High-quality cable for fast charging of your smartphone. Can you choose by price? Our tools will be
I decided to relax and test devices without a single semiconductor. I ordered one cable for review of all sizes from those that were on sale in the store. Unexpectedly, but this event carried me away into the far distant and dense forests ...
5 pieces of gray boxes arrived. Sent by post to Vietnam.
The package was tracked. Came not crumpled.
11/21/2015 - order
11/26/2015 - sent
01/09/2016 - received
Only 44 days from the date of dispatch. Holidays, what to do ... 
And I ordered:
ADC-08-BK - by 0.8 meters [hereinafter - 0.8_m ]
ADC-10-BK - by 1.0 meter [hereinafter - 1.0_m ]
ADC-15-BK - by 1.5 meters [hereinafter - 1.5_m ]
ADC-20-WH - 2.0 meters (white) [hereinafter - 2.0_m ]
CEF3-10-WH - 1.0 meter USB 3.0 white extension cable [hereinafter - 1.0_m_USB_3.0]
I have two 1.0 meter ADC-10-BK laces [hereinafter 1.0_m (old1) and 1.0_m (old2)], which I bought six months ago and are actively using.
- the test included a 1.2 meter LG cable 4 mm thick [hereinafter - 1.2_m LG].
Cable quality:
All ADC - ** wires, regardless of length and color, have a thickness of 3 mm and approximately the same stiffness. They perfectly remember the shape and do not want to change it. The cable can be completely straightened only after the second or third attempt. The quality of the connectors is high, do not dangle and hold well in the sockets. All connectors are glossy and have protective stickers.
- CEF3-10-WH - the cable is soft and pleasant to the touch. The connector and socket are made of high quality, they are inserted with effort.
- LG cable is very soft, 4 mm thick, does not remember the shape at all.
How do I test pieces of wires?
For starters, I will complain that testing wires is a thankless task.
Any wrong movement - and the resistance of the connectors changes. After all, electronics is the science of contacts. The result is influenced by:
Charger behavior from increasing load (voltage drop compensation)
- quality of contact in USB (changes about 0.15v)
- contact quality in micro USB (changes around 0.15v)
- transients in the charger (can go up to 0.2v)
- heating of the load resistor (changes of about 0.05A)
- accuracy of measuring instruments
So I tested all subjects:
- on different chargers
- on different micro USB sockets
- load in CC mode
- several times to warm up the entire stand
I did not measure the effects of the USB chargers themselves, since this will decently increase the amount of data.
The test bench looks like this:
I took care of the USB sockets in advance (I bought it later, but came earlier).
The photo shows an EBD-USB tester from ZKEtech. I soldered two micro USB sockets to it. One of them (further red \\ red) I took from the WD USB-HDD. The second socket (further green \\ green) I took from the purchased set. Both sockets are held on a flexible MGTF wire. By doing this, I ensured that the sockets "follow" the cables without any additional mechanical stress on the sockets.
fabrications
First of all, I wanted to know what happened to the hull and the ground? First I check that both pins are electrically connected.
Since the ground is electrically connected to the case, then I assume three connection options.
Cut and see - for the faint of heart! I continue my experiments.
I increase the current to 2.5A and measure the voltage drop across the red and green micro USB.
After all, these nests are special for me. In red, the ground is initially connected to the body (by me). While on green, the ground and the hull are separated. Measurement results in the graph:
During testing, I used tweezers to close the ground of the green micro USB with the case. We got such surges of voltage (dotted line).
In the same table, there is a green micro USB already connected to the ground with an orange piece of cable (this modification can be seen in the photo of the test bench).
Subtotals:
- shorting the ground with the case reduces the drop by - 0.144V
- red micro USB socket is better than green
- connection type "C" is more suitable for measurements, so the changes can be explained as adding one more conductor to the circuit.
It is a pity that I do not have more accurate equipment for updating statistics.
... so I cut the cable.
Total:
- I didn't guess the type of connection - "B"
- 2-layer foil explains the rigidity of the cable
- the role of "ground" is performed by a shielding braid evenly distributed over the foil
- positive wire of decent thickness
- there is a synthetic thread to prevent the wire from stretching over time
Preliminary tests have been carried out, let's start measuring.
