This short buying guide will help you find the best Thunderbolt 4 cables in the market to get the best out of your new Thunderbolt 4 devices or improve the performance of your existing Thunderbolt 3 ecosystem. Looking for other Thunderbolt 4 accessories? Check out our other buying guides on the best Thunderbolt 4 docking stations and a complete list of Thunderbolt 4 laptops.
While Thunderbolt 4 didn’t bring significant upgrades in terms of speed and features, it significantly improves our user experience and confidence when buying new Thunderbolt products. All Thunderbolt 4 products must be certified. Rest assured that your performance will be reliable no matter which Thunderbolt 4 cable you end up buying.
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Thunderbolt 4 Vs. Thunderbolt 3 Cables
Buying a Thunderbolt 4 cable can improve the performance of your existing Thunderbolt 3 setup. Previously, Thunderbolt 3 was restricted to 0.5m if you wanted the full 40Gbps bandwidth. Beyond 0.5m, an active cable was required, or the bandwidth dropped to 20Gbps.
Active Thunderbolt 3 cables are great and can support 40Gbps over two meters, but there is one problem. According to 9to5Mac, active Thunderbolt 3 cables lack support for USB 3(x). When you connect a 2m Tb3 cable to a USB 3.0 or USB 3.1 device, the connection reverts to USB 2.0 speeds. Another downside is that active cables don’t support USB-C monitors.
You can solve most of the Thunderbolt 3 challenges by simply getting a Thunderbolt 4 cable. A Thunderbolt 4 cable brings support for 40Gbps and USB3x over longer distances up to 2 meters (6.56 feet). You can also connect a USB-C monitor to a long 2m Thunderbolt cable.
In addition, Thunderbolt 4 cables bring other performance improvements with support for 3,000MBps transfer speeds on compatible external drives. Unlike Thunderbolt 3, all Thunderbolt 4 cables now support up to 100W power delivery for laptop charging. Falling victim to Thunderbolt 3 cables that only support 15W charging is a thing of the past.
If you don’t have Thunderbolt 4 devices yet, investing in a Thunderbolt 4 cable for your setup can significantly improve the reliability and performance of your Thunderbolt 3 devices.
When buying a Thunderbolt 4 cable, look for a lighting logo and the number 4. Shopping made easy.Best Thunderbolt 4 Cables Compared
| Image | Product | Details | Check Price |
|---|---|---|---|
 | OWC Thunderbolt 4 / USB 4 Cable | Length: 0.8m, 1.0m, 2.0m Cable Jacket: TPE Warranty: 3 year | Check on Amazon |
 | Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable | Length: 2.0m Cable Jacket: Not listed Warranty: 2 years | Check on Amazon |
 | Cable Matters 40Gbps USB4 Thunderbolt 4 Cable | Length: 0.8m Cable Jacket: TPE Warranty: 1 year | Check on Amazon |
Best Thunderbolt 4 Cables – Our Picks
1. OWC Thunderbolt 4/USB-C Cable – Best Thunderbolt 4 Cable
OWC (Other World Computing) is a trusted brand when it comes to high-quality Thunderbolt solutions. The OWC Thunderbolt 4/USB-C Cable is one of the best Thunderbolt 4 cables you can buy right now. It’s affordable and comes in different lengths to fit most desk setups.
The cable is officially tested and certified to support all the features of Thunderbolt 4, including 40Gbps transfer speeds, 100W charging power, and up to 8K resolution. It’s also fully compatible with Thunderbolt 3, USB4, and USB-C, so you can expect it to work with any Type-C device.
Our TakeThe OWC Thunderbolt 4/USB-C Cable is an excellent option for anyone looking for a durable and reliable Thunderbolt 4 cable. It’s well built, comes from a trusted brand, and has a three-year limited warranty.
- Length options
- Premium build quality
- Good value
- 3-year warranty
- No braided option
2. Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable
Plugable’s TBT4-40G2M is a 2m active Thunderbolt 4 and USB4 cable. Plugable lists the cable as Thunderbolt certified and built with an Intel chipset.
Plugable lists 40Gbps transfer speeds and 100W 20V/5A Power Delivery for the TBT4-40G2M. Its product page also lists support for two 4K displays at 60Hz or one 8K display at 30Hz with an appropriate hub or docking station.
Plugable covers the cable against defects for 2 years and includes lifetime support.
Our TakeThe Plugable TBT4-40G2M is a Thunderbolt-certified 2m cable for a dock or display setup that needs a longer active cable. Its maker lists 40Gbps transfer speeds and 100W Power Delivery.
- Thunderbolt certified
- 2m active cable
- 100W Power Delivery
- 2-year coverage
- 2m length may not suit a compact desk
3. Cable Matters 40Gbps USB4 Thunderbolt 4 Cable
Cable Matters Thunderbolt 4 Cable is another Thunderbolt 4 cable made by a reputable company. It is Intel Certified, so you know your performance is going to be reliable. The cable is available in black and 0.8m in size.
