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The best car chargers

Will Nicol
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Jamming out to the latest tunes while also running your phone’s navigation app is a stellar way to drain your battery in no time. Using your car’s built-in USB port (assuming it has one) to charge your phone often takes ages, so a number of aftermarket manufacturers stepped in with a better solution. Whether you’re an Apple or Android user, there’s no shortage of capable and certified phone chargers available in nearly every price range. We’ve put together the best ones that combine style, dependability, and functionality.

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Some chargers have a high enough output 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, such as the Moshi Car Charger Duo. Just don’t forget to keep your eyes on the road.

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The best

Moshi Car Charger Duo

best car charger
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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

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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 the JellyComb multiport 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

best car charger Scosche reVOLT Dual
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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

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Aukey is an excellent option for those of you who need some flexibility. It’s compatible with a variety of connection types and is 45% more efficient than chargers built with Quick Charge 2.0. That said, the Quick Charge 3.0 capacity only works with smartphones powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon processors (check Qualcomm’s list here). This model also uses the company’s EntireProtect feature to minimize the risk of circuitry damage, which helps prevent overcharging and overheating.

Anker Roav SmartCharge F2

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The Roav SmartCharge F2 is the leader when it comes to versatility. The SmartCharge offers everything you need to handle your mobile-charging needs, offering both standard USB and the newer USB-C ports.

In addition to charging your devices, you can also use the integrated BlueTooth adapter and FM Modulator. Now you can use your smartphone for car audio, even if you have an older, non-BlueTooth stereo. 

The Anker Roav SmartCharge F2 also includes a connected app that lets you control the player features directly from your phone. If that weren’t enough, Anker also included a feature that allows you to find your car in a crowded parking lot.

Hussell Quick Charge 3.0

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The Hussell Quick Charge 3.0 is a more basic option than the other chargers on our list, but it’s affordable and does what you need it to do. If you’re simply looking for a reliable adapter with excellent charging capabilities, this charger has what you need.

This charger uses Qualcomm technology to adapt the charging process based on the battery load and capabilities of the device being charged. That means you don’t have to worry about overheating or overcharging, which can damage your expensive devices.

You can charge two devices simultaneously thanks to this adapter’s dual ports. Plus, the manufacturer offers a 24-month warranty that helps protect your investment so you can be confident that you’ll get a few years of reliable charging from the Hussell Quick Charge 3.0.

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Will Nicol
Will Nicol
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Will Nicol is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends. He covers a variety of subjects, particularly emerging technologies, movies…
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