We never expected to give a cable an A rating. Necessary and ubiquitous, but rarely exciting, there's never been much done with any cable to make it worthy of being declared truly great. Prior to now, Scosche's smartSTRIKE has held the title, earning a well-deserved A- for its smart combination of Lightning and Micro-USB. Now, that one's been outdone by Dodocool's Lightning + Micro-USB Charge and Sync Cable ($19.99, aka DA10).

Much like smartSTRIKE, this cable combines MFi Lightning and Micro-USB plugs into one accessory, eliminating the need to carry multiple cables to charge both an iPhone and ancillary products. At one end is a standard USB plug, and at the opposite side of a sturdy, 36"-long cable, a Micro-USB plug. Attached to the plugs' housing via a 1.6" long tether is a cap resembling Apple's Lightning to Micro USB Adapter, only a little longer and black. Snap it into place, and the cable instantly transforms, making it capable of charging pretty much any modern handset or electronic accessory. It also carries a proper 2.4-Amp charge, meaning it won't slow down the charging speed of iPads.

At $25, smartSTRIKE is a smart buy, especially compared to Apple's $20 Lightning to USB Cable at $20. For $19.99, however, Lightning + Micro-USB Charge and Sync Cable is a no-brainer. It's a clean, elegant, and sturdy solution that costs less than products that do less, and has Apple's official support behind it. Except for personal aesthetic desires, there's no reason to choose any other Lightning cable over this truly great option.