Interesting

Why A Retractable USB-C Cable Deserves Space In Your Travel Charging Kit

Whether you’re traveling to the other side of the world or just taking a quick weekend trip to a nearby city, packing cables for your electronic devices is a necessity. While you’re browsing Google Flights or Skyscanner for the best airfare deals, all of the cables you’ll need to juggle to keep your devices charged are probably the furthest thing from your mind. However, at some point, you’re going to have to deal with all of those unwieldy cords just waiting to take up space in your bag.

You may have already found ways to eliminate cable clutter in your home but solutions like cable organizers often don’t translate well when traveling. That’s because most of us don’t want to lug around an extra case or pouch when we’re on the road. That’s where retractable USB-C cables can help. Instead of dealing with unwieldy cords, these compact cables make it easy to keep everything organized while taking up very little room in your luggage. In addition, you won’t have to deal with a bunch of tangled cords when you arrive at your destination.

What makes a retractable USB-C cable a good choice for travel?

When shopping for USB cables, a common question that comes up is: Are all USB-C cables the same? You need to know this information to make sure you don’t end up with a cable that’s not suitable for your needs. For example, not all USB-C cables support the same power delivery or data transfer speeds. If you don’t have the right one, your phone may charge slowly, or it might not work with your laptop at all.

Once you’ve figured all of that out, you might not give your choice of USB-C cables a second thought when you travel and just take whatever you have on hand. While there’s nothing wrong with that, giving your choice of cables a bit more consideration can help make packing and keeping up with them much easier. Most of us have a limited amount of space to pack things when we’re traveling and a retractable USB-C cable can help us make the most of the space that we have. Their design helps you keep your charging setup simple and organized while on the go, something that can really help out when you’re constantly packing and unpacking things at hotels or wherever you call home during your trip.

A quick Amazon search reveals that the China-based manufacturer Baseus makes some of the most popular retractable USB-C cables on the market. The Baseus 100W USB-C to USB-C cable retails for $20.99 on Amazon and features fast charging and a fully retracted 6.6-foot design. 

Are there any downsides to traveling with a retractable USB-C cable?

For most people, the pros will outweigh the cons when it comes to traveling with a retractable USB-C cable. Still, it’s a good idea to consider the possible downsides of using this style cable instead of a traditional one. While a retractable cable can be priceless in terms of keeping clutter under control and stopping tangles before they even get started, the action of frequently extending and retracting the cable can lead to more wear and tear than would be experienced with a traditional cable. This could translate into a shorter lifespan for retractable cables when compared to their traditional counterparts, as some reviewers on Amazon noticed with the Baseus retractable USB-C cable. Since traditional cables don’t have any moving parts, they’re a lot less likely to suffer from a mechanical failure.  

Another concern is that retractable cables come in shorter lengths, so depending on your needs, a traditional cable might be a better option. For example, if you need a cable that stretches from one side of a room to another, it’s going to be much easier to find a traditional USB-C cable that can do that. However, traditional cables tend to get tangled, which can lead to damage, and they’re bulkier to store. 


Source: http://www.slashgear.com/1828774/retractable-usb-c-cable-travel/

Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
guest

Can You Use A 100W Charger For A 65W Laptop?

Laptops come with specific chargers designed to match the battery and overall power requirements. However, you may sometimes...

What Is USB OTG? (And What Is It Used For?)

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Connecting your favorite USB gadgets to a computer...

Ergonomic Keyboards and Mice: Complete Guide to Health, RSI Prevention, and Professional Selection

The human body was not designed for the repetitive, static postures required by modern computer work. Millions of...

The Biggest Reason Why Printer Companies Don’t Like It When You Buy Third-Party Compatible Ink

Even if you use a printer every day, it’s easy to overlook how advanced these devices have become....

Every Generation: USB 1.0 To USB-C, How It Evolved & What’s Next

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. As foreign as the idea has become over...

What Can A Smart Monitor Do & Is It Worth Buying Over A Regular One?

The way a typical computer monitor works is simple. You connect to a PC or laptop, and it...

This Is The Highest-Capacity USB Thumb Drive You Can Buy Right Now

As digital files grow larger—think 4K footage, game libraries, and complex project files—the need for ultra-high-capacity USB drives...

Why A Retractable USB-C Cable Deserves Space In Your Travel Charging Kit

Whether you’re traveling to the other side of the world or just taking a quick weekend trip to...

AirTag Giving The Wrong Location? Why This Happens And How You Can Fix It

Apple’s AirTags are great for attaching to items you’re afraid of losing, be it your purse, keys, luggage,...

What Does The ‘PD’ In USB PD Stand For & And Why Is It Important To USB Devices?

With the growing number of devices that most people use today, be it smartphones, smartwatches, laptops, wireless earbuds,...

This May Be The Best Alternative To A PopSocket

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. “Look, just get one,” says a lady in...

10 Tech Gadgets & Accessories Every Book Lover Will Want

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Whether you’re an avid reader yourself with a...

11 Sea-Worthy Gadgets To Level Up Your Boating Experience

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. If you love spending time at sea, there’s...

What Is A USB To Serial Adapter Used For & Do You Need A Driver For One?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. As technology has advanced, the types of ports...

What Happened To Da Vinci Eye From Shark Tank Season 15?

Drawing or painting like a master artist isn’t a skill that comes naturally to most people. There are...

Apple Pencil (2 Gen) Vs. Apple Pencil USB-C: What’s The Difference?

Launched alongside the iPad Pro, the first generation Apple Pencil allowed the company to market its tablet to...

Don’t Throw Out Old USB Cables – Here’s What To Do With Them Instead

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. With nearly every tech gadget you buy, whether...

What Is A USB Killer And Just How Much Damage Can They Do?

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. When you think of USB sticks, you probably...

Why Do Some Microphones Have Fuzzy Covers?

If you’re the type who watches behind-the-scenes videos of film sets, you may have noticed that some microphones...

No Longer Need Your Old Apple Lightning Cables? Here’s What To Do With Them

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Apple’s switch to USB-C marks the end of...