5 Best Thunderbolt 3 Cables in 2024

The best Thunderbolt 3 cables on the market.

This new type of connector is the result of a tight collaboration of Intel with Apple. In fact, the latter has already started putting it into every new model of laptop. The best Thunderbolt 3 cable can reach lightning speeds of passing the data through and can efficiently power not one, but several devices, with charging times being insanely short. However, even this description doesn’t give full credit to the technology.

For those who still can’t wrap their mind around this technology, there is a helpful guide at the end to simplify the shopping. Others can simply look through the catalog of the best models and pick what they like.

Connector Gender: male | Data Transfer Rate: 40 Gigabits Per Second | Length: 0.8m

This is the best Thunderbolt 3 cable that maintains full USB-C functionality. It can be used as the latter with any computational devices and accessories.

In effect, it preserves the USB 3.0 and USB 2.0 data lines. If you need a charger, the standard 5A functionality through the USB-IF PD with a 100W max (5V-20V) is also there. As an electronically marked product, it also has the capability of reporting its use and potential.

Connector Gender: male | Data Transfer Rate: 40 Gigabits Per Second | Length: 0.8m

This universal cable is great for an array of different tasks. You can connect various data holders and benefit from the quick transferring to handle large files.

You can also hook docking stations, monitors, and other such devices equipped with the necessary jacks. Where you have the Thunderbolt 3 ports, you can expect a 40Gb/s speed. Where USB 3.1 is the best option, 10Gb/s will be at your disposal.

Connector Gender: male | Data Transfer Rate: 40 Gigabits Per Second | Length: 1.6m

This USB type C cable can easily charge a high-powered laptop which is confirmed by the 100 W marking. It claims to be able to reach top speeds for sending data when connected to supported devices.

Real-life tests show that it really reaches high operational speeds for both reading and writing. The former averages at 17Gbps and the latter at 7.4 Gbps with an SSD carrier connected to a Thunderbolt 3 port. These results are pretty common among such cables.

Connector Gender: male | Data Transfer Rate: 40 Gigabits Per Second | Length: 2m

Another great model that is performant and reliable, with many appealing benefits. Despite being quite long, it can still reach the blazing speeds this standard is famous for. This introduces great possibilities for connecting capacious storage devices and high-definition monitors.

Devices charge in the blink of an eye with 100 watts of power supported. Aside from that, you can chain half a dozen devices maintaining efficiency. Aside from being properly Thunderbolt-certified, this cable model also gives you some reassurance with a 2-year warranty.

Connector Gender: male | Data Transfer Rate: 40 Gigabits Per Second | Length: 2m

This USB C cable can provide you with speed even when the ports are not compatible with this particular profile. Through a regular USB 3.1 jack, you can get a 10Gbs speed, and through a Thunderbolt-enabled one, the sky-high 40Gbs speed is possible.

Naturally, the Pro version supports everything the regular one could do, so charging gadgets and connecting monitors are no issue. For the latter, even the length is more appropriate, because with two meters you can reach across the room, not just your desk.

The best Thunderbolt 3 cable has to be the one following official specification. According to that, there has to be a special mark placed at least at one end of the cable. The absence of that means you’re looking at an ordinary USB-C. The mark has a bolt of lightning and a number three next to it, as you can see in the picture here.

Keep in mind that any manufacturer, when selling a true Thunderbolt 3, will write it in capitals and bold font to make sure you see the bait. If you can’t easily tell from the packaging or web page what you’re holding, it’s likely that item is a simple USB-C. When it comes to the cable itself, some manufacturers mindfully make the difference between the types of connectors more obvious, like Belkin. The different icons here are easily distinguishable.

As it often happens with advanced technologies, different variations appear with varying pros and cons. Here, you can find a passive or an active cable that have performance and price differences. A passive cable can perfectly operate at the maximum 40 Gbps speed but only when it measures less than half a meter. Every small length added to that pulls the speed down dramatically. Reach two meters and you will only have half the capacity left. Their only advantage is affordability but don’t be tempted to cheapen out if the length is inconvenient.

An active plug can maintain the blazing speed throughout its extended wire length due to a significant improvement. If you compare an active and a passive Thunderbolt 3 plug, you will see the former was elongated to fit a special transceiver. This is the piece of electronics that gives a kick to the signal to make sure the performance is maintained at any cable length. That, obviously, comes with a price.

If you’re as unlucky as to need both the velocity and the length, prepare for the expense. The simplest Thunderbolt 3 cable with 0.5m of length would cost you less than half of what the same brand will be asking for a 2m active.