The 10 Best Car Chargers For The Money
While shopping for phones, tablets,…. we always go after models that have extensive battery life. But after a while, it seems that even such devices fail to hold a charge long enough for your needs. Hence, it becomes necessary for you to make sure that you have proper chargers your electronics as you move around. Since one of the most common land transports nowadays is car, investing in car chargers is surely a good idea. That being said, how can you tell which product is the best car charger among others that have similar characteristics?
Top Rated Car Chargers: In-Depth Reviews
Well, if you hope to get quality car chargers for future trips, here are some of the people’s favorites. Take a look at what they have to offer and decide if you like anything.
1. Anker PowerDrive 2 – Best Of The Best
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 2.5 Inches x 1.1 Inches x 1.1 Inches
- Weight: 1.0 Ounce
Why This Is The Best
Reliable, strong and affordable, Anker PowerDrive 2 is considered to be the best car charger in term of all-around performance. Packing a pretty small profile, the model from Anker would sit nicely on the dash without getting in your way. That is a major plus for people that often knock down their charger while driving. Since it’s able to pump out plenty of power and possesses 2 ports, the charger shall meet usual charging requirements. The use of high grades materials in the construction improves the endurance of the chargers again shock, vibration and alike.
About the safety, the Anker charger features surge as well as overheat protection which means it keeps everything under control. Once the charger detects abnormal readings, it shuts down right away to preserve your devices. Because of that, you have nothing to worry if problems occur all of a sudden. The charger incorporates a shiny LED as well so it’s easy for drivers to locate the ports after sunset.
Regarding compatibility, Anker PowerDrive 2 should accept conventional electronics (GPS, tablets,…) that you could think of but there are certain exceptions. Overall, the charger performs admirably in most of the case. Due to the long cable, the charger is capable of recharging devices that sit on the backseat of the car. For post-purchase support, Anker back its product with an excellent worry-free 18-month warranty.
Pros:
- Good price
- Straightforward use
- Well built and rugged
Cons:
- Less than ideal quality control
- There are reports about meltdowns
2. Maxboost USB Car Charger – Editor’s Choice
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 5 Inches x 4.4 Inches x 1.25 Inches
- Weight: 0.96 Ounce
Why It’s An Editor’s Choice
Designed to charge a multitude of devices like iPhone, iPod, iPad, MP3 Players, PDAs,… Maxboost USB Car Charger is the best car charger regarding compatibility. Utilizing smart ports, the Maxboost charger identifies the plug-in device near-instantly which allow it to optimize charging efficiency. Though the statute of the charger is a bit big, it nonetheless fits in the interior of virtually every vehicle in circulation without much difficulty.
The body of the model from Maxboost is a double injected frame that involves a combination of polycarbonate and TPU. Therefore, the charger got a soft grip but still have no trouble enduring a couple of bumps from time to time. Similar to many of its competitors, the charger also employs a built-in LED light to aid detection in nighttimes. Hence, it’s a breeze to locate the ports of the chargers without taking your eyes off the road.
Boasting an intelligent circuit, Maxboost USB Car Charger protects your devices from all sorts of risks (short circuit, overcharge, overheat,…). Thanks to that, the charger offers you peace of mind as you know that your electronics shall be well taken care of at all times. The charger comes along a 1-year warranty from Maxboost which speaks volumes about its performance.
Pros:
- Reasonable cost
- Nice charging speed
- Top-notch compatibility
Cons:
- It gets stuck sometimes
- There are some complaints about loose connections
3. AmazonBasics USB Car Charger – Editor’s Choice
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 1.1 Inches x 1.1 Inches x 2.32 Inches
- Weight: 3.2 Ounce
Why It’s An Editor’s Choice:
So you are searching all over the market for a simple, no-nonsense car charger? If that happens to be the case, then AmazonBasics USB Car Charger is for you. In term of simplicity, the product from Amazon is the best car charger available for purchase on the market nowadays. As it packs an extremely portable profile, the charger easily slips in pockets, backpacks and so on which facilitate transportation.
