USB-C Cable Conundrum

USB-IF logo

USB-IF Certification is Important

You need a new USB-C to USB-C cable, but you don't want just any old cable. You want:

1. Soft and flexible
2. Solid and reliable 
3. 60W fast charging

And you don't want it to crap out quickly. 

The problem is that so many reasonably priced USB-C cables not only fail to measure up to those criteria, but also that so few (even top brands) are certified USB-IF (USB Implementers Forum), important because it ensures that cables meet strict performance and safety standards.  If a cable doesn't have the official USB-IF logo on it, it's not certified.

The good news is that you can easily find certified USB-C cables on Amazon under Amazon Basics branding, e.g., Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-C 2.0 Fast Charging Cable, 60W, 480Mbps Speed, USB-IF Certified

• USB-IF Certifed 
• Various lengths 
• High quality 
• Low cost
• Black or white

Important Notes:

1. Watch out for counterfeits, especially no name cables. You can check here.
2. Watch out for "fast charging" cables that are only 15W.
3. 60W cables are powerful enough for most purposes and tend to be more flexible than 100W.
4. Faster cables (> USB 2.0) tend to be less flexible and may not be needed. 

Lithium USB-C Rechargeable AA Batteries

Lithium USB AA Batteries

At last, AA batteries that maintain constant 1.5 volts!

A big problem with alkaline AA batteries is that cell voltage decreases with discharge, so motors run slower and lights get less bright. Standard rechargeable NiCd and NiMH AA batteries suffer from lower cell voltage to begin with. But the latest lithium technology solves both problems:

• Constant voltage: The best ones maintain a constant 1.5 volts until near depletion, when they step down to 1.1 volts to signal that it's time to recharge. Motors and lights thus deliver peak performance.
• Convenience: The latest version recharges rapidly though a USB-C socket, which makes recharging super convenient.
• Options: In addition to AA, lithium rechargeable batteries are also available in AAA, D and 9V form factors with the same great benefits. 

But beware marketing hype. Many of the less reputable batteries on the market make exaggerated, misleading claims. CARDIENS earns my Best Product rating by not making such claims.

Best Car Charger 2025-2026

AINOPE Car Charger

AINOPE 67.5W Car Charger USB-C & USB-A

Finally a powerful car charger that fits nearly within the lighter socket!

• USB-C and USB-A ports 
• 67.5W simultaneous fast charging:
• PD3.1 PPS 45W USB-C 
• QC3.0 22.5W USB-A 
• USB-IF and Qualcomm certified
• Advanced heat control 
• All-metal body 

Best Wall Charger 2025-2026

Anker Prime Charger

Anker Prime 67W GaN Wall Charger (3 Ports)

What makes this wall charger so special:

• Fast Charging for 3 Devices
  With 2 USB-C ports and 1 USB-A port, effortlessly charge your phone, tablet, and notebook all at once from a single charger. Connect a single device to charge up to 67W.
• 65W Max Two-Port Charging
  Whether you use both USB-C ports or a combination of USB-C and USB-A ports, enjoy fast and efficient charging with a maximum output of 65W.
• Ultra-Compact Design
  Experience exceptional power in a remarkably compact charger that is 51% smaller than the original 67W MacBook charger—ideal to bring anywhere you go.

Most current laptops will comfortably charge at 60 watts, but if you need more power:

• Anker Prime Charger (100W, 3 Ports, GaN)
• Anker Prime Charger (160W, 3 Ports, Smart Display)

 

Power Bank Bargain

Generic is really AUKEY

Update: Sold out on Amazon. Check eBay.

A power bank is a big battery that can be used to power and recharge electronic devices when AC power is not available. Keep one charged to power phones in emergencies, when on an airplane without seat power, when camping or sailing, etc.

Unfortunately, they only last 3-5 years before losing so much capacity that they need to be recycled and replaced. Worse, it's hard to find a high-quality power back with good capacity, longevity and features at a good price.

At the moment, the best power bank for phones (not tablets or laptops) is the

AUKEY PB-N93A USB C Power Bank 20000mAh, PD Ultra Slim Power Bank with 18W PD. It has enough power for 3+ recharges of a typical smartphone and a wealth of good features. But the $60 price is too high for such a simple device that costs little to make.

There's a generic power bank on Amazon for only $16 that looks identical: PB-N93A USB C Power Bank 20000mAh, PD Ultra Slim Power Bank with 18W PD | Amazon.

The best part is that it's not just identical to the AUKEY, it is the AUKEY. 

