Best Thunderbolt Cables in 2022

Last update: December 14, 2022

Are all Thunderbolt ports the same?

No, all Thunderbolt ports are not the same. While all Thunderbolt ports support the same basic functionality, there are some differences that exist between them. For example, some Thunderbolt ports support higher data transfer speeds than others. Additionally, some Thunderbolt ports are able to provide power to devices, while others are not.

Are Thunderbolt cables still used?

Yes, Thunderbolt cables are still used. They are used to connect Thunderbolt-compatible devices to each other.

Can I plug a USB into a Thunderbolt 4 port?

Yes, you can plug a USB into a Thunderbolt 4 port. Thunderbolt 4 is a new standard that builds on the success of Thunderbolt 3. It offers the same plug-and-play compatibility with existing Thunderbolt 3 devices, while also providing full support for USB 4 devices.

Can I use USB-C cable for Thunderbolt 3?

Yes, a USB-C cable can be used for Thunderbolt 3 as long as the cable is marked as compliant with the Thunderbolt 3 standard. The cable must also be able to support the full 40 Gbps bandwidth that Thunderbolt 3 devices are capable of.


USB C to HDMI Cable Adapter, QGeeM 6ft Braided 4K@60Hz Cable Adapter(Thunderbolt 3 Compatible) for iPad Pro,MacBook Pro 2018 iMac, ChromeBook Pixel, Galaxy S9 Note9 S8 Surface Book hdmi USB-c Review:


To work with my 2018 MacBook Pro, I'm gradually swapping out old USB-A cords for USB-C cables. There was only one USB-C to HDMI cable available on Amazon, so I decided to give it a try.- Reasonably priced (around $18, although I had a $2 discount at the time of purchase)- Outstanding quality. snug fit, hefty plug ends, and braided cable (not loose).– Good length. When I travel, a 6' cable will be useful for connecting my MacBook to a motel TV.It fit perfectly into the HDMI port on my external display after being plugged into the MacBook (excellent tight fit). I'm not currently watching videos or playing games with it, but the video quality looks to be extremely nice. Overall, I'm really pleased with my purchase.



USB C to Displayport Cable, QGeeM 6ft 4K@60HZ Thunderbolt 3 to Displayport Cable Compatible with MacBook Pro 2018/2017, ipad pro 2018, Surface Book 2, Dell XPS Sumsang Galaxy S9 S10 Note 9 dex etc Review:


Great results. uses the full 1080p resolution of the monitor and is certain to support 4K. Cord seems to be fairly robust. Not much else to say. nothing is missing.My laptop's screen would flicker when I first plugged it in, as if it were trying to connect but failing. After about a minute, this stopped, so my PC must have figured out what to do with the enormous monitor that was being connected. I extended the display by pressing Windows key P and changing to ot, which might have been helpful. The suggested scaling of text and apps was changed from 300% to 100% since the graphics on the screen were too large.



QGeeM USB C to HDMI Adapter 4K Cable, USB Type-C to HDMI Adapter [Thunderbolt 3 Compatible] MacBook Pro 2018/2017, Samsung Galaxy S9/S8, Surface Book 2, Dell XPS 13/15, Pixelbook More Review:


Here are three benefits of purchasing this adapter over the other others like it that are available on Amazon:1. It functions! Doodads like this run the risk of being unreliable, incompatible with your device, performing some tasks effectively while failing to perform others, and so forth. Such issues have not yet been encountered with this adaptor. With my iPad Pro and a TV, I've used it for a number of hours, and there haven't been any dropouts, sync problems, artifacts, or other issues. HDCP-protected media has played flawlessly across this adapter to the TV. It already works; I don't need it to do anything else.2. It seems to be well-made. Only time will tell how well it endures, but the components feel high-quality, the cable is covered in a lovely woven nylon-like material, the strain relief appears to be effective, etc. When I look at the HDMI barrel connector head-on, I can notice some slight asymmetry, but only because I was looking for it, and this doesn't seem to be a problem. Overall, this tiny item appears to be more expensive than it actually is.3. The price is reasonable! Simple device, simple cost. It feels more pricey than Amazon's, perhaps even more so than the online retailer's own house brand.4. It doesn't need to be much bigger than it is, and it will easily fit in your cord and cable bag. Some of these adapters let you carry about a whole TV. You won't mind carrying this about and adding it to your collection.Does the job well, doesn't feel cheap, and is reasonably priced. fantastic combination



iVanky Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter [Super Slim, Nylon Braided, Aluminum Shell] - Thunderbolt to HDMI Adapter for MacBook Air/Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro/Dock, Monitor, Projector and More - Grey Review:


