USB Type-C Cables

USB Type-C describes the connector, not the speed. Two cables with identical plugs can differ by a factor of twenty in throughput and by 200 watts in charging capacity, which is why buying by specification rather than by shape matters here more than with any other interface.

What the generations actually mean

USB 2.0 Type-C tops out at 480Mbps and is intended for charging and peripherals. USB 3.2 Gen 1 carries 5Gbps, Gen 2 carries 10Gbps, and Gen 2x2 carries 20Gbps. USB4 reaches 40Gbps and adds DisplayPort Alt Mode for 8K video and Thunderbolt 3 compatibility.

Power delivery

Standard USB Power Delivery supplies up to 100W at 20V. Extended Power Range, introduced with PD 3.1, raises that to 240W at 48V, enough for workstation laptops and monitors that previously needed a barrel jack. EPR requires an electronically marked cable rated for it. A cable that is not marked will negotiate down, silently.

Cables here are specified individually for data rate, wattage and video capability so you can match the cable to the job rather than guessing.

Further reading: Why Your USB-C Cable Won't Charge or Carry Video · The History of USB: From 1.1 to USB4 · Monitor Cable Types: Identify Every Port