Recommendation? Better or 'best' car USB charger for cellphones?

S

Sid Post

Joined
Oct 14, 1998
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I have been using various 2.4A 'cigarette lighter' USB chargers for my Samsung S20 phone and Ipad. I really need to rethink that and get something more modern that will charge them faster.

Any recommendations for a better in-car charger that will surpass the common 2.4A options?

TIA,
Sid
 
Wirecutter does some good reviews, they do actual electrical testing, so they can find things like sustained draw, total output, etc. Last ones I bought that could output USB3 levels of power were RavPower, and they seem to be running really well. I have another one, Anker I think. I have found that some devices, depending on load will make some chargers whine, but it's usually low draw on the high output units. Like my dashcam and anker power plug do not play nice. If you don't already have USB-C to C or C-lightning it's worth getting some, as the newer 20w and up chargers seem to be USB-C, and it does seem that cable quality does make a difference with these higher draw devices. And to get the full 20w of fast charge, the charger needs to talk to the device. Also depends on which quickcharge standards your devices support, not much point in buying chargers that you can't use.
 
Thanks! The Anker PowerDrive+ III Duo looks pretty good.

It shows Apple and Samsung "Quick Charge" support in addition to Power Delivery for newer tablets and phones that use that standard. I'll have to see if it is on Wirecutter as the reviews I read over there didn't include this one.
 
They generally update that review annually, but they generally cover enough ground that one can usually extrapolate which brands are doing decent work and which struggle. For what its worth, I've got two of the anker 5-port USB wall chargers, a battery, and two 12v twin-usb units. The only reason I picked up a ravpower for my wife's car was that in Australia Anker stuff has gotten pretty expensive, and the ravpower was significantly cheaper, but they are functionally the same.
 
gadgetgeek said:
... and up chargers seem to be USB-C, and it does seem that cable quality does make a difference with these higher draw devices. ...
Click to expand...

FCM922 said:
I can't over-emphasize the importance of this, it makes all the difference!
Click to expand...

Yep, spending $30 on a charger and using $2 cables really defeats the reason you bought the $30 charger in the first place, IMHO. A bit like buying a chain and attaching the hooks with zip ties or baling wire.

You don't need to spend $20 on a cable but, you do need to pay attention to the cable wire gauge and sheathing quality. There are a couple of solid Chinese import brands that make good cables for ~$6 but, if you wait, you can get Anker or similar quality cables for similar money or a bit more.
 
Same here, for chargers and cable, its all Anker. And CZ firearms, got there late to your gun thread KOD,lol
 
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