Under $25 Scores: This $15 USB-C cable is super speedy and eco-friendly
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The need for a premium USB-C charging cable is greater now than ever, especially with Apple ditching its proprietary Lightning connector and implementing USB-C on the iPhone 15 and relaunched AirPods Pro 2. You can stick with the company’s shoddy wires or invest in something more substantial. My advice: go green and replace them with Nimble’s PowerKnit USB-C Cable.
This charging upgrade is compatible with the latest Apple and Android devices and powers them at faster speeds than the average charging cable. It’s also carbon neutral, made with recycled materials, zero plastic packaging and free e-waste recycling. Best of all, this add-on rings up at just $15 on Amazon.
Nimble PowerKnit USB-C Cable
Available in three sizes – 1 meter, 2 meters, and 3 meters – the PowerKnit USB-C Cable is an amazing accessory to pair with your next-gen Apple purchase. Expect fast transfer speeds and quick charging for your iPhone 15 and AirPods Pro 2 with USB-C.
How I found the Nimble PowerKnit USB-C to USB-C Cable
I’ve known about Nimble since the company’s 2018 debut. Their cables have been a staple throughout my household. A recent Amazon search for charging cables under $25 brought this deal to my attention, and it’s one that I’m stoked to share with iPhone 15 and AirPods Pro 2 owners — as well as anyone else in the market for an affordable, reliable USB-C cable.
Why it’s a score
I could talk your ears off about the PowerKnit’s planet-saving benefits — which include a knit fabric made from 100% recycled plastic aluminum and packaging made entirely from recycled paper — but you can read all about them on the company’s website. So, let’s discuss performance and value.
PowerKnit cables fast charge up to 80% in 30 minutes and support multiple charging features, including Qualcomm Quick Charge 4.0 and USB-C Power Delivery. I witnessed Nimble’s technology power up my iPhone 15 and Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra quicker than rival cables.
Power output is stronger when connected to a Nimble wall charger. The combination can deliver up to 65W to the best smartphones, best portable speakers, best tablets and best true wireless earbuds, among others.
Nimble advertises up to 480mbps transfer speeds when moving large files from one device to another. I had no way to confirm this exact speed, but I compared performance to some of the best USB-C cables and found the PowerKnit to be just as reliable for connectivity and data transfer.
The cable is wrapped in double-braided fabric for optimal durability. It’s superior to what’s bundled in the iPhone 15 box. Tugging it with force won’t break the wires. Nimble’s colorway is on the money, reflecting the different materials used on post-consumer products, as well as Earth’s natural elements. The silver accents on the connectors resemble aluminum and the aqua blue rim speaks to both the blue caps used on many plastic bottles and the ocean.
The 1-meter cable serves well for travel, either for charging on the go via portable power bank or copying data over from a MacBook Pro to an Android phone. Those who want a lengthier option by their bedside can check out the 2- and 3-meter options.
Nimble gives you a recycled plastic bag to ship out unwanted electronics, for which it provides a free shipping label to send to Homeboy Electronics Recycling for proper reclamation. Talk about an eco alley-oop.
Lastly, Nimble provides a two-year warranty with all of its products, not just the cables.
Apple’s 1-meter USB-C cable sells for $19, which is a higher price for the same length and chintzy quality. You’re much better off with Nimble’s PowerKnit USB-C cables to charge up Apple devices or reverse-charge the AirPods Pro 2 when connected to the latest iPhone model.
Note: The prices above reflect the retailers' listed price at the time of publication.
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