You can save a few dollars by opting for this USB-C to USB-C cable, and you don’t have to sacrifice, as it is capable of 100-watt charging and 10-Gbps data transfer. You can even use this cable to connect a laptop to a 4K display. So, what’s the catch? Well, it is very short, finished in plain black plastic, quite thick with relatively long connectors, and not very flexible. But these specs at this price make it a total bargain. It is USB-IF certified and comes with a lifetime warranty.

If you want to avoid contributing any more plastic to the world, these cables might tempt you. They boast an eco-friendly build with a flexible knit fabric finish crafted from certified recycled plastic and aluminum that looks (and feels) lovely and promises to last. WIRED reviews editor Julian Chokkattu used the original version of these for years with zero issues. This triple pack comes in three lengths with a two-year warranty. They boast much faster charging than the original, but the same slow data transfer.

I also recently tried the Nimble PowerKnit Travel Kit ($30), which comprises two 5-inch cables for charging on the go. They are also braided, made from 100 percent recycled materials, and come in a handy fabric travel pouch.

Most USB-C cables are dull and easy to lose in the tangle of your bag or, worse, your box of cables. This fun cable from Sharge looks like what Chewbacca might pass you if you asked for a power coupling. Impossible to lose, this yellow cable has molded plastic ends in what Sharge calls a “cyberpunk style.” Although they look suitably sci-fi, they are also quite big, which could be an issue if space is tight at the USB-C port you are using. When you plug something in to charge, both ends of the cable light up. It can charge phones, laptops, and maybe even droids, as it carries up to 240 watts, but it lacks fast data transfer. It also comes in purple or gray.

You will never find yourself without a cable again if you slip this clever, compact, Swiss-designed multi-cable onto your key ring. It offers six charging combinations, with USB-C and USB-A on one end of the short braided cable, and Lightning, MicroUSB, and USB-C on the other. It can charge most devices at full speed and can be used for data transfer in a pinch. The USB-C connectors felt a little tight in some devices, and the unusual Lightning and MicroUSB combination confused me at first, but it works. This improved version adds a cap to protect the connectors, but you need to be careful not to misplace it. If you need a longer multi-cable, Rolling Square has a 10-foot InCharge XL ($40).

Avoid tangles with this clever retractable cable from Baseus. Available in a few fun colors, this flat cable comes rolled up inside a circular case. Pull the USB-C ends and you can fix it at preset lengths (1.1, 1.9, 2.7, or 3.3 feet). There’s also a longer 6.6-foot version with seven lengths. When you’re done, simply pull and release it to have the cable coil back up inside the case.

This high-quality cable matches our top pick on most features, with 40 Gbps data transfer rates and support for displays up to 8K at 60 Hz, but it also includes Extended Power Range support to charge Power Delivery devices at up to 240 watts. Some laptops top out at 100 watts anyway, so check before you buy, but for those that can handle the extra power, this cable will be the speediest option. It’s also braided and tangle-resistant.

Apple’s cables are notoriously bad. The casing around the wires easily falls apart over a short period of time, so it’s smart to invest in a durable USB-C to Lightning cable. This thick braided cable feels tough and is Made for iPhone-certified (MFi), so it will work perfectly with your iPhone or iPad. There are USB-C to Lightning and USB-C to USB-C versions.

Some devices with USB-C ports (certain camera accessories, portable battery packs, and other cheap gadgets) can only charge using a USB-A to USB-C cable instead of a USB-C to USB-C. Usually, this is because USB-C charging ports use the Power Delivery protocol and need to be told the required voltage by the device charging, which means it needs a controller chip. This USB-IF certified, braided nylon cable should do the trick and offers reasonably speedy charging and data transfer to boot.

A long charging cable lets you place your devices wherever you want while charging (or continue using them without crouching at the outlet). The nylon braiding on this cable from Anker makes it a durable option, and there’s a lifetime warranty. It is 10 feet long and can go up to 100 watts, which is enough to fast-charge practically any laptop, phone, or tablet, and it comes with a handy cable tie. You can get it in black or white, but I like the red, as it is easy to spot and less of a tripping hazard.

When you have multiple devices with varied charging ports, you often need multiple charging cables, but this clever offering from Smartish packs three connection types into one. It is technically USB-A to MicroUSB, but there’s an adapter at the tip that converts it to USB-C or Lightning. It has a durable fabric finish in a choice of four colors and can charge most of your gadgets at top speed. WIRED review editor Julian Chokkattu has used it to juice up a range of devices, from wireless keyboards to a Fire tablet. It’s also MFi certified for Apple devices.

