Magnetic Cables and Steam Deck: Do They Work? Charge While Playing?

Magnetic cables offer a very nice solution to avoid wear and tear on the plugs of valuable electronics (like a Steam Deck) - plus they provide "break away" protection for situations which can end in the destruction of your devices from unexpected cord pulls, battery drops or other pratfalls.

We look at two sets of cables; one set that works and one set that doesn't. The goal is to help you understand which cables work - and why - so you can make the most informed decision on whether they are right for you.

Our goal is to find a magnetic cable that can quickly charge the Deck when not in use as well as "charge and play" at the same time.

Even if you were just here to find "a cable that works" and aren't sticking around for the show, please drop us a like and/or comment - it helps!

Note: I'm aware of the audio loop at the end of the video. I was going to re-upload, but most people skip that closer anyway; so ... I guess I'll leave this up as is.

Magnetic Charging Cable 3A Fast Charging FOCYO 540 Rotating (Purple; Not Working)
$23

60W USB C to PD USB C Magnetic Charging Cable,ODDADD 3in1Fast Charging Multi Nylon Braided Data Sync Cord (Black; Working)
$21

Insignia - 80 W 26,800 mAh Portable Charger

Note: We use Amazon Affiliate links and are compensated when you make a purchase with them.

Chapter Jumps
00:00 - Intro
00:18 - Bumper
00:22 - What are magnetic charging cables?
01:08 - Old Tech Mag Charging Cables
02:18 - Opening the Purple Cables
05:50 - Opening the Black Cables
07:55 - Differences of the Cables
09:20 - Introducing the Battery Pack and Accessories We'll Use
10:45 - Let's Get the Steam Deck!
11:50 - Wearing Down The Battery on Deck for Testing
14:15 - Fitting the mag plug into the deck, purple test 1
15:50 - Beware the Trickery!
17:00 - Length Restrictions?
17:40 - Purple Test 2 ... Can't get a break ...
18:50 - Let's Try It Again ... Proof of Failure!
19:40 - Moving to the Black Cable
20:30 - Charging with Black Cable Under Load
21:35 - Will it charge while playing???
23:10 - Final Testing results
23:30 - Wrap up; What did we learn?
24:00 - Other uses for Mag Cables ...

Thanks for watching!

[nandolook]

Hi there great video
I just wanted to let you know about how the Steam Deck charge itself
The Steam Deck when the battery its around %60 or lower it can take up to 45w to charge itself after that the wattage will go lower
After the battery is full it will not charge and will only takes what it need UP TO 15w so even if you get a message the cable is changing slowly if the battery is full and you are using a 18w cable you are golden!!!
Again great video lots of information i might get a magnetic cable as well

[Shise-]

USB-C magnetic tip adaptors or cables are not compliant with the USB specification - obviously use at your own risk

[robertrose]

On Amazon, the black ones come in 18, 60 and 100 watts! I just ordered 4 of the 100 watt.

I've had no luck with swivels lasting long.

[NainoaKumaaHoku]

When shopping for one just make sure the pins and cable actually supports the suggested 45watt or higher charging needed for the steam deck. Sadly a lot of the barrel and flex L cables sold on Amazon don't support higher watts. I have the aucon 24 pin 100watt cable and works great on the steam deck. (It's a straight connect so it will stick up above the steam deck and it doesn't swivel) 😊

[R.Williams]

I have the purple cables that I use for my tablet and Switch. The problem with them I found is that 2 of the cables died very quickly. Within 2 months. The other 2 are ok so far but I wouldn't buy them again. I haven't set my Steam Deck up yet as I just got it but this video is very useful for the future. I only use magnetic because I've damaged numerous ports from accidently ripping the cord out as I was using the device. Thanks for the video!

