How we tested

Testing the charge rate of each Lightning cable.

After combing through thousands of cables, we tested the cables' charge rates by plugging them into a USB power monitor connected to a 12-watt adapter, which told us whether or not both iPads and iPhones would be charged at full speed from each cable. Next, we tested to see if the Lightning plug would fit in Lifeproof's Fré, a case with notoriously small port openings. Our electrical engineering consultant, Sam Gordon, then evaluated the internal structures of each cable for components such as braided wires and electromagnetic shielding.

Our pick

Anker's Lightning to USB Cable is inexpensive, well-built from the cord to the stress-relief collar, which protects the cable from damage caused by bending near the connector port. Apple's cables are notorious for breaking in this way. In our power draw tests, Anker's cable consistently carried a charge of 2.4 amps to an iPad Air. While some cables performed as well in this regard, none did any better. This high speed ensures any iPhone, iPod, or iPad will charge as quickly as it can, as long as it's plugged in to a high-voltage power source.

The one drawback of the Anker is the size of its Lightning-connector housing, which is about 1mm thicker than Apple's cable and 0.7mm wider. For most cases, this won't matter, but we did find it too large for the tiny opening on the Lifeproof Fré.

The runner-up

Testing with Lifeproof Frē and iPhone 5.

The Dynex's 3 Charge/Sync Cable with Lightning Connector ($13) is an acceptable runner-up if the Anker is unavailable. It charges just as quickly as the Anker cable and feels just as durable, but it's more expensive to ship. It's a great option if you need something quick from a brick-and-mortar store.

A shorter option

Top to bottom: short cables from Monoprice and Insignia.

If you'd rather have something short and stubby that'll easily fit in a bag without having to be wound up, go with Insignia's 6 Lightning Charge-and-Sync Cable. If it's not available, Monoprice's 4-inch MFi Certified Lightning to USB Charge/ Sync Cable is another decent option. Even though they're shorter than the standard cables, they cost the same or more; you're paying for convenience.

A longer option

Aduro's 10' cable is great when you're not right next to a plug.

Long cables are the most troublesome of the bunch, as they tend to fail more quickly, and they need to be thicker to carry a fast charge. Teardowns reveal this is likely due to the fact that the wires inside are unbraided (and sometimes thinner) so they can keep costs down. That being said, of those we tested, Aduro's 10' Sync and Charge Lightning Cable ($15) was the most impressive.

Wrapping it up

The $9 Anker Lightning to USB Cable is the Lightning cable we'd buy. It's much cheaper than Apple's official cable, is built to last with high quality internals, and its Lightning connector plug is small enough to fit most cases.

This guide may have been updated. To see the current recommendation please go to TheWirecutter.com