USB Car Chargers to Power Up Your Devices 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 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.

What to Consider

When looking for chargers, there are a few questions to consider. “How many gadgets do I want to charge?” and “How quickly?” Most drivers probably just need one or two USB ports. Four or six may be more practical for those who travel with a lot of gear. When comparing different charger models, wattage is the most helpful measurement of how quickly a charger will operate (the greater the number, the quicker it will charge). However, take in mind that while plugging in many devices, the overall wattage may split in half or less.

Choose chargers that are Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 certified to get the quickest charging speeds and a guarantee of 36 watts for compatible devices. Quick-charging USB-C ports (Type C), the newest standard, are another thing to watch out for because they are typically smaller and more streamlined than devices with older USB-A connections. Without the need for adapters, many cameras, as well as some laptops, can be charged over USB-C.

How We Selected

We made this decision based on our own experience with car charging stations, as well as Wirecutter, PCMag, and Android Central’s reviews. To accommodate as many needs and budgets as possible, we have also taken care to choose goods with a variety of features and pricing points. The majority of the car chargers we review have average customer ratings of at least four stars.

Top10 USB Car Chargers for 2023

1. PowerDrive III Type C Charger

Key Specs

• Total Output: 40 watts
• Ports: 2 USB-C Ports
• Power Indicator: Yes
• Port Light: Yes

The two USB-C ports on the Anker PowerIQ each receive 20 watts of quick charging power, giving it a combined output of 40 watts in a small package. There aren’t many further bells and whistles after that.

For visibility, the charger has a tiny blue halo light, and each port also has a blue tint of its own. With every purchase, an 18-month warranty is provided.

2. 30-Watt Charger

Key Specs

• Total Output: 30 watts
• Ports: (1) USB-A 2.4 Amp; (1) USB-C
• Power Indicator: Yes
• Port Light: Yes

One USB-A port and one USB-C port are included in the reasonably priced, straightforward 12-volt plug-in from Ailkin. It can also charge a phone almost as quickly as the QC 3.0 standard because of its 30-watt capacity. The caveat is that this maximum power is only available when plugged into a Type C connector.

You’ll need a USB-C cable to for the charger to operate at its peak capacity because the USB-A port only outputs 2.4 amps of current and does not support rapid charging. Additionally, the ports are surrounded by blue halo lighting to make them visible at night. Last but not least, Ailkin offers a 1-year warranty with each purchase.

3. 4.8A USB Charger

Key Specs

• Total Output: 24 watts
• Ports: (2) USB-A
• Power Indicator: No
• Port Light: Yes

This charger has a slim design that allows it to fit into the car outlet without sticking out from the dash. It makes use of two conventional USB-A ports, which are still the most popular kind of cable. Additionally, each port has its built-in lighting, making them nearly impossible to overlook in the dark.

The charger’s body is made of a lightweight zinc alloy that can withstand pressure and heat with ease. On the downside, there are no quick charging alternatives because each connection only provides 12 watts/2.4 amps.

4. PowerVolt USB-C

Key Specs

• Total Output: 30 watts
• Ports: (1) USB-C
• Power Indicator: Yes
• Port Light: No

5. BoostCharge USB-C

Key Specs

• Total Output: 36 watts
• Ports: (2) USB-C
• Power Indicator: Yes
• Port Light: No

The two USB-C ports on this black Belkin charger have a combined 36 watts of power. The real output capacity is just roughly 18 watts per outlet because the total output is divided among each port. Although it won’t charge as quickly as the Scosche model before it, the ability to plug in two devices simultaneously could be useful. The charger makes no use of integrated illumination other than a modest white power indication.

6. Roav Charger & FM Transmitter

Key Specs

• Total Output: 24 watts
• Ports: (2) USB-A
• Power Indicator: No
• Port Light: No

This convenient charger also functions as your phone’s Bluetooth transmitter. If your car doesn’t have built-in Bluetooth capability, you can still couple your phone and charger by utilizing your preferred FM radio frequency. The driver can make hands-free phone calls and stream music using this technique over in-car audio. Additionally, it has three buttons for calling and choosing a track.

This model has two 12-watt USB-A connections, which is quite common in terms of charging. There won’t be any world records set for charging time. The only source of illumination is a tiny LED panel that shows the current radio frequency setting. The ports, however, have a striking orange color, increasing their visibility. A one-year warranty is also included with purchases from Anker.

7. Six-Port Charger

Key Specs

• Total Output: 96 watts
• Ports: (4) QC 3.0; (2) 12W
• Power Indicator:
• Port Light: Yes

With six USB-A connections, this charger can power an entire family of gadgets. For best performance, all four of them have Qualcomm 3.0 rapid charging. The final two have a standard 12-watt/2.4 amp output. A staggering 96 watts are available in total. Just make careful to keep the engine running while simultaneously charging so many power-hungry electronics.

Depending on where you want to set the charger, the almost 2-foot-long extension cord that connects all of these ports can either be a benefit or a headache.

The manufacturer provides a 30-day money-back guarantee from the date of purchase in addition to a 1-year replacement warranty. However, a USB-C option would’ve been welcome given a large amount of output.

8. Multi-Charger

Key Specs

• Total Output: 72 watts
• Ports: (1) QC 3.0 USB-A; (1) USB-C; (3)-2.4A USB-A
• Power Indicator: No
• Light: No

This charger has five total ports and is finished in DeWalt’s very noticeable yellow with rubberized grey accents. Two occupy the front console’s outlet while the other three need a braided six-foot extension cable to get to the back seat.

One USB-A and one USB-C connector are available in the front seat, both of which allow 18-watt rapid charging. There are three USB-A connections in the backseat, however, they only have a 12-watt output.

The lifetime limited guarantee that comes with DeWalt products covers any manufacturing flaws or post-purchase issues.

9. HaloLock Magnetic Charger

Key Specs

• Total Output: 36 watts
• Ports: 1 USB-A, QC 3.0
• Power Indicator: No
• Port Light: No

The ESR HaloLock is not compatible with Android or earlier iPhone versions because it is designed to work with the MagSafe charging method on iPhone 12 and subsequent devices.

The phone is held in place in either portrait or landscape position by the charger, which magnetically locks to the phone. In this way, it functions as both a hands-free phone holding and a wireless rapid charger for the gadget.

The charger’s body attaches to an air vent, and a power supply cable that comes with it plugs into a typical 12-volt outlet.

10. Portable Charger and Jumpstarter

Key Specs

• Total Output: 10 watts
• Ports: (1) USB-A
• Power Indicator: No
• Port Light: No

What happens if the car battery dies? All the other car chargers we cover provide electricity to a vehicle’s electrical system. The Scosche PowerUp charger fills that need. It has a built-in battery that enables USB-A device charging when a reliable power supply is not available. You can use domestic electricity or a 12-volt socket in your automobile to charge the battery.

It combines the charger with a practical flashlight and an engine jump pack for a total of three gadgets in one. The 300 lumens of light from the LED bulb are excellent for squinting into an engine compartment or calling a tow company. The manufacturer claims that the 600 cranking amps of power from the accompanying jumper wires is sufficient to restart engines up to 5 liters.

One drawback of PowerUp is that it only offers a single USB-A charging port with a meagre 10-watt output. When the time comes, it will provide enough power to make a necessary emergency call.

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