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

These useful 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 prepared to struggle on — and perhaps even die on — is that the magnetic breakaway USB-C connector is likely one of the greatest USB equipment on the market. Certain, it is not as flashy as a hardware-encrypted storage system or as geeky as a USB energy meter, however it does one factor extremely effectively: 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 arduous. This has occurred to laptops, desktop PCs, recreation 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, just a few years in the past, once I stumbled throughout my first magnetic breakaway USB-C connector, I knew I needed to strive 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. Should you’ve been following my writing, you have 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 recreation changer on prime of a recreation 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 the perfect of each worlds.

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

That mentioned, there’s one factor to bear in mind. This explicit 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 which means: that is primarily an influence connector, not a high-speed information switch connector.

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

So, if it’s essential switch information at excessive speeds or use the connector for a show, you may need to persist with one of many non-swivel 24-pin choices — straight, 90-degree elbow, or right-angle. 

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

Not precisely enjoyable, proper? 

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

The package additionally features a useful software for eradicating the magnetic connector from USB-C ports. However if you happen to’re something like me, that software will shortly 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, if you happen to’re feeling courageous (and do not thoughts sacrificing just a few fingernails), you’ll be able to simply pry it out along 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 incredible addition to my ever-growing toolbox of tech goodies. They work fantastically and are the proper complement to their non-swivel counterparts. 

You too can purchase them hooked up to cables if you happen to desire for just a few extra {dollars}.