Durable power for your modern tech
Pair your USB-C-friendly device with a quality, durable braided cable from Kick Power. The USB-C to USB-C prongs were attached to secure, robust neck segments and the braided cable. The packaging promised USB 3.1 Gen 1 tech and 5V/1A power. I can attest that the information on the back of the packaging underrepresented the power capability of the cable. Unfortunately, the cable length did not live up to the promise; the cable was 1/4 inches shy of the 5 foot length.
- DESIGN
- EASE OF USE
- PRICE
- DURABILITY
Cable provides durable power for your modern tech.
As I moved from a Lenovo laptop to my first and then second MacBook Pro, I began the task of rooting out unnecessary cables. We have several generations of iPad mini, an iPad Pro 12.9”, MacBook Pro 15” 2008 and 2020, Airpods Pro, an iPhone 11 Pro, iPhone 12 Pro, and iPhone 13 Pro Max. Besides the arsenal of Apple Products, we also have two Nintendo Switches and a Meta Quest 2.
With the above tech, I can get away with USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to Lightning cables for nearly all of my gear. However, I still have a few USB-A to Lightning and USB-A to micro cables lying around for a few pieces of older tech. As the trend shifts beyond lightning and into USB-C only, I will need more USB-C to USB-C cables and USB-C dongles.
The KICK POWER USB-C to USB-C Certified 5Ft cable arrived in traditional KICK POWER style. The cover panel provided a clean white upper segment, a contrasting lower black segment, and a vibrant red border accent. The company name was listed in red/black font along the top right, along with a generic USB-C to USB-C certified name.
Like many Kick Power products, the USB-C to USB-C cable lacked a unique name, which would have better presented the product. The white segment radiated to the side and top panels, while the black segment continued onto the opposite side panel. The main showcase of the cover panel was the image of the black/braided USB-C to USB-C cable and the 5ft label at the top left.
The white side panel provided the product name and web address, while the opposite panel provided the generic product name and red-bordered clear plastic window. This method of product display has quickly become my favorite presentation style. I love directly visualizing the product, as it provides a more thorough understanding than a flat image.
The rear panel provided the company name along the top of the panel, and a large red-bordered clear window with a central “Feel Me” cutout. Beneath the window, you will find a grey product registration column with a surrounding red border. The packaging promised type CM to CM connector, 5V/1A USB Speed and current rate, USB 3.1 Gen 1, and a 5-foot cable length. Lastly, you will find three icons (5foot, Sync, Charge), address/contact information, product manufacturing labels, and the SKU barcode.
I lifted the top panel of the packaging, and slid the clear plastic Inner tray outward. Like the recently reviewed USB-C to Lightning cable, the USB-C to USB-C cable was easily removed from the plastic tray. Before testing the power output/ability, I wanted to test the cable parameters. The device weighed 1.3 ounces and had 1 7/8 inches long ends.
The 5/16 inches long metallic USB-C prong connected to a 5/8 inches long by 7/16 inches wide by 1/4 inches thick body. The body tapered over 1/4 inch to a 1/4 inches wide by 7/8 inches long neck segment. Each of the neck segments had five notches/cutouts on the front/back of the cable. The cable arrived coiled and constrained with a central 3/8 inches wide velcro strap.
I removed the strap, stretched out the cable, and was saddened to find the cable did not reach the 5 foot mark on my measuring tape. I tugged on the cable, measured, remeasured, changed measuring tapes, and continued to find the cable measured 1/4 inch short at 59 3/4 inches long.
To test the strength of the neck segments, I gripped the plastic body in one hand, the cable in the other, and I pulled in opposite directions. I was pleased that both ends of the cable retained their shape without slipping. I then gripped the USB-C prong, bent the metallic tips forward/backward and side to side one hundred times, and was pleased with their durability.
I rotated the segments, bent the neck/connector segments, and tugged on the braided line to finalize the test. The robust midsection of the braided cable was constructed well and resisted kinking. After pulling, tugging, and rotating the cable/neck segments, I decided to remeasure the cable with my measuring tapes.
Despite my attempts to elongate the cable, it did not live up to the promised five-foot length. However, I did appreciate the included black velcro retention strap.
To test the cable output, I plugged a RapidX 65W GaN adapter into a standard Type B wall outlet, a Klein Tools Multimeter into the USB-C port, and then the USB-C to USB-C cable between the multimeter and iPad mini Gen 5 (USB-C).
The multimeter displayed 15.13V/0.66A, and the iPad increased from 86% power at 10:42 PM to 96% by 11:01 PM and full power by 11:11 PM. I removed the USB-C cable from the iPad mini and plugged it into my iPad Pro 12.9” with Magic Keyboard. The multimeter displayed 15.08V/2.36A, and the iPad Increased from 2% power at 11:03 PM to 17% power by 11:17 PM, to 35% by 11:35 PM, and 57% by 11:56 PM.
The USB-C prongs connected easily to my iPad mini case and into the iPad Pro 12.9” plus Magic Keyboard. I did not experience any difficulty with cases as I did with the USB-C to lightning cable. I am not certain why the packaging stated “USB Speed and Current rate: 5V/1A” when the cable is capable of so much more than that listed.
Additionally, the packaging noted USB-3.1 Gen 1, which is an outdated naming system as of 2019. The USB Implementers Forum (USB-IF) changed names to USB 3.2 Gen 1 based on standards. Furthermore, newer USB technologies have been developed to include USB 3.2 Gen 2 and USB 4.
The black braided cable was able to provide ample charge via USB-C to USB-C connection. I was pleased with the design of the prongs, the shape/color of braided cable, and with the included cable management strap. The USB-C prongs were enhanced by the robust neck segments to reduce/prevent cable breakage. My only complaint with the cable was with the reported length; the cable measured 59 3/4 inches long and did not reach the full 60 inches.
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