Are there different USB-C cables?

FAQ

Different USB-C cables
Alternative cables for your new Mac

Answer

Yes, there are multiple differences between USB-C cables.

The one received with a MacBook Pro for example, is a USB 2.0 charging cable. You can use this to charge your Mac and transfer data, but if faster speeds is something you are looking for, opt for something like the Belkin USB-C 3.1 cable. This will be a shorter cable as 3.1 cannot be over 1m long, but will improve data transfer speeds.

If you need to connect to a Thunderbolt Display or USB-C Thunderbolt external drive, then look for a Thunderbolt 3 USB-C cable. This will be distinguished by a Thunderbolt logo on the cable itself, and can connect to displays such as the LG UltraFine 5K.