Retractable Cables

A cable that tidies itself

A retractable cable winds back into a small case, or coils up like an old telephone cord, so there is no loose loop to tangle in a bag or trail across a desk. Pull it out to the length you need; let it go and it shortens again. They suit handbags, laptop bags, travel and the car, and anyone tired of untangling a knot of cables in a drawer.

What is here

The cables here today are USB-C to USB-C, for iPhone 15 and later and USB-C Android phones, tablets and laptops. They include a retractable cable that stretches out to 1m and clicks to hold its length, listed for 100W USB Power Delivery charging, in several colours; another retractable 1m cable listed for 240W charging and 480Mbps data; and a spring coiled cable in 1m, 1.5m and 2m, listed at 66W, with a choice of USB-C or USB-A at the charger end. The highest figures matter mainly for laptops; a phone takes far less.

Winding case or spring coil

A winding case packs smallest: the whole cable disappears into something you can drop in a pocket. The winding mechanism is the part that wears, so it is better for the bag and for occasional use than for the cable you plug in every night. A spring coil has no mechanism, only the cable, and it stretches as far as it is pulled. It suits a car, where a straight cable would hang down into the footwell, and a desk. A coil does pull gently back towards the charger, so in a car holder leave a little slack.

For the cable you use every night

At a bedside or a desk where a cable stays plugged in, a plain or braided cable of the right length will last longer than one with moving parts. See braided cables, and long cables if the socket is far from the bed. For the bag, a short cable is the other answer: a few centimetres of cable with nothing to wind.

Questions people ask about retractable cables

Do retractable cables charge more slowly?

Not because they retract. The phone, the charger and the cable together set the speed, and each listing gives the power its cable carries. The guide to fast charging explains how the three fit together.

Can I take one on holiday?

Yes. A retractable cable is one of the easiest to pack. Travel kits put chargers, cables and adapters together, and for travellers gathers the rest.

What happens if the winding stops working?

The cable may still charge, but it will no longer wind back in. If the jacket is damaged as well, or the plug is loose, stop using it and replace it.

How long does delivery take?

Delivery is included in every price and tracked to your door. Each product page says when it usually arrives.

More to look at

• Short cables
• USB-C to USB-C cables
• Braided cables
• Travel kits
• For travellers
• Cable organisers and protectors
• Guide: Which charging cable does my phone need?