Tools:
- USB tester
- charger (hereinafter white \\ white)
- charger (hereinafter black \\ black)
I once again tested the charging loads up to 2.5A and show the results in graphs. In which you can see that the white charger increases the voltage with increasing load. Cheating, but completely legal.
Test bench and measurements
Testing stages:
- measurement of 9 subjects via red and green micro USB from white charger
- measurement of 9 subjects via red and green micro USB from a black charger
The wires were strained with a current of 0 \\ 0.5 \\ 1.0 \\ 1.5 \\ 2.0 \\ 2.5 amperes.
The measurement table turned out to be decent. So do not blame me. 
I thought for a long time how to organize this data and bring it to a digestible form.
Showing how one single cable behaves on different chargers, different micro USB sockets and under different loads.
Thin solid lines - the work of the black charger.
Thin green dotted line - voltage drop at the connector without a screen.
Thick dotted line - white charger.
Black lines - voltage drop without cable.
These are the results of the measurement of one single cable. But in different situations, the result is slightly different.
Best cable at 2.5A with black charger - 0.373V drop
Worst cable at 2.5A with black charger - 0.553V drop
Best cable performance at 2.5A with white charger - 0.341V drop
Worst cable at 2.5A with white charger - 0.407V drop
Summary: the spread of drops on one cable at a load of 2.5A reaches 0.212V. What can you say? Yes, it's a good cable.
Seven cables work with black and white chargers.
In this section, I took data from a general table. But threw out:
- cable 1.0_m (old1)
- cable 1.0_m (old2)
- measurements with green micro USB (like the worst)
Common table for both graphs: 
Summary, conclusions, results and opinion:
* ADC-05-BK (?) - showed best result, which is logical.
* ADC-08-BK - does not differ from the meter, and sometimes worse (by whole! 0.027v).
* ADC-10-BK - all three cables did not fall face down in the dirt.
* ADC-15-BK - Not bad, not bad.
* ADC-20-WH - naturally the worst among brothers, but at 2A the output voltage is very even working.
* CEF3-10-WH - I can't compare with brothers, but in comparison with USB 2.0 - the indicators are not bad.
* LG 1.2m cable - I don’t know if this is “yes buy a cable from LG” or not, but it breathes down the back of the head with meter cables from Orico.
P.S. if the review did not seem boring enough to you, then you just bypassed the spoilers.
The product was provided for writing a review by the store. The review is published in accordance with clause 18 of the Site Rules.
Are there people who have not broken the charger cable?
Everyone is familiar with the tips for increasing the life of the cord: installing a simple small spring at the base of the plug, minimizing bends, storing it carefully, and so on. But all (or almost all) of these actions only postpone the day when it becomes necessary to go to a mobile electronics store for a new accessory.
When buying a USB cable, logical question: which one to choose so as not to miscalculate? The answer depends on many factors, because for some, the charging speed is important, and for some, the main thing is that the color of the cable matches the new case. Let's figure it out.
Types of USB Cords
The first step is to decide on the type of cable. It's not difficult, because there are only three of them: micro-USB, USB Type-C and Lightning. In our case, everything is simpler, because Lightning is necessary for iPhone owners, and so far it is used only on flagship devices. The choice in most cases will fall on micro-USB, but just in case you need to be sure of this one hundred percent.
Does it make sense to overpay?
The main function of the cord is to synchronize the smartphone with a charger or computer, so when making a purchase you need to pay attention to the quality of materials and the country of origin. Perhaps a quality cord will be somewhat more expensive, but it's worth it. The cable, made of high-quality materials, is able to speed up both the charging of the smartphone and the transfer of data with the computer. The higher speed is due to the lower resistance.
Example: we have chargerissuing 2A, a cheap analogue from China for $ 2, and a high-quality cord, which costs several times more. When comparing both cables, the charging process will be different, since the current through a cheap cord will be from 0.3 to 0.6A, which, on average, is 3-4 times slower than through a high-quality original USB cable. Overpaying a couple of hundred and removing the phone from charging in 1-2 hours, or saving and charging the phone for 3-6 hours - the choice is obvious.
USB cable specifications
Material, the presence of light indicators, length and a bunch of other factors are pricing parameters. It is important to understand which of all this is really necessary.
Material. A very important parameter, and this means both the material of the plug (plastics or metal) and the cord itself, which can be wrapped in a fabric binding. It is pleasant not only to look at it, but also to know that the cable will serve several times longer.
