This is the English edition of a review from my Japanese YouTube channel, iestaLife. I review gadgets from my home studio in Japan, so product links go to Amazon Japan.
Quick take
CIO’s Flat Spiral Cable is a USB-C cable that coils up neatly with magnets, so it never tangles. I love it, but when I tried to stack several together to carry them, the magnets pushed each other apart. A viewer told me the magnet orientation varies from cable to cable, so it is basically a lottery. To test that, I bought a third one, the 1.5 m version. I got lucky: it stacked perfectly with the cables I already had. Whether yours will stack comes down to luck, but as a single cable it is excellent.
What I tested
- CIO Flat Spiral Cable, USB-C to USB-C, 1.5 m in light black (my third one)
- Stacked with the two 1 m versions I already owned
- Compared with a magnetic USB-C cable from OOOUSE
What I found
- Great as a single cable. It rolls up with magnets, stays tidy and feels well made, which makes it ideal for carrying around.
- Stacking is a lottery. The polarity (N and S) of the magnets seems to differ between cables, so some combinations repel each other and will not stack. CIO does not advertise stacking as a feature, so this is not a defect, but if you want to carry several stacked together it is entirely down to chance.
- My third cable was a winner. The new 1.5 m cable snapped right onto my existing ones. When you get a combination that works, your pouch gets much tidier.
- OOOUSE has a smaller connector. The OOOUSE magnetic cable I compared has a smaller connector housing than the CIO, so it is worth a look if you worry about the plug catching on your phone case.
Who it’s for
If you want a tangle-free cable for your bag, the CIO Flat Spiral Cable is very handy even on its own. If you plan to buy several and stack them, just be aware that some combinations will repel each other. CIO is a Japanese brand, so availability outside Japan may be limited.
The video is in Japanese.
Limitations
I only tested three CIO cables, so I cannot say how often a pair will stack or repel. The idea that magnet orientation varies between cables came from a viewer and matches what I saw, but it is not something CIO has confirmed.
Products
CIO Flat Spiral Cable, USB-C to USB-C (1.5 m, light black): on Amazon Japan
OOOUSE USB-C to USB-C cable, 240 W (comparison). I could not find a current Amazon Japan listing for this one, so there is no link.
The Amazon Japan links above are affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Check the listing for the exact model, current price and shipping availability in your region.
More reviews in English
All Chargers & Cables (29) →Browse all English reviews →
This review is also available in Japanese.