Belkin DuraTek USB-C Cable review: Highly flexible, Kevlar-reinforced for longevity

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TA-ratings-98We’ve all been there before, go to charge our dying phone or tablet only to find the cable we’ve been using for a few months or a year has cracked or split and no longer works. Our Belkin DuraTek USB-C Cable review takes a look at a highly flexible double-braided nylon USB-C cable with Kevlar-reinforced internal wiring.

Belkin CEO and Founder Chet Pipkin, who started building cables on his parents’ dining room table in 1983, had this to say about USB-C:

“We have always been in the business of connecting people to their technology and guiding consumers in times of transition. USB-C is the latest transition. A recent report from IHS estimates an increase in USB-C device shipments between 2015-2019, increasing from under 500K to 2M [measured in thousands of units]. We have always and will always create people-inspired products, and intend to give people the best when it comes to USB-C.”

Specifications

The Belkin MIXIT DuraTek USB-C Cable has the following features and specifications:

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  • Kevlar®-reinforced conductors provide added durability
  • Longer, flexible strain relief absorbs stress from bending to prevent breakage
  • Double-braided nylon forms flexible, durable cable jacket
  • Aluminum casing protects circuit board inside connector
  • Flexible insulation reduces friction
  • 4-foot length
  • Supports 3A charging and up to 480Mbps data transfer
  • 5-YEAR warranty

What’s in the box

  • Belkin MIXIT DuraTek USB-C to USB-C Cable
Belkin-DuraTek-USB-C-Cable-review-01
Just the cable with this one…

Design

At a glance, the Belkin DuraTek USB-C Cable doesn’t look much different than other cables out there. However, there are a few noticeable differences — some unseen — that set this USB-C to USB-C cable apart.

Each end of the cable has a USB-C connector encased in polished aluminum for added strength. The Belkin logo is printed on both sides of the aluminum casing. At the base of this is a small TPE jacket which Belkin has tested to withstand over 5000 bends. In my experience, most of my cables have failed because of cracking at the point where the cable attaches to the connector.

Belkin-DuraTek-USB-C-Cable-review-03
Aluminum casings with TPE jackets add durability.

The cable itself is double-braided nylon and is one of the most flexible cables I’ve seen to date. I’m a big fan of braided cables as they are more tangle resistant, but many of them feel a bit stiffer — at least initially. With the Belkin DuraTek cable, however, the cable is very soft and flexible right out of the box.

Belkin-DuraTek-USB-C-Cable-review-02
One of the most flexible braided cables I’ve seen to date.

Ease of Use

As with any other USB-C — or USB for that matter — cables, the Belkin DuraTek USB-C Cable is as plug-and-play as it gets. Simply plug one end into a USB-C port, and the other into your USB-C device to begin charging or transferring data.

Performance

For starters, the Belkin DuraTek USB-C to USB-C cable is USB-IF certified, which means it meets all electrical, mechanical, and environmental standards set forth by the USB-IF organization. This is worth mentioning as there are a number of cables out there that are substandard and have the potential to harm your devices.

Needless to say, the DuraTek USB-C cable performs as expected. Charging provided the proper output, and data transfer was quick as well.

Price/Value

Priced at $29.99USD, the Belkin MIXIT DuraTek USB-C cable is definitely pricier than other offerings. However, given its design, flexibility, and the construction components used, this USB-C cable will definitely last longer than cheaper cables.

Wrap-up

If you’re tired of replacing your USB-C cables and are looking for something that is flexible and sturdy, you’ll want to check out the Belkin DuraTek USB-C Cable.

*We were sent a sample of the Belkin DuraTek USB-C Cable for the purposes of this review.

Last Updated on June 26, 2017.

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