The form . Also, an important factor on which the term of use of the accessory depends. So, there are three basic shapes: round, flat and the so-called "spring". The round shape has a low cost compared to its rivals, and this is where its advantages end. The flat shape differs in that it almost does not get tangled (at least less than the previous one) and does not take up space in a pocket / backpack / any other place where the cable is stored. You just need to fold it several times to make it compact. The last option on the list, but not by value, is "spring". It is compact, convenient and original, but if it suddenly gets confused in some way, it can take several minutes to restore its previous shape. The cheapest cable will be round, the most expensive will be spring.
Length. Chosen exclusively individually. What depends on the length? The charging speed of the shorter cable is higher, but not significantly (in fact, it is not noticeable). It is logical to choose a long wire if the outlet is far from the sofa / bedside table / bed / any place where the smartphone is charging.
Indicator lights... LEDs built into the plugs that light up when the smartphone is connected to a charger / any other device. This is more of an overpayment and some kind of "gadget" than a useful thing.
Colour . In terms of characteristics, this factor does not affect anything. Sometimes users tend to match the power supply and cable with the same color for aesthetic reasons. There is no other sense in this. A white cord is easier to find in the dark, in a car, in a mess, but it gets dirty more often. No matter how beautiful the colors are, they are not worth overpaying, because the phone is from the iridescent wire.
All of the above parameters affect the price more than the quality, so it is not necessary to focus on them.
Outcome
If the cord is out of order and there is no way to charge the phone, you first need to decide on the type of connector. Having fulfilled the main condition, you can go to the store and choose a cord, paying attention to the manufacturer, quality, material and length. If funds permit, you can experiment with color, shape and LEDs.
Almost every smartphone owner has to deal with the replacement of the charging cable. There are many options here: from expensive original accessories to cheap cords of dubious production. Whichever one you choose, there are several points to consider when purchasing.
Determine the type of cord
An obvious but necessary step. Smartphone charging cables come in several types. The most common is a wire with a microUSB connector. However, some modern phones use USB Type-C. This plug differs from the previous one in that it can be inserted into the connector either side. The iPhone cords use Lightning. By the way, when buying such a cable, you need to look for the MFi inscription on the packaging - it says that the product is certified by Apple.
Where to get it
Check the amperage the cord is capable of carrying
The original cords are designed for the amperage supplied by the charger. When purchasing a cheaper accessory, be sure to check how much current this cable can carry. If, for example, the charger gives out 2 A, and the cord can transmit only 0.6-0.7 A, then the charging time of the smartphone will increase significantly, and in some cases the gadget may not charge at all. Sometimes, due to such cords, the smartphone battery breaks down.
The strength of the current that the cable conducts can be indicated on the packaging of the accessory or given in the product description in the online store.
Decide on the shape
There are mainly three types of charging cords: round, flat and twisted. The first type is the most common. It is characterized by durability and long service life. The second one is well suited for travel, as it is less tangled and when folded takes up almost no space. The third is designed for charging in cars: such a cable will not get tangled underfoot.
Where to get it
Select braid material
The braiding of the cord can be made of plastic, fabric, metal, silicone, leather. The most short-lived are plastic-braided cords. The most durable and reliable ones are with metal ones, but they are expensive. Fabric-braided cords are less prone to damage, so they are well suited for permanent carry.
Most modern mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and other wearable gadgets, supports charging via USB mini-USB or micro-USB jack. True, there is still a long way to a single standard, and each company is trying to make the pinout in its own way. Probably to buy the charger from her. Well at least the YUSB plug and socket were made standard, as well as the supply voltage of 5 volts. So having any charger adapter, you can theoretically charge any smartphone. How? and read on.
Pinout of USB connectors for Nokia, Philips, LG, Samsung, HTC
The brands Nokia, Philips, LG, Samsung, HTC and many other phones recognize the charger only if the Data + and Data- contacts (2nd and 3rd) are shorted. You can short-circuit them in the USB_AF socket of the charger and easily charge your phone via a standard data cable.
Pinout of USB connectors on the plug
If the charger already has an output cord (instead of an output jack), and you need to solder a mini-USB or micro-USB plug to it, then you do not need to connect 2 and 3 pins in the mini / micro USB itself. In this case, you solder plus to 1 contact, and minus to the 5th (last).
