What are the best Micro USB-B cables? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 04:01:17 pm
content: So I have probably around a billion devices now that use the stupid Micro B connector for charging, data, etc. We have probably had as many, if not more cables than devices, and pretty much all of mine are now busted.So I want to ask, are there any cables that will last? And by bust I mean the shielding comes apart, the locking nibs don't come up anymore, the cable doesn't make connection, stuff falls apart, etc. I don't care if it costs 10 bucks a cable, I want to know if anybody has seen a cable that doesn't die after 6-10 months. Amazon US would be a nice place for direct examples, but brand names also work.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 04:27:45 pm
content: The only micro USB cables I've used which really lasted were the ones that came with Nokia phones. If they were made by a third party, I wish that third party would offer them to the open market. I'm still using some that must be 8 or 10 years old.The only 2 options you seem to have now are cables which don't even work right on the day you buy them, and cables which are OK for a few months at the most.

author: eugenenine
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 04:33:22 pm
content: I used to use the startech a lot because they were a little bit thinner and more flexible that others. Though were running low as well but all the broken ones are the ones my son used. All the ones I have kept from him are fine.I have seen a couple recommendations for the Amazon basics.I try to make sure my heavily used devices (phones) have wireless charging to save some use of ports/cables.

author: Monkeh
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 05:05:09 pm
content: Quote from: coppice on April 21, 2017, 04:27:45 pmAnd then there's all the cables which work fine. Some people can't seem to find any, the common factor there seems to be the people.I hear good things about Anker cables, haven't got any myself. What I HAVE got which work and seem to hold up: Amazon ones (came with my Kindles, many years old, used daily, no problems), Samsung ones, some cheapies I got from Amazon branded Tecknet, which get reasonable use and seem perfectly adequate..

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 06:17:49 pm
content: Yea it seems like Amazon Basics or Anker (I hate that company name, whenever I see anything with the Anker logo on it, I can barely resist drawing a W on it.)Probably gonna try Amazon Basics because I'm in all the Amazon ecosystem crap, so I might as well use it.Eventually I am going to upgrade to something with USB C and this will all be an issue of the past.

author: coppice
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 06:37:33 pm
content: Quote from: Monkeh on April 21, 2017, 05:05:09 pmThe cables Anker supplies with its USB chargers are garbage. You might as well throw them in the bin. The chargers are OK, though. Samsung supplies cables which are better than most, but compared to an old Nokia cable they are pretty poor. We had some supplied with Samsung phones where the plastic sleeve went brittle after a few months and crumbled, which is unusual behaviour.

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 07:42:16 pm
content: Amazon it is then.

author: android
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 21, 2017, 11:18:05 pm
content: I have a few of these BlitzWolf reversible micro USB cables and they're fine.http://www.blitzwolf.com/BlitzWolf-2.1A-Reversible-Braided-Micro-USB-Cable-Double-Sided-USB-A-Male-to-Double-Sided-Micro-1m-p-43.html

author: Ampera
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2017, 12:34:22 am
content: I swear I need to take surveys with multi thousand person samples.I'm getting the Amazon Basics because they are cheap, I get free shipping, I have had luck with their cables before (Except for a fairly stupid ethernet cable experience where it didn't fit into my switch)Worst case they bust like the rest of the cables and I'm out 10 bucks.

author: rrinker
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 22, 2017, 10:55:38 pm
content: I have a bunch of Amazon Basics USB cables on my bench - various types to connect different equipment to my PC, but micro-Bs for Arduino and also for my Salae knockoff LA. Seem to be holding up just fine - I don't expect issues with ones to fixed items like my scope, but the one for Arduino gets plenty of plug and unplug cycles. Cheap and always Prime shipping, and they don't feel as lightweight and cheap as most phone charger cords.

author: jimdeane
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2017, 07:48:53 am
content: I found Anker cables when looking for durable cables, and nearly all of them I have have lived up to their reputation except one. The locking nubs wore out. It was in warranty, they replaced it. Done.

author: janoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2017, 08:31:19 am
content: I think the solution is tonot useany micro-USB cables. It is mechanically poorly designed connector.Quote from: blueskull on April 21, 2017, 11:43:46 pmThe problem is that they are not good at that neither - the female B-type connectors on the devices routinely break off the PCB with the constant plugging and unplugging of a phone and people forcing the cable in in the wrong orientation before they realize they have to turn the cable around. The mechanical support of these connectors is really poor in most cases, especially considering the leverage the user has while holding the cable-side connector with the molded casing acting as a lever.In my case, I have solved the issue by replacing the cables with this:https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Wsken-Magnetic-cable-Mini-2-micro-usb-cable-wire-metal-charger-data-charging-Andriod-cable-For/32671812844.html(there are tons of variants and vendors selling these).Much faster plugging and unplugging, no need to fiddle with it - you can plug the device in even one handed and in the dark because the magnets snap together and the connector is reversible. Being held together by magnets also helps to prevent the device being pulled off the desk by the cable should it snag on something - the same idea as Apple's MagSafe.It supports fast charging and avoids wearing out the connector on the device too. Just be careful that some devices (e.g. my old Nexus tablet) have the USB connector recessed a bit, so I did have to do a bit of plastic hacking before the connector was held in securely. The other gotcha I have found is that my other tablet will fast charge only in one orientation of the connector, in the other it charges but at normal speed only. Not a big deal.

author: Fortran
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: April 24, 2017, 09:30:11 am
content: I use Tronsmart cables and think they're great.Thicker cable and carries more current then any other one I've tried.Bought them 2 years ago and despite daily abuse still works just as new.