Specifically engineered to deliver high charging speeds, the Amazon charger receives plenty of praises from people that desire fast recharges. Despite the fact that it’s incapable of supporting Qualcomm Quick Charge, the charger is still recognized as a great product among rapid car chargers. The charger should accept all standard electronic in popular use so it’s a nice purchase for everyone in need of fast charging car chargers.
In order to protect the charging devices as well as the customers, AmazonBasics possesses a wide array of safety features. During the recharges, the efficient built-in overload, short-circuit and overcharge protection system of the charger guarantee that no harm comes to your electronics. In addition to that, the charger also incorporates a discrete, non-distracting LED light that let you quickly confirm connections. While the charger tends to come without the cable, you are going to receive a limited 1-year warranty from Amazon.
Pros:
- Versatile and flexible
- Work out of the box
- Good value for the price
Cons:
- No cable
- Quality control is mediocre
4. Ainope Cigarette Lighter Adapter
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 1.7 Inches x 0.93 Inches x 1.7 Inches
- Weight: 0.96 Ounce
Why We Love It:
Often hailed by various car charger reviews as one of the tiniest car chargers nowadays, Ainope Cigarette Lighter Adapter is the ideal model for minimalists. Since it’s slightly larger than your thumb, the Ainope charger snugly attaches itself to the edge of most outlets. Though the charger might protrude a bit if the cigarette lighter is short, it remains the best car charger for people that care about space.
Made entirely out of premium aluminum alloy, the model from Ainope resists scratch extremely well and it lasts a long time in regular use too. The presence of quality metal also means that the charger withstands temperatures far better than products that employ solely plastic. Being a high-speed car charger, it could finish charging 2 phones within a short period of time which is nice.
Ainope Cigarette Lighter Adapter receives CE, FCC, UL and RoHS certifications before hitting the market so it’s quite safe. Common charging issues such as overcurrent, overheat, excessive charge and alike would not be able to damage your devices. To further improve the confidence of the customer in the model, Ainope offers an attractive 1-year manufacturer 100% money back guarantee.
Pros:
- High durability
- Extremely compact body
- Responsive customer service
Cons:
- Fall out with the slightest touches
- Inconsistent performance between units
5. RAVPower USB Car Charger
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 2.32 Inches x 0.68 Inches x 0.68 Inches
- Weight: 0.8 Ounce
Why We Love It:
Slim and small, RAVPower USB Car Charger is a sleek product that packs a powerful punch within its modest body. Thanks to the incorporation of iSmart technology, the RAVPower product adapt to various charging configuration with relative ease to provide suitable currents for specific devices. Since the charger carefully adjusts the flow of power it receives from your vehicle, your delicate electronics shall be charged at a fairly constant rate. Because of that, this model is the best car USB charger in term of stability.
Regarding material, the charger from RAVPower uses aluminum alloy plus layers of anti-scratch coating. As a result, the charger looks pretty much like new even after a long time. Since it’s a dual-port design, the charger allows you to recharge 2 devices at the same time which obviously prove handy on the road. Once you connect your electronics to the charger, a LED light automatically turns on in order to indicate good connections.
RAVPower USB Car Charger is a rather powerful charger which makes it necessary for the manufacturer to introduce proper protections. Using highly sophisticated circuits, the charger effectively minimizes the risks of overheat, overcurrent and overcharge. About post-purchase support, you receive a lifetime warranty in addition to friendly customer services after you get the product.
Pros:
- Nice warranty
- Excellent fitness
- Solid and portable
Cons:
- Somewhat limited vehicle compatibility
- Might need to be wiggled a bit to work
6. Anker PowerDrive Speed 2 Car Charger
Specifications:
- Output: 39 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 2.6 Inches x 1.4 Inches x 1.4 Inches
- Weight: 1.44 Ounce
Why We Love It:
Like the idea behind Anker PowerDrive 2 but want something stronger? Then you definitely have to take a close look at its cousin, Anker PowerDrive Speed 2. Boasting an impressive output, the model from Anker is by all accounts the fastest car charger at its price range. The innovative inclusion of Quick Charge 3.0 permits the charger to bring the battery of modern day electronics from near depletion to 80% in just around 35 minutes. Moreover, the charger utilizes PowerIQ as well so it optimizes charging powers for each device.
