Best USB Car Chargers: Stay Charged Wherever You Go

There are a few simple reasons why the Anker PowerDrive 2 takes the top spot as the best car charger. First, it’s FCC- and CE-approved.  It also combines all the goodness you’d want in a USB car charger into one device. Here’s why: The PowerDrive 2 is a 4.8 amp Dual USB car charger producing 2.4 amps on each port.  

The charger has a PowerIQ feature that helps it manage the power load on docked devices. This feature helps it funnel power to the desired port, making it something of a fast charger. It's also compatible with a host of devices including Apple, Android smartphones, and nearly every device that allows USB charging.

Any drawbacks? Well, considering its superior qualities and price tag, it's a big let down that this car USB charger does not support Qualcomm fast charging. Also, since it doesn't come with a cord, you’ll have to spend more getting one, adding to its high price tag. 

There’s a reason why we ranked this charger as the best budget USB car charger. It's affordable, durable, and compatible with a variety of devices. RavPower claims that this device is the smallest USB charger currently on the market. For a device that weighs less than half an ounce, it's hard to contest the fact.

Apart from being tiny, the RAVPower 24W Dual USB boasts a variety of impressive features. A big advantage is its 2.4 amp charging ports. The charger runs on iSmart 2.0 charging technology. This feature learns and adapts to the amp output to better match the device being charged. Remember, not all the devices you use will need 2.4 amps of power.

One of its drawbacks is that it’s not the best charger to get if you have a high-end or quick-charge 3.0 compatible device; this charger is somewhat slow. It’s also not a good idea to use apps such as Google or Apple Maps while using the charger since the power draw will be greater than normal and may cause issues.

The Scosche ReVolt is a compact dual-port USB charger with the capability of supporting two 2.4-amp full-sized tablet devices at once. Due to its high output, you will enjoy a slightly faster charging experience compared to a normal car charger. This device is easy to use at night, thanks to its integrated LED lighting. 

The charger is small with a stylish design that is aesthetically pleasing. It's available in four different colors, including black, gold, gray, and silver. While it's optimized for Apple mobile devices, this charger also supports a host of other devices. With 24 watts of total power output, the Scosche car charger can charge two iPads simultaneously at full charging speed.

Does the Scosche USB car charger have any limitations? Well, It’s pretty tiny, which is a good thing and a bad thing. Its size offers a great fit in most cars but can be a nightmare to find in case it falls off. Due to its size, it can sometimes loosen while driving on rough roads, disconnecting your device in the process. 

The AINOPE Car Charger is a great little charger to supply power to your devices. It comes in three distinct colors that stand out in any vehicle so you can see them more easily. Their design makes them stand out so you don’t have to fuss with finding them in a hurry. Each one is designed out of a durable metal zinc alloy, making them reliable and sturdy.

One of the best benefits of the 4.8A dual USB charger is it comes with a bright LED light. When plugged into the cigarette lighter, the light flickers on allowing you to see where it is and if it is working. The 4.8A is split between the two USB ports, with each putting out 2.4A of power, providing a quick and steady charge to any device.

You may find that it doesn’t fit into the cigarette lighter very tightly. Many have said it can pop out with the slightest touch. It will also stick out a few inches which can be annoying to some. Also, the LED light can be too bright when it is dark outside.

Think of this AINOPE car charger as the younger sibling to our previous mention. As opposed to having dual USB ports to charge multiple devices, this smaller and more compact model only has a single standard USB port. However, it also features a powerful more modern PD port that is compatible with a wide variety of devices. It’s capable of charging devices three times faster than USB ports.

It’s shorter in design, making its fit into cigarette lighters a bit more snug and secure as well. It too is developed out of a thick metal zinc alloy that makes it tough and durable. It’s a low-profile and sleekly designed car charger designed to power devices such as iPhones, Android devices, and tablets.

This charger will also sit a few inches above the lighter. It won’t sit flush against the console or dashboard, which can be annoying if you’re worried about looks. It may also have issues charging two devices at once.

This is another mini version of one of our top picks. The Anker Mini 24W car charger features two USB ports for increased versatility and ease of access. The tiny charger also comes in three different colors including a red, silver, and black design. To help you see at night, a blue LED light glows from within the USB ports.

It is rated to fully charge depleted iPhone batteries in around two hours and five minutes, so we assume it’s the same for Android devices as well. Tablets may take a little longer, but not too much. It is developed out of a heavy metal casing and comes with gold-plated circuitry that reduces heat, which increases charging speed. The ports hold the cables snugly and securely.

The charger itself doesn’t sit snugly in the socket and can come loose if you pull too hard on it or any attached cables. Additionally, the charging cables can actually fit too tightly into the ports, making them difficult to get out.

The Maxboost Car Charger comes in a sleek and slender design with two USB ports for maximum efficiency. Both ports produce a combined total of 4.8A or 24W and can power iPhones, Android phones, and anything else that requires a USB port to charge. This amount of power is capable of fully charging your devices in a few short hours.

One of the best benefits of the Maxboost charger is that it is built with intelligent circuit design. The technology protects it against short-circuiting, over-heating, over-currents, and over-charging devices. Once the battery is full, it will stop pulling power so you don’t waste any when it is not in use. It also features blue LED lights to help you see it at night.

Depending on the type of phone you have, the charger may not recognize it as a fast-charging device. This means it will still charge it, but not quickly as a 3.0 charger would.

Rounding out our list is the Aduro 4 Port Car Charger. It’s a lightweight charger that features a total of four USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at once. This means you can power an Apple device and Android device, along with two others, if you ever feel the need to do so. It’s a versatile car charger that is extra convenient as well.

It is built with an aluminum alloy body that makes it capable of withstanding drops. It’s also designed with a safe anti-overheat feature, LED lights to let you know it is charging and increased charging speed. It features a max of 5.2A, which gives you 1.3A per individual USB port.

However, it isn’t the most subtle-looking of chargers, as the four ports do take up a lot of space. You may find it difficult to find a place to put the charger if you don’t have a lot of space to work within your vehicle. It may also pop out of the socket if you are not careful with it.