When you’re driving in your car, there’s nothing quite like having some killer tunes to make the ride that much more enjoyable.
Of course, to do that you need an aux cable that is able to handle your device!
You can use an aux cable with a range of different devices, and the result is top quality audio.
There are a lot of great aux cables on the market, so you have plenty of options to choose from.
With that being said, with so many aux cables available on the market, it can be difficult to choose the option that is best for you.
Thankfully, we’re here to help. Read on for our picks of the best aux cables.
We’ve also written a handy buyer’s guide to help you to narrow down your decision.
OUR TOP PICK
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AmazonBasics 3.5 mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Aux Cable
EDITORS CHOICE
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Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable
BEST VALUE
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iVanky Aux Cable 4ft 3.5 mm Auxiliary Audio Cable
OUR TOP PICK
AmazonBasics 3.5 mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Aux Cable
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If you’re in need for some sweet music in your car, then you need not worry any more, the AmazonBasics 3.5mm Male to Male Stereo Audio Aux Cable is the answer to all of your car audio needs.
It works with a range of different stereos and the quality is pretty impressive.
The cable features gold plated connections, meaning that you won’t get a lot of friction and interference from your device or car audio system.
The cable comes in a range of different lengths depending on what you need.
So, for instance, if you have a big car interior then you don’t need to worry about the cable not being long enough, as you can choose from lengths of 2 foot, 4 foot and 8 foot. That’s more than enough for the vast majority of vehicles.
The cable offers great sound quality, so you can expect to hear any music or audiobooks in crystal clear quality.
It also features a step down design which means that you will get a strong connection between the device and the stereo.
It should be noted though that if you use it every single day you may find that it’s not that durable in the long term because of the thin cable casing build.
Pros:
- Comes in a range of lengths
- Good sound quality
- Gold plated connections
Cons:
- Not durable in the long term for regular use
EDITORS CHOICE
Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable
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No matter what device you are using, if you want an aux cable with a stable connection that can give you all of your favorite audio at a high quality, the Syncwire 3.5mm Nylon Braided Aux Cable is the choice for you.
The cable consists of a braided nylon build, and you don’t need to worry about all of your cables getting tangled up. It comes in 2 different lengths – 3.3 foot and 6.5 foot.
This means that there will be an option for you regardless of the size of your car’s interior space. The wiring of the cable is encased in enamel copper.
In addition to this, the cable is very durable thanks to the nylon braided designed. It also has an aluminum finish that protects the connectors and this means that they resist damage.
It should be noted that this cable cannot be used with particularly large phone cases, but this is a relatively minor complaint in comparison to everything else that this device offers.
Pros:
- No cable tangling thanks to braided design
- Durable
- Clear sound
Cons:
- It cannot be used with large phone cases
BEST VALUE
iVanky Aux Cable 4ft 3.5 mm Auxiliary Audio Cable
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If you have a little bit more money to spend, the iVanky Aux Cable 4ft 3.5mm Auxiliary Audio Cable is a great option for you. This premium aux cable has a bunch of stand out features that any audiophile is sure to love.
For starters, this device is made out of recyclable TPE material and this is designed to help stop wear and tear when you use or bend it. It’s very durable too because of this material.
The ends of the cable consist of copper and this helps to make sure that there isn’t any signal interference.
As far as price is concerned, you certainly get good value for money considering the sheer quality of this device. It even comes with an 18 month warranty, with an extra 36 month warranty if you register the device online.
The biggest downside of this product is that it only comes in one length, so it may be a little problematic if you have a large car interior.
Pros:
- Copper connectors
- Long extended warranty
- High quality
Cons:
- Only comes in one length
RUNNER UP
CableCreation Aux Cable for Car
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If you want an aux cable featuring a little bit of color, you’re in luck with this option. It comes in black and white cotton, rose gold and standard black.
Of course, the colors aren’t the only thing to love about this aux cable. The cable comes in a range of lengths that vary from 1.5 foot to 10 foot, so there is certainly something there to suit your needs.
It provides decent sound quality thanks to the gold plated connections and the aluminum alloy shell. The cable length is great as it will provide you with ample flexibility.
Furthermore, the cable can work well with a range of different phone cases. It has cotton wrap covering the cable though, and while this allows for more vibrant color options, it also means that the cable may end up fraying more as time goes on, so it’s not quite as durable as a lot of other materials out there.
Pros:
- Comes in a range of colors
- Works well with most phone cases
- Lengths between 1.5 foot to 10 foot
Cons:
- Not as durable as some other options
RUNNER UP
Oldboytech Aux Cable
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Did someone say two for the price of one? Yes – this cable comes in a two pack, so if one breaks then you have another one spare. Or you could keep one in the house and one in your car. The possibilities are endless.
That’s not all there is to love about this product though. To start with, it comes with a lifetime warranty – great for that extra peace of mind.
It features a nulon braid cable design, and this helps to make sure that the cables don’t tangle, and it helps to protet the wires inside. The cable comes in three lengths in total – 1.5 foot, 4 foot and 8 foot.
This is certainly a great option for people that are on a budget, but with that also comes some pit falls.
It is made out of slightly cheaper materials like silver, and this means that you may be subject to some audio interference issues.
Otherwise it is a great choice if you are looking for a more affordable option.
