Every USB-C cable has the same plug, but what passes through it varies enormously. One cable charges at up to 60W and moves data at USB 2.0 speed; another carries 240W and 40Gbps. This guide makes the difference concrete.
Power: why 100W and 240W cables exist
For charging above 60W, the USB standard requires a cable with a built-in chip (e-marker) that tells the charger what the cable can handle. Without that chip, power is capped for safety, and your laptop charges slower, no matter how strong your charger is.
- 100W cable: ample for phones, tablets and virtually every USB-C laptop. The SYVOX Essential 100W (2 metres, braided nylon) is the safe default choice.
- 240W cable: built on the newest Power Delivery standard (EPR). Ready for the most powerful USB-C laptops and workstations, and therefore future-proof. That is the SYVOX Power 240W.
Data: 480Mbps or 40Gbps, and can you feel the difference?
Many charging cables move data at USB 2.0 speed: 480 Mbps. For syncing a few photos you will hardly notice. But copy large video files, back up an external SSD, or connect a dock or monitor, and the difference is night and day:
| Task | 480 Mbps (USB 2.0) | 40 Gbps |
|---|---|---|
| Copying 100 GB of footage | well over half an hour | tens of seconds* |
| Driving an external display | not possible | supported |
*In practice limited by the speed of your storage.
Which cable fits you?
- You mainly charge a phone and laptop: choose the 100W cable. Sturdy, long (2 m) and affordable.
- You work with large files, docks or external displays, or want one cable for everything including the future: choose the 240W/40Gbps cable.
Frequently asked questions
Can a cable that is “too strong” damage my phone?
No. The cable sets the maximum, not the minimum. Charger and device always negotiate the right power; a 240W cable is perfectly safe for your phone too.
Why is a braided nylon cable better?
The weak spot of any cable is where it bends, just behind the plug. Braided nylon and solid strain relief make that point far more wear-resistant than smooth plastic.
Does cable length affect speed?
For charging at normal lengths, hardly. For the very highest data speeds: the shorter, the more stable, which is why top-speed cables tend to stay around 1 to 2 metres.