Best Lightning Cables for iPhone 2026
Description
Lightning ports were once ubiquitous across Apple’s iPhone and iPad line-up. Apple has switched fully to USB-C ports for its iPads, and from the iPhone 15 family onwards, the Lightning port is now replaced by USB-C.
But for iPhone versions 5 to 14, plus older AirPods cases and trusty Apple mice and keyboards, Lightning is the port you need a cable for.
- iPhone 14 and older: Lightning
- iPhone 15 and later: USB-C
For iPhones and older iPads that use the Lightning port, you can buy a cable that has a Lightning connector at one end and either full-size rectangular USB-A or the smaller, reversible USB-C connector at the other to plug into a charger. Using a USB-C charger rather than one with older USB-A allows for fast charging.
Here we pick the best Lightning charging cables, including some that work with both older Lightning devices and newer USB-C models.
If you still have a charger with a USB-A port, consider upgrading to a USB-C charger as iPhone fast-charging only works with a USB-C charger. The best setup for iPhones before the iPhone 15 is a USB-C charger and a USB-C to Lightning cable. Check out our tests for the best USB-C chargers for iPhone.
As most Apple users will agree, one phone-charging cable is never enough. Whether it gets damaged through wear and tear, or it is misplaced, borrowed or stolen, you can guarantee it is never there when you need it. Third-party Apple-certified cables are more expensive than many online alternatives but we highly recommend you buy a certified cable, because cheap third-party alternatives have a nasty habit of suddenly deciding to stop working with your device. Moreover, they can be dangerous—here are some good reasons why you shouldn’t buy a cheap Lightning cable.
There are exceptions, however, so a few of the cables recommended below have been tested by us but don’t have the MFi stamp of approval. These are clearly marked.
If you’re forever buying new cables, you might also want to consider a magnetic wireless charger, with traditional docks, stands and pads as well as portable wireless chargers with built-in batteries now available. All current-generation iPhones support wireless charging, but do note that this is a slower process than charging via a cable (depending on your cable and adapter). MagSafe-compatible wireless chargers output at 7.5W while certified MagSafe and Qi2 chargers double that to 15W, and the latest Qi2 25W wireless chargers are nearly as fast as charging via a cable.
iPhone 15/16/17 and USB-C iPad users should go to our roundup of the best USB-C charging cables for iPhone.
Best Lightning cables for iPhone and iPad in 2026
Apple Lightning to USB-C Cable – Apple's own USB-C to Lightning Cable
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Pros
- Made by Apple
- Fast charge
Cons
- Expensive
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- USB type: USB-C
- Length: 1m or 2m
- MFi: Certified
- Fast charge: Yes
To unlock Fast Charge on your iPhone you need a USB-C to Lightning cable (and at least an 18W adaptor). Apple’s variant might be one of the more expensive examples, but it’s also the most trustworthy, hailing direct from Apple itself. That said, Apple’s non-braided cables have a reputation for fraying and losing their pristine white color over time.
The standard cable that ships with most Apple products is the 1m cable ($19 /£19), but it’s also available at 2m ($29/ £29).
Apple Lightning to USB-A cable – Apple's own USB-A to Lightning Cable
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