HDMI to Thunderbolt Adapter (0.65ft, Super Slim, Heavy Duty) For use with the MacBook Air/Pro, Microsoft Surface Pro, projectors, monitors, and more, get the grey iVanky Nylon Braided Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Adapter.Even though I've only had this adapter for a short while, I've already been really pleased with it. The braided 3.5mm audio cord from Ivanky is the only other Ivanky product I've used or owned, and this adapter's quality has more than met my expectations. I don't have to worry about overstretching the cord when I move it because of the elegant and sturdy weave of the cord. Both ports have extremely appealing matte metal casings that feel incredibly durable, and the plastic sleeve or shield that shields the cord where it connects to the ports also seems like it would be able to withstand a lot of abuse and protect the wires where they come into touch with the ports.I was able to test the adapter side-by-side with a straight HDMI connection because one of my computers has both a Mini DisplayPort / Thunderbolt port and an HDMI port. Whether it was a reduction in visual or sound quality or a delay between the source and the TV output, I was unable to tell any difference between the two. Videos played using the adaptor sounded and looked fantastic. I'll be sure to update my review if anything changes while I'm using the adapter, but so far, so good!



Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Cable, Benfei Mini DP to HDMI 6 Feet Cable (Thunderbolt Compatible) with MacBook Air/Pro, Surface Pro/Dock, Monitor, Projector Review:


I suppose it's my fault for not testing this cable right away because I bought it around two months ago but didn't need to use it until recently. As stated in the headline, after plugging it in, I saw nothing but a brief, greenish image. In order to rule out a problem with the TV, I tried a different hmdi cable. I suppose it's not a major loss, but I was hoping for more from Amazon's own brand. Their reputation is generally strong, but I think the low price carries a higher risk. If you use your surface frequently for presentations and other purposes, I would suggest investing in a higher-quality brand; however, if you're like me and only use it occasionally to play movies for family and friends, proceed with caution and test it out right away because I can no longer return mine. happy luckUpdate: It was actually my TV! Stupid me, excellent cable



Mini DisplayPort to DisplayPort 4K@60Hz 6 Feet Cable, Benfei Mini DP(Thunderbolt Compatible) to Display Port Adapter Male to Male Gold-Plated Cord Compatible for MacBook, Lenovo, Dell and Other Brand Review:


Functions as promised. Full resolution can be reached on a variety of monitor setups and tested on a variety of devices (MacBooks, Asus ROG Laptops with mini DP out.)Working at 4K @ 60Hz. (Experimented on Samsung 4K TV)It works with 1440p Ultrawide (3440x1440) @ 60 Hz. (LG Widescreen Monitor)It works in 1080p At 144hz. (Samsung Monitor, 144 Hz)Keep in mind that 4:4:4 chroma subsampling is used in all of these. There is absolutely no image deterioration or corruption. Recommended if you're searching for a DP to Mini DP cable, though you should choose the cheaper one if you can find one with comparable features.



USB C to Displayport Cable,QGeeM 4ft 4K@60HZ Thunderbolt 3 to Displayport Cable Compatible with MacBook Pro 2018/2017, ipad pro 2018,Surface Book 2,Dell XPS Sumsang Galaxy S9 S10 Note 9 dex etc(1.2M) Review:


I recently purchased a new 4K monitor, and when I connected my MacBook Pro to the monitor using an HDMI cable, everything appeared to be too large, and I was unable to scale anything down. I read that I could achieve this by utilizing a displayport cable. Thought this cable's shorter length was a plus, I wasn't sure how high of a quality it would be. Today I received it, and I was delighted. It has a crisp appearance and seems durable. I wouldn't think twice about suggesting or getting their other products.



BENFEI 4K Mini Displayport(Thunderbolt) to HDMI 6 Feet Cable with Audio, Mini DP Display Port to HDMI Converter(Adapter) Gold-Plated Cord for MacBook Air, Mac Mini, Microsoft Surface Pro 3/4, etc Review:


Prior to placing my order, I visited a box store. There was an additional $30, but it didn't seem to be for my system. Despite the fact that the people in the blue shirts insisted it was. Knowing that I had already ordered it for my second monitor, I went home and placed another order. I simply went to the box store for convenience, but when I ordered, I received everything on Sunday and by the afternoon the following day.



Plugable Thunderbolt 3 Cable 40Gbps Supports 100W Charging, 2.6 feet (0.8 Meters), 5A, USB C Compatible (Thunderbolt 3 Certified) Review:


