Costing just $1 more than Apple’s standard Lightning to USB Cable, Moshi’s USB Cable with Lightning Connector ($20) is in our view a more attractive option. Available with either a white cable and silver metal end caps, or a black cable with gray caps that looks very similar to Apple’s new Space Gray color, this cable feels like a more premium alternative to Apple’s all-plastic design.
Moshi’s cable is listed as one meter long, and it’s just about an inch shorter from end to end than the standard Lightning cable included with iPads, iPhones, and iPods.
The diameter of the cord is just about the same, but, as is the case with most third party cables, the housings around the plugs at either end are a little larger. Around the USB plug, it’s not an issue, and most cases will work fine with the Lightning connector. Some, however, may have openings that are too tight and prevent a connection; we didn’t have issues with the cases we tested.
Moshi also includes a Velcro loop with the cable, which holds it together for travel.
While Moshi’s Lightning cable doesn’t offer any functional benefits over Apple’s, it does have nicer design features, for practically the same price. The metal is a nice touch that elevates the quality without forcing any other compromises.
