[sackofmugs]

This article misses the biggest issue with usb-c cables, which a lot of people don't even realize. A lot of cheaper devices can only be charged with a usb-c to usb-a cable, and not a regular usb-c to usb-c cable (C2C). Basically, they don't support C2C but people don't test or check this until they travel and realize the cable they brought doesn't work on these devices.

The cause is that the devices themselves are incorrectly implemented. This ranges from toothbrushes, to flashlights (where 99% of usb-c flashlights can't do C2C), to shavers, and small electronics/appliances. The problem is there isn't a standard way to know about this (or a name for this problem), so it's hard to tell what supports it or not. Generally, devices made by well known brands support C2C, but not cheaper Chinese-made devices, but there are exceptions in both cases.

[jmole]

you literally need 2 5.1k resistors attached to your USB-C connector to get 5V@3A out of any PD compliant charger.

And yet, even the Raspberry Pi foundation messed this up when they designed the first revision of Raspberry Pi 4.

It's easy to say "USB-C is a mess", but we should really be shaming the individual companies who mess this up. The spec is public, parsable by any competent EE, and there's tons of vendor support for standards-compliant solutions.

[Ductapemaster]

My Sony noise cancelling headphones (WH-1000XM3) will only charge with an A2C cable, and not with a C2C cable. I had to purchase an extra charging cable in case I lost the one that came with it, despite owning multiple C2C cables already that should work fine.

If you're not going to make it compatible, why even put a USB-C port on it in the first place?

[izacus]

I've charged my 1000XM3s with:

- MacBook charger (USB-C / USB-C)

- Samsung phone charger (USB-C / USB-A)

- MacBook Thunderbolt dock cable (USB-C / USB-C)

- Dell XPS 13 charger (USB-C to Power)

- Razer Blade Stealth 13 charger (USB-C to Power)

- Anker Powerbank (USB-C to USB-C)

and some others. They all worked.

And this list pretty much shows why USB-C is so amazing even if it might confuse some people on the edges. I don't need to lug around a bunch of proprietary chargers and cables.

[Ductapemaster]

Woah, this is complete news to me! I have tried with my Macbook chargers (90W and 60W), an Apple USB-C cable, and an Anker USB-C cable and nothing will charge them. They are running the latest firmware too. The only thing that works is the original A-to-C cable, and a cheap one on Amazon that I bought as a backup....

Guess I need to do some more testing — thank you!!

[zachberger]

I have the same headphones but do not have the same issue. I regularly charge using a C2C cable.

[macintux]

Same here. I’ve had no problems using my Apple USB-C charging hardware with my headphones.

[sdan]

I use my MacBook Pro charger with my xm3s regularly.

Charges super fast.

[markn951]

That’s not at all true, I charge mine with a c2c cable from my MacBook charger every single day.

[golfstrom]

They work with c2c charging. Your source is probably not playing nicely with power delivery. For instance, Apple's original usb-c chargers lacked certain standard profiles and don't work with non-Apple products.

[sackofmugs]

The XM3s are well known to support C2C charging. It's possible you have a defective cable or headphone if it's not working for you.

[ip26]

I suspect it's your charger. Mine charge fine with C2C.