What to look for in an iPad or tablet charging cable
Before we take a deep dive into a bit of a top three, it pays to know what you’re looking for when selecting the right cable to charge your iPad or tablet.
Features to be on the lookout for include:
- Overall quality of materials – is it durable and flexible or cheap plastic?
- Compatibility – Naturally, you’ll need a charger that’s compatible with your primary device, but is it also compatible with other items you might regularly use, like your phone? This saves the headache of having random cords forming tangled nests of tech hardware in your desk drawer.
- Durability – It’s prudent to have a little empathy for your charging cable. After all they endure a lot of pushing, pulling, rolling and tangling. Is it durable enough to survive the life that awaits it?
- Price point – A charging cable is a necessary item, so it shouldn’t break the bank.
- Cord length – Charging cords range in length, so consider how and where will you be charging your iPad or tablet. This question determines the length of the cord you should go for.
In addition to the basic necessities, it’s also worth considering some other neat features that a tablet or iPad charging cable can offer, including:
- Fast charge – It’s true some cables charge faster than others, so keep a lookout for fast charge options that can have your powered up and back to being mobile quickly.
- Protected charging head – By nature, charging cables have some weak spots and one of them is the charging head, which takes the brunt of all that pushing and pulling. Look for a reinforced charging head.
- Reinforced cord – Another weak spot is the materials the cord is made of. They can crack break and expose the inner wiring if they are of sub-standard quality or subject to a lot of use. Opt for a reinforced cable where you can.
- Charging head direction – Consider how you use your device. If it’s primarily in landscape mode (for example it might be used as mPOS) look for a charging head that is right-angled and reinforced to protect the cable from breakage.