| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Supports 240W PD3.1 charging | Connector head overheated during use |
| Sturdy braided cable with metal caps | Struggled with 15W and 100W charging protocols |
| Clean, premium design | Only delivers USB2 data speeds |
| Expensive with no freebies |
Belkin usually gets it right with their accessories, but the Belkin BoostCharge cable we tested came with one glaring issue: the connector head got way too hot. We ran it through our full testing process and it performed quite solid across the board. However, the heat issue was impossible to ignore.
Design
| Advertised Length | Measured Length | Cable Type | Charging Spec | Connector Material | Flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0m | 2.02m | USB 2.0 | PD 3.1 (EPR) | Full Metal Head (Braided) | Stiff |
Out of the box, the Belkin BoostCharge feels durable and premium. It’s braided and built with a metal connector cap that covers 75% of the head. The cable head looks great but is slightly stiff, which isn’t uncommon for PD3.1-level designs, but it does mean you’ll want to coil it carefully to avoid kinks. Ours was the 2-meter version and came in slightly long at 2.02 meters. It’s also thicker than standard USB-C cables, which makes sense given its 240W charging capability.
Performance
| Test | Pre-Bend | Post-Bend |
|---|---|---|
| Voltage Drop | 0.72V | 0.73V |
| Resistance | 0.215 Ω | 0.22 Ω |
| Large File Write Speed | 27.0 MB/s | 26.1 MB/s |
| Large File Read Speed | 30.0 MB/s | 29.8 MB/s |
| 1GB Folder Write Speed | 26.8 MB/s | 27.3 MB/s |
| 1GB Folder Read Speed | 29.9 MB/s | 29.9 MB/s |
| 5GB Folder Write Speed | 26.8 MB/s | 27.1 MB/s |
| 5GB Folder Read Speed | 30.0 MB/s | 29.7 MB/s |
Charging performance was mixed. The cable supports PD3.1 on paper, but in testing, it failed three out of eight PDO pulls and couldn’t hit the 100W charging protocol. Even the 15W protocol proved difficult. Voltage drop came in at 0.72V and resistance clocked in at 0.215 Ω which was average. Data speeds were standard for a USB2 cable, with large file transfers hitting 25–26 MB/s for write and 32–39 MB/s for read, depending on folder size. Mixed file performance was also average.
Durability
| Rated Bends | Bends Tested | Visible Wear | Functional |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30,000 | 33,000 | Minor frayed cable, hot connector head | ✅Yes |
Belkin claims a 30,000 bend rating but we tested it up to 33,000 just to be extra sure. There was a bit of fraying on the outer braid, but the stiffness and structural integrity held up well. More importantly, the post-bend tests showed minimal change: only a 0.01V shift in voltage drop and virtually no difference in resistance or power delivery. Data speeds dipped only slightly. So the durability checks out. However, here’s where the big flaw showed up: the cable head became too hot to touch during these post-bend tests. That’s a red flag for long-term use or unattended charging.
Value
At $20 for a single cable, this isn’t the most expensive option but it’s not a budget product either. And there’s nothing extra in the box. There’s no tie, pouch, or bonus features. Given the minor electrical inefficiencies and that overheating issue, it’s hard to justify the cost, even with the solid build quality. Other cables in this price range have more consistent charging behavior and safer thermal profiles.
Verdict
Honestly, this could’ve been a solid pick. The Belkin BoostCharge 240W PD3.1 cable looks good, feels tough, and held up well in our bend tests. But the heat generated at the connector head is a deal-breaker for us. If you’re just using it occasionally in a well-ventilated setup, maybe it’s fine but for daily charging or high-wattage devices, it’s not something we can comfortably recommend.