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USB-C «all the things» is the dream we were sold when the connector and charging standard first came onto the scene in the mid-to-late 2010s. Fast-forward to 2025: has that dream been realized? The answer seems to be a big maybe. While some users managed to switch their entire tech ecosystems over to USB-C years ago, some still groan when a laptop or desktop doesn’t ship with a USB-A port. I’m quite pleased with the growth of USB-C over the past decade or so, although my personal transition wasn’t always smooth.
It’s true that some products still come with USB-A cables in 2025, and many older ones still use USB-A cables. However, with some effort and a bit of cash, you can make USB-C work for nearly all of your charging needs. I’ve switched proprietary chargers, rechargeable batteries, docking stations, and more over to USB-C, and it was well worth it.
How I switched my entire tech ecosystem to USB-C
It's a worthwhile investment that you only have to make once
If you upgrade your tech early and often, the transition to USB-C was probably pretty easy. The European Union mandated that companies add USB-C to most portable electronics in 2024, and that provision is set to extend to laptops in 2026. Chances are, those who upgrade their phones annually or biennially probably have a device with a USB-C port. People who steer clear of electronics that use proprietary charging connectors will similarly have an easier time moving to USB-C.
But what about those who do keep older devices and need a bunch of proprietary connectors? Well, I found myself in that exact boat a few years ago, and went through the process of switching everything over to USB-C. I tried to get as many devices as possible to charge via a USB-C port. For those I couldn’t switch to USB-C specifically, finding a cable that terminated in a USB-C port or an alternative charging method was essential. In other words, my goal was to eliminate USB-A from my life completely—and I did it.
It’s surprisingly easy to find USB-C cables made for older products. I bought a USB-C to Garmin cable for my smartwatches, a USB-C to 30-pin cord for my old iPhone and iPod collection, and a USB-C to Meta smart glasses charger on Amazon—all for around $10 each. You can find a USB-C cable that terminates in virtually every connector, or at least adapts to it. To that end, there are even USB-C cables that end in Micro USB and Mini USB.
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Posts By Brady Snyder 3 days ago
I'll gladly trade efficiency for simplicity
USB-C batteries and wireless charging are too convenient
If there’s a connector I dislike more than USB-A, it’s Micro USB. They’re brittle, unreliable, and hard to keep track of — most people still rocking Micro USB have to carry the cable because of one or two devices. A bunch of professional cameras, for example, still ship with Micro USB. For a while, I carried a USB-A-to-Micro USB cable solely for recharging my camera, until I realized there was a better way.
SmallRig, a company that makes affordable camera accessories, sells replacement batteries for top camera brands that claim to match the specifications of the official ones. That is, with a killer feature: the removable rechargeable batteries include a USB-C port. For $20, I effectively made my Sony a6400 mirrorless camera support USB-C. These third-party accessories are essential for making your existing tech loadout compatible with USB-C chargers.
There’s just one catch, which is that, despite SmallRig’s claims, I get slightly worse battery life and reliability from the USB-C rechargeable battery than the official Sony rechargeable battery. That’s despite the SmallRig battery having a slightly larger capacity than the Sony one (only by 10mAh). Like we discovered while testing AA batteries that recharge via USB-C, differences in voltage conversions and power delivery can result in users getting less real-world battery life from USB-C batteries with larger on-paper capacities.
Making the switch to USB-C requires creative solutions
Wireless charging and new cables are key for older devices
What I quickly learned about my USB-C transition is that the pain points really aren’t that painful. Sure, there’s an expense involved with buying new cables and accessories that make your current devices compatible with the new-ish charging standard. There might even be drawbacks, like third-party cables that wear down quickly than official ones or third-party batteries that have a shorter runtime. However, my own experience revealed that these drawbacks are easily overshadowed by the convenience of the USB-C ecosystem.
As of now, I can take two cables, one wall adapter, and one power bank to keep my full travel bag charged for my entire trip. If I ditch my smartwatch, that drops to only one cable. With clever solutions like wireless chargers and new cables, you can make almost any device work with your USB-C setup. For instance, my AirPods Pro 2 have a Lightning connector, so I charge them with either a Qi wireless pad or my Apple Watch charging puck.
If you’re on the fence about spending the time and money required to fully make the switch to USB-C, this is your sign. Buy that adapter for your peripherals, find that USB-C charging cable for your older devices, and switch to a USB-C rechargeable battery if needed. I did it, and although it cost a hundred dollars or so initially, it was well worth it.
