USB-C Archives

You or a loved one switched to an iPhone 15? The right and wrong chargers

OK, honesty time: I bought the new iPhone 15 Pro Max. I opened up my fancy $1,600 smartphone to realize … it was the same as the iPhone 14 Pro Max I was already using.

The big (only?) change I can spot is the charging port on the bottom. After all these years, Apple is ditching its Lightning cable for the one every other tech company uses for charging and data transfer: USB-C. Some new AirPod models are getting the same treatment.

The switch to a USB-C port spells a headache for the holidays if you have Apple fans on your list. If you want to gift someone a new charger, how do you know their iPhone will work with it? What kind of AirPods are the “right” ones now? What does “USB-C” even mean? I’ll help make your list and check it twice.

Don’t be a drain: Buy the right chargers!

While USB-C may be the sexy, new standard for the iPhone, everyone else has been using it for years, so your charging options abound.

With that said, I recommend sticking with Apple’s chargers or another very reliable brand when buying. This is also good to keep in mind if you plan to upgrade to an iPhone 15 soon. Yep, you’ll need a full charger refresh.

All iPhone 15 models (including the 15 Plus, 15 Pro, 15 Pro Max, etc.)

A new iPhone 15 has a USB-C cable but does not come with a charger. If you’re buying additional iPhone 15 cables, they’ve got to be USB-C.
It requires a USB-C charger with at least 20W for the best results. USB-C is smaller and rounder than USB-A, which is blockish.
Qi-standard wireless chargers will work with the iPhone 15 just fine, no matter their connections.
If you see a lightning-bolt icon, that represents Thunderbolt compatibility, a different kind of data standard that works with USB-C (and is not super important in this case).

All iPhone 14 models and earlier models

All older iPhones require Lightning cables, which typically end in a USB connector for a compatible charger, which can be USB-A or USB-C.
Lightning cable connectors are smaller and thinner than USB-C, and don’t have any icons.
Lightning cable connectors are easy to spot because they have clear pin markings on the outside of the connector.
Only Apple makes legitimate Lightning cables and chargers, no other brands.
Again, Qi-standard wireless chargers work fine with all these phones as long as they support wireless charging.

The good news is that USB-C has already come to iPad Pros, MacBooks and other devices, so it should be pretty familiar territory for your gift recipient if you just want to ask them for a handy Christmas list.

Don’t be that person …

Continue reading →

Easiest ways to connect your smartphone to your TV

The line between your various gadgets is blurring by the day. You can connect your tablet to your surveillance system and your smart speaker to your refrigerator. You can see who’s at the door from your computer and adjust the thermostat from your phone.

Continue reading →

Keychains that double as ...

I love it when things are functional. For this list, I put together a few keychain goodies I’ve bought that fall into this category!

A universal charging cable, complete with USB, USB-C, micro-USB and Apple Lightning adapters.
An emergency Advil stash for under $9.
A seatbelt slicer and safety hammer for escaping a wrecked car.
An eyeglass repair kit (51% off).
An Apple AirTag holder (26% off). Ta-da! Now you won’t lose ‘em.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🔌 This is a good find: Lots of generic phone chargers don’t meet established safety and quality testing guidelines. Consumer Reports did a ton of testing, and this cheap Amazon cord works as well as the expensive USB-C cords.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Are you buying the correct chargers and cables for your devices? Check this chart

A phone, tablet or laptop without power is a sad thing. It’s an expensive useless brick until you can juice up the battery. Don’t be ashamed if you have nightmares about being stuck with a dead battery. We’ve all been there.

Continue reading →

👍 5 awesome finds under $15

Actually, most of these deals are under $10!

When there aren’t enough outlets, get more with this terrific extender. Just plug it in and you’ve got five outlets, three USB outlets and one USB-C outlet, plus a surge protector and a nightlight. It’s on sale for $12.98.
Calling all athletes! Have a bunch of awards collecting dust in your office? The solution: A medal hanger. This one’s on sale for $4.68.
It’s hot. This $7.99 fan is perfect for on the go or on your desk.
Make more shower shelf space with this set of five organizers for $9.98.
Need to label the kids’ clothes but don’t want to write on the tags? Check out these no-ironing-required labels for $7.52.

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

🛳️ Cruisin’ together

Five little essentials to pack for your voyage on the high seas — or, really, any summer vacay:

Pocket-sized router: Think of a travel router as your own private hub on the ship’s network. Pay for the internet for one device but share it using this. Score: Under $34 right now.
Outlets for everyone: Buyer beware: Cruise staff will confiscate regular surge protectors. Opt for this cruise-approved model with three outlets, two USB-A ports and two USB-C ports — now 29% off ($9.98).
Li’l nightlight: Cruise cabins get dark at night. Light your path to the loo with a motion sensor nightlight that runs on AAA batteries. Right now, it’s 25% off ($17.99).
Hangin’ out: Hang your towels, shirts, toiletry bag, sunnies — whatever ya got — on these super-strong magnetic hooks.
Cruise juice: A dead phone battery on an off-ship excursion? What a disaster. This portable power bank is 40% off ($17.99).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.

Not a fan of sweating?

When it’s hot, you need a fan. These personal ones are portable, rechargeable and will keep you cool. Oh, and they look pretty awesome, too.

Best handheld fan: The TriPole Mini Handheld Fan is cute, tiny and a steal — 53% off right now ($9.48). Pick your fave of 12 colors (love the blue, but the yellow is great, too) and get a matching lanyard. It charges with a USB-C cord — easy-breezy!
Best handheld-slash-desk fan: Hang, prop, angle or hold this fan from VersionTECH to stay cool, whether you’re WFH or ATB (at the beach). It lasts up to eight hours on the lowest setting and three hours on the highest, charges via a micro-USB cord, and is 43% off ($15.99).
Best neck fan: I used to think these were dorky, but they’re a lifesaver when you’re working outside in the heat. SWEETFUL’s model is bladeless, lightweight, works for four to nine hours, charges via USB-C, and is 10% off ($23.39).

We may receive a commission when you buy through our links, but our reporting and recommendations are always independent and objective.