Best micro USB cables - how to choose

Around the mid-1990s, an interface called the Universal Serial Bus (USB for short) was invented. Ports of this format immediately gained popularity. They began to be equipped with personal computers, and later - laptops. But over time, it became clear that standard USB sockets are not ideal. In particular, they could not be transferred to compact devices. More precisely, the transfer process itself is possible, but this would have a detrimental effect on the dimensions of the device. Thus, manufacturers have taken a course to minimize this interface. As a result, mini USB sockets appeared, and then micro USB, as well as the corresponding cords for them. In the proposed review, we will talk about cables of the latest format, because the ports for which they are intended are now equipped with almost any type of equipment - from watches to TVs. So let's get started.

What are micro USB cables?

An accessory of this type is a cord with four conductors inside:

• one pair is intended for the transmission of digital information;
• the second pair is needed to transmit power with an optimal voltage of up to 5 V inclusive and a current of about 900 mA.

One end of these cords is equipped with a micro USB plug, which is inserted into the corresponding port on the device. The other end is a standard USB plug, which is usually plugged into a PC or an AC adapter.

As a rule, conductors are made of good copper. Resistance directly depends on the quality of the metal used: the better the material, the lower the resistance and vice versa. To make it clear, low resistance ensures optimum voltage and recharges the battery faster.

The cross section of the wires is often 2 mm. Sometimes the conductors have a slightly larger diameter. But excessive minimization of the size of the conductor is also undesirable. Firstly, a wire that is too narrow will lead to a loss of voltage during charging, and secondly, the shelf life of such a conductor is extremely low.

The most commonly used material for braiding is rubber. Conscientious manufacturers, focusing on the durability of their products, use soft plastic. The most beautiful version is rubber insulation covered with fabric (such cords look like ropes). In most cases, accessories with this design contain high-quality conductors, and the fabric sheath reliably protects them from physical damage.

Types of micro USB cords

The cables of the format in question may differ in shape, length, and color of the braid. But the main difference concerns the structure of their plug. There are two independent options on the market:

1. Micro-USB Type-A- have a flat rectangular plug. Its dimensions are 7x2 mm. You can only plug such a cord into a socket of the appropriate format.
2. Micro-USB Type-B- for such cords, the plug is even thinner. The height of the contact itself is 1.8 mm. The sides of these plugs are beveled and slightly rounded. This design makes it impossible to incorrectly position inside the port. In addition, a Type B cable cannot be inserted into a connector designed for Type A cords.

It would seem that there are only two types, but even among them you can get confused and accidentally buy not what you need. Therefore, manufacturers have launched universal options on the market - hybrids, in which both types of plug are located side by side horizontally. Also, almost all modern devices are equipped with universal micro USB Type-AB sockets. They are doubled so that both type A and type B plugs can be inserted into them. Moreover, the design of the socket will not allow you to enter the contact incorrectly.

The best brands of micro USB cords: TOP-8

Now we will look at the top seven micro USB cables. Perhaps you will prefer one of these brands in the future. So which micro USB cable is best?

1. Monoprice Premium. This is the most inexpensive member of this TOP. It has gold-plated USB and micro USB plugs. Connector heads are made of glossy polycarbonate. This material was not chosen by chance, because it made it possible to make the heads rigid and compact. The braid can be black or white. The minimum length of such a cord is 91 cm, and the maximum is 183 cm. The cable allows for fast charging of the device and high-speed data transfer from PC to gadget and vice versa.
2. Scosche FlatOut LED Micro- quite a worthy representative of our TOP. Manufacturers have tried hard to make this product as practical and convenient as possible. One of the highlights of the described cord is the LED indicator located near the micro USB plug. It emits red light when the device is charging. When the energy replenishment ends, the blue color lights up. Thus, the owner will not overexpose his gadget to charge. Another feature of the described cord model is the unique plug design. It can be stuck into the phone in any position, which also adds convenience. The downside of Scosche FlatOut LED Micro is that after prolonged use, the USB plug starts to stick worse in the socket. However, such a flaw becomes noticeable after a couple of years of active use. By the way, the shape of the cord is flat. And although cables of this kind are usually not famous for their high strength, this model can be safely attributed to pleasant exceptions. The cord supports fast charging and high-speed digital data transfer. The cable length can be 91-183 cm.
3. TYLT Flyp Duo- another high quality flat cable. This model has a standard USB plug on one end, and a micro USB plug and a Lightning adapter on the other. Thus, this cable is an excellent solution for families who use both Android devices and Apple gadgets. The cord supports fast charging. Data is also transferred at a decent speed. The model has an elastic braid. There are models on the market with different color options, including classic black. The cable length can be from 30 to 100 cm.
4. Anker Power Line This is an inexpensive but very high quality product. It has long strands reinforced with Kevlar fibers. Stress points are reinforced for solid durability. This cable is characterized by fast synchronization. It supports fast charging of mobile devices. The length of the cord is quite large - 3 or 6 meters. Thus, the model under consideration can become a real savior for people in whose homes free sockets are located far from the place where the gadget lies. The cord comes with a pair of Velcro straps to secure it for storage or transport.
5. Volutz Equilibrium- a model that has as many as 4 length options: 91, 100, 200 or 300 cm. The braid is made of hard nylon, which protects the cores from excessive stress and prevents the wire from getting tangled. The shell of both plugs has a convenient shape, so that they can be pulled out of the connector with one thumb. The cable supports fast charging and high-speed data transfer. Perhaps the only drawback of the cord is its bulkiness, but during operation it is practically not felt.
6. Fuse Chicken Titan- This is probably the toughest micro USB cable. Its braid is made of industrial steel, so cats are definitely not afraid of this cord. The standard length is 1 m. With this cable, you can quickly charge mobile gadgets and transfer files to them. The main disadvantage of Fuse Chicken Titan is its own plus - a steel braid. It makes the accessory quite heavy, so it is not suitable for everyday wear. In addition, the cable does not bend well, so you will have to think carefully about the location of the charging device relative to the power source.
7. Mic Flip 2.0-another representative of our TOP, capable of fast charging and transfer of digital information. It has gold plated plugs. The fork shell is made of aluminum for extra strength. Standard cable length - 183 cm.
8. Floveme micro USB magnetic cable. This model is not accidentally hit in our TOP. The magnetic cable in question is the best of its kind. Its length is 1 m. The diameter of the cord is 3 mm, which is considered the optimal value. The general design of the model is similar to all previous cases, but there is one interesting point: the micro USB plug can be left in the device, separating it from the magnetic part of the wire. This connection method is designed to minimize damage to the port that occurs when the plug is repeatedly inserted into the jack. The model has a very nice design. This magnetic cable will provide fast charging of your mobile device and high-speed transfer of files to it and back.

