Apple plugs and cords: are Apple brand better?

Yes! Apple stuff just works. I may have 1 or 2 cords that aren't Apple (thank you dh). They don't always work with the devices we have.

I use either Apple or Anker

Ditto

I only have an iPhone, but I think the Apple brand charging cords are the crappiest. They fail so fast for me.

Anker is a great brand. I have also bought some really cheap stuff on Amazon. Some are garbage, and some work great. I have one type that I love. It is a red braided cord that has 4 ends. 2 lightning, 1 USB C, 1 Mini USB. I can charge pretty much everything with that cord! I keep those cords in my guest room with a long USB extension also.

OK, so the one issue may be that some generic charger don’t have the same wattage as the Apple plug. Newer Apple products come with a fast charger. Just make sure you buy a plug with the same power or it may charge slower.

I use Anker or Native Union braided plugs for my phone and ipad. the laptop has it's own apple cord and that one does work better. The generics CAN charge the laptop, but they're slower and it doesn't hold the charge as long. The watch has it's own apple cord but it came with the watch and I've never replaced it.

I've used the cheaper cords, but they break too easily and you wind up spending just as much money on the replacements. I won't get anything that isn't braided as those are stronger

I never use Apple plugs and cords. Not on purpose, I just tend to get the cheap stuff. My nephew swears the Apple stuff charges faster, and I believe him, but my cheap cords lasted a lot longer than the original Apple stuff I had. I use these Yunsong braided cords and they are awesome. I put them in my families Christmas stockings every year.

I've never had a problem with an off brand not working with my phone.

Maybe I should buy an Apple set and try it again. I might be missing out.

Yep.  Anker is good stuff.

I would recommend using the Apple charging block because that is the correct charger for the device.

Smart phones and tablets are powered by lithium ion batteries - and the number one safety thing with lithium ion batteries is to use the charger recommended by the manufacturer; it really doesn’t matter whether it is a watch, a smart phone, or an electric vehicle.

Sure, the consequences of a phone catching fire is nowhere near as severe as if a car catches fire but it is still a reasonably significant risk. Lithium-ion batteries are really not something to casually mess around with.

Is saving a few dollars worth the risk of your phone’s battery igniting while being charged overnight while you’re asleep?

My iphone 15 came with a braided/woven cord. I love that cord! They do sell it separately.

www.apple.com/shop/product/MU2G3AM/A/240w-usb-c-charge-cable-2-m?fnode=65edc36103ef52d4a0bb5a9250b863638e3ba06b98898973f44eb697932ea47b66e2620a05bdc9b3be0c2c41646bbc4fc5c0da5572bf1c0d6d93fd7637534f699884591d788e8ad96af1db93168981e8602dee3b66641b073e5c092750e8c37ef39346e7ada9998d1e46596f27389011858fc495963878170bd8ef8fd037193a

i've tried off brand and some have taken a quick dump. others have lasted longer and done just as well as Apple products.  if possible, i go with Apple first.