Pinout USB connectors for Iphone
For iPhones, Data + (2) and Data- (3) contacts must be connected to GND (4) through 50 kOhm resistors, and to + 5V through 75 kOhm resistors.
Samsung Galaxy charging connector pinout
To charge the Samsung Galaxy in the USB micro-BM plug, a 200 kΩ resistor must be installed between pins 4 and 5 and a jumper between pins 2 and 3.
Pinout of USB connectors for Garmin navigator
For power or charge garmin navigator special data cable required. Just to power the navigator through the cable, you need to short-circuit 4 and 5 contacts in the mini-USB plug. For recharging, you need to connect 4 and 5 contacts through an 18 kΩ resistor.
Pinout schemes for charging tablets
Almost any tablet computer requires a large current to charge - 2 times more than a smartphone, and charging through the mini / micro-USB socket in many tablets is simply not provided by the manufacturer. After all, even USB 3.0 will not give more than 0.9 amperes. Therefore, a separate socket is placed (often of a round type). But it can also be adapted to a powerful YUSB power source, if you solder such an adapter.
Samsung Galaxy Tab charging socket pinout
For the right charge samsung tablet Galaxy Tab recommend another circuit: two resistors: 33 kΩ between +5 and jumper D-D +; 10 kΩ between GND and the D-D + jumper.
Charging port pinout
Here are some voltage diagrams on the USB pins, indicating the value of the resistors that allow these voltages to be obtained. Where a resistance of 200 ohms is indicated, a jumper must be installed, the resistance of which should not exceed this value.
Charger Port Classification
- SDP (Standard Downstream Ports) - Data exchange and charging, allows current up to 0.5 A.
- CDP (Charging Downstream Ports) - data exchange and charging, allows current up to 1.5 A; hardware recognition of the port type (enumeration) is performed before the gadget connects the data lines (D- and D +) to its USB transceiver.
- DCP (Dedicated Charging Ports) - Charging only, allows current up to 1.5 A.
- ACA (Accessory Charger Adapter) - PD-OTG operation is declared in Host mode (with connection to PD peripherals - USB-Hub, mouse, keyboard, HDD and with the possibility of additional power supply), for some devices - with the possibility of PD charging during an OTG session ...
How to remake a plug with your own hands
Now you have a pinout diagram for all popular smartphones and tablets, so if you have the skill to work with a soldering iron, there will be no problems with converting any standard USB connector to the type you need for your device. Any standard charging, which is based on the use of USB, involves the use of only two wires - this is + 5V and a common (negative) contact.
Just take any charging adapter 220V / 5V, cut off the USB connector from it. The cut end is completely free of the shield while the other four wires are stripped and tinned. Now we take a cable with a USB connector of the required type, after which we also cut off the excess from it and carry out the same procedure. Now it remains to simply solder the wires together according to the diagram, after which the connection is isolated each separately. The resulting case is wrapped from above with electrical tape or tape. You can fill it with hot glue - also a normal option.
Bonus: all other connectors (sockets) for mobile phones and their pinouts are available in a single large table -.
Around the mid-1990s, an interface was invented called the Universal Serial Bus (USB for short). Ports of this format quickly gained popularity. They began to be equipped personal computersand later also laptops. But as time went on, it became clear that standard USB sockets are not ideal. In particular, they could not be carried over 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. The result is nests mini USB, and then micro USB, as well as the corresponding cords for them. In this review, we will talk about the latest format cables, because the ports for which they are intended are today equipped with almost any type of equipment - from watches to TVs. So let's get started.
What are micro USB cords?
An accessory of this type is a cord that has four conductors inside:
- one pair is intended for the transmission of digital information;
- the second pair is needed to transmit power supply with an optimal voltage up to 5 V inclusive and a current of about 900 mA.
Typically, conductors are made of good copper. Resistance directly depends on the quality of the metal used: what better material, the lower the resistance and vice versa. To make it clearer, low resistance provides optimal voltage and recharges faster.
The cross section of the wires is often 2 mm. Sometimes the conductors are slightly larger. Excessive minimization of the conductor size 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 who focus on the durability of their products use soft plastic. The most beautiful version is considered to be 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
Cables of the considered format 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:
- 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.
- 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 chamfered and slightly rounded. This design makes it impossible for incorrect installation inside the port. In addition, the Type B cable cannot be inserted into the Type A connector.