Pros:
- Ideal for people on a budget
- Nylon braided design helps to stop tangling
- Comes in 3 length options
Cons:
- Potential problems with audio interference
Best Aux Cables: A Buyer’s Guide
Why Should I Get an Aux Cable?
You may be wondering why you should bother buying an aux cable to begin with. After all, most cars still take CDs, and some cars can even link up to Bluetooth. Well, there are a bunch of different reasons why you should invest in one of these handy audio devices.
To start with, an aux cable will allow you to listen to music or audiobooks when you’re driving. You can use them with pretty much any device, from Apple, to Samsung and more. You can connect your device up to your sound system and blare your music away to your heart’s content.
In addition, they’re also portable. They can range in length from one to three feet. This also means that if you change car you can simply move the aux cable from the old car to the new one. If you wish to you can even use your aux cable at home.
Things to Consider
When you are buying an aux cable there are a number of things that you should consider to make sure that you make the best decision for you.
These are just a few of the things that you should think about.
Materials
Different manufacturers use a range of materials to make their aux cables. For the most part the aux cable wires consist of pure copper, but the quality of this copper isn’t necessarily the same in every single aux cable.
For this reason, it is important that you check the product is high quality. Check if it’s from a reputable brand, and have a look online to see if it has generally had good reviews from other people that have used the product.
If the wire has been made better then it means that the sound will be better, and it also means that the cable will be more durable.
Oxygen Free
What, oxygen in an audio device? Yep! If an aux cable is designed to last then it will usually consist of two separate wires that are wrapped up in a protective foil.
If it has more insulation, and if it is made out of better materials then it will be a better aux cable overall because there won’t be any oxygen in the product.
If the cable has oxygen inside of it, it can end up having problems with static electricity and this may cause you to lose signal or getting irritating interference.
Manufacturers usually make oxygen free cables, but it’s always worth checking that is the case with the one you are thinking of buying.
Compatibility
You should always check that your aux cable is compatible not only with your device but also with your car.
For instance if you have a newer car then your car stereo may not even have a port for the aux cable. Some newer cars use Bluetooth and other wireless connectivity options instead of auxiliary ports.
In addition to this, some cars have relocated their auxiliary ports into the back seat of the car, or perhaps the dashboard. If this is where it is situated on your car then you will need to think about the distance of the cable that you are using.
Furthermore, there are some mobile devices that can only be used with a top rated aux cord, and they have a 3.5mm standard port. With that being said, there are some devices that don’t have a port like this, in which case you will need to find a different cable.
Bend Life
An auxiliary cable’s bend life is essentially its durability.
It is the amount that the cable can bend before it will wear away. In an ideal world, you should be looking for an aux cord that has a bend lifespan of 10,000 at a minimum.
The durability is better the higher the number is.
Gold Jack
You will usually find that mid to high end products feature an audio jack that is gold plated. This is not just for aesthetic purposes, it’s actually pretty important.
Gold is a much better material to have for transmitting electrical impulses. It means that you are going to get a much higher quality sound because there will be no disturbance.
The jacks usually only have a thin layer of gold and this means that you won’t be paying a whole lot more than what you would be paying for a lower quality aux cable.
Price
We all want to pay as little as humanly possible for a high quality product. After all, nobody wants to pay more money than they need to if they can help it.
With that being said, if the aux cable you have in mind is available at in extremely cheap price, then you should be wary.
While the aux cable may cost less in the moment, it is likely to be encased in cheap, fake rubber and this can melt during the summer months when it’s particularly warm and your car is akin to an oven. The jacks also don’t tend to fit very well either.
The best option, then, is to properly assess your options. You don’t need to pay for the most expensive option out there as it may have more than what you need.
You do need to pay for quality though. You should check other reviews online if you are unsure to check if the product has a good reputation.
Brand Name
A brand isn’t always the most important thing when it comes to buying a product, but it’s always something that you should think about.
There is less risk involved if you buy an aux cable from a company that has experience in making high quality audio equipment.
For instance, a company that has been making speakers and headphones for a long time, and are known for having a good reputation in this respect. This way, you can have more confidence in your purchase.
It’s also worthwhile to think about buying from a company that offers impeccable customer service and those that will provide you with a good warranty. Having a good warranty means that you can be covered if anything goes wrong, especially if you plan on using the aux cable quite frequently.
Of course, brand name certainly isn’t the most important thing to consider when you are making your decision, but it’s something that you should keep in mind after you’ve thought about all of the other criteria in this buyer’s guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you use an auxiliary cord with a smartphone with a case?
This is largely going to depend on the aux cable that you have and what cover is on your phone. If the cable has a narrow end connection, then it will be slimmer and thus much easier to connect with a phone that has a thick cover.
How do I install my aux cable? If you have the common 3.5mm auxiliary jack cable, then all you need to do is plug one end of the device into the aux socket in the vehicle. You need to put the other end into your electronic device or phone.
What aux cable length should I get for my car?
In most cases, a 3 foot cord should be more than sufficient unless your car’s interior is spaced apart widely. This is going to depend on the place where the aux input is located, however.
If your aux cable isn’t in the front of the car and is instead located in the back, then you will likely need a longer cable. A 6 foot cable is usually a good choice as it is versatile, and all you need to do is coil up the parts of the wire that aren’t being used at that moment in time.
How does an aux cable work?
In essence, the aux cable will take something called an analog signal from your device of choice.
It will then transmit the signal emitted into a pair of speakers or some headphones.