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The 9 Best Phone Car Chargers So You Can Arrive With More Than 11% Battery

If you're still using your car's built-in USB ports, switch to something faster.

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Thanks to our unwavering will for procrastination and insensitivity to any battery warning above two percent, a phone battery that promises to die in less than a few minutes somehow induces more panic than a dead one. The dismay of forgetting to charge at home and seeing your screen go dark when you were just gluing your eyes to YouTube is all too familiar. They say happiness rarely keeps company with an empty stomach, but I doubt it fancies low phone battery either.

This has perhaps made cars the second-most-popular place to charge phones when you don’t have the time, or will, at home. A phone car charger is a sought-after smartphone accessory. Of course, there’s your vehicle’s built-in USB port for charging, but by the time you arrive at your destination, your phone will probably still be giving you the “below 20 percent” middle finger. Taking power from the socket that held cigarette lighters back in the day, car chargers are a better solution to recovering phone battery on the go, fast and furious style. Just connect them to your device via a cord (or not) and watch the percentage spike up while sitting in traffic or jamming on the highway at 70 mph.

We’ve put together some of the best phone car chargers, each tailored to your personal tastes, needs, or habits. There are multi-port options to satisfy every passenger during ride-sharing. There are affordable options, so you can buy several for different cars. There are wireless options for safe phone navigation while driving. And your phone's operating system is something you do not have to stress about: Almost all car chargers feature universal USB ports for any USB cable. Just so you know, the charging speed of these devices is measured in wattage or W; the more the wattage, the faster the power-up speed.

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Best Dual Car Charger

Nekteck USB Type-C Car Charger

On Sale
USB Type-C Car Charger
Best Dual Car Charger

Nekteck USB Type-C Car Charger

Now 23% Off
$20 at Amazon

This has been recognized by many as one of the best car chargers due to its versatility and frankly jaw-dropping charging speed. You can charge smartphones and larger devices like tablets via its USB-C port that powers at an insane 45W; for anything that just needs a quick rebound, try the USB-A port for a speed of 12W. Looks-wise, it is chunky, sturdy, and durable.

Best Mini Car Charger

AINOPE 4.8A Metal Car Charger Adapter

4.8A Metal Car Charger Adapter
Best Mini Car Charger

AINOPE 4.8A Metal Car Charger Adapter

Ainope has one of the most popular car chargers on Amazon. Firstly, because its compact size (of just a thumb's length) makes it portable and fitting for most car outlets. Secondly, its charging speed is rather impressive for its size: 2.4A in each universal USB port for a total of 4.8A, which is the equivalent of 12W each for a total of 24W. It’s great for charging your dead phone and earbuds at once. Lastly, you can get all its dual-fast-charging features for just $13. Cool.

Best Value Car Charger

Anker Dual USB Car Charger

Dual USB Car Charger
Best Value Car Charger

Anker Dual USB Car Charger

Now 23% Off

Here’s another very popular option that is also very affordable. Its ultra-mini surface is just the size of a coin, thus saving space and allowing unobstructed access to the rest of your car dashboard. In addition to its dual USB-A ports that can quickly supply a combined 24W to fully charge two phones simultaneously, it’s also got a sleek exterior made in aluminum alloy. Pretty much as expected of Anker.

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Best Smart Car Charger

Nonda ZUS Smart Car Charger

ZUS Smart Car Charger
Best Smart Car Charger

Nonda ZUS Smart Car Charger

Smart chargers for smartphones—that’s the combination we never knew we needed. Nonda’s ZUS car charger is “smart” because it can be connected to a mobile app to detect your car’s location, so no more running around the parking lot to find your vehicle. It can also monitor car battery and provide parking meter tracking. Gimmicks aside, ZUS charges devices at their max speed using smart identification.

Best Wireless Car Charger

iOttie Wireless Car Charger Mount

Wireless Car Charger Mount
Best Wireless Car Charger

iOttie Wireless Car Charger Mount

If you charge your phones wirelessly at home, why not charge them wirelessly in your cars, too? The iOttie Wireless Car Charger is compatible with all Qi-enabled smartphones. Available in dashboard and vent styles, you can have a seamless time driving while viewing GPS—safely, of course—thanks to the mount’s auto-motion sense feature that secures the device in place. A little spoiler: It's not a completely wireless ride, since you'll still need to plug a cord into the wireless charger, just not into the phone itself.

Best Cupholder Car Charger

Piosoo Wireless Car Charger-Cup

Wireless Car Charger-Cup
Best Cupholder Car Charger

Piosoo Wireless Car Charger-Cup

Piosoo’s wireless car charger mount fits into a cupholder and is particularly useful thanks to its adjustable long neck. But if you really need to watch GPS without looking down, as most people do, you can also detach the neck and install the mount at the air vent. Lastly, it is surprisingly fast, with a max speed of 15W for Android and even iPhone 12 models.

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Best Multi-Port Car Charger

TOLLEFE 5 Multi Ports Car Charger

5 Multi Ports Car Charger
Best Multi-Port Car Charger

TOLLEFE 5 Multi Ports Car Charger

Now 22% Off

Some people always forget to charge their multiple devices at home, and always need to bring them in the car for charging. Well, they’ve hit the jackpot with Tollefe’s five-USB-port car charger. Phones, headsets, tablets, smartwatches—get them done all at once. And if you’re driving a party and all of you need some quick power-up, use the five-foot cable for backseat charging. Remember, sharing is caring.

Best Family Car Charger

AI AIKENUO 96W Quick Car Charger

96W Quick Car Charger
Best Family Car Charger

AI AIKENUO 96W Quick Car Charger

Now 27% Off

Imagine a 96W car charger powering six devices at once. You’re looking at it now. Ai Aikenuo is one of the few car chargers equipped with Qualcomm Quick Charge: Its four QC ports can charge phones to 80 percent battery in just 30 minutes. The two iSmart ports can also complete a 50 percent charge in 30 minutes. With a built-in fuse that prevents over-current, it is the safe, ideal option for family-sharing and traveling.

Most Adjustable Car Charger

SCOSCHE MagicGrip Wireless Charging Phone Mount

MagicGrip Wireless Charging Phone Mount
Most Adjustable Car Charger

SCOSCHE MagicGrip Wireless Charging Phone Mount

This wireless car charging mount, with power up to 10W, is an Esquire Gadget Award winner. The honor rests in its ability to stay in place and never fall, which is an advantage most drivers who use phones as GPS appreciate. Its auto-sensing arms ensure a tight grip on your device. And your phone will be secured on the surface with its StickGrip adhesive, giving optimal viewing in any position thanks to the extendable arm and swiveling head.

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