[alexrolling]

I love the idea of these cables, i have the usb c adaptors on my phone, 2 ps5 controllers and my steam deck, the cables are 1 meter each and rated for up to 60w power delivery. They all charge from a 60w mains usb c charger and they are the ones with the rotating magnetic end with an flip flop sholder joint on the end.
I have an anker 737 power bank that outputs up to 140w and has a capacity of 24000mah.
Now my phone has no issue when conected to the power bank using the magnetic cable. The ps5 controllers are not recognised at all and will not take any charge.
The steam deck takes a charge with both the power outlet and the power bank but will not charge at the full 45w that the steam deck should be able to charge at on both the wall and power bank. Also when the deck is conected to the power bank, it has 24000mah capacity and this will be fully drained in less than 2 hours so something is not adding up here. My steam deck has lasted no longer than 2 months without bricking and has been rma'd twice, ive just got it back for a 2nd time (my 3rd deck) and im not going to be using a magnetic charger as i suspect this may be the reason for my broken deck previously.
If anyone can elaborate further on this then id apreciate your input. I want to know if the magnetic charger is possibly the reason for breaking 2 steam decks and also want to know how its possible to not take a full 45w charge but still drain a 24000mah power bank in less than 2 hours.

Further info. I have the 512gb version of the steam deck, i use a 1tb SanDisk micro sd card and i have made no modifications or installed any extra software on it other than games from the steam store.

[bland]

The problem is that you still have to remove the tip anytime you want to use anything else with your deck.

[BadGamerElite]

Is the slow charge because it is over the amount that quick charge happens?

[josholin]

I'm thinking of getting the black ones. I just have two concerns...

1. I may have to shave away some of my phone's case so the roundness will fit the square port opening.

2. My area is an iron rich area so it's easy for some debris to get stuck in my older style magnetic cord. I imagine it's easier to remove because it seems more open. But there are also more pins. So I imagine data transmission might get prevented easier. (Android auto is a must for me as I doordash full time.)

(Btw I'm surprised that no one has created a vehicle with a giant magnetic rolling pin, to collect the iron here just chilling on the ground. Lol)

[natebee]

This is awesome information brother now I am sure to but steam deck

[alfwaibel]

Hi, Monroe, - thanks for sharing your experience with the magnetic plugs/cables! I am thinking about to get one, there are some really good ones out there nowadays, with claimed 100W of PD charge capability. As the OG cable plug already wiggling a lot in the USB-C port of the SD, I am planning to get one of these magnetic cables/adapters for it, to not wear out the port any more over time. But on reddit and other sources, people complain about the possibility of frying the Deck because of electrostatic charges due to the often exposed ports on the plugs. The question is, what is more likely - to damage the deck/charging port due an ESD, or wearing out the already loose port over time. What ´s your opinion about that? Thanks!

[snaiilaxx]

Hi moonroe! Just wanted to point out that the purple swivel cable you bought has PD USB-C to USB-C 60W version too. You might wanna look into it! I'm still halfway into the vid but if it doesn't happen, I wanna know how difficult it is to remove the pin/plug from our devices without the hook extract tool? (in case I didn't bring it with me or I lost it)

[revmaillet]

I use magnetic usbc adapters on my steam deck and i swear by them. I got some for my daughters switch and mrrev's steam deck as well. ::edit:: I made sure that i got them for the highest powered apple laptop. I also have a 10' Ainope usbc cables with a usbc plug.

[TheBambii]

What about with your typical case? Does it fit?

[demonhighwayman]

Do the black cables also work for data transfer ? or are they power delivery only ?

[bishalscreation]

Mine doesn't transfer hdmi monitor but mouse works through hub horrible 😢

[steamdeckknights]

I have magnetic tips you have to have ur own cable but I can play and charge!!

[konjecture]

You need to prepare before making a video. Should have had the deck at 80% battery for doing these tests.

[eggbag]

I figured these cables didn’t work at ALL, like a scam. Do they work well?

[Aaronemmanuel-]

I'm just worried that in the long run the battery wears off like smartphones.