Many new cars have everything you need to charge your phone, tablet, or laptop already built in. Even the cheapest cars have USB ports that can charge multiple devices at once. But if you need more charging ports for a road trip or have an older car, you will need to buy a best USB-C car chargers that can be put into a 12-volt port or, if your car is older, a cigarette lighter.
Since there are so many chargers on the market that look the same, we know it can be hard to figure out which ones are the best. Our gearheads who went on road trips used every choice in their own cars and gave them a close look for charging speed, versatility, ease of use, and quality of materials. This detailed, hands-on review will help you find the best USB-C car chargers for your needs and price quickly and easily.
Best USB-C Car Chargers Comparison Table
| Charger Model | Number of USB Ports | Maximum Output (per port) | Compatibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Anker PowerDrive III Duo | 2 | 36W | USB-A and USB-C |
| AmazonBasics USB-C Car Charger | 1 | 18W | USB-C |
| Anker 24W Dual USB Car Charger | 2 | 24W | USB-A |
| Anker PowerDrive Speed+ 2 | 2 | 39W | USB-A and USB-C |
| Scosche ReVolt Dual | 2 | 12W | USB-A |
Anker PowerDrive III Duo
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerDrive III Duo |
| Number of USB-C Ports | 2 |
| Total Power Output | 36W |
| Compatibility | Universal |
| Additional Features | PowerIQ 3.0, MultiProtect Safety System |
Anker’s PowerDrive III Duo charger is sleek in form and well built. It’s made to work with current phones. It has two USB-C car ports, so you can charge two gadgets at the same time. For phones like the iPhone that don’t have USB-C, you’ll need to buy a USB-C to Lightning connection.
The Anker PowerDrive was the second-fastest charger we tested. It charged my phone to 99% in just 1 hour and 17 minutes, making it the second-fastest charger we tried. Part of the reason for this is that one of the PowerDrive III Duo’s two USB-C ports has Anker’s PowerIQ Fast Charging technology, which automatically figures out what device is plugged in and charges it as quickly as possible.
The PowerDrive III Duo has overload protection, just like the other chargers in this book. It also has built-in tech that keeps the charger from getting too hot while it’s being used. This makes the charger last longer. Overall, it is one of the best USB-C car chargers that you can buy.
Pros
- Dual USB-C ports for charging multiple devices simultaneously.
- Fast charging capability with PowerIQ 3.0 technology.
- Compact and durable design.
Cons
- Relatively high price compared to other options.
- May not support optimal charging speeds for certain devices.
AmazonBasics USB-C Car Charger
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | AmazonBasics |
| Model | USB-C Car Charger |
| Number of USB-C Ports | 1 |
| Total Power Output | 18W |
| Compatibility | Universal |
| Additional Features | n/a |
The AmazonBasics Dual Port USB Car Charger has two USB-A ports and is small enough to fit on your dashboard or in the middle area of your car. We tried a lot of chargers for this guide, and this one was the slowest. Still, all of the hardware we tried took about the same amount of time to charge.
It took just under an hour and a half to charge our iPhone XR. On the other hand, it took just over two hours to fully charge the iPhone. Overall, it is one of the best USB-C car chargers that you can buy.
Pros
- Affordable and budget-friendly option.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Provides a single USB-C port for charging.
Cons
- May not support fast charging capabilities.
- Limited charging capacity compared to other chargers.
Anker 24W Dual USB Car Charger
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | 24W Dual USB Car Charger |
| Number of USB-C Ports | 0 |
| Number of USB Ports | 2 |
| Total Power Output | 24W |
| Compatibility | Universal |
| Additional Features | PowerIQ Technology, MultiProtect Safety System |
This car charger has a great low price and packs a lot of power into a small size. This thing is very small. Lots of third-party car chargers with multiple ports tend to take up a lot of space, which can make your car feel crowded and get in the way. Overall, it is one of the best USB-C car chargers that you can buy.
