Have you ever had your phone die during a long road trip? Or missed an important work call because of low battery?
We've all been there - and it's not fun.
In fact, you can even damage your phone's battery if you let it drop below 20% too often.
Luckily, car chargers are more affordable than ever, and it's not hard to find one that suits your needs.
For busy professionals, special 'fast' chargers are ideal. For large families, chargers with multiple ports can be a lifesaver.
If you're not a big mobile user but want a backup in case of emergency, a budget option could work just fine. If you care about style, you'll want a charger that's been designed to look awesome.
Want to get the details on all the best USB car chargers of 2021?
Keep reading.
We've broken down the key features of all the popular car chargers listed below, making choosing the right one a breeze.
Anker Power Dual USB Car Charger
If you're looking for a basic car charger that works well and doesn't take up much room, the Anker Power Dual USB could be perfect.
The charger has two ports with 24W power supply, meaning you can easily charge phones and tablets - and can even charge a 12" MacBook while it's in sleep mode.
Having two ports makes this charger perfect if you have several devices, or you're part of a couple and might want to charge both of your phones at once.
When looking for affordable chargers, safety can be a concern. Luckily, this product features the unique MultiProtect system which protects against electrical surges.
The charger is also designed in a way that prevents it from getting too hot while in use, even when you're using both ports. This is particularly important if you have children or pets in the car.
The simple blue LED lights make it easy to use this charger at night without switching on your car light, but aren't too bright or distracting while driving.
All in all, this is an excellent all-rounder with great quality and solid construction.
Maxboost 24W Smartphone USB Car Charger
The Maxboost 24W Smartphone USB Car Charger has two charging ports and works in a very similar way to the model above.
It's slightly more compact, making it handy if you don't have much storage space in the car. Intelligent circuit design means that it can charge two devices in the most efficient way possible, ideal if you'll regularly be using both ports.
Again, the charger has blue LED lights highlighting the charging ports, making it easy to use after dark. The blue lights combined with the black casing make this a pretty stylish option.
This charger has been designed with double-injected framing, making it more durable than some of the cheaper options on the market. This means that it's a great choice if you've had issues with chargers breaking in the past.
This product is extremely affordable, so it's an excellent option if this is your first time purchasing a USB car charger, or if you don't have much cash to spend.
Aukey CC-T1 Quick Charge 3.0 Car Charger
Ever plugged your phone into a car charger and found that it took about ten years to reach full battery?
So much frustration.
While many chargers might look flashy and professional, they can actually deliver a seriously weak, slow charge.
For anyone who's busy with work, on the move a lot, or just impatient, this is not okay.
Luckily, the Aukey CC-T1 Quick Charge 3.0 Car Charger is here to help.
The charger comes with two ports - one green, and one orange. The orange port can accept Quick Charge 3.0 devices, while the green port is just a regular charger.
When you plug a compatible device into the orange port, you'll get a lightning-fast charge that will blow your mind. If you don't have a Quick Charge 3.0 device, you can still use it as a normal port.
The charger is compact and made from high-quality materials.
It's the obvious choice if you've got a compatible Quick Charge device - and still a great option if you haven't.
Nonda ZUS Smart Car Charger
Have you ever parked your car and promptly forgotten where it was?
You're not the only one.
Losing your car is embarrassing at best and wildly inconvenient at worst.
But what if you could use GPS to see exactly where your vehicle was?
With this 2-in-1 smart car charger from Nonda, you can do just that. The ZUS charger connects to your phone via a dedicated app and lets you locate your parked car, no matter where you are.
It works by detecting the fact you've stopped your car, storing the location, and offering you the option of setting a parking time. If you forget where you're parked, you'll be guided back via Bluetooth and GPS.
The ZUZ comes with two ports and can quickly charge multiple devices.
It's made from military grade polycarbonate and the metal connectors have titanium coatings. If you want a charger that's built to last, then this is definitely the right choice.
The rounded edges and subtle LED lights make this a classy, stylish choice. It won't look out of place in a high-end vehicle and is sure to impress passengers.
This charger wins hands down if you're looking for GPS location features, and it's a great choice even if you just want quality.
Roav VIVA Alexa-Enabled Car Charger
Do you want a car charger that's also a virtual assistant?
Meet the Roav VIVA Alexa-Enabled Car Charger.
This clever piece of kit allows you to ask for directions, change your music, make phone calls and more - all by asking Alexa. The device connects to your phone via Bluetooth and comes with the blue LED light that's common on Amazon smart products.
There's a handy mute button on top of the device, so you won't have to worry about triggering Alexa by accident during a conversation.