Designed for fit in the interior of conventional vehicles without causing interferences, the Anker charger features a pretty humble construction. Because the charger offers 2 charging ports, it’s fine for you to recharge devices simultaneously. Moreover, the charger employs VoltageBoost as well which mean the charging remains completely unaffected by the state of the cables.
About the handling, Anker PowerDrive 2 incorporates anti-slip carbon-fiber mesh that ensures tight grips. Aside from that, the presence of LED light improves visibility in darkness which comes in handy while driving at night. Regarding safety, the MultiProtect system of the charger prevents surge, overheat, overcharge and other hazards from destroying your fragile devices. The charger comes along an assuring 18-month warranty so you could use it without worry.
Pros:
- Superb safety
- Fast recharges
- Forgiving handling
Cons:
- The acquisition cost is high
- Work poorly on certain devices
7. SCOSCHE ReVolt Car Charger
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 1.5 Inches x 2.68 Inches x 5.98 Inches
- Weight: 0.8 Ounce
Why We Love It
As a mid-price model, SCOSCHE ReVolt is the best cell phone car charger for people that have limited budgets but nonetheless want some quality. The SCOSCHE product offers everything you ever need in a car charger nowadays: 24W dual port, LED light, high compatibility,… Although there are reports about a couple of minor quibbles, the charger is still an excellent product on the market.
Loose connection is one of the most common troubles nowadays and the charger from SCOSCHE presents a novel solution for that particular issue: side springs. Once you insert the charger into the outlet, the spring would wedge into the edge which firmly secures the body. Thanks to that, it’s highly unlikely that the charger could fall out on its own without deliberate human manipulations. The charger chooses plastic as the main material for its construction so it’s light.
SCOSCHE ReVolt should accept the majority of electronics people have and due to the use of smart circuit, it optimizes the charge for individual devices. Regardless of what charging combination you actually prefer, all plug-in devices shall be recharged in the shortest time imaginable. Hence, many drivers feel that the product is the best car charger available for purchase in term of cost-effectiveness.
Pros:
- Mount tightly
- Tailored recharges
- Bright charging ports
Cons:
- Intermittent connectivity issues
- A couple of products fail on arrival
8. Aukey USB Car Charger
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 1.3 Inches x 1.3 Inches x 2.4 Inches
- Weight: 0.32 Ounce
Why We Love It:
Able to charge up to 4 times faster than usual models, Aukey USB Car Charger is the best car charger when it comes to charging speed. Boasting AiPower Adaptive Charging, the Aukey product charges your electronics at the fastest rate possible that is safe for them. In fact, the charger is one of the few options that support Qualcomm Quick Charge. Being made to suit devices that use USB cable, the charger is capable of charging phones, smartwatches, speakers and others.
Featuring a fairly flush profile, the charger from Aukey excels at blending in with the rest of the car interior. Because of that, the odd that the charger might get in the way while driving is minimal in most settings. About the connection, the charger fits rather well so you don’t have worry about it suddenly coming loose in the middle of the recharges.
Considering how strong Aukey USB Car Charger is, it’s natural that the manufacturer includes advanced protections in its design. Packing the brand EntireProtect circuitry, the charger duly safeguards the charging devices from troubles like overheat, overcharge, overcurrent and alike. As proof of confidence, Aukey provides a 45-day money back guarantee and a 24-month product replacement warranty to its customers.
Pros:
- High quality
- Responsive customer service
- Informative instruction manual
Cons:
- Come without cables
- Several products fail quickly
9. Ailun USB Car Charger
Specifications:
- Output: 24 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 2.72 Inches x 1.38 Inches x 1.42 Inches
- Weight: 0.8 Ounce
Why We Love It:
Since it’s easy to use and simple to manipulate, Ailun USB Car Charger scores well in term of handling. Delivering plain but robust performance, the model from Ailun is widely regarded as the best car charger for inexperienced users. Engineered to be universally compatible, the charger matches the almost all devices you could think of: GPSs, iPods, MP3 players, cell phones and so on.
