The new Thunderbolt 4 specification is more than just the speed. Sure, it gives you a theoretical transfer speed of 40Gbps. But the best part is that you can use the same cable to power your laptop too. Naturally, this lets you have a clutter-free desk since you can have a single cable to connect to an external monitor and transfer data or power your laptop. Cool, right? So, if you have been searching for quality cable, worry not, we have handpicked the best Thunderbolt 4 cables that you can buy.
Unlike most USB-C cables, Thunderbolt 4 cables are a little on the pricey side. But then, you get several advantages, such as high bandwidth, the ability to connect devices like docks without compromising on speed, and the ease of connecting one cable for power and data.
- Here are our picks for Thunderbolt 4 docks for MacBook Pro
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- USB-C vs Thunderbolt 3: Which one should you use to connect your MacBook to a monitor?
1. OWC Thunderbolt 4 Cable
- Length: 2.36 ft
As noted earlier, Thunderbolt 4 cables are expensive. But if you are looking for an inexpensive option, the OWC Thunderbolt 4 cable will be right up your alley. These are available in four sizes, and you can pick one depending on your setup.
These cables can transmit up to 40Gb/s and support Power Delivery up to 100W, thereby providing the needed power to your Mac Studio or MacBook Pro. OWC is known for its quality products, and this one is no different. For this reason alone, these OWC Thunderbolt 4 cables come highly recommended by its user base.
This one is not a braided Thunderbolt 4 cable like some of its counterparts. But it’s well-built and flexible. The former means that the cable will last you a long time, provided you are careful with how you handle it.
Despite the slightly expensive price tag, it’s popular on Amazon and has several positive reviews from its users.
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2. CalDigit Intel Certified Cable
- Length: 2.3ft
Up next, we have the CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 cable for your MacBook Pro. This one is an Intel-certified cable and gives you the desired speed. And yes, you also get the talked about 100W in charging power. Unlike most cables, it is not a nylon braided cable. That said, it’s a well-built cable and is durable and sturdy.
The durable factor means it will last a long time, irrespective of the number of times you plug and unplug it. At the same time, the strain relief is slim, and you can use the successive ports without any issues. However, there aren’t any additional grips on the side, and you may not be able to unplug it easily if your hands sweat a lot.
This CalDigit Thunderbolt 4 cable is popular on Amazon and has more than 1,400 positive reviews. Users love it for the quality of the material used and its durable nature.
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3. Anker Thunderbolt 4 Cable
- Length: 2.62ft
One of the main advantages of the Anker Thunderbolt 4 cable is its length. It is one of the few cables that measures 2.3ft, making it perfect for connecting your MacBook Pro to a Thunderbolt dock on your desk. You get all the advertised features, such as 100W Power delivery, 40Gbps speed, and dual 4K @ 60Hz support.
It’s a solid high-speed cable, and you shouldn’t see any dips in speed or bandwidth. This Anker cable is a little expensive, but it has found a good base of users. It works as advertised, and users have spoken highly of its build quality and charging prowess.
Note that it’s one of the shortest cables around, and as such limits its usage. Nevertheless, it’s perfect for MacBook, especially if you want to connect to a dock or an external SSD. So if you plan to use this cable in multiple scenarios, you’ll need to keep the length in mind.
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4. Plugable Thunderbolt 4 Cable
- Length: 6.6ft
The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 cable is priced slightly higher than the one above. However, it brings the advantages of Intel certification to the table, and you do not have to compromise on the capability of the cable. So yeah, you can connect to multiple monitors or stream 4K @ 60Hz.
Like the one above, it’s an Active Thunderbolt cable. So even if you have a 6.6ft cable, you do not have to worry about the speed dropping. It has a solid build and works as intended on Apple MacBook Pro laptops. And since it charges the laptop simultaneously, you have less cable clutter at hand.
The Plugable Thunderbolt 4 cable is slowly climbing up the popularity leader and has more than 80% positive reviews on Amazon. Users love its durable build. However, it’s not braided and is a bit on the expensive side.
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5. CableMatters Active Thunderbolt 4 Cable
- Length: 6.6 ft
The CableMatters cable has many good things going for it. For one, it is an Active cable. Secondly, it’s a braided Thunderbolt 4 cable. As you may already know, a braided exterior extends the life of a cable, and at the same time, prevents tangling.
Like most Thunderbolt 4 cables, this one can go up to a theoretical speed of 40Gbps, and this makes it highly useful in connecting 8K monitors to your laptop or a docking station.
The highlight of this cable is the premium construction which adds to its durability. The strain relief is a little on the longer side, thus preventing fraying at the ends in the long run.
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6. Belkin Active Thunderbolt Cable
- Length: 6.6ft
If you are looking for a Thunderbolt 4 cable from a known brand, you should check out the Belkin Active cable. Since it’s an Active Thunderbolt 4 cable, you will get the same speed over a long distance. This feature is especially important if you plan to use this Thunderbolt cable to connect your MacBook Pro to an external hard drive over a distance. It is not an Intel-certified cable. Rather, it is Thunderbolt-certified.
Like the one above, it’s a non-braided cable, making it easy to stow when not in use. The quality is top-notch for the price, and several users have pointed this out in their reviews.
Apart from these, you get the usual features like 100W Power Delivery and 40Gbps data transfer speed. It works as intended and is highly versatile. Apart from connecting your MacBook Pro, you can also use it for connecting to eGPU, multiple Thunderbolt monitors, and laptop docks.
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7. Apple Thunderbolt 4 Pro Cable
- Length: 5.9ft
If you do not want to stray out of the Apple ecosystem and at the same time, do not mind paying a premium, the Apple Thunderbolt 4 cable is your best bet. This one is the most expensive cable in the lot. However, you get the assurance that it’ll work as expected.
Plus, it’s a braided Thunderbolt 4 cable and the fine braiding on the exterior is the one feature that sets it apart from the rest. Naturally, this ups the cable’s durability and helps prevent fraying in the long run.
At 1.8m, it’s a little short compared to the others. However, it gives you enough wriggle room to connect your MacBook Pro to your Thunderbolt 4 dock or external hard drives.
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Fast as Flash
These were some of the best Thunderbolt 4 cables. Naturally, these cables remove the hassle of connecting a dedicated power cable to your MacBook Pro. And if you have a well-designed desk with good cable management in place, there’s nothing like this.
However, Thunderbolt 4 cables are more expensive than their old counterparts or even plain USB-C cables. But the time saved in high-speed data transfer is worth it.
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Last updated on 24 August, 2023
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