The ten foot long iEdge E 330 cable is a USB to lightning cord. It costs less than we’ve ever found for OEM cords.
True that this cord is not MFi (Made for iPhone/iPad/iPod). But our tests show it nonetheless, to be a highly reliable, medium-current handling cable. We paid $3.99 for ours at Gabriel Brothers. Indeed, this is so much cheaper than similar Apple lightning cords. It’s among the most affordable USB 2.0 to lightning cable we’ve found to date.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: Introduction
The extra six feet of length here makes this cable lots cheaper per foot than the Apple stock sync cables. Its build, including the more pliable wires, supplies this cable with a rugged and durable yet portable lead. Though not exactly a “Genuine Apple Cable,” iEdge® Apple-like cords function nearly as well. In fact, it may even outperform Apple in terms of durability, ease of use, and lower cost.
Of the USB to lightning cables we’ve examined, this iEdge® model is among the best for the money. So far, it’s the cheapest in “the best” class.
Charging occurs not quite as quickly as with those shorter, stiffer cables. But all connections remain cool to barely warm to the touch.
Further, we see no heating in the cable itself during charging our higher current lighting tablets. Plus, the cloth wire, while high current carrying, is still flexible enough to wrap up when traveling. Our iPad Air consistently and fully charges via this cable. Furthermore, we never see the dreaded, “not charging” message. But we see this often with the cheaper, sometimes counterfeit charge cables.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: Advantages, Benefits, Pros, and Features
Plenty of Length
Extra cord in this 10-foot long version. We’re able to use the iPad Air in the easy chair while charging it with this longer cord. And we don’t fear kinking the cord. Indeed this cord returns to its straight shape once you release it from even the sharpest bends.
Fast Charging Preserved
The multi-color “round rope” cable here very well in low and medium current USB devices. Plus, it works acceptably well in high current mobile devices. These require more than one amp for charging, and include tablets.
We did notice moderate increases in times to get a full charge on iPads. So this longer cable does indeed slow charging. We charged our iPad Air from ninety seven percent charge to one hundred percent in just over one hour. Ahd the lightning connector stayed cool.
True. Some cables (much more expensive ones) charge at about twice this rate. But if you do not mind slower charges, the cheaper price for this cord makes the longer charge times worthwhile. Though slower, you can still charge iPhones and iPads overnight with this E-330.
Flexible Cable
The cord is a bit thicker than the one that comes with the stock iPad Air USB lightning charge cable. Furthermore, it has a strong cloth exterior wrap. So we predict better durability. The wire here is surprisingly pliable, and getting out any kinks is easy. It is flexible enough to move around the bedroom with.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: Works with Non Stock USB Charger Adapters
Since it features a USB-A male plug connector, this iEdge® cable works well with most universal USB chargers.
Gold-Plated Contact Pins
Find gold contacts on both the lightning connector and USB end. Nice that gold seems to be the standard these days, even on connectors of these cheaper cables.
Larger Connector Design
When we used Apple’s stock lightning cables, we preferred the older 30-pin dock connector to them. This was due to how much easier it was to attach and detach that connector from mobile devices.
However, iEdge® has devised here, an easier-to-access version of the lightning connector. It’s longer and wider. So, it’s easier to grasp. The connectors on this cable require about the same small effort as the dock connectors. Plus you can aim them at the mating holes with greater precision. The reason is likely the longer connector body on this cable.
Now the lightning connector body is shorter than in some other cables,. Yet it’s still sufficiently long for easy grasping, even on iPads inside an OtterBox case.
Decent Strain Relief at Both Ends
The strain relief at the lightening connector as well as at the USB-A end, indeed softens sharp bends. It resembles less rigid plastic than the connector body itself. So, this feature indeed protects the cord from breakage.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: USB 2.0 Standards Supported
You can charge your lightning device from any current technology or legacy USB AC adapter.
Works Like Apple Stock Accessories
Likely meets Apple’s exacting performance standards.
Low Cost
Less costly a data cable, even for a LONGER charger cord. It appears that iEdge® has overcome Apple’s hold on the licensing fees.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: Concerns, Disadvantages, Cons, Problems, and Limitations
Not MFi Certified
Perhaps this cord is not MFi certified to keep costs down. Yet this lightning cable still works well with any lightning Apple device. These include the iPad Air, iPad, earlier iPhone, iPad Mini, iPod Touch, and iPod Nano.
Slower Than Fast Charging
Does not charge devices as quickly as possible. However, for that sacrifice, you get a much longer, more flexible cord.
Made in China
May Contain Delicate Electronics
All lightning to USB cables include internal electronics. Chargers, cell phones, and tablets use these to “authenticate” the cable before allowing data or charging to occur. This built-in chip could raise the likelihood of failure. Cables like this often seem “fragile.” So they can stop working too quickly or due to only small to moderate abuse. As such, treat them as you would any other piece of delicate electronics. So avoid static electricity, bright sunlight, wet environments, Etc.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: Not Full USB Charging Support
Will not charge micro-USB devices without a lightning to micro USB adapter. However, you could simply purchase a USB-A to micro USB cable for that purpose.
Only Certain Stores Sell This
Amazon and Gabriel Brothers sells these iEdge® USB to lightning cables. So they can be hard to obtain depending on your area.
Single Device Charging
Can charge only one device per cable. Other cables feature multiple charge ports, both USB and lightning ports. But no biggie if all you have is a single Apple phone or tablet.
iEdge E 330 Cable Review: Our Rating on this Lightning Cord
This ten foot long iEdge® USB Cable for Apple appears to equal or slightly surpass the stock Apple cords. This is in terms of quality construction, as well as overall ease of use. It’s very much cheaper than Apple stock accessory cords. In fact, it only costs about one fifth as much. Indeed, this product is in no way costs too much. Nice to find it for under four dollars. Now the lightening interface has grown sufficiently in popularity since its 2012 release. So decent functioning cables like this one are getting easier to find. So given all that, We rate this cable at 96 out of 100.