This $12 USB-C accent is likely one of the greatest investments I’ve made for my electronics

These helpful 240W USB-C magnetic adapters are on sale for simply $12 (with the added coupon) for one on Amazon.

A hill I am at all times keen to combat on — and possibly even die on — is that the magnetic breakaway USB-C connector is likely one of the greatest USB equipment on the market. Positive, it isn’t as flashy as a hardware-encrypted storage gadget or as geeky as a USB energy meter, however it does one factor extremely properly: defending your USB-C ports from harm.

I’ve misplaced observe of what number of USB-C ports I’ve seen destroyed as a result of somebody yanked a cable out too laborious. This has occurred to laptops, desktop PCs, sport consoles, TVs, you identify it. And do not even get me began on the variety of laptops I’ve seen crash to the ground as a result of somebody tripped over the charging cable. So, a number of years in the past, once I stumbled throughout my first magnetic breakaway USB-C connector, I knew I needed to attempt it out.

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Quick ahead a bit, and I had an entire assortment of them. This stuff had been a complete game-changer. For those who’ve been following my writing, you’ve got in all probability seen me rave about them earlier than.

However then I discovered one that’s the final breakaway connector. This one has a 180-degree swivel function, and let me inform you, it is a sport changer on prime of a sport changer.

This little little bit of motion helps stop the connector from breaking away when you don’t need it to whereas nonetheless permitting it to disconnect simply when wanted. It is one of the best of each worlds.

And don’t fret — if you do want it to interrupt away, it completely will! 

That stated, there’s one factor to bear in mind. This specific USB-C connector is a 16-pin model, not the “full” 24-pin model. With out diving too deep into the USB-C spec sheet, this is what meaning: that is primarily an influence connector, not a high-speed knowledge switch connector.

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It does assist USB 2.0 knowledge switch charges (480 Mbps), however it does not deal with the blazing 40 Gbps speeds of the non-swivel 24-pin variations. 

So, if you have to switch knowledge at excessive speeds or use the connector for a show, you will need to keep on with one of many non-swivel 24-pin choices — straight, 90-degree elbow, or right-angle. 

This limitation does not hassle me in any respect as a result of I solely use these breakaway connectors on energy cables. They are not very best for knowledge switch or powering shows since, properly, the cable may break free on the worst potential second, inflicting knowledge loss or making your screens go black.

Not precisely enjoyable, proper? 

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The connector additionally has a small purple LED exhibiting its carrying energy, which is a pleasant contact.

The equipment additionally features a helpful instrument for eradicating the magnetic connector from USB-C ports. However in case you’re something like me, that instrument will rapidly disappear into the void of misplaced issues. 

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However don’t fret. You may simply take away the connector by wrapping a little bit of fishing line or dental floss round it. Or, in case you’re feeling courageous (and do not thoughts sacrificing a number of fingernails), you’ll be able to simply pry it out together with your fingertips like I do. 

ZDNET’s shopping for recommendation

I completely love magnetic breakaway connectors, and these 240W swivel USB-C magnetic connectors are a implausible addition to my ever-growing toolbox of tech goodies. They work superbly and are the proper complement to their non-swivel counterparts. 

You can even purchase them hooked up to cables in case you choose for a number of extra {dollars}.