What to look for when buying a micro USB cable?

Above, we mentioned that the speed of charging the battery on the gadget directly depends on the quality of the conductors. What caused this addiction? Let's try to figure it out.

Almost all modern devices are equipped with lithium-ion batteries, and they replenish the energy reserve according to a complex algorithm:

1. Initially, a fixed current is applied, and the voltage gradually increases.
2. Then the voltage is fixed at the maximum level for the battery, after which the current slowly decreases.

The process of replenishing the energy reserve is controlled by the built-in charge controller. At the very beginning, he tests the quality of the current source, so as not to overload it. The check is carried out in a simple way - the load is applied and the voltage indicator is fixed. Even with a high-quality source, the voltage will sag, but not much. While charging the gadget, the cables themselves play the role of a source, so the controller will test them. On cheap models of cords, the voltage is initially underestimated, which is why the device will take current with a force not of 1A, but less. For example, this figure can be 0.7 or even 0.5 A. It is easy to guess that with such a current, charging will take a lot of time.

In order not to purchase a low-quality model of micro USB cable, it is recommended to check their voltage in the store yourself. To do this, you need to take special equipment with you. The optimal voltage rating for the cord is 4.5 V (or higher) at a current strength of 0.8 A.

It is clear that only men with experience in working with electronics will be able to conduct such checks. As for ordinary people, there are more understandable guidelines for them:

1. Price. In the case of micro USB cords, the inscription on the price tag largely determines the quality of a particular model. It is not necessary to take the most expensive accessories, but only cables with an average cost should be considered as potential purchase options.
2. Manufacturer- the second most important moment. It is better to take models from popular brands for which their reputation is important. Again, though, there's also the price to consider. For example, a cheap analog from Samsung can be much worse than the so-called noname option with an average cost.
3. Form. It is recommended to give preference to round cables, as they have good strength. As for flat options, we have reviewed the best cords with this shape above. The rest of the models will look beautiful, but they will only last a short time.
4. Braid. Here the logic is simple - the denser the better. Micro USB cords often bend during handling and can be mistaken for a cat toy. In addition, the cable can be accidentally hooked with your foot or hand while charging the gadget. In these cases, only a tight braid will save the veins from breaking.

It is highly desirable to clarify the material of the conductors, but you are unlikely to receive useful information: the seller will either not have such information, or will tell a lie in order to sell the goods.

The cost of micro USB cables

The price of such accessories can be very different. Models are sold on the market even for 35 rubles. In general, the cost of micro USB cords can be divided into 3 categories:

1. 35–100 rubles- options that you don't even need to pay attention to. These cables break quickly, and the charging speed can reach 10-12 hours.
2. 100–300 rubles- such a price is already being asked for more or less decent models. Overall, this is the best option for most consumers. Cords that cost in this range have good performance and last quite a long time.
3. Above 300 rubles- for such money you can buy one of the representatives of the above-mentioned TOP. The price will vary from 6 to 30 dollars. Of course, this is a considerable price to pay for a charging cord, but you definitely don’t have to worry about quality and durability.

That concludes our review of the best micro USB cables. As you can see, choosing the right cord is easy. The main thing is to focus on obvious criteria and not save too much on the price. Fortunately, there are many more high-quality cables on the market than bad ones, so the probability of a successful purchase is quite high. More interesting about micro USB cables from different manufacturers in the following video: