# Anker PowerLine USB-A to USB-C 3.0 1.8m: 5 Gbps Conditions and Who Should Skip It > Why it cannot fast-charge laptops or output video, and what caps your speed. Tags: usb-cable, anker, usb-a-to-usb-c, usb-3-0, 5gbps, data-transfer Source: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B01MUCRKJS Article page: https://web-autoai.com/articles/anker-powerline-usb-campusb-a-30-18m?lang=en Prices and ratings change over time — check the article page for the current values. --- ## Overview The Anker PowerLine USB-C&USB-A 3.0ケーブル 1.8m (sold in English-speaking markets as the PowerLine USB-A to USB-C 3.0 cable, 6 ft) is a practical bridge between legacy USB-A hosts and modern USB-C devices. The short answer: it suits people who need genuine 5 Gbps data transfer from a USB-A port, and people who need the extra reach of 1.8 m. It does not suit anyone who wants to fast-charge a USB-C laptop or drive a monitor over a single cable — more on both below. For a category as failure-prone as cables, that combination of volume and rating is meaningful evidence of consistency. | Item | Value | | --- | --- | | Connectors | USB-A (male) to USB-C (male) | | Length | 1.8 m | | Transfer speed | 5 Gbps (USB 3.0) | | Internal resistor | 56k-ohm pull-up | | Durability | 5x ordinary cables (manufacturer claim) | | Colour | Black only | Two rows matter most in practice. 5 Gbps is roughly ten times USB 2.0's 480 Mbps, which you feel when pulling multi-gigabyte video off a phone. The 56k-ohm resistor is a safety spec, and it is exactly where cheap cables go wrong. ## Compatibility Guide This is a straight USB-A (male) to USB-C (male) cable. One end goes into a conventional USB-A port on a PC, wall charger, car charger, or power bank; the other into a USB-C device. Listed examples include iPhone 15/16, iPad Pro, iPad Air, MacBook, Galaxy, Xperia, Chromebook, and Oculus Quest. The catch is that 5 Gbps only happens when the host port is USB 3.0 or better. Plug into a USB 2.0 port and transfers cap at 480 Mbps regardless of the cable. On desktops, look for a blue port interior; on laptops, an "SS" (SuperSpeed) marking next to the connector. A USB 2.0 hub in the chain has the same effect. The 56k-ohm pull-up resistor is the value the USB Type-C specification requires for A-to-C cables. Cables that use a wrong value (10k-ohm, for instance) tell the USB-C device it may draw far more current than the host can supply, which damages ports and chargers. That failure has been documented repeatedly in no-name cables, so spec compliance is itself a reason to buy. One documented limitation: Nexus 5X/6P will charge from this cable but not at quick-charge speeds. Backward compatibility with USB 2.0 devices is retained. ## Product Info Check the retailer's page for the latest price. co. Both are snapshots and will move with sales and stock. A gap that large on an identical cable is worth a quick price check before ordering. The product itself is a long-running staple in Anker's cable range, available in black only, with the standard 18-month manufacturer support. Availability at electronics retailers and online stores is broad. ## Comparison With Alternatives Within the USB-A to USB-C category the alternatives differ in character. Three-packs (Cable Matters 0.3 m / 0.9 m / 1.8 m sets) lower the per-cable cost, which makes sense if you want one at home, one at work, and one in the bag. If instead you want a single cable to last, a product with a durability track record earns its premium. Length is the other axis. Use 0.3 m for holding a power bank and phone together, 0.9 m on a desk, and 1.8 m for bedside outlets or runs from a floor power strip to a desktop. The 1.8 m length looks universal but is genuinely annoying when tethered to a power bank in your pocket. Finally, check whether a cable advertises 5 Gbps at all. Many A-to-C cables are charge-only or USB 2.0 internally, and you cannot tell by looking. If data transfer is the goal, restrict yourself to products that state 5 Gbps / USB 3.0 / USB 3.2 Gen 1. ## Best Use Cases - Anyone moving photos and video from a USB-C phone or tablet to an older PC that only has USB-A ports — the classic case where 5 Gbps pays off. - Mobile workers and students who carry a cable daily; when a cable gets flexed in a bag every day, a reinforced one is cheaper over time. - Charging at a bedside or sofa where the outlet is out of reach — 1.8 m is well matched to that distance. - People who have already lost a port or charger to a cheap, out-of-spec cable and want a compliant replacement. ## Things to Check Before Buying **It cannot fast-charge a laptop. ** USB Power Delivery only operates between USB-C ends; no USB-A cable can deliver PD wattage. To charge a MacBook or USB-C ultrabook at a useful rate you need a USB-C to USB-C cable and a PD charger. If you see a "PD" tag attached to this listing, treat it as inaccurate for any A-to-C configuration. **No video output. ** DisplayPort Alt Mode requires USB-C on both ends, so this is not an option for single-cable monitor connections. USB4 and Thunderbolt bandwidth are likewise unavailable; 5 Gbps is the ceiling. **5 Gbps depends on your host. ** As above, a USB 2.0 port caps you at 480 Mbps. A large share of "I bought a fast cable and it's slow" complaints trace back to this. Confirm the port before you buy. **Listing metadata can disagree with the item. ** Online product pages sometimes auto-associate variants, so the stated model number, length, or bundle may belong to a different version. Ordering the 1.8 m and receiving 0.9 m is a common failure on products with multiple lengths. **The "5x durability" figure is a manufacturer claim. ** It reflects internal bend testing, not a guarantee of years of service. Any cable will fail if you keep folding it at a right angle where it meets the connector. ## FAQ **Q. Can it charge a MacBook? ** A. It will charge, but slowly, because power comes from a USB-A source. Under load the battery may still drain. For practical charging, use USB-C to USB-C with a PD charger. **Q. Will I actually get 5 Gbps? ** A. That is the cable's ceiling. Real throughput depends on the host port standard, the storage on both ends, and the file types. A USB 2.0 port limits you to 480 Mbps. **Q. Does it work with Nintendo Switch or Oculus Quest? ** A. Those devices are listed for charging and data. It cannot be used for video output to a dock or display. **Q. Why does the 56k-ohm resistor matter? ** A. It correctly signals to the USB-C device that power is coming from a USB-A source and current must stay within spec. Wrong resistor values cause devices to over-draw and damage ports or chargers. **Q. Is 1.8 m too long? ** A. It is well suited to stationary charging and desk runs, but excessive when paired with a pocket power bank. For daily carry, a 0.3–0.9 m cable is easier to manage. ### Product Disclosure (Amazon) - Manufacturer: Anker - Seller: AnkerDirect - Fulfilled by: Amazon - ASIN: B01MUCRKJS - Note: This article covers a manufacturer-made product based on Amazon listing details.