This is Nathan K, an independent USB-C testing and verification expert who participates in the Google Top Contributor program (Nexus/Pixel Support Forums). Thunderbolt 3 20Gbps USB-C Cable (6.6'/2m, 3A/60W) [Model TBT3-20G2M] from Plugable was examined.It looks that this PASSIVE eMarked cable complies with USB Type-C specification version 1.2. Given the limitations of the 2m length, it also has rather favorable performance qualities. In the interim, this is an excellent "long distance" USB3.1Gen1 (5gbps) data Thunderbolt 3-20gbps data charge (3A/60W) connection because, in my opinion (as of December 2016), active cable designs are now seriously faulty.THE GOOD: The cable's support for USB3.1Gen1 is appropriately indicated. It was constructed using high-performance Lintes ODM cable stock. It passes all tests on a TotalPhase Advanced Cable Tester Level 2 for SI, DCR, Continuity, and eMarker. It can be run at 6GHz at 120% capacity and still meet SI requirements. Technically, the DC resistance is just low enough to qualify as a 5A/100W cable. (It is correctly eMarked as 3A for safety.) It even omits the plug's pins B6 and B7, which the specification recommends. two front "teeth" at the bottom.THE MEDIOCRE: Some connector pins have high per-pin resistance (between 12 and 15 mOhm). I assume it is "typical" because this issue occurs with other Lintes ODM cables from Belkin. The j5Create JUCX01 and Anker A8181011 feature extremely low per-pin resistance (5mOhm), in contrast. Although this is well within specification (40mOhm), it shows that the paddlecards should be improved.The issue: The technical specifications show the changes in data rates between the Plugable 1m (USB3.1Gen2 10gbps) and 2m (USB3.1Gen1 5gbps) cable versions, but the bullet points could clarify these issues. The product title uses the word "Certified" without specifying BY WHOM. In this instance, I am aware from prior experience that it is "Intel Thunderbolt Certified," but it is still a little deceptive. Particularly in light of the dual Intel and USB-IF certification of some other manufacturers. In comparison to rival products, it is also somewhat pricey. (However, as I have previously stated, I have worked closely with Plugable's experts to troubleshoot the issue, so at least I know where the money goes.)These, however, are SMALL complaints. I'm just relieved that this product is high-quality and "just as advertised on the tin." Thus, it receives a superb grade.CONCLUSION: With extremely respectable Safety Factor margins, this cable is very well constructed and performs just as it is designed to. For any applications that call for a 2m Thunderbolt 3-20gbps cable, a USB 3.1Gen1 5gbps cable, or a 60W charging cord, I highly recommend it.A TotalPhase Advanced Cable Tester Level 2 and Plugable/Google Twinkie, together with my own specially designed microcontrollers and apparatus, were used to sample the data. Using Plus, more data can be validated.USB-C Plugable Type-C Power Delivery Sniffer



Apple Thunderbolt cable (0.5 m) Review:


These are just too costly. However, it is the cost of adopting cutting-edge technology for high-speed transfer. These can be used to link two Apple computers together or to link your Apple computer to an external drive that supports Thunderbolt (which is my primary use for them). They are extremely excellent quality, as are most Apple products, but they cost an absurd amount of money. You can try to comfort yourself by realizing that these cables aren't "just" cables; if you physically destroyed the end caps and looked inside, you'd find the electrical controller parts that make the technology work. As a result, the controller that is concealed inside the cable's end caps is included in the price of the cable as well. The cable quality is also quite high, and provided it is not misused, it should last a very, very long time. Because of their price, it's difficult to give them a five-star review, but they are in fact a five-star product, and if you utilize Thunderbolt, I would choose them over non-Apple brands.BACK UP!The term "Thunderbolt" conveys a lot of ambiguity. High-resolution displays are connected to PCs via Mini Display Port cables, which are *NOT* the same as these. If you're unaware of the distinction, look up "Thunderbolt and Mini Display Port" online to learn more. The physical connectors of "Thunderbolt" and "Mini Display Port" cables are identical and have the same physical (i.e., size) characteristics, which causes confusion. However, these two technologies have different functions and cannot be used interchangeably in all situations. Do your research before making a purchase to ensure that you only buy what you actually need.


Can you plug USB into Thunderbolt?

Yes, you can plug USB into Thunderbolt. Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface that supports both PCI Express and DisplayPort data. It also supports daisy-chaining of up to six devices, so you can connect multiple devices to a single port.

Do I need Thunderbolt on my laptop?

No, you don't need Thunderbolt on your laptop unless you have specific hardware that requires it. Thunderbolt is a high-speed interface that allows for fast data transfer and video output.

How can I tell if my USB-C port is Thunderbolt?

To tell if a USB-C port is Thunderbolt 3, look for one or more of the following symbols next to the port: • Thunderbolt • Thunderbolt 3 • USB-C with Thunderbolt logo If you see any of these symbols, your USB-C port is Thunderbolt 3.

How can you tell the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C?

To tell the difference between Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C, you need to look at the port. Thunderbolt 3 will have a lightning bolt symbol next to the port, whereas USB-C will just have the USB symbol. Thunderbolt 3 is also usually a different color than USB-C.

How do I know if I have Thunderbolt 3 or 4?

Thunderbolt 3 and Thunderbolt 4 are two different types of the Thunderbolt interface. Thunderbolt 3 is the latest version of the interface and offers a variety of benefits over the older Thunderbolt 4 standard. To determine which type of Thunderbolt interface you have, look for the Thunderbolt logo on your device. If the logo is followed by the number 3, then you have a Thunderbolt 3 device. If the logo is followed by the number 4, then you have a Thunderbolt 4 device.

How does a Thunderbolt port look like?

Thunderbolt ports are long and thin, and they usually have a small lightning bolt symbol next to them. They're typically found on high-end laptops and desktops.