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A quick fix for turn your vehicle’s dashboard into charging station.
Charging mobile devices on the road is a feature that nearly everyone demands from their vehicle these days. It’s become such a requirement that most new cars and SUVs now include USB ports built into their dashboards. For those with older models, the solution is to convert your vehicle’s 12-volt outlet to USB power.
Installation is no more complex than plugging in the device, which draws power directly from your car’s auxiliary power system. Choosing one of these handy gadgets may not be as simple, however, with so many options on the market. That's why we rounded up the best of the best for your consideration, plus tips on everything you need to know before you shop.
There are a couple questions to ask when browsing for chargers: “How many devices do I want to charge?” and “How fast?” One or two USB ports will likely suffice for most drivers. Those who carry a lot of gear on the road may find four or six more suitable. Wattage is the most useful indicator of how fast a charger will work while comparing different models (the higher the number, the faster it'll charge). However, keep in mind that the total wattage may split into half, or less, when plugging in multiple devices.
Look for chargers that are Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 certified, as these can provide a guaranteed 36 watts to compatible devices and deliver the fastest speed. Another thing to look out for are quick-charging USB-C ports (Type C), which is the latest standard and generally more compact and streamline than devices with older USB-A ports. USB-C can also be used to charge many cameras, and some laptops without the need for adapters.
We chose these products based on personal experience with car charging devices, as well as review input from Wirecutter, PCMag, and Android Central. We’ve also taken care to select products with a wide range of features and price points, to suit as many needs and budgets as possible. All of the car chargers we write about have an average customer rating of 4 stars or more.
The Anker PowerIQ packs a 40-watt combined output into a compact body, sending 20 watts of quick charging power to each of its two USB-C ports. Beyond that, there aren’t too many bells and whistles.
The charger uses a small blue halo light for visibility, and each port gets a similar blue tint of its own. An 18-month warranty is included with purchase.
This simple 12-volt plug-in from Ailkin comes with a low price tag, one USB-A port, and one USB-C. It also has a 30-watt capacity, which can charge a phone nearly as quickly as the QC 3.0 standard. The catch is that you only get that maximum wattage while plugged into the Type C port.
The USB-A puts out 2.4 amps of current, without quick charging, so you’ll need a USB-C cable to get full performance out of the charger. As a bonus, there’s also blue halo lighting around the ports to keep them visible at night. Lastly, Ailkin provides a 1-year warranty with purchase.
This charger uses a compact design that sits flush with the car’s outlet without protruding from the dash. It uses two standard USB-A ports, which are still the most widely used type of cable. Each port also gets its own integrated lighting, so they’re almost impossible to miss in the dark.
The body of the charger is lightweight zinc alloy, which can stand up readily to pressure and heat. On the downside, each port only supplies 12 watts/ 2.4 amps, which leaves no quick charging options.
This Scosche charger is for those who just need to charge one device quickly over USB-C. It only has a single port, but that port will give you 30-watt quick charging. The manufacturer states that it charges a dead iPhone to 50 percent capacity in about 30 minutes.
Like the last product, it features a compact, flush design. It also has a fabric pull tab so it's easy to remove from the dash. The charger is mostly black, with a dim LED power indicator along the top, so visibility may present an issue. As a bonus, Scosche includes a 3-year warranty, which we find to be exceptional for this type of product.
This black Belkin charger features two USB-C ports, with a combined electrical output of 36 watts. However, the total output is split between each port, so actual capacity is about 18 watts per outlet. It won’t charge as quickly as the previous Scosche model, but being able to plug in two devices at once may prove advantageous. Apart from a tiny white power indicator, the charger uses no integrated lighting.
This handy charger doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter for your phone. In cars without native Bluetooth support, the charger can be paired with the phone using an FM radio frequency of your choice for the signal. Through this method, the driver can take hands-free calls and stream music over their car’s built-in stereo. It also features three buttons for track selection and picking up a phone call.
As far as charging goes, this model is fairly standard, with two 12-watt USB-A ports. Charging time is not going to set any records. The only lighting comes from a small LED screen which displays the current radio frequency setting. However, the ports are colored a bright orange, giving them some extra visibility. Anker also includes a 1-year warranty with purchase.
This charger can provide power for an entire family of devices, with six USB-A ports. The four of them feature Qualcomm 3.0 quick charging for maximum performance. The remaining two are typical 12-watt/ 2.4 amp output. Total combined capacity is an impressive 96 watts. Just be sure to keep the vehicle’s engine running while charging so many power-hungry devices at once.
All these ports are attached to a nearly 2-foot-long extension cable — which can be either a convenience or a hassle, depending on where you want to place the charger.
The manufacturer offers both a 1-year replacement warranty, and a 30-day money back guarantee from point of purchase. But with so much output, a USB-C option would’ve been a nice addition.
This charger comes in DeWalt’s highly visible yellow finish, along with rubberized gray accents and features five total ports. Two sit in the front console at the outlet, while the other three reach the back seat using a braided six-foot extension cable.
The front seat gets one USB-A and one USB-C option, with both supporting 18-watt quick charging. The back seat has to contend with three USB-A ports, which only give 12-watt output.
DeWalt products come with a lifetime limited warranty, which covers any factory faults or defects encountered after purchase.
The ESR HaloLock is made to interface with the MagSafe charging system on iPhone 12 and newer models, so it isn't compatible with Android or older iPhones.
The charger magnetically locks to the phone, and holds it in place in either portrait or landscape orientation. In this way, it doubles as a hands-free phone holder while sending a wireless quick-charging current into the device.
The body of the charger mounts onto an A/C vent, with an included power supply cable running into the standard 12-volt outlet.
All the other car charger we cover get power a vehicle’s electrical system, but what if the car battery dies? That’s where the Scosche PowerUp charger comes in. It uses a built-in battery that can charge USB-A devices while away from a stable power source. The battery itself be charged using household power, or a car’s 12-volt outlet.
It’s also three devices in one, combining the charger with a handy flashlight and engine jump pack. The LED lamp provides 300 lumens of light, which is great for peering into an engine bay or flagging down a tow truck. The included jumper cables provide up 600 cranking amps of power, which the manufacturer states is enough to bring engines up to 5 liters back to life.
The downsides are that PowerUp only provides one USB-A charging port, which supplies a relatively weak 10-watt output. However, it will give enough juice to make a crucial emergency phone call when the time is needed.