Worried that Alexa won't hear you over traffic noise?
The device uses smart echo cancellation technology to make sure that you're always heard correctly, with no background noise being misinterpreted.
The charger comes with two ports, making it ideal if you often travel with passengers. The ports charge quickly and efficiently, helping to justify the large price tag on this device.
If you're ready to enjoy voice-control in your car, this is the charger for you. It's perfect if you have safety concerns around pressing buttons to make calls or change music, and ideal for older cars without smart features.
However, you should still be wary of getting distracted while using voice technology.
The device is compact, making it easy to switch between cars or take along when traveling with friends.
Not many chargers can say that they follow voice commands and charge super fast, but this one does it all.
Spigen 36W Quick Charge 3.0 Car Charger
Are you looking for a no-frills charger that will charge your phone, and charge it quickly?
You've found it.
This device from Spigen is compact, sturdy, and practical. It comes with two charging ports, one of which is compatible with quick charge devices.
You can easily tell the two ports apart - the quick charge one is green, while the regular one is white. It will charge phones and tablets quickly and easily and doesn't include any unnecessary features.
The lack of fancy extras makes this charger very affordable, so it's ideal if you're looking for a budget option that's still good quality.
The charger sits neatly in the power adaptor of your car, the LED lights make it simple to use at night, and it's small enough to store in your glove compartment.
If you're buying a charger for the first time and know that you don't want anything fancy, you can't go wrong with this product.
Belkin Road Rockstar
Rarely need to charge your phone but always got a kid complaining about low battery in the back seat? Does your teen seem to have 'nomophobia'?
The Belkin Road Rockstar is here to save the day.
This charger features an extendable charging hub which reaches all the way to the back of the car and still has two ports which will stay up front.
That means you've got four charging ports in total - two in the front, and two in the back.
The charger has a combined 2.4A in the front, and two separate 2.4A ports in the back. That makes it ideal for front seat passengers looking to charge phones, and back seat passengers charging tablets or other devices.
The ports in the back offer slightly faster charging than the front, but speeds shouldn't vary too much.
The device includes some handy double-sided adhesive which allows you to attach the charging hub to a convenient location in the back of the car if you wish. If not, there's plenty of cable, allowing you to store it in a pocket or clip to a seat.
For families that often travel with kids, this charger is a really smart choice.
Jelly Comb 6 Ports Lightning Car Charger
If you've got a large family, you understand the struggle of taking it in turns to charge your devices.
Luckily, with options like the Jelly Comb 6 Port Lightning Car Charger on the market, you can avoid arguments and keep everyone happy.
Teen wants to charge their mobile? Check.
Need to charge a tablet to keep the toddlers occupied? Check.
Partner needs to charge their smartwatch? Check.
If you're serious about charging a wide range of devices at the same time, this is definitely the right choice. It comes with a long cable adapter which allows it to reach the back seat easily, and the sturdy construction means it won't break.
The charger has 65W of power and should be compatible with any devices that comes with a USB charger. That includes items like phones, tablets, cameras, fitness watches, power banks, and more.
As it's so high-powered, this device can cause a small amount of FM interference. This won't be an issue for most people, but it's still something to bear in mind.
Once you have this charger in your car, you'll wonder how you ever lived without it.
Anker 48W 4-Port Car Charger
Often travel as a couple and want to charge multiple devices each, but don't think you'll ever need six ports?
This 4-Port Car Charger is for you.
The charger has 48W of power, which is more than enough to quickly charge several devices simultaneously. It also features the PowerIQ intelligent charging function, which spreads the power to ensure fast charging for everyone.
It's a sturdy charger that won't break easily, meaning you can throw it in your bag anytime you're a passenger in a friend's car.
Unlike some multi-port chargers, the Anker is very compact and plugs directly into your car, rather than needing a long cable. This is ideal if you don't often have passengers in the back seat and want to avoid needless wires.
For when two ports aren't enough and six is too many, this pocket-sized 4-port charger is perfect. It's ideal for road trips with friends or vacations with large families.
How to Choose The Best USB Car Chargers
Finding the best USB car chargers isn't as simple as you might think.
With features including voice-control, fast charging ports, LED lights, and GPS car location, it can be hard to decide what you really need.
Try making a list of your priorities, starting with essential needs, and ending with things which would be nice to have, but aren't strictly necessary. Next, decide on a budget for your charger.
Look at your options, and aim for the charger which meets all your essential needs and stays within budget. If you've still got cash left to play with, start looking at chargers that include special features.
You'll soon hit on the option that's right for you - and then wonder how you ever lived without it.
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