeds. So given the amount of time we spend using our iPhones, it's well worth spending a small amount of extra money to get a big boost in quality.

The cables we list below are well made, will last for years, get your iPhone charged up quickly, and give you enough length to maneuver.

We say iPhone cables rather than phone cables in general because up till now, Apple has doggedly refused to standardize its charging methods to fit the rest of the market. A recent EU ruling suggests that future iPhones will have to take a different approach. But for now, you aren't able to use the same leads that power Android phones on any existing iPhone.

Instead, the Lightning cables in this roundup all work with the multi-purpose charger socket found on the different iPhone generations, from the iPhone 5 right up to the iPhone 14 and iPhone 14 Pro, as well as for iPad generations from the first iPad Mini and the 4th-Gen iPad onwards.

So read on, as we bring you the best iPhone charger cables available today, and give you the information you need to choose between them.

The best iPhone charger cable in 2023

Normally with an iPhone-related kit, the official product from Apple is the go-to for high quality. When it comes to the best iPhone charger cables, though, Anker's Powerline Plus II USB-C to Lightning Cable is actually a better bet.

It supports the USB-C Power Delivery (PD) high-speed charging protocol and is MFi-certified by Apple, so your iPhone will be charged safely, at the fastest possible speeds. But what really makes this cable stand out is how much it will stand up to wear and tear over time. 

Made with tough and durable two-shade nylon, it’s been shown in lab tests to withstand 30,000 bends, which means it should last 30 times longer than a bog-standard charging cable. It's also three metres long, which is going to be enough for most people’s needs. If you need a longer cable than that, though, read on...

Need a cable that's longer than the standard three feet? Then we recommend this 4-footer from Belkin. Like the Anker Powerline Plus II, it supports fast PD charging, is MFI-certified by Apple, and is in general a well-made, high-quality cable. 

On the whole, we prefer the braided style of the Anker (above) to the smooth style of this cable, as it’s less likely to get damaged over time. However, if you need that extra foot of length to reach from your plug to your desk, table, or car dashboard, that may well be more important to you.

AmazonBasics products may be cheap but it doesn't mean they're not good quality. And that's certainly the case for this USB-C to Lightning cable, which offers great value for a six-foot-long cable.

Its double-braided nylon fiber cloth provides protection, strength, and flexibility, and it’s been shown in lab tests to bend 95 degrees 6,000 times. It supports PD charging, is Apple MFi certified, and comes in four different colors. It's also available in one-foot or three-foot versions.

Admittedly, it may not last quite as many years as the first two cables on our list. Its Lightning end feels a little less robust, and it's contained within PVC rather than braided nylon. However, at this low price, does that really matter?

Need a REALLY long charging cable for your iPhone? Then we recommend the 10-foot-long version of this cable from Anker (also available in shorter sizes). It’s MFi certified, supports PD charging, and is made with two-shade braided nylon. It can withstand up to 12,000 bends and looks pretty stylish too. It’s pricier than most, but in terms of cost per length, it's still good value.

Here’s another USB-C to Lightning cable that’s both very strong and very long. The Native Union Belt Cable XL stretches across a cavernous 10 feet and benefits from an ultra-strong reinforced structure. 

This cable comes in six attractive colors, and you get an attractive leather belt to tie it up when you’re not using it. So while it’s pretty expensive, you are getting a high-quality, heavy-duty product for your money. 

Some Apple users like to get all their kit from Apple directly, and there’s good logic to that. You’re certainly not going to have any compatibility issues, and if you do have any problems, there are those nice people at the Apple Store to ask in person. In this case, the Apple USB-C to Lightning Cable will be the best iPhone charger cable for you. 

It’s pretty basic, comes with a smooth rather than braided style, and is only available in white. But other than that, it does the job well, comes in 1m and 2m lengths, and, unlike some Apple products, is not significantly more expensive than comparable third-party products.

If your family has a collection of iPhones covering different iPhone generations including both Lightning and pre-Lightning models, then here's a great pack of cables that will allow everyone to charge up. 

For a very affordable price, you get three, six-inch (15cm) long cables with Apple-approved connectors for devices that use micro USB, Lightning, and Apple 30 Pin sockets. They're solid and well-made. And while six inches might not be long enough for everyone, it does at least make it less likely you'll end up with a mess of tangled wires.

Other useful guides:
Best phone cases
Best iPhone stand
Best iPhone printer
Best iPhone microphones
Best phone mounts for cars
Best phone mounts for bikes
Best travel adaptor
Best wireless chargers
Best iPhone tripods & supports