As a powerful dual port product that features Quick Charge technology, the Ailun charger let you recharge your electronics simultaneously at the fastest rate achievable. There are various charging configurations for you to choose but you should always save the Quick Charge port for devices that have Qualcomm Quick Charge. For devices that lack that feature, the Smart Charge port would be more than sufficient.
Utilizing a series of built-in regulators, Ailun USB Car Charger ensures that you as well as your electronics don’t have to be troubled by overheat, overcharge and overcurrent. That is why the charger is an excellent choice for people that truly want to stay on the safe side. Compared to other product in its price range, the charger is a good buy due to first class field performance.
Pros:
- Nice packaging
- Dependable and long-lasting
- Superb post-purchase support
Cons:
- Unable to fit in certain outlets
- Quality control require improvements
10. PowerBear USB Car Charger
Specifications:
- Output: 45 Watts/ 2 Ports
- Dimension: 3.5 Inches x 0.8 Inches x 1.7 Inches
- Weight: 1.2 Ounce
Why We Love It
Possessing stylish appearance in addition to high output, PowerBear USB Car Charger is what all driver needs to keep around. The PowerBear product employs scratchproof plastic in its construction so it’s quite light which facilitate handling in most cases. As a Qualcomm car charger, its charging speed is twice faster than most conventional models.
Packing tough grip connectors, the model from PowerBear effectively remove the headache of loose connection. Once you plug the charger into the outlet, it’s going to stay connected until you deliberately pull it out. In order to keep the users informed regarding the state of the connection, the charger also incorporates some LED lights. To determine if the connection is good, you just have to glance over the charging ports and assess the lights.
Made to be a premium model, PowerBear USB Car Charger treats safety as the number one priority at all times. As a result, the charger only uses top quality parts to prevent short circuit, overhear, overcharge and alike from harming you and your delicate devices. For post-purchase support, PowerBear stands behind its product and gives you a lifetime warranty after you make the purchase.
Pros:
- Highly affordable
- Well built and rugged
- Good customer service
Cons:
- The charge current tend to fluctuate
- Some customer receive dead products
Getting The Best Car Charger: How To Make Informed Investments
Generally speaking, different people often have different definitions of what is the best car charger. Some claim that the ability to charge several devices simultaneously is the top priority but others feel integrated cables must be among the first criteria. However, everyone agrees that there are a couple of issues you have to check before you make the final decision.
1. Compatibility
Once you determine to obtain car chargers, you need to pay utmost attention to compatibility, device-wise and vehicle-wise. The rule of thumb here is simple: get the right products for the right settings. It’s simply a waste of money to buy models that prove to be complete mismatches for your current situation. iPhone users have no use for the best Android car charger and the best iPhone car charger present negligent benefits if you own an Android.
2. Ports
In most of the case, it’s strongly recommended that you prioritize dual port chargers. In the age of technology, we are likely to have more than one electronic device inside our car while traveling. As a result, having car chargers that feature multiple ports should definitely come in handy. Of course, feel free to grab single port chargers if you like but unless they have attached cables, such purchases tend to deliver negligible gains.
3. Illumination
Besides the fact that illuminated charger looks pretty cool, they ensure safe handling in nighttimes. The last thing you want to experience behind the wheel after dark is to fumble around searching for your chargers. Therefore, it’s widely advised that you always keep an eye out for car chargers which incorporate light up ports. They essentially improve your safety on the road by staying visible in low light environments.
4. Wattage
Through the ampere rating of chargers, you would be able to tell how fast they could finish charging your electronics. For most of the time, 24 Watt is the absolute minimum, you must refrain from picking chargers that have lower ratings. On the market these kinds of days, there are even a couple of models that go as low as 5 Watt. Chargers like that shall take a year to bring the battery of your devices to 50%.
5. Certification
Generally speaking, modern-day car chargers have to pass rigorous tests before reaching the customers. However, several products manage to bypass the test, especially imports. So in order to stay on the safe side, you need to thoroughly assess just what kind of certification that the chargers have to show. That step is going to make sure the car charger you buy perform without experiencing significant hiccups in your car.
