What's the difference between these cables?

[Kelemvor]

Looking for some cables that will only be used to charge up phones and tablets. I have some crappy ones at home that don't seem to be able to transfer the full power down the cable according to an app I have on my phone. So, I'm looking to pick up a few more but need them to be decent quality.

E.g. I have an S5 and have an app that shows me how much power is coming in from the cord. When I use one adapter with a certain cord, I can get 1200mA (or whatever it's measued in) and then I can just swap the USB cable (and use the same adapter) and it drops down to like 600mA.

Anyway, I usually buy my cables from Monoprice and they have various levels of cables...

5457 - 3ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/24AWG Cable w/ Ferrite Core (Gold Plated) - $1.23

4867 - 3ft USB 2.0 A Male to Micro 5pin Male 28/28AWG Cable - $.74

9761 - Premium USB to Micro USB Charge & Sync Cable 3ft- Black - $2.78

The last one doesn't list a wire gauge size so not sure what it is. Is there any reason that the cheap cables shouldn't be able to charge at full speed? Or maybe at least the Ferrite core cables? I don't know why the ones actually called "Charge & Sync" are 2x-3x the price. I don't really care what they Look like. I just want them to charge.

Thanks!

 

[Childs]

Manufacturers bundle in the cheapest cables possible with their products, except for Apple products. I think you'll be fine with the cheaper 24 gauge one. Apparently, the gauge and connector might matter over a longer period of time.

http://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/1yoe2a/lpt_know_why_your_smartphone_is_charging_slowly/

 

[Kelemvor]

Just for anyone else that wants to know, I chatted with Monoprice and was told the middle and higher priced items are the same cable (28/24) but the higher priced one is more rugged and has smaller connectors and things like that.

 

[Drako]

First one and second one are the same, except the first one has gold plating, and the ferrite bead.

The third one has the nicer connector housings.

As far as charging goes, some cheap micro usb connectors are only rated for 500mA, so if you're connected to a 2.5A charger, you could be in trouble.

You can see the differences in the pictures at the site. :hmm:

 

[Viper GTS]

These days your best bet is to get one of the smart chargers that will correctly negotiate full charging rate with the device (Anker + a few others). The cable and gauge mean essentially nothing, what matters is how the device sees the charger (AC vs USB mode).

You can buy charge only cables and adapters that will make most Android devices charge at AC rates by shorting the data pins but if you want wide compatibility just get a better charger.

Viper GTS

 

[Kelemvor]

Actually I have one of the Anker things which is why I'm looking for more cables. I have one of the 5 port things. When I use a crappy cable, the phone detects less power coming into it than when I use a better cable.