This $14 retractable USB-C cable is my secret to surviving long car rides with my kids

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The Talix retractable cable is typically $22, but on sale for $14 with an Amazon coupon. This USB-C to USB-C cable supports up to 240W, PD 3.2, making it powerful enough to quickly charge laptops and phones. This USB-C-to-USB-C cable is surprisingly fast and efficient for a 4-or 5-foot cable.

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If you see me out and about, chances are I'm carrying a charging cable. I don't typically let my kids bring their tablets everywhere, but sometimes a four-year-old needs to wait 90 minutes for their sibling's gymnastics class to end, and a tablet does the trick when the contents of my purse aren't enough entertainment.

Because of this, I keep a USB-C cord on my person or in my purse in case my phone or another device nearby dies, even if I'm not carrying my laptop. But cables can be cumbersome, especially when you're trying to fit them into a tiny pocket in a bag or your pants.

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I've tried several retractable cables with little luck because they are either low-quality or their retractable mechanisms break down after a few uses. Truthfully, I was expecting much of the same when I tested this Talix 4-foot-long retractable cable. Yet it pleasantly surprised me. 

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

The enclosure is the size of a compact mirror, so it fits easily in a purse and slides right into your pocket, with magnets to keep the ends neatly tucked onto its sides. It's also surprisingly fast for a 4-foot cable, which comes in quite handy when I need to charge my laptop on the go.

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Making the cable easily retract into a compact position makes it a good option for cars, since you won't have long cables lying around to get tangled. 

The 240W support means that I can easily charge my MacBook Pro without issues, making this retractable cable a perfect accessory to keep in a laptop bag. The enclosure is made of a smooth plastic that doesn't snag or get stuck in your pockets, unlike some other cable materials.

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Aside from the magnetic mechanism, the ends also feature a rubber coating to prevent the corded threads around the cable from fraying and to protect the connectors' integrity. 

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I do wish this cable had a button or other mechanism to roll it back, but a simple tug-and-release will do the job. I also wish you could pull just one side of the cable at a time, but that depends on the type of retractable mechanism inside the enclosure. Talix uses the type of mechanism that pulls out both ends, regardless of whether you pull one or both.

How I rated this deal 

Something as simple as a high-quality, long cable you can take anywhere can make a big difference in everyday life, especially if you travel with a laptop bag and multiple devices, or even if you just want something easy and light to tuck into a bag or pocket.

This Talix retractable cable is typically priced at $22, which is already a great price for a quality retractable cable, but you can get it right now for $14 with an Amazon coupon. That's why I gave this deal a 3/5 Editors' deal rating.