atom studios USB-C to Lightning Cable 2022 REVIEW

Keep your Lightning cable in place with the tangle-free Flat + Weight cable from atom studios.

As the tech industry migrates toward USB-C, many devices/chargers still utilize older USB-A tech.  As an Apple-centric home, we have three iPhones, a pair of AirPods Pro, an iPad Air, and a few iPad Mini devices.  With several lightning-capable devices, we are constantly hunting for charging cables.  After learning my lesson with a non-MFI 30 pin cable and a damaged iPad, I now solely purchase Apple-branded or third-party MFI cables for my devices.

The atom studios flat + weight Lightning cable arrived in a 4 3/8 inches wide by 7 7/8 inches tall by 1 1/4 inches thick hanging style package. The company name was displayed along the top left of the silver cover panel, while the centralized dark/light grey slipcover provided the remainder of the information about the 1.8m USB-C to Lightning Cable.  The slipcover detailed the stone silicone cable, the bromine weight, ultra-fast charging, tangle-free flat design, USB-A and USB-C charging, and detachable cable weight. 

In addition to the text, the panel provided an attractive image of the flat cable with a stabilizer weight.  The atom studios logo was printed on both side panels, while the black plastic hanging tab was present on the top panel.  The rear panel displayed the atom studios name/logo, product name, QR code, five product defining icons, recycled logo, product manufacturing labels, copyright info, warranty info, and an SKU barcode.  The icons detailed the silicone/aluminum quality/durable design, ultra-fast charging via 18W USB-C/12W USB-C cable, flat knot-free 1.8m design, detachable stabilizing weight, and versatile charging with USB-A or USB-C. 

I slid the lower tray out of the main packaging and found a 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall lower tray and a 3 3/4 inches tall by 3 3/4 inches wide upper tray.  The lower tray contained the copper-colored 2 inches wide by 2 inches tall by 5/8 inches tall weight.  I gripped the grey cardboard pull-tab, removed the weight, and was impressed with the rounded-square shape and the heft of the 3.7-ounce weight. 

The atom studios logo was etched into the surface of the copper weight, while the bottom had a 3/8 inches wide by 1/8 inches deep cord trough.  Beside the trough, you will find dual 3/8 inches wide by 1 5/16 inches long semicircular rubberized feet. You will find an attractive 4 1/4 inches wide by 6 1/2 inches tall, grey-colored, atom studios drawstring bag within the upper tray. I liked the quality of the light grey stitching across the top, the grey nylon pull strings, and the black-font atom studios name along the bottom left of the panel.  

I emptied the contents from the drawstring bag and found a flat-style USB-C to Lighting cable, a single panel informational panel, and a tiny USB-A (male) to USB-C (female) adapter.  If you reach into the bag and remove the coiled cable, you may miss the included adapter and search through the cardboard tray to attempt to find it.  To prevent frustration, make sure you remove all contents from the bag before proceeding.  The atom studios name was etched into the surface of the 0.1oz, 1-inch long USB adapter. 

The rubber/silicone lined USB-C female end easily and securely accommodated the USB-C prong from the Lightning cable.  I removed the cardboard cable strap from the 1.4-ounce coiled cable and stretched it out to the full 74 inches length (1.88 meters).  The lightning and USB-C prongs measured 1/4 inches long and connected to a 3/4 inches long by 7/16 inches long by 1/4 inches thick midsection.  The outer segment contained a metallic cap with atom studios logo etched into the surface.  Beyond the metallic cap, you will find a 5/16 inches long by 7/16 inches wide by 1/4 inches thick rubberized/silicone buffer region.  The remainder of the flat cabling measured 1/4 inches wide by 1/16 inches thick. 

To test the strength of the Lightning cables, I gripped the USB-C and Lightning prongs, and attempted to bend/flex the tips.  I held the metallic cap and bent each prong 25 times up/down and then back and forth.  Next, I gripped the metallic sleeves and tried to remove them from each of the prongs/cables.  I bent/flexed the silicone/metal junction another 25 times and then held the USB/C or Lightning prong to repeat the test at the silicone junction. 

The Lightning cables proved to be robust and only demonstrated minor deflection at the prong tips.  I installed the USB-C adapter and repeated the above test.  When I gripped the USB-A end and the cable’s metallic sleeve, the amount of deflection at the USB-C prong increased.  If one attempts to bend the cable forcefully, it will likely fail at that point.  I do not find this to represent a negative for the design. 

Rather, it is a failure point inherent to the materials. To test the power capabilities, I plugged a Klein Tools multimeter into a USB-C power brick, the USB-C cable into the multimeter, and the lightning prong into my iPhone 13 Pro Max.  The multimeter displayed 5.10V/1.48A.  I repeated the test with a USB-A power brick, plugged the multimeter into the brick, attached the USB-A adapter to the cable, and then plugged the USB-A prong into the multimeter.  The multimeter read 5.12V/1.30A on the subsequent test.  

I was pleased with the quality and durability of the flat MFI atom studios Lightning cable, the weighted cable base, the bonus USB-A adapter, and the included drawstring bag.  When my phone was fully charged, I removed the lighting prong and instinctively reached for the cable to drop.  It was at that moment that I realized the benefit of the weight. 

You can maintain the position of the cable on your nightstand, your computer desk, or even on the console of your vehicle.  Some may find the $40 cost to be a bit on the high end.  However, when you consider the quality of the flat cable, the included adapter, the weighted base, and the included bag, you are getting a veritable trove of items.  The flat design allowed me to coil the Lightning cable without creating a tangled/knotted mess. 

I appreciated the inclusion of the instruction manual and, more specifically, the fact that the Lightning cable was MFI certified (Made for iPhone, iPad, and iPod).  I wonder if the logo will change now that the iPod has been officially retired by Apple. For now, know that the company took extra steps to ensure the quality of their charging cable.  The convenient adapter expanded the options to charge via USB-A and USB-C.  Lastly, the oversized carry bag provided a fantastic opportunity for an everyday carry (EDC) power bag.  Add a car and wall adapter to complete the setup. 

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