Braided vs Non Braided Cable: What’s the Difference?

So, you’re confused about braided vs non-braided cable too, huh?

I too was a bit confused when I gave it a thought. What is it that makes braided cables any better than non-braided cables?

After all, the “non-braided” cable also has a plastic cover over its wires, so what’s special about that special “braided” covering?

Let’s look at what benefits are there to having gadgets like a braided wired gaming mouse vs a non-braided gaming mouse and other braided vs non-braided cable gadgets.

Is Braided Cable Better?

USB cables that are braided are more durable in most cases. The cord will not kink as easily. According to me, though, braided cables are overkill for those who treat their gear with reasonable care.

I have never experienced any problems with my USB cables, and I do have a few braided cables. Some of them appear flimsy, but they manage to hold together. Flexing at either end of the cable can cause the cable to fail. In the case of durability, you should consider a Strain Relief element at these two points.

The cable Apple ships with your iPhone is not as long-lasting as a nylon-braided cable of comparable quality. In addition to preventing fraying and tearing due to everyday use, the woven exterior of the cable also makes it durable under extreme conditions.

Are Braided Cables More Durable?

The nylon-braided cables, such as the ones offered by most major phone manufacturers, are usually more durable than round and flat plastic cables.

That’s because the plastic cable only has that plastic covering to protect it from wear and tear, while a braided cable has the second protective layer of that braided nylon which extends the lifetime of that cable.

Braided vs Non Braided Cable Mouse

A braided wired mouse won’t be any better than a non-braided mouse. Because most likely you’ll need to replace your mouse before your cable goes bad, if you know about the double-click issue in Logitech gaming mice and also the scroll wheel missing issue.

However, if you still want your mouse’s cable to be more durable and last longer, check out these braided wired gaming mouses.

Are There Any Downsides to Braided Cables?

This guy shares some problems that he found with braided cables, so maybe worth hearing him out.

One downside that you may encounter with braided cables, is that they’re a tiny bit more resistant and make it difficult for you to move your mouse freely, which is why you may need a mouse bungee to make life easier for you.

How to Straighten or Unkink a Braided Cable?

The braid is normally rolled between my fingers as I move towards the usb end, pinched near the mouse with my pointer finger and thumb. If the wire sticks out at the corners of the braid, then this can loosen it, so be careful.

How to Keep Braided Cables from Tangling?

Keep your braided, or even non-braided cables from twisting and you should be fine. It’ll prevent your braided cables from being tangled for years and years to come.

Because if they do get tangled, the braid will loosen up and you’ll lose the protection that a braided cable provides over a typical non-braided one.

Are Braided HDMI Cables Good?

HDMI cables help transfer video signals to your devices as well as being durable and long-lasting. Furthermore, braided cable is not easily tangled. So yes, braided HDMI cables are good.