USB-C and other cables I have tested, from everyday chargers to fast-charging and data cables.
Nomad offers two USB-C to USB-C cables, differing in length, Power Delivery profile, and transfer speed. The shorter 1m cable supports 100W via USB PD profile 5, while the 1.5m supports 60W. This review covers the 1m/100W cable.
The Apple Watch Magnetic Charger to USB-C Cable is the USB-C version of the Apple Watch charging cable, launched on 19th October 2018. Unlike the USB-A variant's three lengths, the USB-C only comes in 0.3m.
The Belkin Universal Cable has a base Micro-USB connector plus two snap-on adapters, Micro-USB to Lightning and to USB-C, each with a cable clip for tidy storage. The 1.2m cable comes only in black.
The Belkin 3.5mm Audio Cable with Lightning Connector lets you connect an iPhone to any 3.5mm audio system without Bluetooth. MFi-certified, its DAC outputs high-resolution audio up to 48kHz/24-bit. It comes in black and white, in two lengths.
The HyperDrive 7.5W Wireless Charger USB-C Hub came from a Kickstarter in January 2018 that raised US$657,117. I missed the early-bird US$79 price, so my friend Kevin helped me get it; it finally shipped to me in July 2018.
The Cable Matters USB-C to SATA III 2.5-inch Cable retails for US$11.99 on Amazon. This 25cm cable connects 2.5-inch SATA hard drives to your computer over USB-C, supporting USB 3.1 Gen 1 speeds to 5Gbps.
The Apple TV Remote Loop retails for S$18 and tethers the Siri Remote to your wrist. It clicks into the remote's Lightning connector for secure attachment, handy since Li Xiang always misplaces the remote.
I bought the Xiaomi Mi Cable Storage Box from Xiaomi's official Tmall store during the 12/12 sale for about S$9.20. Unlike the Bluelounge CableBox, it has bottom openings for better ventilation, though that also lets in more dust.
Having bought the 1.5m Nomad Universal Cable from South Korea, I wanted the shorter 0.3m version too. The 1.5m is great from a wall outlet but too bulky coiled, so the 0.3m suits charging from a power bank.
I bought the Anker Micro USB to USB-C Adapter from Amazon for US$6.99, a two-pack working out to US$3 each. It ships directly to Singapore. I needed them to keep using my spare Micro-USB cables with USB-C power banks.
I'd wanted the Nomad Universal Cable, the only rugged 3-in-1 supporting Lightning, USB-C, and Micro-USB. Its core USB-A to Micro-USB cable adds MFi Lightning and USB-C tips, wrapped in braided 500D ballistic nylon.
I bought the Cable Matters 2-Pack Gold-Plated DisplayPort to DisplayPort Cables (6 feet) on Amazon for US$17.99, alongside their Thunderbolt 3 to Dual DisplayPort adapter. A single cable costs US$9.99; like the adapter, it doesn't ship directly to Singapore.
Wanting to drive two external displays from a single port, I learned USB-C allows only one display per port. The answer was Thunderbolt 3, so I bought the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 3 to Dual 4K DisplayPort Adapter.
The AmazonBasics USB Type-C to Micro-B 2.0 Cable comes in two colours and three lengths: 15cm, 0.9m, and 1.8m. Like the USB-C to USB-C version, black and white are priced differently; the 15cm black starts around US$6.49 on Amazon.
I bought this brandless USB-C to Mini DisplayPort Adapter from Lazada for S$12.96 with free slow shipping. It's an OEM product from 1buycart in Shenzhen, which has solid ratings averaging 4.4 stars, a cheaper alternative to Amazon's options.
The AmazonBasics USB Type-C to USB Type-C 2.0 Cable comes in two colours and four lengths: 15cm, 0.9m, 1.8m, and 2.7m. Black and white are priced differently; on Amazon the 15cm black starts around US$6.49, rising with length.
The last buy from Yodobashi Sapporo, the Elecom USB-C Memory Card Reader reads seven card types, including CF, SD, microSD, and MMC. It retails for around JP¥2,670; after a 5% VISA discount, I paid about S$29.
I bought two Elecom USB-C to USB-C Power Delivery cables from Yodobashi Sapporo, only to realise they're from different series despite looking identical. Per Benson Leung, the USB3-CC5P supports 100W (5A), while the USB3-CCP supports 60W (3A).
I bought the Leplus USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Adapter from Yodobashi Sapporo. Leplus, a brand by MSSolutions Japan, is relatively unknown, so it's cheap; I paid about S$11 after a tax-free discount.
I bought the nonda USB-C to USB-A 3.0 Mini Adapter from Amazon for US$9.99. Billed as the world's smallest USB-C adapter, it qualifies for free AmazonGlobal shipping above US$125, which I consolidated through my US freight forwarder HopShopGo.
Hunting for a USB-C Ethernet adapter, I found Belkin's at S$49 overpriced versus Anker's at S$32. For a little more, the Anker USB-C to 3-Port USB 3.0 Hub with Ethernet Adapter adds extra USB ports, so I chose it.
To charge a USB-C MacBook Pro, your cable must support USB Power Delivery. The Anker PowerLine USB-C to USB-C Cable retails for US$15.99 in a 0.9m length, a cheaper alternative to Apple's 2m USB-C Charge Cable at S$48.