Each has different capabilities and limitations in charging power and speed (measured in watts, W) and data-transfer speed between devices (measured in megabits per second, Mbps, or gigabits per second, Gbps). Micro-USB and Mini-USB can provide only regular charging regardless of a USB-A or USB-C connection. Apple’s Lightning ports can use regular 12-watt charging with a USB-A cable and faster charging via USB-C. We’ve tested dozens of cables and adapters to help you find the right ones for your needs without overspending.Ī quick primer on USB specifications for those living in blissful oblivion: While ordinary USB-A ports are limited to just 12 watts of charging power, USB-C ports can provide 18 watts of fast-charging power to phones and, more rarely, up to 240 watts to laptops (depending on the cable and device you plug into them). Unfortunately, when it comes to USB-C, even cables that look identical can behave very differently-for instance, a cable that charges your phone at top speed might be sluggish at transferring music files, or vice versa.

If you have a device with a USB-C port-such as a MacBook or other compatible laptop, an iPad Pro, a Nintendo Switch, or an Android phone-you need a cable to charge it and to transfer data to and from other devices.

Micro usb to usb c converter