Can I use a Thunderbolt 4 cable for regular USB-C charging?

Yes. Thunderbolt 4 cables are fully backward compatible with USB-C charging, USB 3.2 data, and DisplayPort video. They're the most capable USB-C cables you can buy.

Do I need Thunderbolt 4 or is USB 3.2 enough?

If you use external NVMe storage, eGPUs, or dual 4K monitors through a single cable, you need Thunderbolt 4. For simple charging and occasional file transfers, a standard USB-C cable is fine and much cheaper.

Best Thunderbolt 4 Cables 2026