I recommend these USB-C connectors to anyone with a laptop – heres what they do

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This might be one of the best USB-C accessories I’ve ever purchased. Although simple and straightforward, it has protected my USB-C ports from damage numerous times and prevented laptops from being pulled to the floor by people (usually me) tripping over the charging cable.

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It’s a magnetic breakaway USB-C connector similar to Apple’s MagSafe connector, compatible with all your devices, from smartphones and tablets to power banks, docks, and laptops, including MacBooks that lack MagSafe. I’ve got a good handful of these connectors, and I use them daily.

The best thing is that it doesn’t slow down data transfer or charging. The connector has 24 pins, so every channel on the USB-C cable is carried through the connector, resulting in no compromises in data transfer speed.

I know this because I’ve been testing several of them to find the best and most affordable model for you.

A magnetic breakaway USB-C connector consists of two parts: the first part is the USB-C port that plugs into the device you want to protect — be that a laptop, smartphone, charger, power bank, or other device — and the other part goes on the end of the cable you’re going to use.

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Super-strong neodymium magnets keep the two parts together when in use until there’s a pull on the connector, and then the two parts come apart. The magnets are very strong and pull the two parts together with a decisive snap. It’s a simple idea yet brilliantly designed.

Just a note on the different versions of this product: I’ve tested both the 140W and 240W versions of this connector, and both reacted identically in the thermal and resistance tests. This makes sense, as these are just pass-through connectors, with the only active element being the LED light, which leads me to conclude that the 140W versions simply have the older branding.

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I’ve used similar breakaway USB-C connectors before, back when Apple removed the MagSafe charging port from the MacBook Pro. Thankfully, things have come a long way since then: These connectors have been revamped, improving the design and magnet, and bringing them up to date with support for features such as 140W charging.

These breakaway connectors come in three different types —straight, 90° elbow, and right-angle.

Personally, I like the elbow design. It feels like the most versatile and secure. In my testing, I found that the straight and right-angled connectors were easier to pull apart, resulting in more accidental breakaways. Still, I’d much prefer to deal with an accidental breakaway than a laptop that’s been dragged to the ground.

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The connectors also feature a handy LED light, allowing you to see if a device is charging. The part of the connector that goes into the USB-C port can sometimes be a bit hard to remove, especially if, like me, you have rubbish fingernails. This pack comes with a loop of string to aid in removal, which I find to be a really nice touch.

One thing that I’ve been asked about a lot is whether you can buy spare ends for this adapter, either as spares or because they’ve lost the original ones. Good news! You can buy them in a 3-pack for $10.

ZDNET’s buying advice

These USB-C connectors are a simple yet effective way to protect ports from damage — and preventing your laptop from being pulled to the floor. Investing a few dollars in a couple of these could save you thousands in the long run.

Right now, the two-pack is priced at $27 for all three of the configurations: elbow, right angle, or straight, plus the new flat ones. That puts each individual adapter at around $13, a competitive price for a device I use every day.

Magnetic breakaway USB-C connector tech specs

• Power: Up to 240W
• Data transfer: Up to 40Gb/s
• Video output:Up to 8K@60Hz
• Audio output: Supported
• Connection type: 24-pin
• LED indicator: Yes
• Dustproof: Yes