Recommend a USB cable to me!

[Deozaan]

I may be a bit late to the party, but as I'm slowly upgrading technologies and devices in my household, I'm finally starting to get enough things which support both USB C and "Fast Charging" or PD technology.

Recently I knew I would need to charge one of my devices while away from home, but I didn't want to reach behind the desk to unplug the official charging brick (with non-removable cable) that came with it. So instead I brought a 65w GaN brick and a USB C cable which I've been happily using for a couple years mostly to connect game controllers to my PC. Later that day when my device started warning me that the battery was low, I confidently plugged everything in to let it start charging, only to realize that the device was draining faster than it was charging! Apparently my favorite USB C cable I've been happily using isn't PD capable so it was trickling power to the device at a rate I assume to be somewhere around 5w.

My go-to source for cables is usually MonoPrice, but I think I'd like a cable that has a little LED display in it that shows you the wattage negotiated through PD, and MonoPrice doesn't seem to have any with that feature. So I went looking on Amazon but I can't be sure what are the good quality cables amidst all the unheard of brands made up of seemingly random letters.

Unfortunately I just can't trust Amazon reviews anymore and I would feel much more comfortable getting a recommendation from someone I know is a real person who has personal experience with the cables they recommend.

So I'd be glad to hear recommendations for good quality cables capable of charging power hungry devices. And also feel free to challenge my assumption that the LED screen would be nice to have. If you have experience with a cable that has an LED screen and you think it's a terrible idea, please tell me why you think so, and feel free to recommend a cable without a screen (though in that case I'd be inclined to just go with MonoPrice).

They don't have to be from Amazon, but they do need to be available in the USA.


In summary, here's what I'm looking for in a USB-C cable:

• Good quality & durable
• 2-3 meters long (~6-10ft)
• PD capable of at least 45w
• LED screen showing current wattage
• Good balance between affordability and future-proof

On that last bullet point, what I mean is that I'm seeing some cables are advertising themselves as being capable of up to 240w. I think the most power hungry USB C device in my household right now can only accept up to 45w, and I think the most powerful charging brick I have supplies only 65w. So I don't really need, nor could I use, 240w right now. However, if getting a 100w or 240w cable doesn't significantly increase the cost then I'd be happy to buy one so I can take advantage of it in the future when I inevitably get even more power hungry devices in the future. But if, for example, a 240w cable is going to be twice the price of a 100w cable then I'd prefer to get a 100w cable or two instead.

And one last point of consideration: While it would be nice if I could also use the cable for transferring files quickly, my current focus is primarily on fast power delivery. So if the savings are significant, I'd rather have (for example) a 100w PD cable that is only capable of USB 2.0 speeds than pay three times more for a 100w cable capable of the latest USB 3+ speeds.

[Target]

if you feel the need for some sort of meter, then look at USB power meters.  Separates the meter from the cable and may simplify your search and save you some money...

https://nerdtechy.com/best-usb-power-tester

https://www.amazon.com.au/Plugable-Power-Tester-Monitoring-Connections/dp/B0B5W5NKKN

note that these aren't recommendations, just a couple of sites duck duck go turned up

[Deozaan]

Thanks for the suggestion. That seems like a decent idea. Though I'm not sure it will save me money. One of those power meters is $26. I was thinking I'd only be spending $10-15 per cable and that's with the meter built in.

Even so, maybe it will free me up to just buy a cable I'd be fine with owning and then if I absolutely feel I need to measure power I can get a separate measuring tool and use it.

[kavinpeter]

It sounds like your main goal is reliable, high-wattage USB-C charging with an LED readout, and file transfer speed is secondary. You’ve also got the right idea about future-proofing without overspending for capacity you can’t use yet.

Here’s how I’d break it down for you:

Things to Know Before Buying

• PD capability comes from both cable & charger. If the cable is only rated for USB 2.0 and 60W, your 65W brick will be throttled.
• E-marked cables are what you want for 100W+ charging — they contain a small chip that negotiates high-power PD safely.
• LED readout cables are handy, but note that they measure power flowing through them, not whether it’s truly “fast charging” — so if your device isn’t negotiating PD, it will still show low numbers.
• Durability comes down to braid quality, connector strain relief, and how much you coil/recoil them. A reinforced braided cable is worth the few extra dollars.

Recommended LED Display Cables (Available in USA)
These are all well-reviewed by real tech testers (YouTubers like Benson Leung, ChargerLAB, and community posts on Reddit’s r/UsbCHardware) — not just Amazon fluff reviews.

Cable   Wattage Rating   Data Speed   Lengths   Price Range   Notes

JSAUX 100W PD USB-C Cable with LED Display   100W   USB 2.0   2m / 6.6ft   ~$15   Reliable budget option, nylon braided, bright LED watt display.

Baseus 100W PD LED Display Cable   100W   USB 2.0   2m / 6.6ft   ~$18   Sturdy connectors, clear readout, supports PPS fast charging for newer devices.

UGREEN 100W PD E-Marked LED Cable   100W   USB 2.0   2m / 6.6ft   ~$20   Trusted brand, reinforced joints, accurate wattage display.

AOHi Magline+ 240W USB-C Cable with LED   240W   USB 2.0   2m   ~$25   Overkill for now, but totally future-proof, excellent build.

My Pick for You
Given your needs (45-65W now, future-proofing, 2–3m, LED readout), I’d suggest:

• UGREEN 100W PD LED Cable (2m) if you want a safe balance of price, quality, and accuracy.
• If you want to “buy once, cry once” and never worry about wattage limits, grab the AOHi 240W Magline+ — it’s only about $5–7 more than a 100W cable and will outlast your current devices.

LED Screen — Keep or Skip?

• Keep it if you’re curious about how much power your devices actually draw — it’s satisfying and helps troubleshoot.
• Skip it if you want a sleeker, lighter cable for travel, as the LED module adds a small bump in the middle.

Pro Tip:
If you buy a 100W+ E-marked cable now, you’ll never have to replace it for wattage reasons. Even if you move to 140W MacBook chargers or gaming laptops later, you’ll be covered.

If you want, I can also give you two non-LED but ultra-durable PD cables that beat most LED cables for travel and long-term reliability — just without the little screen. That would be my backup choice for heavy daily use.