The 3-Cable Rule: Simplify Your Charging Setup and Never Hunt for the Right Cable Again

How many charging cables do you own? Go ahead, count them. Bedside drawer, work bag, car, kitchen counter, that mystery tangle in the junk drawer.

If you're like most people, you've got somewhere between eight and fifteen cables scattered around your life. And somehow, when you need one, you still can't find the right type.

Here's a better approach: The 3-Cable Rule.

What Is the 3-Cable Rule?

Simple. Instead of accumulating random cables of varying quality and compatibility, you maintain exactly three high-quality cables in strategic locations:

1. Home base (bedroom/main charging spot)

2. Mobile (bag/backpack for daily carry)

3. Backup (car, office, or travel bag)

That's it. Three cables of the type you actually need, each one a quality piece that won't let you down.

Why This Works

You always know where your cables are. When each cable has a specific home and purpose, you stop playing the "where did I leave that charger" game.

Quality over quantity. Three great cables cost less than constantly replacing cheap ones, and they actually work when you need them.

No more compatibility confusion. When you standardise on the right cable type for your devices, you grab what you need without checking if it's Lightning or USB-C, if it supports fast charging, or if it's the one that only works at a weird angle.

Less clutter. Cutting your cable collection from fifteen to three feels surprisingly good. It's one less thing to manage.

How to Implement It

Step 1: Figure out what you actually need

Look at your devices. Most people fall into one of these categories:

• iPhone user: USB-C to Lightning or USB to Lightning

• Android/modern device user: USB-C to USB-C

• Mixed household: One of each type

Step 2: Invest in proper cables

This is where most people mess up. They decide to simplify, then buy the cheapest cables they can find. Six months later, they're back to cable chaos because the cheap ones failed and they've accumulated replacements.

Get braided cables. Seriously. Our USB-C to Lightning 20W Braided Cable, USB to Lightning 20W Braided Cable, USB to USB-C 20W Braided Cable, and USB-C to USB-C 240W Braided Cable last long enough that you'll actually maintain your three-cable system instead of slowly rebuilding a cable collection as things break.

Step 3: Assign locations

Home base gets the longest cable (6ft/2m) so you can use your device whilst charging in bed or on the sofa.

Mobile gets a mid-length cable (3ft/1m) that fits in your bag without tangling but gives you enough length to use your device whilst plugged into a portable battery or airport outlet.

Backup can be shorter (3ft/1m) since it's usually just for emergencies or quick top-ups.

Step 4: Keep them organised

Use cable organiser clips at home and work to prevent the "cable falls behind the desk and I have to fish it out" problem. These magnetic clips keep cables exactly where you need them.

What About Car Charging?

Car charging is separate from the three-cable rule because you're usually dealing with different charging hardware. A 200W USB-C/USB Car Charger or 4-in-1 Retractable Fast Car Charger stays in your car permanently.

The retractable option is especially nice because the cables stay organised automatically and you're not creating another cable tangle in your console.

The Exception: Travel

When you travel, you might want a dedicated travel charging setup. The 3-in-1 MagSafe Power Bank with Charging Stand handles phone, watch, and earbuds with a single device, meaning fewer cables in your luggage.

Or just grab your "backup" cable from its assigned spot and toss it in your bag. When you get home, put it back. The system only works if you maintain it.

What to Do With Your Old Cables

Keep one or two spares in a labelled box. "Spare cables - emergency only." Everything else? Recycle them if they're broken, donate them if they work.

Yes, it feels weird getting rid of functional cables. But you know what feels better? Never digging through a drawer full of tangled cables again.

The Mental Shift

The 3-Cable Rule isn't really about cables. It's about recognising that more stuff doesn't make life easier. The right stuff, in the right places, does.

You don't need fifteen mediocre solutions. You need three good ones.

Ready to simplify? Start with our braided cable collection and experience what it's like to actually know where your charger is.