Even if you and your friends have different smart phones, you won’t have to worry about having the right charger. Anker makes great USB cords that can be any length and have any adapter you need. They are also very cheap, starting at $5. Lightning? Micro USB? USB-C? All of them are between 3 and 10 feet long, so you can share power with anyone in your car, from the front passenger to the people in the back seats.
Pros
- Dual USB ports for charging multiple devices.
- Compact and lightweight design.
- Provides adequate charging speed for most devices.
Cons
- May not support fast charging for certain devices.
- Limited power output compared to higher wattage chargers.
Anker PowerDrive Speed+ 2
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Anker |
| Model | PowerDrive Speed+ 2 |
| Number of USB-C Ports | 1 |
| Number of USB Ports | 1 |
| Total Power Output | 49.5W |
| Compatibility | Universal |
| Additional Features | PowerIQ 2.0, VoltageBoost, MultiProtect Safety System |
The Anker PowerDrive Speed+ 2 charges your phone quickly and easily from 10% to 80% in about 20 minutes. The USB-A and USB-C ports make it possible to use a variety of cables, and the two ports can be used at the same time. This handy car accessory is so strong that it can even charge expensive things like Macbook computers.
Also, the PowerDrive is small, and its form makes it easy to plug in and take out. The power source is working if the ring light around the outside is on, and the inputs are a lighter blue so they stand out and are easy to see. The most that can come out of each port is 2.4A, so when both are in use, 4.8A can come out. Overall, it is one of the best USB-C car chargers that you can buy.
Even though USB-C charging cables are becoming more common, USB-A ports are still the norm. If you use both types of chargers, having one of each makes the PowerDrive more useful. However, if you have an older device that only uses the USB-A port, this car charger can only charge one device at a time. Also, the PowerDrive is a bit more expensive than some of the other choices in our test suite. Still, the PowerDrive is a great choice if you want something small, fast, and easy to take with you.
Pros
- Dual USB-C ports with Power Delivery technology.
- Fast charging capability for compatible devices.
- Compact and durable construction.
Cons
- Relatively high price compared to other options.
- May not support optimal charging speeds for all devices.
Scosche ReVolt Dual
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Scosche |
| Model | ReVolt Dual |
| Number of USB-C Ports | 0 |
| Number of USB Ports | 2 |
| Total Power Output | 24W |
| Compatibility | Universal |
| Additional Features | n/a |
The Scosche ReVolt Dual is the best car charger for a minimalist on a tight budget. Don’t be fooled by this charger’s small size. Each of its two ports sends out 2.4A, so even bigger devices like iPads will charge pretty quickly. The small size makes it great for trips and small cars. It’s simple and easy to use, and the port lights are the best we’ve seen, so it’s easy to get around even when it’s dark. Overall, it is one of the best USB-C car chargers that you can buy.
Some car chargers have more than one USB port so that you can charge a variety of devices. The ReVolt Dual only has USB-A, which is a shame. Since more and more devices are switching to USB-C charging, this makes the ReVolt a little less flexible. Luckily, most USB-C charging cables also have a USB-A end. The small ridge around the edge of the ReVolt sits flush with the DC outlet, making it hard to take off. However, there are small holes to help with this. All in all, this is a great low-key choice at a good price.
Pros
- Dual USB ports for charging multiple devices.
- Affordable and budget-friendly option.
- Compact and sleek design.
Cons
- May not support fast charging capabilities.
- Limited power output compared to higher wattage chargers.
FAQs
A USB-C car charger is a device that allows you to charge your USB-C compatible devices, such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and other gadgets, while you’re on the go in your car. It plugs into your car’s cigarette lighter socket (also known as the 12V accessory socket) and provides one or more USB-C ports for charging.
The number of devices you can charge simultaneously depends on the specific USB-C car charger you choose. Some chargers offer a single USB-C port, while others provide multiple ports, including USB-A ports. So, you can charge one or more devices simultaneously, depending on the charger’s design and the number of ports it offers.
Yes, you can charge devices other than USB-C devices using a USB-C car charger. Most USB-C car chargers come with USB-A ports as well, which are compatible with traditional USB devices. You can use USB-A to USB-C or USB-A to Lightning cables to charge devices that have a different charging port.
