How to Choose a Durable USB Cable?

Nowadays, USB cables are everywhere. Whether you want to charge a device, send data from a smartphone to a PC or connect a monitor to a laptop, USB cables come useful for various tasks.

It becomes important for a user to choose an efficient and durable cable that would come useful for them for a long time. Picking a poorly built cable will not only require you to change it within a few months of usage but also may cause harm to your device.

So how to choose a durable USB cable? If you can’t figure it out, then check out this guide that will pave the path for you to choose a durable USB cable.

But, before we get into the details, let’s check out why you need a durable USB cable;

Why Do You Need To Choose A Durable USB Cable?

USB cables not only connect two devices, but they also serve various other applications. When you are using a USB cable to connect a monitor to a laptop or charge your smartphone, you would need a durable USB cable that won’t harm the ports or slow down the performance.

Choosing a poorly built USB cable can ruin your user experience and also damage the charging ports. Moreover, cheap USB cables have poor heat resistance, which can lead to damage to the device it is connected to. A durable cable will offer connectors made from high-quality material, proper guarding around connectors, pure copper wires on the inside and heat-safe outer material.

So you should always settle for a durable USB cable if you want performance and safeguarding of your devices. Top brands like Belkin, Anker, MI, Portronics, etc., can be reliable choices when it comes to buying durable USB cables because they usually offer highly durable USB cables but at a high price point. ByteCable always provide affordable and high quality USB cables.

Factors To Consider When Looking For A Durable USB Cable

Not all USB cables will offer you the durability you need, and that is why it is important you should assess various factors before making the final purchase. So let’s check out those factors;

Outer Material Type

The material quality used on the outside has a detrimental effect on the durability of the USB cable. There are three types of materials used on the outside of the USB cables, and they are PVC, TPE and Nylon(Braided). PVC is commonly found in USB cables because it is robust and resistant to water and heat.

However modern durable cables are coming up with TPE outer because it is strong and has good elasticity which minimizes the chance of breakage. Nylon offers the strongest covering for the USB cable because it is highly robust, firm and doesn’t break under heavy tension.

Protective Shell On The Connector

Many people may not consider it, but the protective shell around the connector also determines its durability. The protective shells are mostly contacted while plugging and unplugging the cable.

Cables with PVC and PC materials as connector protective shells will be an ideal choice because they won’t break even after heavy usage. However, a large number of USB cables use a plastic protective shell because it is strong and lightweight but has the tendency to break under heavy pressure.

Metal protective shell, on the other hand, offers sturdy protection, and it can easily dissipate heat. It would be a wise choice to go for a metal shell if you are not going for a PC or PVC material.

Quality Of The Copper Wire Inside

Another major factor that can make or break the durability of the USB cable is the quality of copper wire used on the inside. A USB cable with 100% pure copper wire will ensure a huge service life for the data cable and also reduce the chance of any breakage.

Basically, wires having pure copper will ensure not only high ductility but also proper electric conductivity that will also aid in the performance. However, not all USB cables offer pure copper; there are some USB cables that come with aluminum or steel wires with a copper coating on the top.

These wires might be cheap, but they reduce the service life by a large margin and also makes the device prone to damage. These cables often tend to break after heavy usage as they lack the ductility that you find in pure copper USB cable wires.

Diameter of the Copper Wire On The Inside

Along with the quality, the diameter of the copper wire on the inside of the USB cable should also be considered. The thicker the copper wire on the inside, the better will be the service life and the higher the price point.

0.16mm, 0.12mm, and 0.08mm are the common diameter choices because they offer high load capacity and also better durability. When you use a durable data cable, it safeguards your connector and eventually, it aids in the longevity of your device.

You should also assess the shielding utilized for covering the wires because it determines the longevity of the wires on the inside by protecting them.

There are many factors that affect the durability of USB cable, we only list some of them, if you want to know more about USB cable, please contact us.

Final Thought

Along with data transfer speed and charging speed, the durability of the USB cable also should be considered when it comes to choosing a USB cable. Whether you are buying a USB-C or micro USB cable, you should always emphasize durability as it will make it worth the money you are paying. Moreover, it also safeguards your devices from any damage as poor often tends to damage the connectors.