If you need a phone power bank or a thoughtful gift for someone, $16 is an incredible price!

p.s. It can charge or power a device while itself recharging, so it can be used as a mini-UPS.

Mini Jump Starter

Mini Multi-function Jump Starter

Also power and charge cell phones or even computers

You accidentally left lights on in your car, and now the battery doesn't have enough power to start the car. You could call for a jump start, but often that will take well over an hour even in an urban area, and can be expensive if you don't have an auto club membership. You could carry jumper cables with you, but you would still have to find someone willing and able to give you a jump start. Or you could carry an emergency jump start battery.

Until recently jump start batteries were too big and heavy to be practical accessories, but that's now changed. The same advanced lithium ion technology that's given notebook (laptop) computers such long battery life is now available in small and light (mini) jump starters that are practical to carry with you. While they don't have the total capacity of a regular car battery, they are able to deliver sufficiently high current more than long enough to start a normal car. (See Note below) The latest models also have the ability to power and recharge not only things like cell phones but also even computers, and there's even a powerful flashlight.

One of the best current units is sold on Amazon with 1 year warranty by BESTEK and by Bolt Power. It comes with a variety of computer power tips, including one that works for late model Lenovo ThinkPad T-series machines. The USB connector will charge cell phones, but even though rated at 2.1A, it only charges the Nexus 5 Android at slow "USB" rate. (For faster charging see Best USB Car Charger) The included zippered carrying case fits neatly under a car seat. Recommended.

Update: Used it to easily jump start two cars, so I know it works.

Notes

1. When jump starting:
   1. Make sure connections are clean and solid.
   2. After turning unit on, wait a few seconds before trying to start the car.
2. Larger engines need higher starting current. Figure 150A for 4 cylinders, 200A for 6 cylinders, 250A for 8 cylinders, 300A for truck diesel. (These are base values, not peak values.)
3. Watch out for unbranded (unknown) units with dubious quality, warranty and support.
4. Check to see if the correct power tip for your particular computer is included
5. Top up charge every 3-6 months. 
6. The mAh claim is the sum of the mAh ratings of the 3.7V battery cells, but that's not a valid calculation. Real capacity of typical units is 40-50 Wh (watt-hours).
7. If you must call for a jump start and don't have an auto club membership, try Allstate Roadside Assistance at 877-469-7650, charged to credit or debit card.

Best USB Car Charger

PowerGen Car Charger

You purchased a "fast" car charger for your mobile device (smartphone, tablet, etc), but you find that the actual charging rate is slow, possibly not even able to keep up if you use the mobile device at the same time. What's up with that? Is the charger defective? Not really a "fast" charger?

It's the fault of the USB standard, not necessarily the charger. USB was conceived as a connection standard, not a charger standard, and to keep costs down the original standard provides only a modest amount of power, a maximum of 500 mA. But as USB gained traction as a connection standard, it also gained traction in chargers.

500 mA (½ A) is fine for a low power device like a mouse, but insufficient for fast charging of a current smartphone (~1000 mA), much less a tablet (~2000 mA). The USB standard is evolving to deliver greater amounts of power, but adoption takes time, and current USB products could be damaged by high power drain, so device manufacturers have resorted to non-standard tricks for fast charging with USB connectors:

1. Shorted data connection: This is frequently used by Android devices (e.g., Nexus 5), which won't try to fast charge if the data connection isn't shorted, displaying (USB) rather than (AC) on the Battery screen.
2. Non-standard data voltage: This method is used by Apple devices, with different voltages signaling different maximum charging rates. They similarly won't try to fast charge when those voltages aren't present.

Since no standard USB port should do these things, a device can assume it's on a charger rather than a USB host. But since there is no single method, and since both methods can't be used at the same time, a charger that's fast for Apple devices may not be fast for Android devices, and vice versa. So either make sure to choose the right type of charger (which can be tricky), or choose a charger that has both methods, like the excellent PowerGen 4.2A/20W Dual USB Car Charger:

• High power for fast charging even tablets
• Dual ports for charging 2 devices at once, one Android port and one Apple port*
• Good physical design for secure fit and durability
• Compact size
• Great value: $10 at Amazon.com

PowerGen Wall Charger

Best USB Wall Charger

All of the same considerations apply, and PowerGen comes to the rescue here as well, with the PowerGen 2.4-Amp (12 Watt) Dual USB Wall Charger. Another great value: $13 at Amazon.com

UPDATE: There is now a more powerful version: PowerGen 3.4-Amp (17 Watt) Dual USB Wall Charger. Even better value: $10 at Amazon.com

* If a device is connected to the other type of port, it will still charge, but the rate may be slow.