Why would you need USB to USB-C adapters? USB chargers are a ubiquitous feature of modern life, especially in the world of in-car entertainment. It’s a safe bet that your bedside draw is a tangle of cables, each a reminder of yet another piece of tech purchased that can charge via USB. Headphones, personal tablets, e-readers, smartphones, and cameras are just a few of the products we all need to keep powered up.
It turns out that manufacturers have clocked that most of us have eight or more USB cables to our name, so they’ve stopped being so generous with their cables. When they are included with a purchase, you’ll often find that they are too short to be of any practical use. This trend has also coincided with the dawn of the super-quick charging USB-C connection, meaning that lots of us are left without adequate USB-C charging cables but an abundance of older USB types.
Luckily, there’s a way to make use of the older, square box-style USBs you’ve got knocking around. Technically called USB Type-A, these older USB formats are still usable with the help of a USB to USB-C adapter, so you can keep your phone or car journey tablet charged. These adapters are also handy for anyone whose car comes fitted with a USB Type-A port, allowing the port to be changed to USB-C.
The best USB to USB-C adapters 2024 at a glance:
Best USB to USB-C Adapter: UGREEN USB to USB C Adapter – Buy now from Amazon UK
Editor’s pick: Anker USB C Charger Cable – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best budget option: Basesailor USB C Female to USB A Male – 3 Pack – Buy now from Amazon UK
They can also be used by anyone with a 12v USB charger who doesn’t fancy having to shell out for a second. And now that Apple has introduced a USB-C port for the iPhone 15 (ok, so you might have a few redundant lightning cables), it opens up a whole new realm of compatibility with other devices. So let’s have a look at some of the best USB to USB-C adapters.
The best USB-to-USB-C adapters 2024
Best USB to USB-C adapter
Rrp: $8.99
Rrp: $8.99
Pros
- Let’s you use already-owned USB-C cables
- Versatile and well-made from good materials
- A decent data rate for tech use on different devices
Cons
- Some cables do the job all-in-one
Editor's choice
Pros
- All the benefits of USB-C, but with more universal USB connection
- Reliable device and can stretch to good lengths
- Braided for added protection and longevity
Cons
- Cable can be quite stiff to manoeuvre or route
Best USB-C cable for travelling with a group
Rrp: $12.99
Rrp: $12.99
Pros
- Very long length, increasing versatility
- Two-pack, meaning you can plug in up to two devices
- Ideal for use on trips with more than one person
Cons
- Limited charging speeds, which could be annoying
Best budget option
Pros
- Great value for money at under £10 for the three adaptors
- Three pack, meaning it can be good for friends or family
- Simple to use and no wiring to be concerned about
Cons
- Blocks most USB-C benefits
Best for flexibility in tight spaces
Pros
- 10cm cable for flexibility throughout the cabin
- Speedy, which is useful for on-the-go tasks
- Good quality materials used for longevity
Cons
- Cable can be a bit stiff
FAQs with USB to USB-C adapters and things to remember
Why USB-C?
USB-C is a notable step up from USB Type-A. It’s a cable that is much more capable of carrying power to a device, offering a full charge 20 per cent faster than the old-style USB. While this is great for keeping your smartphone topped up while driving around town, the cable also impresses with data transfer rates, hitting up to 10Gbit/s. If you like to keep your phone charged while on the move, make sure to keep it safe and secure with car phone holders.
What devices use USB-C?
USB-C is widely adopted. Android smartphones, Apple MacBooks, Nintendo Switch consoles, e-readers and wireless earphones are a few examples of products that universally use USB-C connections. While the Apple iPhone doesn’t currently use a USB-C connection – opting for its patented Lightning cable – the cable provided with the iPhone does connect to USB-C ports. Given the upcoming European regulations, even Apple iPhones should soon be moving over to USB-C. Fancy upgrading to a wireless car phone charger? We’ve ranked our favourites.
The universality of USB-C is a great thing. It simplifies life for consumers lives, helping them reduce the number of converters, adapters and plugs that they need to contend with. It’s for this reason that we hope that the USB to USB-C adapters that we are covering in this article will be among the last of their kind.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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