If you are curious about the charging rate of a device, this USB-C to USB-C cable from Baseus can tell you. It sports a tiny blue LED display built into one of the ends, and when you plug it in, the charging rate pops up in watts. When I measured it against my digital USB tester, it appeared accurate, though it rounds up to the nearest whole watt. It maxes out at 100 watts, so it can fast-charge most gadgets but is not a good pick for data transfer. The braided nylon finish and metal ends feel durable.

We have seen a wave of new wall chargers and travel adapters with built-in retractable USB-C cables, and they can be a great option to ensure you don’t forget a cable and to squeeze the maximum charging rate from the charger (pairing the right cable and charger can be a challenge). The Baseus Enercore (I tested the 67W model) is my current favorite for a few reasons: it has folding prongs, two additional USB-C ports, a flat retractable cable with eight preset lengths (up to 32 inches), and it supports all the major fast charging protocols (PD 3.0, QC 3.0, AFC, FCP, PPS). Baseus also offers a cheaper 45W model with one USB-C port. If you want something simpler, check out the Twelve South PowerCord in our honorable mentions below.

Honestly, this cable is way too expensive, but being able to pack a single cable to charge your iPhone and Apple Watch is undeniably handy. The braided finish looks good, there’s an integrated cable tie, and it feels durable (Nomad says it’s Kevlar-reinforced). More importantly, the charging puck embedded at one end can fast-charge your Apple Watch or AirPods and any USB-C iPhone (or other USB-C device) at the same time.

Cables are mostly dull, so Statik’s GloBright caught my attention immediately. This cable lights up blue, with an animation that shows your device is carrying power. It also comes with Statik’s hinge joint, so you can angle the cable through 180 degrees. As if all that wasn’t enough, it has magnetic heads (USB-C, MicroUSB, and Lightning) at one end and a choice of USB-A or USB-C at the other. Performance is unremarkable (up to 60 watts for the USB-C, 18 watts for USB-A, and 480 Mbps data transfer), and the ends are likely to go missing, but it’s different, fun, and affordable.

If you’re looking for a way to plug your USB-C device into a monitor or TV, this adapter can help. The USB-C to HDMI cables and adapters scene is a minefield for compatibility, so do your research first to ensure you get something that works. Provided your desktop, laptop, tablet, or phone supports DP (DisplayPort) Alt Mode, you can use this adapter to switch to HDMI 2.1 (you will still need an HDMI cable). It’s a durable aluminum adapter with a braided cable, and it supports 8K at 30 Hz or 4K at 120 Hz. It can also handle 4K at 144 Hz if the USB-C source is DP 1.4 and the monitor is HDMI 2.1, but it is limited to 4K at 60 Hz for Macs. The adapter supports HDR and is lag-free, making it a solid choice for hooking up to the latest gaming monitors, though sadly, it does not support VRR, FreeSync, or G-Sync. We recommend you check compatibility before you buy.

Folks looking to add connectivity to a laptop using the USB-C port should consider this compact and versatile hub from Anker. It is an affordable option in our Best USB Hubs guide that plugs in via the attached USB-C cable to give you two USB-A 3.0 ports, an HDMI output, and a full-size and MicroSD card reader. Using HDMI, you can get 4K video output at 30 Hz or 1080p at 60 Hz.

Sick of flaky Wi-Fi on your laptop? This cable could deliver the stability you crave. One end has a regular USB-C jack to plug into your MacBook, Chromebook, or any other laptop with a USB-C port, and the other end is an Ethernet jack (RJ45) that you can stick into your router, mesh node, extender, or powerline adapter. You get 6.6 feet of cable, and it can support data transfer speeds of up to 1 Gbps. It’s a handy cable to have in your bag.

Keeping cables neat and orderly, ready to grab and plug in when you need them, requires a little help. I’ve tested various cable management options, and these simple clips from Syncwire are my favorites. You get five stick-on strips in the pack with between one and five slots for holding cable ends neatly in place. They stay put, hold your cables securely, and are fairly unobtrusive.

★ Alternative pick: I use the Smartish Cable Wrangler ($30) on my desktop to stop cable ends from disappearing off the back of my desk. It works great with metal connectors, but for some cables, you must attach a special cable collar that sticks magnetically (you get three in the box).