Custom Charging Cables | Promotional Charging Cables with Logo

Promotional Charging Cables Give Your Brand a Boost

When it comes to promotional products, tech accessories are in high demand due to their affordability and usefulness. Statistics show that 95% of Americans own at least one mobile device and 38% own a mobile phone, tablet, and laptop. Since we use our digital devices at home, in the office, and on the go, promotional charging cords and custom cables get plenty of use.

Our extensive selection of personalized charging accessories includes custom iPhone charging cables for Apple devices and branded charging cables for Androids. You'll find lightning cable connectors, micro-USB connectors, and Type-C chargers. Add your logo to a memorable Leather Look 3-in-1 Charging Cable Key Ring, 3-in-1 charging cable, or custom USB cable kit with carabiner for a tradeshow giveaway, corporate gift, or company swag item. Consider these popular promotional charging cables:

Stay Organized with Custom Charging Cables and Accessories

A branded 5-in 1, 4-in1, or 3-in-1 charging cable, dual-charging cable, or phone holder with charging cable can help keep customers and clients organized. A key ring with a charging cable is another popular choice and makes a great giveaway for any industry. Not sure which personalized charger cord or custom phone charger cable best fits your needs? Stay organized with these clever options:

Which Promotional Charging Cable Should I Buy?

There are dozens of factors to making a decision in buying a promotional charging cable. We've surveyed our customers and staff and come up with the most important considerations when buying a promotional charging cable to give to clients, customers, staff, or business prospects.

Device Compatibility

Choosing the right charging cable is easy when it is for yourself, as you know to look for one that is compatible with your specific device, be it an Apple® or an Android. When you are ordering promotional chargers for employees, students, and potential customers and clients, however, this becomes a trickier endeavor. That is where charging cables with multiple functions and tips come in.

These increasingly popular gadgets often contain:
3 charging tips, 4 charging tips, including the USB Type-C adaptor, that can be used with multiple devices, and even 5 charging tips.

Another factor to consider when looking for an Apple-compatible promotional charging cable is whether the product is MFi certified. MFi certified cables, although they are at a slightly higher price point, ensure safety and compatibility with Apple® devices and have been approved for both charging and data transfer.

USB Port Compatibility

USB connectors are distinguished by their shape and compatibility with specialized ports. There are several different connector designs that you'll find in the charging cables that we offer:

USB-A

These flat, rectangular connectors are the most popular, as most laptops and tablets contain USB-A ports. Our charging cables will contain one of these to plug into computers, automobile dashes, or wall outlets, which will then power up the connectors that go to phones and tablets.

USB Mini

These are typically used with digital cameras.

Micro USB

These are used with older Android mobile phones.

USB-C

These plugs and ports are rectangular with four rounded corners. All USB-C cables are USB 3.1, which means that if the device and charger support it, they can charge at breakneck speed. USB-C is the new standard cable, charging new Android phones, Chromebooks, and Apple devices including MacBooks.

Lightning or 8 Pin

Apple created its own proprietary charging cable connector for iPhones, iPods, and iPads. The lightning, introduced in 2012, has a symmetrical flat, 8-pin interface, allowing it to be inserted with either side facing up. Some chargers feature an adaptor from the lightning tip to the USB-C for use with any Apple device.

Which connector type should I choose?

With so many varieties of cables on the market, how do you decide which type of charging cable will meet the needs of your clients? Do most of your clients use iPhones, iPads, Android® phones, other tablets, laptop PCs? How would you even know?

The two most popular models of cables on the market today are the lightning cable and the USB-C cable. The easiest way to cover all your bases is to offer a charger with multiple tips. Crestline offers charging cables with two, three, four, or more connectors, making them useful for the widest possible range of recipients.

Finally, consider offering a tech kit with more than one connector type. As useful as charging cables are, they're even better with the right accessories. Treat recipients with charging kits, like the 3 In 1 Stretchy Set.

Charging Speed

USB Speeds

As a rule of thumb, shorter charging cables and thicker charging cables will charge devices faster. Charging speed depends on the number of watts that can be carried through the cable. To date, there have been four USB charging cable standards with respect to speed. USB 2.0 is the most used standard today.

