Here at SEENIT we’re big fans of Apple’s iPad and iPhone but, like many users, find it hard to love the firm’s lightning charger cables which are cursed with a flimsy rubber coating prone to tearing with repeated use.
While there are some four and even five star entries, many reviews on the firm’s own online store are scathing, with customers unhappy not only with the unreliable quality of the charger cables but also with the steep £19 the firm charges for a replacement.
Luckily there are two alternatives to buying a replacement official Apple cable which could save you money longterm.
The first option is the Lightning to Micro USB Adapter which turns any standard Micro USB cable – the cable which ships with virtually every non-Apple phone, tablet, eBook reader and electronic gadget – into a charger for an iPad or iPhone.
While the official Apple version costs the same £19 as a new cable, the lack of any flexible parts makes it a solid performer which is likely to last a lot longer than the cable.
However if you’re shopping on a budget third party versions, including this one made by Amazon are available for much less and, whichever brand of adapter you buy, you’ll be able to save a packet by buying a handful of Micro USB cables for less than you’d pay Apple for a single lightning cable.
If adapters aren’t your thing, plenty of third party brands sell their own lightning cables which not only boast stronger coverings than the official accessory, but also come in at more wallet-friendly prices.
This Toways version currently costs £6.79 for a 1.2m version, and if you need a longer reach the 2m version will cost you just 2p more.
Whether buying a cable or adapter, if you’re going for a non-Apple branded part we’d recommend which is MFI-certified which means it uses an Apple certified connector guaranteed to work with your iDevice.