Top brands of micro USB cords: TOP-8
We will now consider the seven best cables micro USB format. Perhaps you will prefer one of these brands in the future. So which micro USB cable is better?
- Monoprice Premium. This is the cheapest member of this TOP. It has gold plated USB and micro USB plugs. The connector heads are made of high-gloss polycarbonate. This material was not chosen by chance, because it allowed 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 length is 183 cm. The cable allows fast charging of the device and high-speed data transfer from PC to gadget and vice versa.
- 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 a red light when the device is being charged. When the energy replenishment is finished, the light turns blue. Thus, the owner will not overexpose his gadget on charging. 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, this flaw becomes noticeable after a couple of years of active use. By the way, the shape of the cord is flat. Although cables of this kind are usually not famous for their high strength, this model can be safely attributed to the pleasant exception. The cord supports fast charging and high-speed digital transmission. The cable length can be 91-183 cm.
- TYLT Flyp Duo - another flat cable high Quality... 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.
- Anker PowerLine is an inexpensive but very high quality product. It has long veins reinforced with Kevlar fibers. The stress points are reinforced to ensure solid durability. Fast sync is characteristic of this cable. It supports high-speed charging of mobile devices. The length of the cord is quite long - 3 or 6 meters. Thus, the model under consideration can become a real savior for people in whose houses free sockets are far from the place where the gadget lies. The cord comes with a pair of Velcro straps to secure it for storage or transport.
- Volutz equilibrium - a model with as many as 4 length options: 91, 100, 200 or 300 cm. The braid is made of tough nylon, which protects the wires from unnecessary stress and prevents the wire from getting tangled. Both plugs have a convenient shell 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.
- Fuse Chicken Titan is probably the hardest 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 the Fuse Chicken Titan is its plus - the steel braid. It makes the accessory heavy enough that it is not suitable for everyday wear. In addition, the cable does not bend well, so you have to think carefully about the location of the charging device relative to the power source.
- MicFlip 2.0 is another representative of our TOP, capable of fast charging and transfer of digital information. It has gold plated plugs. Fork shells are made of aluminum for added durability. The standard cable length is 183 cm.
- Floveme magnetic micro USB cable. This model not accidentally got into 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 method of connection is designed to minimize damage to the port that occurs when the plug is inserted multiple times into the socket. The model has a very nice design. This magnetic cable will provide fast charging 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 such a dependence? Let's try to figure it out.
Almost all modern devices are equipped with lithium-ion batteries, and they replenish energy reserves according to a complex algorithm:
- Initially, a fixed current is applied, and the voltage gradually increases.
- Then the voltage is fixed at the maximum level for the battery, after which the current is slowly reduced.
In order not to purchase a low-quality micro USB cable model, it is recommended to check their voltage yourself in the store. To do this, you must take special devices with you. The optimum voltage for the cord is 4.5 V (or higher) with 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:
- Cost. In the case of micro USB cables, the inscription on the price tag largely determines the quality specific model... There is no need to take the most expensive accessories, but only cables with an average cost should be considered as potential purchase options.
- Manufacturer - the second most important moment. It is better to take models from popular brands for which their reputation is important. Although here again it is worth considering the price. For example, a cheap analog from Samsung may turn out to be much worse than the so-called noname-variant with an average cost.
- The form. It is recommended to give preference to round cables as they have good strength. As for the flat options, above we looked at the best cords with this shape. The rest of the models will look beautiful, but they will not last long.
- Braid. The logic here is simple - the denser the better. Micro USB cords often bend during portability and may be mistaken for a cat toy. In addition, the cable can be accidentally caught with your foot or hand while charging the gadget. In these cases, only a dense braid will save the veins from breaking.
Micro USB cables cost
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:
- 35-100 rubles - options that you don't even need to pay attention to. These cables break quickly and charge speeds can be up to 10-12 hours.
- 100-300 rubles - this price is already asking for more or less decent models. Overall, this is the best option for most consumers. Cords with a cost in this range have good operational characteristics and serve for quite a long time.
- Above RUB 300 - for that kind of money, you can buy one of the representatives of the aforementioned TOP. The price will range from $ 6 to $ 30. Of course, this is a considerable fee for the charging cord, but you definitely won't have to worry about quality and durability.
