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It's good to have a backup charger with you wherever you go. Between flipping through Spotify and navigation, it's easy to drain your phone's battery. That's why it's important to invest in a car charger that can keep your phone going, for everyday tasks as well as road trouble or emergencies.
Fortunately, car charger tech has improved. You can now get some high wattage options for maintaining the charge on your phone or rapidly juicing up another device. You'll definitely want to invest in a dual-port charger you can plug in to your vehicle's 12-volt adapter (or "cigarette lighter," if you're old school). And having one that can charge multiple devices simultaneously is a huge perk when you're on the go -- and possibly a lifesaver.
Historically these were two or more USB-A ports, the wide rectangular connection we've had on nearly everything for decades. More recently, there've been a growing number of USB-C options. USB-C, the small, rounded-off rectangle, is found on nearly all cell phones (including -- now -- Apple), tablets, laptops and more. It's basically the new standard in everything but name.
We decided to focus on chargers that have one of each, as this gives you the flexibility to charge newer USB-C devices, plus a "legacy" USB-A port that can connect to any USB devices as long as you have the right cable. (You can always pick up dongles or adapters, too, to go from USB-C to USB-A or USB-A to USB-C.)
In our testing, there wasn't a huge difference in charging times between the models we tested, though some were faster than others.
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$19 at Aukey$19 at AukeyThe Aukey CC-Y48 48W Dual Charger was just a few seconds behind the Satechi in charging speeds. However, it's a lot cheaper and not as tall. It also supports both the QC and PD charging protocols, so it should fast-charge a wider variety of phones and other devices. It offers a lot of benefits for being just fractionally slower in our testing, plus it's one of the cheapest car chargers we tested. An all-around easy choice.
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$30 at Satechi$30 at Satechi
While all the chargers we tested charged with fairly similar rapidity, the Satechi charged two devices at the same time the fastest… by a few seconds. But a few seconds is a few seconds. It has a fairly typical torpedo shape, but is taller than the others we tested. That may be a strength or weakness, depending on your car's layout. It's on the expensive side of the chargers we tested, but wasn't the most expensive either.
The Satechi doesn't support the QC fast charging protocol, so if your phone only supports that, check out the Aukey instead. Overall, this is a good charger if you don't mind the height, and a great charger if that height fits your car better.
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$26 at Amazon$26 at Amazon
This Anker performed in the middle of the pack in our testing, which in fairness meant just a few minutes behind the leaders. However, its price at the time was the highest of any we tested. It is also the largest, with the output end roughly twice as wide as the barrel. Not a bad charger by any stretch, and if it was cheaper than our winners here, it'd be a great alternative.
Unlike many of the other options we tested, this one is still available on Amazon, too. This similar Anker model is a bit more affordable.
Amazon/Screenshot by CNET
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$18 at Aukey$18 at Aukey
The Aukey CC-A3 is absolutely tiny. In most cars it will likely remain flush with the top of the 12-volt socket itself. To remove it, there's a small handle that pivots up when needed, and folds down flush with the top when not in use. It's a clever design. It's also the second-slowest charger we tested. That equates to about 10% longer to 50% capacity. However, the small size likely makes up for that speed difference.
The CC-A3 supports both the QC and PD fast charging protocols.
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$12 at Monoprice$12 at Monoprice
Monoprice has developed a reputation for decent products at low prices, and this charger is a pretty good example of that. Speed-wise it was mid-pack, a few minutes slower than the best, a few minutes faster than the worst. However, at $13 at the time this is published, it's one of the cheapest options here, less than half of the Satechi and in between the price of the two Aukey models at the time of testing.
The Monoprice only supports the PD fast charging protocol.
Monoprice/Screenshot by CNET
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Wotobeus PD 65W: The Wotobeus offered a splash of color in the form of a removable silicone sleeve that covered the larger half of the charger. Despite having the highest claimed wattage rating (83!), it actually charged the slowest in our testing. This, combined with a price the same as some faster chargers, put it out of the running.
We performed both synthetic and real-world testing for all the chargers we considered. Using a MakerHawk Electronic Load Tester, an Uctronics Electronic USB Load Tester and a JacobsParts USB C PD DC Voltage Trigger Test Module I tested the maximum amperage possible for each of the USB-specified voltage outputs each device was capable of . I didn't waste gas to do this, instead I used a Knoter AC to DC Converter which is rated at far more wattage than we were dealing with here. While interesting, and a good test to get a sense of what's going on "behind the scenes," these numbers didn't create terribly useful real-world numbers for most people.
So I used the Uctronics Electronic USB Load Tester to create a "dummy load" at the maximum power output possible on the charger's USB-A output, and then timed how long it would take to charge a fast-charging USB-C device, in this case a Pixel 5. Most battery-powered devices limit the charging speed at the upper and lower ends of the battery's maximum storage, so I timed how long it would take to charge 10% with the battery no lower than 30% and no higher than 70%. Overly cautious? Probably. I also put the phone in airplane mode and waited for the screen to go into standby before timing.