USB 1.1 or "Full Speed" USB: USB 1.1 devices can reach a maximum transmission rate of 12 Megabytes per second (Mbps).
USB 2.0 or "High-Speed" USB: USB 2.0 compliant devices can reach a maximum transmission rate of 480 Mbps.
USB 3.0 or "SuperSpeed" USB: USB 3.0 compliant devices can reach a maximum transmission rate of 5 Gigabytes per second (Gbps), or 5,120 Mbps.
USB 3.1 or "Superspeed+" USB: USB 3.1 compliant devices can transfer data at 10 Gbps, or 10,240 Mbps.

The high-speed Android® W/ Mfi Adaptor, in addition to offering an attention getting all-over imprint, offers a fast transmission rate.

Our charging cables are not typically marked with a speed rating, but here is your secret decoder ring. All USB-C tip cables are USB 3.1 or Superspeed+! Choose a USB-C charging cable, and make sure it is also short, and you have speed on your side. Here are a few short cables featuring USB-C along with other tips:

Just one caveat, the charger and device used with the Type-C charging cable must also support that speed for maximum speed, so your mileage may vary.

Size/Length

What is the ideal charging cable length?

The answer to that varies depending on the intended use. There's no one-size-fits-all, and consumers should consider where they'll be charging their devices most of the time to find the right cord length. In general, though, it's best to err on the side of shorter. Less length means faster charge times and less area for potential failure, and has the benefit of making it more difficult to use a device while it's plugged in (a big no-no, for reasons detailed later). Cords come in a range of lengths, from one foot to more than 10 feet. Three feet is the most common standard length.

For charging from a USB port on a desktop computer, one foot or less of cable should be sufficient.
For the hotel rooms and planes that frequent travelers find themselves in, short is best. Hotel nightstands have outlets and charging ports built into them or on the wall right next to them. Airline seats have outlets built right in as well. Long cables are just an annoyance that gets in the way in that setting.
In a car, three feet is a good length. This is long enough to allow a driver to place the phone in a stable resting place, but not so long that the cord is likely to become tangled or get in the way of safe driving.
When leaving a device on a nightstand or counter, up to six feet of cord might be warranted, depending on the distance of the surface from the nearest outlet. Many people also have a designated couch charger for the living room. To charge a phone while using it from any seat of a couch, you need a pretty long cable.
Longer cords of nine feet or more can come in handy in public locales such as the library, a coffee shop, or another area where it might be difficult to find a spot right next to an outlet.

What about charging cable thickness?

The thickness of a power cable can make a difference in a charger's efficiency and speed. A thicker cable will charge better than a thinner one, especially when the cable is longer than six feet.

Every USB cable is made up of the same four wires: one green, one white, one red, and one black:

The white and green wires are for data. Their capacity determines data transfer speed.
The red and black wires carry the power for charging. Their capacity determines charging speed.

The amount of power a cable can carry at once is determined by the size of the 5-volt charging wires inside. A standard wire is 28 gauge and is capable of carrying about .5 amps, for a standard charge rate of about 2.5 watts (watts equal amps times volts).

If that all sounds Greek to you, think about it like a water hose, with volts representing the water pressure in the hose, amps representing the rate of flow, and watts representing the volume of that water. A garden hose is capable of putting out a lot of water fairly quickly, but if you connected a fire hose to the same water source, the volume of water output would be much higher due to the larger capacity of the hose.

Convenience for Frequent Use

Multi-use charging cords allow folks to keep essential items close at hand, wherever they may roam, and that means more exposure for your brand and logo. Here are some options that offer convenient charging on the go for work, travel, school, and in the home:

Charging Cable Lanyard with Phone Holder
A great hands-free option for tradeshows, conferences, and other events, your logo will get maximum exposure on this useful gadget.
Keychain Charging Cable
Your logo will travel far on a keychain that also doubles as a charging cable.
3-in-1 Charger Cable in Carabiner Storage Tube
A charging cable with a carabiner attachment allows users to attach the charger to keyrings, bags and lanyards, which offer additional branding opportunities.
Retractable Charging Cables
Retractable charging cables are great for travel, as they won't get tangled in your luggage. They are also the perfect size to transport between home and the office.
Charging Kits
Kits that include charging cables, power banks, and other tech accessories are great options for those who are on the go or travel for business, as they are highly portable and keep everything neatly together. As people tend to keep promotional items that they can use, custom imprinted charging kits are likely to be spotted at the airport, at conferences, and on college campuses.

