Today, almost everyone expects their car to have a charging station for their mobile devices. Since it has grown so commonplace, USB connections are now integrated into the dashboards of the majority of new cars and SUVs. The 12-volt socket in your car can be changed to provide USB Car Charger power for older models.
Plugging in the device, which receives electricity straight from your car’s auxiliary power system, constitutes installation. However, given the wide range of possibilities available, selecting one of these useful devices might not be as straightforward. For your consideration, we have compiled the greatest products available along with advice on everything you should know before shopping.
Best USB Car Chargers
Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger
A reliable USB car charger can charge your phone and other gadgets more quickly than the built-in port for only a few dollars. The dual-port Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger, which we tested against more than 60 types, is the best car charger, according to our analysis. On its USB-C port, you may quickly charge phones, tablets, and laptops while simultaneously charging a second phone on its USB-A port. No other charger provides the same amount of power for a lower cost.
The conventional USB-A port can charge most modern phones more slowly than the tiny USB-C port, which can also charge tablets and laptops provided the proper cable is used. And for the best of all worlds, there is the Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger. When using a USB-C-to-Lightning cable, the charger’s USB-C port can charge an iPhone approximately three times faster (at 18 watts) than the USB-A wall charger that Apple used to include with its phones; your phone can charge from empty to 54% in just half an hour while you’re, say, sitting in traffic or running errands around the neighborhood.
The 45-watt output of this Nekteck charger and the USB-C to C cable it comes with also support charging Android phones (including the Samsung Galaxy S10), the 2018 and 2020 iPad Pros, and even many laptops at their maximum pace. Additionally, any USB cable you already own can be used to simultaneously charge a second phone or other device using the 12-watt USB-A connector.
Scosche PowerVolt PD40
The Scosche PowerVolt PD40 (CPDCC40) is the charger you should get if you want to simultaneously fast-charge two modern devices because it has two USB-C connections. An iPhone’s battery would charge from zero to approximately 54% in half an hour using the PowerVolt PD40’s USB-C ports, which each enable 20-watt charging, compared to approximately 45% with a conventional 12-watt USB-A charger. MagSafe wireless chargers can also be used at full speed.
One of the most reasonably priced dual-USB-C chargers from a brand we trust is the PowerVolt PD40, and during testing it held firmly in place in our car charging port. Older phones, such as those made before the iPhone 7, can still be charged using this charger, but they won’t do so any more quickly than they would with a USB-A charger.
ZMI PowerCruise C2 36-Watt Dual USB Car Charger with QC 3.0
We believe that spending a little more to get a quicker USB-C charger is worthwhile, but if you just need a reliable, affordable power source for your car, choose ZMI’s PowerCruise C2 36-Watt Dual USB Car Charger with QC 3.0. Any two-port, 24-watt USB-A charger in this price range from a reputable manufacturer performs equally well, but unlike comparable models we tested, the PowerCruise C2 stands out because it supports Quick Charge 3.0 on both ports, giving devices that support that standard slightly faster charging rates. In addition, it is composed of metal rather than the inferior-feeling plastic used in practically all other chargers.