The chart below shows that number, plus a calculated "for 50%" time that estimates how long it would take to charge 50% of this device's battery. Charging speeds between phones/tablets/etc. can vary for a number of reasons. Which is to say your phone, with the same charger, might charge faster or slower than the numbers listed here. However, it should charge roughly the same amount faster or slower compared to one of the faster or slower chargers.
The large Anker PowerDrive Speed Plus on the left, the winning Aukey Dual (USB-C/USB-A) Car Charger on the right.
Many modern vehicles now have everything you need to charge smartphones, tablets, and laptops, built right into them—even base model vehicles include charging USB ports that can juice up multiple devices simultaneously. However, if you need a few additional port chargers to use on a road trip, or have an older vehicle, you'll need to invest in a charger that can be plugged into a 12-volt port or, if your ride’s of a certain age, a cigarette lighter.
Out of many plug-in, 12-volt car chargers and wireless charging docks, the Anker PowerDrive III Duo (available at Amazon) is one of the best car chargers you can buy. It charges reliably, is well-built, and its quick-charge port allows it to live up to its fast-charging standards for your phone’s battery.
Credit: Reviewed / Betsey Goldwasser
The Anker PowerDrive III Duo is a fast, reliable 12-volt charger for modern USB-C devices.
Best Overall
Anker’s PowerDrive III Duo charger is sleek in design and well built. It’s designed with modern phones in mind. Featuring dual USB C car ports, its charging capability allows you to juice up two devices simultaneously. To charge phones that aren’t equipped with USB-C, such as an iPhone, you’ll need to buy a USB-C to Lightning cable.
The Anker PowerDrive’s speed proved to be the second-fastest charger we tested, topping up my smartphone to 99% in just an hour and 17 minutes. This is thanks, in part, to the fact that one of the PowerDrive III Duo’s two USB-C ports is equipped with Anker's proprietary PowerIQ Fast Charging technology, which intelligently identifies the device that’s plugged in to deliver the fastest charge possible for it.
Like the other chargers in this guide, the PowerDrive III Duo has overload protection. It also has tech baked into it to keep the charger from overheating while in use, prolonging the life of the charger.
The only thing we didn’t like is that the PowerDrive III Duo has the largest faceplate of all the ones tested for this guide—an odd design decision, when you consider the small size of USB-C ports compared to older charging standards. This could be annoying if your vehicle’s 12V port is in close proximity to any other ports or controls in your dashboard.
USB-C ports versus USB-A
Fast charging
Large faceplate could get in the way
The AmazonBasics Dual Port USB Car Charger features two USB-A ports and is small enough to easily blend into your vehicle’s dash or center console. Unfortunately, it was the slowest charger we tested for this guide. That said, the charge times of all of the hardware we tested were separated by mere minutes.
It charged our iPhone XR in just under an hour-and-half. However, when it came to charging the iPhone to 100%, it clocked in at just over two hours.
Very small and compact
Has two charging ports
Affordable price
Did not charge as quickly as some of the others
No quick charge technology
In addition to a great low price, this car charger packs a serious punch in a small package. This device is tiny. Lots of third-party car chargers with multiple ports tend to take up a lot of room, which can make your car feel cluttered and get in the way.
You also won't have to worry about having the right charger if you and your friends use different smart phones. Anker makes fantastic USB cables with any adapters you need, and any length—and they're super affordable, starting at $5. Lightning? Micro USB? USB-C? All come in lengths ranging from 3 to 10 feet so you can share power with anyone in your car from the passenger to the back seats.
PowerIQ and VoltageBoost tech
Small yet powerful
No Quick Charge support
This highly rated car charger is the definition of simple yet effective. It’s ideal for those who spend many days on the road and want to keep their phone fully charged. What makes this car charger especially great for travel is its compact size. It’s also very lightweight, durable, and resists scratches, so you can safely keep it in your travel bag. This charger can also handle two devices at once, at a decent speed. Reviewers say it doesn’t necessarily fit flush as the brand claims.
Very compact
Lightweight
Affordable
Doesn’t fit flush
More than one review of this car charger praises its durability. Some basically have zero complaints, while a few other users say the charging speed is not as fast as they’d hoped. What’s great about this car charger is how it stops charging your phone automatically when the battery is full, which saves energy and prevents overheating. In addition, you can charge two devices at the same time and easily travel with it due to its compact size.
Multiple color options
Compact size
Durable
Can be slow to charge
There are lots of things to consider when buying a car charger to use with your smartphone, tablet or another USB-powered device. Some, for example, come with built-in cables with a male adapter on the end for charging a specific device, whether it be a USB-C charger for an Android phone or a multitude of other devices or, Apple’s Lightning charging standard. This can be handy if you’re charging a compatible device, however, you’ll need to pack an extra cable if you want to charge anything that doesn’t use the adapter that the charger is equipped with.
Other car chargers come with multiple ports. One or more female USB-A or USB-C ports and allow you to plug in whatever cable you wish. These 12V chargers are far more versatile, you’ll need to remember to bring the charging cables you need with you or leave some in the car.
In some instances, a 12-volt car charger will feature a ‘fast charger’ port which, as the name suggests, offers compatible devices faster charging than a regular USB or wireless charger connection can. The reliability of such claims depends heavily upon the quality of the charger and which fast charging technology it employs.