A $10 USB-C accessory solved my laptop charger's biggest issue

"A hill I'm always willing to fight for -- and maybe even die on -- is that the magnetic breakaway USB-C connector is one of the best USB accessories available. Sure, it's not as flashy as a hardware-encrypted storage device or as geeky as a USB power meter, but it does one thing incredibly well: protecting your USB-C ports from damage."

"I've lost track of how many USB-C ports I've seen destroyed because someone yanked a cable out too hard. This has happened to laptops, desktop PCs, game consoles, TVs, and more. And don't even get me started on the number of laptops I've seen crash to the floor because someone tripped over the charging cable. A few years ago, when I stumbled upon my first magnetic breakaway USB-C connector, I knew I had to try it out."

"But then I found one that is the ultimate breakaway connector . This one has a 180-degree swivel feature, and let me tell you, it's a game changer on top of a game changer. This little bit of movement helps prevent the connector from breaking away when you don't want it to while still allowing it to disconnect easily when needed. It's the best of both worlds. And don't worry -- when you do need it to break away, it absolutely will!"

"That said, there's one thing to keep in mind. This particular USB-C connector is a 16-pin version, not the "full" 24-pin version. Without diving too deep into the USB-C spec sheet, here's what that means: this is primarily a power connector, not a high-speed data transfer connector. Also: Build your toolkit with the 10 DIY gadgets every home should have It does support USB 2.0 data transfer rates (480 Mbps), but it doesn't handle the blazing 40 Gbps speeds of the non-swivel 24-pin versions"

Magnetic breakaway USB-C connectors protect device ports from physical damage caused by yanked or tripped-over cables. They prevent destroyed ports and dropped laptops by disconnecting when pulled, reducing repair and replacement needs. A 180-degree swivel variant reduces accidental detachments while still allowing intentional breakaways, combining flexibility with reliable safety. Many breakaway connectors are 16-pin power-oriented models that support USB 2.0 data at 480 Mbps but do not support high-speed 24-pin data modes such as 40 Gbps. Users should choose connectors based on whether they need only power protection or full high-speed data capability.

Read at ZDNET