ZDNET’s key takeaways
- These 140W and 240W USB-C connectors have a MagSafe-type mechanism that makes them safer and highly effective to make use of than conventional adapters.
- With costs beginning at $28 for a two-pack, this accent is a must have for vacationers, tech fans, and folk who usually swap between totally different cables and ports.
- Simply be aware of the place you retailer these connectors, as they’re small and probably simple to misplace.
This could be the most effective USB-C equipment I’ve ever bought. Though easy and easy, it has protected my USB-C ports from injury quite a few occasions and prevented laptops from being pulled to the ground by individuals (often me) tripping over the charging cable.
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It is a magnetic breakaway USB-C connector just like Apple’s MagSafe connector, appropriate with all of your units, from smartphones and tablets to energy banks, docks and laptops, together with MacBooks that lack MagSafe. I’ve obtained handful of those connectors and I take advantage of them day by day.
The perfect factor of all is that it does not decelerate information switch or charging. The connector has 24 pins, so each channel on the USB-C cable is carried by way of the connector, leading to no pace compromises.
I do know this as a result of I have been busy testing a bunch of them to search out you the perfect and most cost-effective mannequin.
A magnetic breakaway USB-C connector consists of two elements: the primary half is the USB-C port that plugs into the system you need to defend — be {that a} laptop computer, smartphone, charger, energy financial institution, or in any other case — and the opposite half that goes on the top of the cable you are going to use.
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A brilliant-strong neodymium magnet retains the 2 elements collectively when in use till there is a pull on the connector, after which the 2 elements come aside. The magnets are very robust and pull the 2 elements along with a really decisive snap. It is a easy thought, but brilliantly designed.
Magnetic breakaway USB-C connector tech specs
- Energy: 140W and 240W variations
- Knowledge switch: As much as 40Gb/s
- Video output: As much as 8K@60Hz
- Connection sort: 24-pin
- LED indicator: Sure
- Dustproof: Sure
Only a word on the totally different variations of this product: I’ve examined each the 140W and 240W variations of this connector, and each reacted identically within the thermal and resistance checks. This make sense, as these are simply pass-through connectors, with the one lively component being the LED gentle, main me to conclude that the 140W variations simply have the older branding.
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I’ve used comparable breakaway USB-C connectors earlier than, again when Apple eliminated the MagSafe charging port from the MacBook Professional. Fortunately, issues have come a great distance since then: These connectors have been given a revamp, bettering the design and the magnet, and bringing them updated with help for options akin to 140W charging.
These breakaway connectors are available three differing kinds — straight, 90° elbow, and right-angle.
Personally, I just like the elbow design. It appears like essentially the most versatile and safe. In my testing, I discovered that the straight and right-angled connectors had been simpler to drag aside, leading to extra unintentional breakaways. Nonetheless, I would a lot want to take care of an unintentional breakaway than a laptop computer that is been dragged to the bottom.
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The connectors additionally function a useful LED gentle, so you may inform if a tool is charging.
The a part of the connector that goes into the USB-C port can generally be a bit arduous to take away, particularly if, like me, you will have garbage fingernails. This pack comes with a loop of string to assist in removing, which I discover to be a very nice contact.
ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation
The excellent news is that these connectors are cheaper than ever. I bear in mind paying effectively over $20 for a single connector, however now you may get a 2-pack for around $22 with a 30% off coupon on Amazon.
They are a easy, but efficient strategy to defend ports from injury and forestall laptops from being pulled to the ground. Investing a couple of {dollars} in a few these might prevent 1000’s down the road.