If you happen to be in the market for a brand new PC, you might be confused to see the only port options on offer are either USB-C or Thunderbolt, the latter of which is swiftly becoming an industry standard. This is largely due to the incredible functionality and improvements that the latest version, Thunderbolt 3, are capable of performing better than USB. Once you connect your Apple Thunderbolt 3 Pro Cable, you’ll be able to charge devices, transmit data and output video to multiple monitors like never before.
What to know before you buy a Thunderbolt cable
Thunderbolt is no longer Mac-exclusive
The Thunderbolt 3 cable might be the current king of the hill when it comes to data transfer and other utility functions, but the technology has been around for longer than you might think. In fact, Intel created Thunderbolt back in 2009 at the urging of Apple, who exclusively used Thunderbolt cables, ports and devices until 2016.
In response to the development of USB-C ports and improved USB cables capable of providing between 15W and 100W of power to compatible devices, Thunderbolt 3 was redesigned as a hybrid technology that incorporates USB-C connectors to get the best of both worlds. Since this innovation, the Thunderbolt 3 technology is rapidly becoming standard across the computer industry, although not every PC automatically comes with Thunderbolt 3 included.
Thunderbolt works with USB-C to offer greater flexibility and power
Despite Thunderbolt 3 being designed expressly for integration with existing USB technology, the technology behind Thunderbolt offers far more impressive capabilities than native USB-C. For example, Thunderbolt 3 comes with native audio support as well as far faster data transfer speeds than USB-C can currently manage. Furthermore, several Thunderbolt-compatible devices can be easily connected to each other and be controlled from a single PC.
Thunderbolt cable features
Thunderbolt 3 cables have great data transfer, monitor and charging ability
While a standard USB-C cable is only capable of transmitting data at a maximum speed of 10GBps, Thunderbolt 3 cables can transfer data at rates up to 40GBps, or four times faster than USB-C. In addition, as opposed to USB-C cables which can only support a single 4K monitor, Thunderbolt 3 cables can manage either a single 5K monitor or a pair of 4K monitors without breaking its stride.
For those who have a seemingly endless number of devices in need of charging, Thunderbolt 3 cables are capable of charging USB-compatible devices like PCs, smartphones and tablets with up to 100W of power. Finally, you can even connect a Thunderbolt 3 cable to hardware like an external Graphics Processing Unit if you happen to enjoy building PCs with unconventional hardware arrangements or boosting your gaming experience.
You will need to purchase special cables for long-distance connections
As mentioned earlier, one great feature of Thunderbolt 3 cables is the ability to effectively daisy chain up to six compatible devices and control them all from a single PC. However, it is worth noting that longer cables not only cost more but can also result in diminished performance for data transfer speeds, so take care not to overburden your linked devices.
Universal compatibility with Thunderbolt-only devices and all USB devices
As a hybrid technology, Thunderbolt 3 is designed to work with a wide range of compatible devices. While not every USB-C port is necessarily capable of making the most of everything that Thunderbolt 3 cables have to offer, they are compatible with both Thunderbolt-only devices as well as virtually all USB devices.
Thunderbolt cable cost
Depending on the length of the cable and the manufacturer, a quality Thunderbolt 3 cable can cost anywhere from $13-$40, and sometimes more.
Thunderbolt cable FAQ
How can I tell if my existing USB-C ports are Thunderbolt 3 compatible?
A. If you aren’t currently in the market for a new laptop or desktop PC, you might be wondering how you can tell if your existing USB-C ports are compatible with Thunderbolt 3. Fortunately, the answer is simple — just keep an eye out for a small lightning bolt symbol located nearby the USB-C port.
Can I use Thunderbolt 3 with previous generations of Thunderbolt devices?
A. Yes, Thunderbolt 3 is fully backwards compatible with both Thunderbolt 2 and original Thunderbolt ports, though you will have to purchase an adapter to do so.
Which Thunderbolt cable should I get?
Best of the best Thunderbolt cable
Apple Thunderbolt 3 Pro Cable: available at Amazon
Our take: A reliable Thunderbolt 3 cable that works with Windows, Mac and Linux PCs.
What we like: A cable length of almost three feet and capable of daisy-chaining up to six devices.
What we dislike: The adapter for older Mac Thunderbolt technology is not included and it requires USB-C ports at both ends of the connection.
Best bang for your buck Thunderbolt cable
Nekteck Thunderbolt 3 Cable: available at Amazon
Our take: All the convenience of Thunderbolt 3 technology in a compact package.
What we like: Compatible with all the latest PCs like the MacBook Pro, Alienware and ThinkPad Yoga.
What we dislike: The cable is only about a foot and a half long, and MacBook owners have reported some connectivity issues.
Honorable mention Thunderbolt cable
Belkin Thunderbolt 3 Cable: available at Amazon
Our take: This cable provides lightning-fast data transfer speeds without cluttering up your workspace.
What we like: Capable of supporting UHD video with ease and sports incredible charging and data transfer speeds.
What we dislike: Users claim that this unit is only capable of meeting a charging benchmark of 60W.
Daniel Martin is a writer for BestReviews. BestReviews is a product review company with a singular mission: to help simplify your purchasing decisions and save you time and money.
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