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Many drivers use their smartphones for things like navigation and music playback on the road, and when combined with all the other day-to-day activities, those batteries can drain fast. Having a phone charger in the car is a modern day requirement for most people, and many automakers have begun implementing them into new vehicle models. For older vehicles, there are also plenty of aftermarket solutions which can convert the typical 12-volt outlet into a handy USB charger.
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.
For more recommendations on auto accessories, check out our pieces on Magsafe car mounts, portable jump starters, and car covers.
The Best USB Car Chargers
- Best Overall: PowerDrive III Type C Charger
- Best Budget: Ailkin 30-Watt Charger
- Best Low-Profile: Ainope 4.8A USB Charger
- Best for Androids: SuperOne Retractable USB-C Dual Charger
- Best Single USB-C: Scosche PowerVolt USB-C Charger
What to Consider
Even affordable phones come with countless specs to compare, contrast and consider, even when you’ve set your budget. To help you narrow down this list, select which features are most important to you.
Ports
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 typically suffices 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 works 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.
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 is also used to charge many cameras, and some laptops without the need for adapters. Type C has widely become the standard for Android devices, and with the release of the iPhone 15 in late 2023, Apple has also moved to include USB-C charging across its entire mobile lineup.
Quick Charging
Look for chargers that are Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 certified, also called Power Delivery or PD, as these provide a guaranteed 36 watts to compatible devices and deliver the fastest speed. The majority of modern smartphones, including Android and Apple phones, can take advantage of Quick Charge 3.0 to increase power delivery and reduce charge times.
How We Selected
As an automotive and tech writer, my job can sometimes require travel to some strange new places—at these times, having a charged up phone for communication and navigation is often paramount. In both my professional and personal life, I’ve used a variety of built-in and aftermarket car charging solutions. This piece includes products to suit both Android and iPhone users, with an assortment of price points and feature sets. We prioritized options with multiple ports, and the most important ones, plus decent build quality and fast charging capability. We also looked through customer reviews to find any reports of shoddy 12-volt plugs and inputs, including only the options with reliable builds that’ll last for years.
Pros
Dual fast-charging ports- Total 40 watts of power
- 18-month warranty
Cons
- Only USB-C Compatible
The Anker PowerDrive 3 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.
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.
Beyond that, there aren’t too many bells and whistles. C-type cables are quickly becoming the standard for charging modern devices, including the new iPhone 15 and current model Android phones. If you have older charging cables lying around, you may want to opt for a charger that includes a USB-A port as well.
Still, this USB car charger’s dual fast-charging ports, power, warranty and price point are a well-rounded lineup of features. Plus, Anker is a reliable brands known for its well-designed devices.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 40 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 2 USB-C |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | Yes |
2
Best Budget
Ailkin 30-Watt USB Car Charger
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Built-in Lighting
- USB-C option
- One-year warranty
Cons
- No quick-charge through USB-A
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 USB car 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.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 30 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 1 USB-A 2.4 Amp; 1 USB-C |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | Yes |
Pros
- Integrated USB-C cables plus extra ports
- Voltage meter display
Cons
- No lightning cables included
This USB car charger features two built-in retractable USB-C cables, so you don’t have to worry about misplacing or forgetting to bring your own cables.
It’s perfect for Android users, since that platform has adopted the USB-C standard for several years now. One of the cables provides quick charging, while the other gives a lesser 2.4 amp power supply.
iPhone 15 and later users can also take advantage of the C-Type cables. For older iPhone owners, a Lightning version of the same model charger is available.
Other features include an additional C-Type port, and a standard A-Type port for your other devices. Plus a small LED display which measures the supplied voltage and can be used to monitor your car battery’s health.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 60 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 2 USB-C cables; 1 USB-C port; 1 USB-A port |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | No |
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Pros
- Charge up to 4 devices at once
- Nighttime lighting
Cons
- Only one quick charge port
For those that still have a bunch of USB Type-A cables lying around, this TeckNet USB car charger has you covered with four available ports. Only one of them is equipped with Quick Charge 3.0 compatibility, while the others contend with the slower 2.4 amp standard.
The whole device is surrounded with an illuminated blue ring which makes it visible at night, and shows when the power is running. The Quick Charge equipped port also has an internal light of its own, assisting the user in picking it out of the lineup.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 54 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 4 USB-A |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | Yes |
Pros
- Low-profile design
- Built-in lighting
Cons
- No quick charging
This USB car charger’s compact design 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 stands up readily to pressure and heat. A variety of color options are available in addition to the standard black. On the downside, each port only supplies 12 watts/ 2.4 amps, which leaves no quick charging options.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 30 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | (1) USB-A 2.4 Amp; (1) USB-C |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | Yes |
Pros
- Charges multiple devices
- 24 watt combined output
Cons
- Poor nighttime visibility
This black Belkin USB car 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.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 24 watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 2 USB-C |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | No |
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Pros
- Wireless charging
- Sturdy magnetic mount
- Landscape and portrait orientation
Cons
- Only works with newer iPhones
- No integrated lighting
The ESR HaloLock USB car charger is made to interface with the MagSafe charging system on iPhone 12 and newer generations up to the latest iPhone 15 models. However, it isn't compatible with Android or iPhones older than the 12th generation.
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. The wireless unit gets its power from a Type-A to Type-C cable, leaving one free USB-A port on the power supply to use for other devices.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 36 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 1 USB-A, QC 3.0 Wireless |
| Power Indicator | No |
| Port Light | No |
8
Best Single USB-C
Scosche PowerVolt USB-C Charger for Car
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Pros
- Low-profile
- Long-lasting warranty
- High output
Cons
- Dim lighting
This Scosche USB car charger is for those who just need to charge one device quickly over USB-C. It only has a single port, but that port gives you 30-watt quick charging. The manufacturer states that it charges a dead iPhone to 50 percent capacity in about 30 minutes.
Like the Superone, 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.
Key Specs
| Total Output | 30 Watts |
|---|---|
| Ports | 1 USB-C |
| Power Indicator | Yes |
| Port Light | No |
Talon Homer
Talon Homer is a writer and photographer out of South Carolina who was born with a love of cars, gaming, and advanced technology. He’s been featured in Car and Driver Magazine, Popular Mechanics and The Drive, covering consumer reporting, custom engineering projects, and transportation tech. If he’s not at the keyboard, he’s probably snapping photos at a race track or playing too much Halo.