The Cable Matters Thunderbolt 4 cable is great if you’re looking for an affordable cable that meets all the requirements of the Thunderbolt 4 specification. The Cable Matters cable is 0.8m long, while the Plugable TBT4-40G2M is a 2m active cable.
In terms of performance, the Cable Matters Thunderbolt 4 cable supports 40Gbps bandwidth, resolutions up to 8K, 3,000MBps transfer speeds, and all Thunderbolt 4 minimum requirements. It brings wider compatibility to many devices, including USB4, Thunderbolt 3, and USB-C peripherals.
Again, Cable Matters is a company that has been in the market for a long making excellent computer accessories, including Thunderbolt cables, Thunderbolt docking stations, and Thunderbolt adapters. While cheap, this Thunderbolt 4 cable will deliver outstanding performance and reliability on your devices and peripherals.
Our TakeCheap and reliable, Cable Matters Thunderbolt 4 Cable is the one you need if you want the best bang for your buck. It is tested and certified to meet all the Thunderbolt 4 specs and requirements. The only downside is that it is only available in 0.8m, but it won’t be a problem for most desk setups.
- Intel Certified
- Great value
- Reliable build quality
- 1-year replacement warranty
- Not available in 2m
Choosing the Best Thunderbolt 4 Cables – Our Buying Guide
Thunderbolt 4 cables must be certified, so no matter which brand you end up buying, you’re always going to get the same performance and features.
All Thunderbolt 4 cables will support 40Gbps over up to 2 meters, high resolutions up to 8K, dual 4k displays, fast 3,000MBps storage speeds on compatible external drives, 100W power delivery, and all the other features in the Thunderbolt 4 Specification.
However, there are still some factors and differences that help you find just the best Thunderbolt 4 cable for your needs because w
Length
Thunderbolt 4 supports high speeds up to 2 meters, meaning you don’t have to stress yourself on the shenanigans of active and passive cables. You’ll still get the same performance and features despite the length of the cable.
Most Thunderbolt 4 cables are available in 0.8m, which is ideal for most desk setups. Plus, shorter cables are cheap and reduce cable clutter on your desk.
If you’re building a laptop gaming setup, you can benefit more from a longer Thunderbolt 4 cable. Longer cables also give you the flexibility of arranging your desktop the way you want. You can route cables in every direction or place your devices as far as possible and still connect them to your PC.
The OWC Thunderbolt 4/USB-C Cable is one option for a longer Thunderbolt 4 cable because it is available in more than one length.
Cable Jacket
Most companies tend to use braided cable jacket to improve the durability of cables. It works, but it also reduces the flexibility of the cable. If your setup requires bending cables to connect some devices, this is not the kind of cable you want.
Most of the Thunderbolt cables on the market come with a flexible TPE cable jacket, so you’ll be good with either of them.
Warranty
Who does not want peace of mind when buying new stuff? It does matter if I am spending a dime, I always look for a warranty.
Most of the Thunderbolt 4 cables are backed with a warranty to cushion you against faults and damage. It can be a year or a lifetime warranty, depending on the company. It’s always good to buy a product with the best warranty and a favorable return policy.
For Thunderbolt 4 cables, OWC has the best warranty of three years.
Best Thunderbolt 4 Cables – Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 cable?
A Thunderbolt 4 cable can support 40Gbps over 2 meters with USB 3.1 (Type-C) support, while Thunderbolt 3 cable is limited to 0.5m. Unlike Thunderbolt 3, all Thunderbolt 4 cables support 100W power delivery.
Can I use a Thunderbolt 4 cable with a Thunderbolt 3 docking station?
Yes. Thunderbolt 4 is backward compatible, so all Thunderbolt 4 cables will work with Thunderbolt 3 and USB-C devices, including docking stations.
How do I identify a Thunderbolt 4 cable?
All Thunderbolt 4 cables are marked with a Thunderbolt (lighting) logo and a number 4, making them easy to identify.
Can I connect a Thunderbolt 4 cable to my iPad Pro?
Yes. Thunderbolt 4 is fully compatible with USB-C devices, including laptops and tablets. You can use a Thunderbolt 4 cable to connect your iPad Pro to a Thunderbolt monitor.
Sources: 9to5Mac
Hello Ed how are you. I have a Dell Inspiron 16 plus 7610, great laptop except one issue but maybe my fault. I tried charging it using a USB A to USB C port on my LT but nothing happened. It turns out I should perhaps use a Thunderbolt 4 cable but TB4 to TB4 cables, as you know, are not cheap. In your opinion should this cable charge my laptop?
Regards
Anthony Harvey