The Best Car Chargers for 2020
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Simultaneously streaming music and running a navigation app is a great way to drain your phone’s battery in record time. Using your car’s built-in USB port (assuming it has one) to charge your phone often takes ages, so aftermarket manufacturers stepped in with a better solution. Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, there’s no shortage of capable phone chargers available in nearly every price range. The best ones combine style, dependability, and functionality.
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Some have enough energy to simultaneously charge your smartphone and tablet, while others distinguish themselves from the pack with a streamlined design and built-in cables. Below are a few of our personal favorites, from the likes of Moshi and Incipio. Just don’t forget to keep your eyes on the road.
The best
Moshi Car Charger Duo ($25)
Moshi has quickly and quietly become the undisputed king of all things charge related. The Moshi Car Charger Duo — previously known as the Moshi Revolt Duo — is a testament to the company’s steadfast approach to charging, offering two USB ports rated at 2.1A (12-watt) for energizing two devices at once. The anodized-aluminum cover is about as attractive as it gets for a car charger, adorned with a simple LED indicator light that delivers a faint glow. The charger’s power management circuitry provides under-current and over-current protection, but it’s the charger’s subtle design that makes Moshi’s flagship offering a favorite.
The rest
JellyComb multiport charger ($17)
If you’re planning a road trip with family or friends, those long hours packed in a car could be stressful enough without people fighting over the few charging ports you have to share. Avert an all-out war for control of the charging ports with this JellyComb charger that sports not two, not three, not even four, but six USB ports! That’s a lot of ports! Since the cable is over four feet long, it should be within reach of anyone in your vehicle (assuming you’re not in a plane or train). With an alleged 65 watts of charging, it should be able to quickly juice up any device you plug in.
Scosche reVOLT Dual ($10)
Scosche’s reVOLT Dual is not much of a looker, but the compact charger sports a low-profile frame that sits flush in most vehicle power sockets. Unlike some other chargers in our roundup, each USB port on the sleek device supplies 2.4A (12-watt) of power, which means it’s capable of charging two tablets at a time. The high output also allows it to charge a smartphone quicker than most standard chargers. Oh, and we can’t resist anything that has glowing USB ports.
Aukey Dual Port Car Charger with Quick Charge 3.0 ($19)
This two-port model from Aukey is one of the most popular car chargers on the market, probably because it works with a range of connection types and is 45% more efficient than chargers built with Quick Charge 2.0. That said, the Quick Charge capacity only works with smartphones powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (check Qualcomm’s list here). To minimize the risk of circuitry damage, this model also uses the company’s EntireProtect feature, which helps prevent overcharging and overheating.
Hussell Quick Charge 3.0 ($14)
Hussell’s car charger relies on Qualcomm technology to quickly charge two devices simultaneously. It’s capable of recognizing which devices are plugged into it and adapting the charging process accordingly, while a built-in protection system ensures your phone won’t overheat or overcharge. This charger also comes with a 24-month warranty, which isn’t bad at all for a charger that won’t break the bank.
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