[UPDATE: For my latest post on Anker cables dated August 19, 2020, click here.]
I've reviewed many of high-end Anker cables, including PowerLine+ and PowerLine+ II cables, but I was recently in the market for a longer cable that was durable but inexpensive. The cable was for my daughter. She likes to keep her iPad plugged-in while she uses so that she doesn't have to worry about battery power, but that means that she has to sit pretty close to a power source. I wanted to get her a long USB-to-Lightning cord so that she can be farther away from the outlet. The longest Lightning cable that Apple makes is two meters long and costs $24.36 on Amazon, a small discount from Apple's $29.00 MSRP. Anker makes a cable that is 10 feet long, which is just over three meters long. You can buy that cable in the PowerLine+ II line, which will cost you $19.99 to $21.99 depending upon the color. But a simple, inexpensive cable was more than enough for my daughter's needs, so I opted for Anker's entry-level PowerLine 10ft Lightning cable, which costs $11.99 to $12.99 depending upon the color.
The white one that I purchased from Amazon is $11.99. It is also available in blue, red, or black. It comes with a small Velcro-type strap that you can use to keep it together.
PowerLine versus PowerLine+ versus PowerLine+ II
Anker currently sells three types of Lightning cables. The basic model is the PowerLine, and it features a cable made of PVC. Anker says that the PowerLine series is "reinforced with bulletproof aramid fiber" to make it "much stronger than conventional cables." I cannot comment on that, but suffice to say that this appears to be a quality cable.
The PowerLine+ series has nylon around the cable, which protects the cord even more and makes it virtually impossible to knot the cord. The PowerLine+ II series also features nylon surrounding the cord, but it is just a hair thicker and Anker says that it is even more durable. I've had good experience with both of these types of cables. I have some that I've been using for a long time and they still look like new. I've had one or two that my kids have managed to wear out over time, but the Anker ones seem to hold up better than the Apple ones when confronted with the abuse of a standard pre-teen and teen.
PowerLine versus Apple
This white PVC PowerLine cable looks similar to the Apple cable that comes included with just about every Apple device. The Anker cord it just a little bit thicker, and the plugs on both ends are a little bit thicker. If you are connecting to a case that has only a tiny place for the end of the Lightning cable — such as the Lifeproof iPhone 6 / 6 Plus cases — the Anker cable is too big. But for most other uses, the Anker cable works just fine.
In the following picture, a standard Apple USB-to-Lightning cable is on the left, and the Anker PowerLine calbe is on the right:
If the very minor size difference is not an issue for you, then the Anker cable it a great alternative to Apple's cable. First, if you want a long cable, the 10-foot cord is about 50% longer than Apple's longest 2m cord. Second, the Anker cord is less expensive, about $12 versus about $25 for Apple's cable on Amazon. Third, you get that small Velcro-type strap to hold it together, which is minor but nice to have for a longer cable.
My daughter hasn't used the cable long enough for me to make any definitive statements about long-term durability, but based upon my prior experience with Anker cables, my guess is that this cord will be just as durable as an Apple cable, and perhaps even better. And because of the price difference, you could actually use an Anker cord for a few years and then purchase a new one and use it for a few years and still pay less than you would for a single Apple cable that isn't even as long. Indeed, just last night, I ordered a second one of these cables for my son.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a long, simple, and inexpensive Lightning cable from a company with a reputation for making good products, the Anker PowerLine 10ft Lightning cable is a great choice.
Click here to get the Anker PowerLine 10ft Lightning from Amazon ($11.99)
