"These Baseus retractable USB-C cables have replaced all my other chargers."
Retractable USB cables are the best USB cables.
The accumulation of old cables can be a common problem for many. There is a person who reports having an immense box, even three, filled with power cables that don’t connect to anything, just in case a time traveler appears with their 2006 hard drive and asks them to plug it in. They have accumulated a large number of Lightning cables, despite the fact that the only device using them is their AirPods, which they charge wirelessly. Additionally, they own several braided USB-C cables, acquired to identify those who take their chargers during family gatherings. When traveling, they need a case the size of a family-sized bag of Doritos just to transport these cables and chargers.
Recently, during some trips, they decided to simplify their life and replaced all those cables with just two: retractable USB-C cables made by Baseus, a Chinese company established in 2009. The name Baseus comes from an abbreviation meaning "based on user." Although it has been popular in China for years, the company has recently started selling in the U.S. through a warehouse and store in Ohio, just like other Chinese brands like Anker and Ugreen. Baseus offers a variety of tech products that resemble those found in gadget factories, such as security cameras and car vacuums.
On Amazon, these cables are advertised as “Baseus USB C Cable, Mini 100W Retractable USB C to USB C PD 5A Fast Charging Cable, 4-Stage Length Preset USB Type C Charger Cable," while on the Baseus website they are known as "Free2Pull" or "Free2Draw." Their design is quite innovative: a round disc with USB connectors peeking out from both sides, resembling a futuristic pinwheel. Most of the cable is rolled up inside this disc. There are two models: a small one, 3.3 feet, and a larger one, 6.6 feet, both available in various colors and with a power of 100 watts.
The genius of these cables lies in their retractable mechanism, which allows you to pull them out by simply tugging on one end. When released, they stop, and if pulled again, the cable automatically retracts. Despite initial doubts about the durability of the mechanism, after using them for a while, they have realized that they are very sturdy.
The advantages of these retractable cables are evident: they eliminate the hassle of tangles, avoid the need to constantly wind and unwind, are heavy enough to stay in place on a table, and are also fun to handle. While there is no certainty that these Baseus cables are superior to other similar models on Amazon or AliExpress, what is known is that the investment in retractable cables has been very positive. Their current charging setup has been significantly simplified, now consisting of only two of these cables and an Anker PowerFusion charger. Their bag is now more organized and lighter than ever.