As with most people these days, you probably can’t get too far without your handy smartphone or tablet. This is why it is frustrating that so many of these devices have such a short battery life. It often seems like your device needs charging again within a few hours. So, as you can imagine, a USB charger in your car can come in pretty handy in these situations. Of course, the trick is finding one that is actually powerful and useful enough to do the job. Since this can be a rather time-consuming affair, we decided to take the reins and figure out which produces can be the best USB Chargers. Here is what you need to know about how to choose one:
Features to Consider in Good USB Car Charger
Before we head on over to the reviews, we would first like to discuss the various features that we took into consideration when looking for the best USB chargers for your car:
- Power Output: one of the first features that we analyzed was the power output of the charger for each one of the ports. Since most devices these days are quite powerful, they require a considerable power output if they are to be charged quickly.
- Number of Ports: the second element that we considered were the number of ports. Now, there is a good chance that you aren’t the only one in your car trying to charge their phone. Due to this, a greater number of ports is a perk, provided that the power output is equal for each port.
- Compatibility: last but certainly not least, we took a look at all of the devices that each USB charger was compatible with. This included the type of smartphone that could be plugged into the charger as well as whether the charger would accept tablets too.
Top 10 Best USB Car Chargers 2020
1. Anker USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
This Anker charger provides a total output of 24W and 4.8 Amps combined. This means that each port receives a power influx of 2.4A. What’s most impressive about this charger, however, is the technology that it relies on to charge your phone.
The charger uses PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology to customize the power output to your device. As a result, your device is able to charge faster, according to its requirements. The good news is that you get to experience these optimal charging conditions regardless of the device that you are using.
Usability
Now, this charger comes with two ports, allowing to charge two devices at the same time. What’s more, you can charge two equally powerful devices and not have to wait for hours on end for them to be all powered up. The other benefit of this USB charger is that it is very compact. This means that it barely protrudes when it is in its holder, decreasing the chance that you will jostle it.
The only real downside with this charger is that you do have to be careful about picking up the devices while they are plugged in. This is because it can be pulled out rather easily. To make up for this, though, this charger is incredibly safe to keep and use in your car. It comes equipped with surge protection, temperature control, and more. Also, at night, there is a small blue light to make it easier to find where the charger is located. At the same time, the light isn’t distracting in any way.
Compatibility
What is truly great about this charger is that it is compatible with so many devices. This includes Apple phones and Android phones. The charger is also great to use with a number of different tablets, including iPads. This is because it is powerful enough to handle most of what you plug into it.
Pros
- Compatible with most smartphones and tablets
- Good power output
- Fast charging capabilities
- Compact
- Safety features
Cons
- Can fall out with movement
2. RAVPower USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
In total, this USB charger is capable of producing a power output of 24W and 4.8A. As a result, each port on the USB charger is able to receive 2.4 Amps each. Now, one of the features that really stands out about this charger is the iSmart technology. This adjusts the incoming current to better suit the power requirements of the device that is plugged.
Thus, not only is your device able to charge a little bit faster, you can also be assured that it will not be exposed to any more power than it needs. This charger is also able to adjust the voltage being produced by the vehicle to ensure that your device is always being charged at a constant rate.
Usability
This is a rather compact charger that is able to fit into the port without extending outwards too much. Thanks to this, you can easily work around your console without feeling as though you will yank the charger out. The only thing to be careful with is when a device is plugged into the charger. Then, you have to avoid pulling on the device too hard as the charger fits loosely in most outlets. So, it can be yanked out relatively easily.
Apart from this, the USB charger is a pleasure to use. It has two ports which make charging two high-powered devices an absolute breeze. What’s more, you can do this knowing that your devices will be well-protected at all times. The charger comes with built-in safety features that ensure your devices will not be affected in any way even during power surges or temperature spikes.
Compatibility
This is a charger that works well with most smartphones – both for Apple and Android models. At the same time, the charger is also able to charge up more powerful devices such as tablets. In fact, you can charge both of these devices together at the same time.
Pros
- Compact
- High power output
- Compatible with tablets and smartphones
- Constant power output
- Safety features
Cons
- Sits a bit loosely in power outlet
3. Trianium Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
This car charger is equipped with a power output of 24W and 4.8 Amps in total. This means that each port for this USB charger is provided with 2.4 Amps. In addition to these capabilities, the charger is also outfitted with TriSmart Technology.
Each device has unique power requirements and this charger is able to recognize that. So, it controls just how much power is being transferred to each device at any given time. This ensures that your devices are charged as quickly as possible, without the risk of damaging them in any way.