Logo Visibility

People choose promotional products because of the option to display a custom logo on the items. While consumers will remember the gifting company regardless of the size or placement of the logo, it's important to consider the logo size and placement in all promotional buying decisions.

How big will my imprint be?

Perhaps you're wondering how much of an impact your branding message will have on recipients when presented on such a small product. Custom charging cables have a variety of imprint areas, ranging in size from a little as 3/10 of an inch high for an imprint on the cable itself to 4 inches or more for an imprint on a carrying bag.

While charging cords tend to have a smaller imprint area, there are several added features which can bring extra attention to your name and logo. Chargers with light-up logos, chargers with full color logos, chargers with cases, and charging kits are all examples of ways you can maximize your logo imprint area, and because they are fun and useful, they are likely to be held on to by their recipients.

For best results in ensuring your logo or message will look clear and attractive on a charging cable or carrying case, send either a vector file (PDF, EPS, AI, SVG, or INDD) or a high resolution (at least 300dpi) image file (JPG, BMP, TIF, PNG, GIF, or PSD). Be sure that your image has crisp, clean lines and is not pixelated or muddy. If you're not sure your art meets those guidelines, Crestline's graphics team is here to assist you at no additional charge. Just let your sales representative know you'd like help with your art.

Charging Multiple Devices at Once

When one needs to charge up more than one device at a time, a multi-function charging option can save time and keep everything up and running. As stated earlier, universal charging options are in high demand, as they work for everyone. Additional choices include: the Leather Look 3-in-1 Charging Cable Key Ring and the Metallic Multi-Port with Light Up Logo Cable.

Attachment Options

There are several types of universal charging cables available with differing ways to access the attachments. Others have interchangeable tips, which are more compact, but require a quick flip to switch from one to the other and cannot charge more than one type of device at a time.

What Kind of Special Features and Accessories are Available for Charging Cables?

Braided Fabric Charging Cords

The 3 ft Metallic Multi-Charging Cable with Type-C and the Self-Storing Smartphone Cable feature a trendy, braided look. Braided cords were initially created to prevent "turtlenecking" common to Apple® lightning cords. Turtlenecking is a term that describes a charging cord that becomes crimped and frayed at the ends, shortening its lifespan. Fabric cord chargers prevent this from happening.

Custom Branded Wireless Chargers

As technology speeds ahead at a rapid pace, more device manufacturers are cutting the cord on power cables altogether, opting instead for wireless charging stations. Using "Qi" wireless technology, these handy inventions allow users to charge up their devices by simply laying them on top of the compact charging surface.

Who Uses Promotional Charging Cables?

Given the ubiquity of digital devices, branded charging cables are the perfect way to showcase your message to people from all walks of life, including:

Business travelers, who are continually on the go, need to keep their devices charged up wherever they are. Branded charging cables are memorable personalized giveaways for trade shows, conferences, or other business events.
College students treat their devices as an extension of themselves, staying plugged in for education, recreation, and more. Chargers featuring a school logo or mascot make exceptional recruiting gifts or a popular merchandise choice to stock in campus bookstores.
Healthcare professionals need to be always reachable. Their ability to keep their devices charged can literally be a matter of life and death. That makes custom charging cables a natural promotional marketing piece for drug or medical equipment companies.
Everyone, regardless of lifestyle or profession, can benefit from useful tech accessories. Your clients don't have to be jetsetters to appreciate the quality and convenience of a custom printed charging cable.

Why Buy Promotional Charging Cables? The Bottom Line

Worldwide, approximately 6.5 billion people own a mobile phone, 249 million of them in the US alone. On top of that, more than half of Americans own tablet computers. That's a lot of devices!

The chargers that come with these devices aren't necessarily the most convenient, feature-laden, fast, versatile, or durable options, which makes branded charging cables a natural choice for promotional marketing. Your clients and prospects will appreciate an upgrade and remember you for providing one. Industry data backs this up:

According to a study by the Advertising Specialty Institute (ASI), 87% of consumers say they would keep a promotional power bank because it is useful.

