Inside this parcel are two boxes from Mag Tame, each containing a USB charging and data cable. One is a Type-A to Type-C cable, and the other is Type-C to Type-C. I decided to get these because, as we know, you can never have enough USB Type-C cables. Despite the USB Type-C connector being around for a while, we’re still transitioning from older standards like Lightning connectors, micro USB, and even mini USB connectors. Many devices, including car dash cameras, older GoPro models, PlayStation 3 controllers, and older photo cameras, still use these older connectors. Even Apple’s proprietary 30-pin connector is still in use. With this ongoing shift in connector types, it’s clear that Type-C will coexist with older standards for many more years. In fact, I believe we’ll be using a combination of Type-A and Type-C for at least the next decade. However, by the time these older devices are obsolete, we’ll likely have yet another new standard, and we’ll need to adapt again.
Back to these Mag Tame cables. The brand name is a clever play on words, aiming to “tame” your cables using magnets—and that’s exactly what they do. When most people hear “magnetic USB cable,” they usually think of a small connector that remains inserted in the device, with the cable attaching via magnets. However, these cables are different. The connectors are not detachable. Instead, the outer nylon braiding of the cable contains a flexible magnetic material, similar to the magnets you find on fridge stickers. This allows the cable to curl up neatly onto itself, preventing it from becoming a tangled mess.
Unlike regular USB cables that often end up in knots, the Mag Tame cable has a small footprint when curled, making it easy to store in your pocket or bag. However, a word of caution: avoid placing the magnetic cable near sensitive items like credit cards, as the magnetic force can demagnetize the magnetic strips on such cards.
The magnetic feature is the standout aspect of these cables, but there’s more to consider. The packaging mentions that these cables are capable of carrying up to 60 watts of power. They come in various types, including Type-A to Lightning, Type-A to Type-C, Type-C to Lightning, and Type-C to Type-C, as well as in three colors and three lengths. The 1-meter cables I have are ideal for charging portable devices or using them as data cables with a laptop or display. However, if you’re using them with a desktop PC that’s tucked away, you might want to opt for a longer version.
Mag Tame markets their cables as being made with high-quality copper cores, which is supposed to ensure safe and effective charging. While this is true to some extent—thicker copper does carry current better without overheating—it’s worth noting that copper quality doesn’t impact data transmission speeds. For USB and other data connections like HDMI or Ethernet, the quality of copper doesn’t directly affect the speed or signal quality. What it does affect is the cable’s durability. CCA cables, which use aluminum cores with copper cladding, are much more fragile than pure copper cables and tend to snap easier. So, for USB cables that will be frequently bent and twisted, pure copper is the better option for mechanical durability.
Both of the cables I received are braided, but the Type-A to Type-C one has a rounder shape, while the Type-C to Type-C cable is flatter. Personally, I prefer flat cables, so I gravitate more toward the Type-C to Type-C version.
To test the cables, I used a Gan charger capable of delivering up to 66 watts of power via the Power Delivery protocol. Although I have some smaller devices that would benefit from this, like smartphones and a vaping pen, I decided to try charging power-hungry devices, such as a DJI drone, a handheld Windows computer from Asus, and my most demanding device, a Dell business laptop. All these devices drew between 30 and 60 watts of power, and the Mag Tame cables handled the load without any issue.
Concerned about overheating? I used a thermal camera to check the connectors after charging. The connectors never exceeded 40°C, which is well within safe limits for both devices and users.
Next, I tested the data transfer speed. It’s important to note that while the Type-C connector is often associated with high-speed data transfer, the cable itself may not always support these speeds. Many Type-C cables are actually USB 2.0 cables, which offer much slower data rates. In my case, the Type-A to Type-C cable is USB 2.0, meaning it only supports speeds up to 480 Mbps. On the other hand, the Type-C to Type-C cable is a true USB 3.0 super speed cable, supporting the maximum data transfer rate for Type-C cables. If you have a USB 4.0 device, this cable can provide speeds of up to 40 Gbps, which is the fastest available at the moment.
Overall, these are solid cables, well-made with high-quality materials, and the magnetic curling feature is a convenient touch for anyone who frequently carries cables around. It significantly reduces cable mess and frustration. If you’re in the market for new USB cables, Mag Tame is definitely worth considering.