Usability
There is also no denying that this charger is very user-friendly. For one thing, it easily fits into a number of different power outlets, regardless of the make or model of the car. This is useful as there is no chance of you pulling the charger out while holding your phone.
The dual ports make it simple for you to charge two devices at the same time. Now, on certain occasions, you may realize that the devices aren’t charging as quickly as possible, particularly if they are both power-hungry. Apart from this, though, the charger is great to use. This is especially considering that it has more than a few safety features. Due to this, there is no chance of your phone short-circuiting or overheating. Also, when your device has been fully powered up, the charging cycle comes to an end.
Another interesting feature of this charger is that although it is small and compact, it is quite durable. It has aluminum features and this ensures that your charger can be used for an extended period of time.
Compatibility
This charger is compatible with a number of different Apple iPhones and iPads. It also charges up Android smartphones quite well too and is even able to power up various other tablets.
Pros
- Durable
- Powers up a number of different devices
- Consistent power production
- Can charge two devices
- Compact
- Safety features
- Good fit in port
Cons
- Can be a bit slower when charging two devices
4. Jelly Comb USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
As a whole, this USB charger is able to produce 65W and 13 Amps of power. However, this isn’t what makes this charger stand out. Rather, it is the Jelly Comb smart identification technology that is able to identify the individual power needs of each device.
Now, the capabilities of this charger don’t end there. In addition to the identification process, this charger is also able to produce just the right level of power in each port to ensure that each device is able to charge as quickly as it possibly can.
Usability
What’s truly excellent about this charger, of course, is that it allows you to plug up to six devices at a time! This makes it a great choice for families who tend to travel together a lot. This charger will ensure that everyone’s devices will be charged at all times. Even better, you can be certain that it is perfect for you to charge all of these devices at once. This is because the charger has been designed to be protected from high current and voltage, excessive temperatures, and short-circuiting.
As you can imagine, due to its features, the USB charger as a whole is a bit larger than most other models. Nonetheless, the part that fits into the power outlet is a perfect fit for numerous vehicles. The only real issue with this charger is that it can interfere with radio stations making it difficult to use the radio while the charger is working.
Compatibility
What puts this USB charger ahead of most others is that it boasts universal compatibility. This means that it works well with all kinds of smartphones and tablets. However, it doesn’t stop there. The charge can also be used to charge video game controllers, power banks, smartwatches, cameras, and more.
Pros
- Universal compatibility
- Lots of ports
- Fits well into power outlets
- Good power output
- Matches device power requirements
- Safety features
Cons
- Interferes with radio stations
5. CHOETECH USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
The charging capabilities of this car charger depend on the elements that you choose to use. See, it has Quick Charging options (delivered via a special cable) for devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S9, Note 8 and certain LG phones. With around 3A power output, you can charge these devices much more quickly.
If the device that you own doesn’t fall into this category, there is no need to worry – there are still 4.8 Amps split between the ports. Here, you get to enjoy the Smart Charging technology that ensures that regardless of the device, the appropriate power requirements are met. So, as you can see, it doesn’t really matter what device you are using, there are a variety of advantages to enjoy.
Usability
In terms of usability, there is only a minor complaint. See, this charger relies on a spring mechanism and as a result, it can be a bit difficult to get this spring to fit into the power outlets properly. Without any warning, the USB could pry away from the contacts, preventing your phone from being charged.
Aside from this issue, however, you should have no trouble using this charger. It is small and compact, ensuring that it is not easily disturbed. To top it off, this is a charger that is equipped with quite a few safety features. You don’t have to worry that the charger or your device will be exposed to over current, over voltage, or too-high temperatures. At the same time, your devices are protected from overcharging as well.
Compatibility
This is a charger that has been designed to be compatible with a number of different devices. So, whether you have an iPhone or an Android phone, you can be quite certain that this charger will work for you. What’s more, the charger can also power up a variety of tablets as well.
Pros
- Quick Charging features available for some devices
- Smart charging technology
- Safety features
- Compact size
- Good compatibility
Cons
- Requires effort to get charger plugged in properly
6. Maxboost USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
This charger offers up a 24W and 4.8 Amps power output in total. So, for each of the ports, you can experience up to 2.4 Amps. Now, one of the main perks with this charger is that it relies on smart technology that allows it to identify each device’s power needs.
This means that the charger is capable of ensuring that each device is provided with exactly the level of power that it needs to charge fully. It should be noted that the charging speed of this charger is rather average but by no means slow. While it will not charge your digital devices incredibly quickly, it will still get it done in a timely manner.
Usability
What’s really nice about this charger is that it fits into the power outlet so well. It takes a little bit of effort to get it into the port but once it’s there, you can be quite certain that the charger will not budge at all. This is aided by the fact that this actually a rather compact little USB charger. So, it doesn’t protrude too far out either.
