Neither Belkin nor Anker, this USB-C cable survived Consumer Reports’ stress test

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USB-C cables are one of the most used accessories. We use them for everything from charging devices to transferring data. This constant use can cause a USB-C cable to fail, often due to frequent bending and twisting. That’s why many consumers are opting for braided USB cables that feature improved strain relief mechanisms for improved durability. In an effort to determine which USB-C cable best holds up to everyday abuse, Consumer Reports (CR) put six cables from popular brands to a stress test, and the winner was surprising.

Instead of a cable from a brand like Anker or Belkin, both widely recognized for their high-quality USB-C cables, the Amazon Basics USB-C cable tops the list by surviving over 11,500 bends. Based on CR’s assumption that a cable experiences about five bends and twists per day, the Amazon Basics cable would last more than six years. Notably, while Amazon Basics’ offering uses a regular, non-braided jacket, the Anker and Belkin cables CR tested had a braided jacket. For the uninitiated, Amazon Basics is the retail giant’s affordable private label.

The Amazon Basics USB-C Cable costs just $4.50 and comes in three lengths as well as two color options. It is also USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) certified, meaning it has been tested and found to comply with USB specifications. However, it is limited to 15W of USB 2.0 charging and data transfer speed. It also received a good average rating of 4.6 from Amazon buyers, based on over 100,000 reviews.

While Amazon Basics’ USB-A to USB-C cable performed best in CR’s tests, the Anker and Belkin cables also performed quite well. Anker’s cable, currently selling for $10, survived over 6,500 bends, while Belkin’s USB-C cable, at $19, could withstand over 6,300 bends. Using the same assumption of about five bends or twists each day, these two cables will last about three years, which isn’t bad, and longer than owners typically see USB-C cables last.

The Anker and Belkin cables are also similar to the Amazon Basics offering, with support for 15W charging, USB 2.0 speeds, and USB-IF certification. However, if you use your USB-C cables a lot and not very carefully, the Amazon Basics cable definitely has the advantage of better durability, and you definitely spend less to buy it. The only good thing about the Anker cable is that it received a slightly better rating of 4.7 on Amazon, while the Belkin cable is rated at 4.6. The other three cables in the CR test, from private label Walmart Onn, Samsung and Bytech, couldn’t even handle 1,500 bends. The Onn cable lasted for 1,656 bends, while the Samsung and Bytech cables produced approximately 925 and 710 bends, respectively.

It’s important to note that CR conducted this stress test in December 2023 and limited the selection to USB-A to USB-C cables. USB-C to USB-C cables are more popular and better performing in 2026, and manufacturers have likely improved the durability of their cables. Still, Amazon Basics, Anker, and Belkin appear to continue to offer good quality cables, with each’s offerings finding a place in recommendations from experts at WireCutter, PCWorld, and TechGearLab.