This $25 USB-C cable might be the only one you’ll ever need – here’s why

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Gone are the days of most new tech items coming with a complete charging setup. Apple stopped giving out wall adapters with its new products, and other brands, like Amazon, sneakily bundle them to make you feel like you’re really getting a bargain — like in the case of several popular Kindle bundles. But don’t forget there was a time when cables, adapters, and all came in the box with your device.

Nevertheless, I guess we should be lucky that brands haven’t completely stopped supplying charging cords. In most cases, you’ll find a USB-C or similar cord included with most tech-related purchases, like iPhones, tablets, and more. But that doesn’t mean they’re good.

Also: The $15 USB-C cable I always pack to avoid being hacked at public charging ports

I’ve broken my fair share of cables. They snap, fray, bend, split, and sometimes just straight up stop working. Cheap replacements don’t always work, and I don’t recommend using third-party charging accessories that aren’t certified or don’t follow proper standards. My biggest peeve with so many cables is that they just don’t hold up to expected use — which includes bending, twisting, and more. 

No one’s sitting perfectly positioned while charging their devices. We’re all cramped up on our couch or bed, contorted in different angles to maintain a reasonably comfortable give on our cord without jeopardizing our charge (I know this because I am doing it right now while I write this). 

Thankfully, I finally found my answer. Statik’s 360 Magnetic Charging Cable is a jack of all trades — and it glows in the dark. 

Yes, you read that right. This cord will never get lost between the crevices of your couch or the dark abyss behind your bed because it literally glows when charging. There’s also a plain black option if you prefer a classic look (but seriously, who doesn’t love a nostalgic light-up option?).

Also: My search for the ultimate USB-C cable is over – and this one does it all

Behind the novelty of the glow, this cable is incredibly functional. It comes with multiple adapters (USB-C, Micro USB, and Apple compatible) that can easily be swapped out thanks to a strong magnetic connection. This makes this cord perfect for charging nearly all of my favorite tech devices, from my iPhone 14 Pro (lightning) to my Kindle (USB-C) to my iPad and beyond. 

I personally use the Pro model of this cord, which supports charging speed up to 60W and up to 480 mb/s of data transfer. The base version of this cord is best for smaller devices, but offers the same exact adapters, function, and glow option. The Pro Glo cord costs about $23 and the base Glo cord about $15 for the 3ft variations. There’s also a longer 6-foot option. 

The GloBright also features a rotating swivel head, so you can say goodbye to bending your cords till they give out. Statik says the cord can withstand over 20,000 rotations and last 20x longer than the average cable, according to internal testing. I haven’t owned my cable long enough to confirm or deny, but it does feel significantly more durable than options I’ve used before, including Apple’s flagship chargers (which, honestly, aren’t that good). 

And don’t worry about losing the teeny adapters, either, because the cable comes with a silicone organizer to keep everything tidy. 

Also: The only charging cable you’ll ever need to avoid tangling nightmares (and it’s cheap)

All in, this has become my favorite charging cable to date, and I’ve had the opportunity to test a lot as one of ZDNET’s mobile gadget experts. I’ve included this pick on my recently published best stocking stuffers gift guide, but it’s a great purchase no matter what time of year you’re shopping. I’m also fond of a few other Statik cords and cables for the ingenuity and durability, particularly. 

I use the PowerPivot Pro USB-C cable with my work MacBook 24/7/365, and I love the MagStack Slim Pro USB-C for travel and on-the-go (I’ve been keeping this one in my car). My colleague Adrian Kingsley-Hughes recently tested the MagStack Pro USB-C and is impressed with it. I own one, too, and love that it stays tidy without any hassle. We’ve also tested Statik’s Snap n Charge mobile charger and the 5-in-1 travel charger.  

Why I recommend this product 

Statik’s GloBright charging cable makes it easy to charge all my favorite devices without stressing about making sure I have the correct cord, and I love the bright light up feature, too. And for under $25, you can’t really go wrong. You’re basically getting three cords in once thanks to its magnetic adapters, and you can’t beat that in today’s economy. It’s time to ditch your cruddy cables.

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