The dual ports give you the chance to charge more than one device at any given time which makes it a lot more versatile. Then, there is also the fact that this charger boasts quite a few safety features to boot. Thanks to this, there is no danger of short-circuiting or overheating. Not to mention, once your device is completely powered up, the charger stops charging it immediately.
Compatibility
Last but not least, this charger is compatible with lots of devices. This includes Android phones, iPhones, tablets, music players, cameras, and more. This gives you a greater number of charging options, especially if you are on a long journey.
Pros
- Compatible with lots of devices
- Good power output
- Smart detection technology
- Good fit
- Dual charging capabilities
- Protection features
Cons
- Average charging time
7. AmazonBasics USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
The USB Car charger is able to produce a power output of 24 Watts and 4.8A in total. So, each of the ports can experience up to 2.4A power output which works well for most devices. What is more impressive than this, however, is the detection features that come along with the charger.
Here, the product is able to identify the power requirements for each of the devices that are plugged in. Thus, this means that each device is able to get just as much power as it needs. Unfortunately, this doesn’t mean that your device will charge any quicker as the charging speed with this charger is rather average. Still, it will get the job done without taking too long so it isn’t too much of a downside.
Usability
As far as usability goes, this charger is rather easy to attach to the lighter outlet. It has a compact body that doesn’t stick out too much and therefore, can’t be easily dislodged. At the same time, it can be fitted into the outlet rather snugly, ensuring that it can’t be pulled out unintentionally.
The dual ports mean that you will have no trouble hooking up two devices to the charger. You will also notice that they will charge at the same time. The charger has a built-in safety system. This makes certain that the charger doesn’t overload or short circuit in any way. So, you can feel rather safe keeping this USB charger in your car at all times.
Compatibility
You will find it rather fortunate that this charger is compatible with quite a few different devices. Now, it works well with most smartphones – this is regardless of whether they are Android or Apple. At the same time, it can also charge many tablets as well.
Pros
- Good power output
- Smart identification technology
- Proper fit
- Built-in safety features
- Compatible with lots of devices
- Compact
Cons
- Charging time is average
8. Aukey Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
This dual port car charger offers up 24W and 4.8A as power output. This means that each of the ports can produce up to 2.4A for each of your devices. What’s great about this is that this charger also has adaptive power technology.
So, every time that you plug a device into the charger, it is able to determine just how much maximum power the device is able to withstand. The charger then provides it, ensuring that your device is able to charge fully as quickly as possible.
Usability
For the most part, this is a rather user-friendly USB charger. For one thing, the dual ports allow you to charge up to two devices at once. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about losing out on power for any of your devices. There is also the fact that this charger offers up a flush fit in the cigarette lighter holder. This means that it barely protrudes at all, ensuring that it doesn’t look awkward or unprofessional at all.
Now, the only issue with this design is that once the charger has been inserted into the fixture, it can be incredibly difficult to remove. In fact, in certain instances, you may have to risk damaging the lighter holder. Despite this, the charger does have a number of useful safety features. For one thing, it prevents the charger from overheating or being at the risk of excessive currents. Also, the charger has been designed to stop overcharging and cuts off the power when your device has been charged fully.
Compatibility
This charger works with most USB powered devices. So, regardless of whether you have an Android phone or an iPhone, the charger will work just fine. It is also capable of powering up tablets too.
Pros
- Good power output
- Flush fit
- Proper power compatibility
- Safety features
- Compatible with various devices
Cons
- Can be very difficult to remove from outlet
9. Vogek Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
Overall, this car USB charger is able to offer up 50W and 9.6A of power output. As a result, this means that each of the four ports can receive up to 2.4A at any given time. In case that wasn’t impressive enough, this car charger is also equipped with smart identification technology.
When you plug a device into the port, the USB charger is able to detect what its maximum power capabilities are. Thus, it can deliver an optimal level of power, making certain that whatever device is plugged in can be charged at a much more efficient rate.
Usability
As you can imagine, one of the most useful features on this charger is the greater number of ports. This is particularly useful for families that want to charge their devices together without having to wait for a longer charging period. Now, due to this design, it does mean that the charger isn’t as compact as some of the other products. And, so, when plugged in it does protrude quite a bit.
To add to this, the USB charger may not fit into all outlets equally well. So, in certain instances, the charger may fall out at every bump in the road. The good news, though, is that the charger has been designed to be incredibly safe. As such, you don’t have to worry about overheating or short-circuiting even if you have multiple devices plugged in at the same time.
