Short Cables

When a long cable only gets in the way

The cable that comes with a phone is usually about a metre long. That is right for a socket at worktop height and too much almost everywhere a phone charges close to its power. A short cable suits a power bank in a pocket or a bag, a car with the charger near the holder, a laptop on a desk and a bedside dock, where a long cable would only loop, tangle and catch. Short cables also make the best spare: small enough to keep on a keyring or in a coat pocket.

What is here

The short cables here today include a flat USB-C to USB-C cable about 13cm long, listed for 240W charging, 40Gbps data and 8K video, which suits a laptop or a tablet as much as a phone; a 16cm USB-C to USB-C keyring cable listed for 60W USB Power Delivery charging; and a 20cm splitter with one USB plug and several USB-C or micro-USB ends, which charges several small things at once at 5V 2A, for charging only, with no data. A power bank with its cables built in, so none get left behind, is another answer; see power banks with built-in cables.

Short cables in the car

In a car, a cable that loops across the gear lever, the handbrake or your feet is a nuisance and a distraction. Measure from the car charger or USB socket to where the phone sits in its holder, and choose the shortest cable that reaches with a little slack. A right-angle plug helps too, keeping the cable close to the phone. A USB socket built into the car may supply only a little power; a car charger in the 12V socket usually charges faster. See car chargers and for drivers.

Short cables and power banks

A power bank and its phone often travel together in one pocket, so a very short cable is all they need. Match the plug to the power bank's socket, usually USB-C on newer ones and USB-A on older ones, and choose a cable rated for the bank's fast output if it has one. The guide to power banks covers sizes and speeds.

Questions people ask about short cables

Does a short cable charge faster than a long one?

Not noticeably at phone power. A well-made long cable charges at the same speed as a short one, though very long, very thin cables can lose a little. The cable's rating matters more than its length.

Can a short cable move photos as well?

The USB-C to USB-C keyring cables here carry data as well as power. The splitter charges only.

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

• Cables under 1m
• Power banks
• Right-angle cables
• For drivers
• USB-C to USB-C cables
• Long cables
• Guide: Which charging cable does my phone need?
• Guide: Fast charging explained: watts, USB Power Delivery and PPS