Charging cables are an item that absolutely everyone needs, and the more of them you have, the better. The cables that come with phones don't typically last the life of the device, so replacements are a must-have. On top of that, no one wants to get stuck without one, so the smart move is to leave one everywhere you'll use it: in a purse or backpack, in the car, on your desk, on your bedside table and on the kitchen counter.

Crestline's Director of Vendor Relations puts it best, "Have you ever seen anyone ever turn a free one down unless it's the wrong type of cable for their phone? Most of them now are multi-tipped. So, it's probably one of the best giveaways right now because no one's going to throw it away. It's the ultimate giveaway."

In addition to custom imprinted charging cables and wireless chargers, you may also want to consider adding best-selling phone and tablet tech accessories like USB flash drives, chargers and power banks, PopSockets®, phone wallets, or tablet and phone stands to your next promotion, giveaway, or event. Browse our selection of tablet and phone cases and visit our buyer's guide to learn more about promotional tech accessories.

FAQ About Charging Cables

Can charging cables be recycled?

Yes! To minimize the amount of waste in landfills and prevent the leaching of hazardous chemicals into our soil and drinking water, it is important that all electronic waste—or e-waste for short—be properly recycled. In fact, many local and state governments have mandated e-waste recycling laws. Some municipalities will accept these items for recycling at the community dump or transfer station, either as a service to residents or for a small fee. In other areas, you may need to find a dedicated e-waste recycling facility.

Can you bring charging cables on a plane?

Yes. Charging cables are allowed in both checked and carry-on luggage. Most portable charging stations are also allowed. The only restriction on charging devices is on portable chargers or power banks that contain a lithium-ion battery. Lithium-ion batteries and chargers carry a risk of short-circuiting and, if left unattended, could cause an explosion or fire. Passengers must pack these devices—up to two per person—in their carry-on bags.

Why do charging cables stop working, and how can you prevent them from breaking?

Charging cables are made up of a bundle of tiny delicate wires covered in a protective outer layer, usually made from plastic or metal. These small wires are very fragile and can break easily if subjected to bending or pulling. The most common reason charging cables break is due to misuse. To prevent cables from failing, never unplug them by tugging on the cord; always grasp the cord by the end, near the connector. Additionally, devices should not be used while charging. Not only does this compromise battery life, but it also puts extra strain on the cord, which can get jostled and bent at sharp angles. Finally, protect cords while traveling. Leaving them loose in a bag or tightly winding or knotting them will shorten their life.

What is the best way to pack charging cables?

To prevent cables from becoming tangled or damaged, it's best to coil them loosely in a protective case when traveling. There are plenty of do-it-yourself cord storage solutions for budget conscious travelers—a binder clip or eyeglasses case works great in a pinch—but there are also several inexpensive, easy-to-use purpose-made options for stowing cords. Tech tacos—so named for their folded over semi-circular shape—are one popular and cost-effective choice. Some cables, like the Charging Cord with Taco Organizer even come with their own built-in organizer or an added storage case.

What Are Charging Cable Certifications?

Although they seem simple, charging cables are made up of many fragile, complex parts and require careful quality control during the manufacturing process. To help consumers to find the best products, a number of certifications exist:

CE: This certification mark indicates that a product conforms with the health, safety, and environmental protection standards for products sold within the European Union. Products can be self-certified by manufacturers.
FCC: This mark certifies that the electromagnetic interference from a device is under the limits approved by the FCC.
MFi: Apple® created the MFi ("Made for iPhone/iPod/iPad") certification, a licensing program for third-party developers of electronic accessories made to work with Apple® products. The program is meant to ensure that all licensed products meet Apple's performance standards. Each certified product contains a tiny authentication chip to tell your device it's MFi certified.
UL: Products with this seal have been tested by Underwriters Laboratories, another National Recognized Testing Laboratory (NRTL), and have been certified to meet the minimum requirements of widely accepted safety standards.

Customer Reviews of our Branded Charging Cables

"We ordered these for a digital conference, and it was the best idea! Everyone loved it." - Michele, NJ 3-Way Noodle Charging Cable

"Everyone needs and uses a power cord somewhere in their home, office, or place of employment. These are extremely beneficial in every way." – Scott, PA Dune Cable Set

"Great Product, our Customers Love them!" – Frank, AZ Long 6.5 ft Bottled 3-in-1 Charging Cable