Compatibility
This is a USB charger that offers up universal compatibility. As a result, it works well with the devices that you would expect – smartphones (from all manufacturers) and tablets. At the same time, it can also charge Kindles, GPS devices, headphones, and more. This gives you a lot more freedom to decide what you want to charge with this USB charger.
Pros
- Can charge multiple devices at once
- Universal compatibility
- Good power output
- Customized charging features
- Protection features
Cons
- Sticks out quite a bit
- Can be dislodged easily
10. Ainope USB Car Charger
Editor’s Rating:
Charging Capabilities
In total, this USB car charger offers up 4.8A of power. So, each of the ports is able to receive up to 2.4A of power, making them an excellent fit for most portable devices. The charger is capable of detecting the maximum power output that your device can withstand.
This allows it to match this number so that your device is able to charge more efficiently. To top it off, you can be certain that this cutoff point ensures that your device is also protected at the same time. You should know, however, that despite this feature, the charging rate of this charger is rather average. So, while it will not take too long, your devices won’t be charged too quickly either.
Usability
What’s great about this USB charger is that it doesn’t stick out like many other designs. Instead, the charger can fit snugly inside the power outlet. As a result, you will barely notice that it is there. This helps to keep the console area a lot more organized. The only downside to this design is that it can be a bit difficult to pry the charger out. If you do want to remove it, you are going to need to make an effort.
The other feature to enjoy in this charger are the advanced safety features. This allows you to keep the charger and your devices safe while they are plugged in. You can be certain that your devices will be properly protected from power surges and overvoltage.
Compatibility
This USB charger offers up universal compatibility. So, in addition to the smartphones from various manufacturers and tablets, there are also other devices that are compatible with it. These include power banks, sports watches, video game controllers, and more.
Pros
- Sits flush in outlet
- Universal compatibility
- Smart detection technology
- Good power output
- Protective features
Cons
- Average charging rate
- Can be difficult to pull out
Guide to Buying the Best USB Car Chargers
Appropriate Amp Output
As you can imagine, one of the most important aspects of any USB charger is the level of power it is able to provide your devices with. With this in mind, it is best to stick with chargers that offer up at least 2.1 Amps for each port. So, on average, look for a charger that has a total output of around 4.2 Amps. A higher output is especially important if you are hoping to charge devices such as tablets. Since these have greater requirements, you are going to need a more powerful charger.
Power Identification Feature
Now, each device requires a different power influx to be able to charge properly. To ensure that your device charges in a timely manner, you should look for a charger that can identify your device’s optimal requirements. The charger can then adjust the flow of power to that particular port and device.
Multiple Outlets
At the very least, the USB charger that you decide on should have at least two ports. This makes it easier for you to charge more than one device at a time, especially if you have passengers. To add to this, the chargers with a greater number of outlets typically offer up more power as well. This gives you the opportunity to charge those devices that require a great deal more power, such as tablets.
Safety Features
It is important to understand that the electrical systems of vehicles aren’t necessarily compatible with those of smartphones and tablets. This is why you need to take the necessary steps to ensure that your digital devices will be safeguarded when they are plugged into the USB charger. So, what are some of the security features that you should look for? Well, you should know that whenever you accelerate or decelerate the speed of your car, there can be power fluctuations. The worst form of this would be a power surge. Thus, the USB should be prevented from overvoltage, overcurrent, or power surges in general. Another thing that can happen when a phone is plugged into a charger is that it can cause the charger to heat up. So, the product should be able to stay cool to avoid overheating during the charging process. Now, the last thing that you want to do is to overcharge your phone. So, it can be a good idea to look for a charger that cuts the power off once your phone has been fully charged. This can be particularly helpful if you tend to travel long distances and forget that your phone is plugged into the charger.
The Fit
It can be rather annoying to have a USB charger that dislodges every so often. This is why you should always determine if the charger will be a good fit for the power outlet in your car. One way to do this would be to read the manufacturer’s instructions and suggestions to see if the charger has been designed to be compatible with the make and the model of your car. Now, there are some chargers that are made to sit flush in the power outlet. The advantage with these is that they are very discreet. They also offer your charger and device a great deal more stability. At the same time, it can be rather difficult to remove these chargers from where they are placed. So, you will need to determine what your top priority is in terms of size and fit.
Device Compatibility
Now, not all chargers are compatible with all devices. For instance, you will find that some chargers can only work with certain smartphone brands. Others will be limited in the models that they are compatible with. Then, there are chargers that work with tablets, smartwatches, GPS devices, and cameras. So, before choosing a charger, think about the devices that you typically charge and select the best option for you. All of this information will help you to choose the USB charger that works well for both you and your vehicle. This way, you can make sure that your choice is spot on.
Source: Tools - autoquarterly.com
