As much as we love to review powerbanks, there is a crucial part used when charging a device that we rarely touch upon: the charging cable. USB charging cables can vary quite a bit when it comes to quality and durability. In this review we’ll be taking a look at the iXCC Element II Lightning cable which we received from iXCC to test out.
View the iXCC Element II Lightning Cable on AmazonFirst Impression and Hands-on
The iXCC cable is firmly packaged and comes in a plastic bag which keeps it from staying damaged during shipping. Some iXCC cables are being sold by fake sellers that don’t provide the same quality as iXCC, so make sure you’re buying from the right seller.
At first glance, the iXCC Lightning cable looks just like Apple’s own Lightning cable. It’s similar in length, and presented in their signature white color. It feels quite sturdy and definitely up to par with Apple’s Lightning cable, a big difference here of course, is that the iXCC Element II is much cheaper than Apple’s cable. The Apple Lightning cable can be found on the official Apple site for nearly $20, which is a bit much for a simple cable if you ask me. The iXCC Lightning cable can be found on Amazon for under $10. Having the two side by side here, there really isn’t that much difference between the two. The iXCC feels just as sturdy strong and high grade as Apple’s cable.
Testing
As you might have experienced, a lot of cheaper cables tend to charge your device slower than normal. This is mostly due to the cheap components used and lack of quality control. We’ve put the iXCC to the test to see how it holds up against the original Apple Lightning cable.
First off, the iXCC cable is compatible with all iPads and iPhones that have a lightning input, making it just as compatible as a Apple’s own Lightning cable.
We got the Anker PowerCore 20100 to test and used the PowerIQ port to make sure it provided a constant 2A. When charging an iPad (2017), the iXCC cable puts up identical numbers as the original Apple cable. They’re both at roughly 5V with a charging speed of 2A. This means that the iXCC cable is practically the same quality as Apple’s own cable, and as you can see it can charge any iOS device just as fast.
Verdict
If you’re in need of a new Apple Lightning cable but don’t want to put up the pricey number Apple is asking for, the iXCC is a great option. It’s practically the same quality as Apple’s own, and does exactly what it should do: charge your Apple devices at reliable speeds, either though a powerbank or a wall charger. All in all, the iXCC Element II is a great bang for your buck and a perfect choice if you’re looking to replace your Lightning cable.
View the iXCC Element II Lightning Cable on Amazon
Leave a Reply