Not all USB cables are created equal -- some can't even transfer data. A lot of the ones stashed in your drawer might only be for charging. How can you tell?

A USB 3.1 cable with USB-C is never a Thunderbolt 3 cable. Also, not every USB-C cable — be it Thunderbolt 3 or USB 3.1 Type-C — is capable of 100W allowed in the specification.

The best part, though, might be the price. In either size for just one cable, it’s $18.99 / £18.99 / AU$28.95, or Beats is selling two 1.5m cable packs for $34.99 / £34.99 / AU$54.95.