Syncwire Lightning Cable Review

We purchased the Syncwire Lightning Cable so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review.

The Syncwire Lightning Cable is an impressive option for those looking to put durability at the top of their Lightning cable spec list. It checks a lot of boxes—sleek design, reliable charging, two color options.—but the fit and finish of the cable is really what caught our eye. We spent about a week with it in New York City, charging our phone overnight, transferring backups, toting around in our backpack, and more. Read on to see how it stacked up. 

Design: Pleasantly plain with a nice, sleek look 

We tested a black version of the Syncwire cable, but you can also pick it up a more Apple-friendly white. Our money is on the black color as it won’t collect dirt as easily, and it actually feels a little more professional. The official Apple cable opts to affix two, hard-edged plastic bits to each end of the cable. The Syncwire cable rounds those edges substantially to give it a more modern, even futuristic look. Part of the rubber edges are meant to protect the inner workings of the cable—a category we’ll get into next—but they make for a nice look. 

Finally, the USB logo and the Syncwire logo are pressed shallowly into each end right under the steel jacks, meaning they’re only visible if you’re looking for them. We’d have liked to see more color options, but the name of the game here was clearly subtlety and sleekness. 

Durability and Build Quality: Impressively strong, despite the soft exterior

An interesting factor with the Syncwire cable is just how soft the exterior feels. For a cable that markets itself as having superior durability, it’s surprising to find rubber on the outside. But, Syncwire promises it can withstand over 200 pounds of pull pressure, and you can bend the ends up to 90 degrees as many as 30,000 times. 

On advertised numbers alone, this is much more substantial than most of the other “durable” cables. This is largely because the interior cables have been wrapped in such a way to effectively deter friction and fraying, a fact bolstered by the reinforced shoulders on the curved jack mounts. This is all impressive considering other durable cables use rigid, braided exteriors and hard plastic. The Syncwire feels soft and premium while maintaining its durability. We were impressed with how well it held up through every scenario. 

Charging Speed: Reliable and as expected

Like most of the other cables in this price range on Amazon, the Syncwire is MFI-certified, which means it’s officially supported by Apple for the latest iPhones. As such, we found zero issues with connectivity, and it worked well with both the standard Apple charging brick and the larger fast-charging brick you’ll find with iPads. It’s important to note that the cable alone does not constitute a rate of charge—those speeds are dictated by the brick you’re using. But if you have a compatible charger, Syncwire gets a big check mark.

Features and Accessories: Limited, nothing to write home about

Because such an emphasis was put on durability, the additional features were definitely lacking. The cable is only 3 feet, for instance, which is the same as Apple’s official option, making it a bit too short in our opinion. Syncwire has included what they’re calling a “cable manager” in the box, but this just amounts to a cheap, rounded square of plastic to wrap your cable around. This is nice to have, but we’d have preferred to see a subtler cable wrap. That said, one hidden benefit of cable is just how easily it wraps on itself. Because the Syncwire cable is so thick and substantial, we found it easy to wrap it into a circle that easily loops back on itself for storage. 

Price: Just right for the offering

At right around $10-$11 depending color, and only a few dollars more for the longer version, we the price is worth the quality. The Syncwire isn’t a bargain cable, but because it offers a step above the rest in durability, it exudes the premium vibe. You can get nicer cables—ones with LEDs and more color options, but the value here is definitely on point.

Competition: Just a few brands to consider

Apple (official): The Apple official Lightning cable comes in at about $19, and offers many of the same premium looks as this one. But it isn’t anywhere near as durable.

Anker PowerLine+: The PowerLine Plus is a braided option with similar durability and a slightly higher price point.

I:Anker PowerLine I This looks and feels very similar to the Syncwire and has more color options. But, it isn’t quite as durable.

Similar Products We've Reviewed:

• AmazonBasics Lightning Cable
• Kinps 10-foot Lightning Cable
• Anker PowerLine+ Lightning Cable