6 Best USB-C Car Chargers of 2023, Reviewed By Experts

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Whether you’re on a long road trip or just need an extra boost after a night out, a car charger is essential. That way, you can use your device for navigation without interruption and ensure you’re connected in case of an emergency. With a UBC-C car charger, you can not only charge your phone — or multiple at a time — but you can also power up devices like tablets and Kindles that are must-haves for entertainment when you’re spending hours on the road.

The experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test all things travel gear and accessories for your road trip needs, including solar phone chargers and car phone holders that can make traveling with electronics easier. When choosing the best USB-C car chargers, we researched dozens of popular options on the market and leaned on categorical experience from our in-house experts.

After our picks, we break down what you should consider before purchasing a USB-C phone charger and why you should trust Good Housekeeping. Check out our list of the best car accessories for even more ways to supercharge your road trips.

PowerIQ 3.0 USB-C Car Charger

With two USB-C ports and 40 watts of power, you can quickly charge devices that require a USB-C to lightning cable or a USB-C to C cable. It also supports fast charging cables from Apple and Samsung in case you want speedier power, though you’ll have to purchase these cables separately. We also like how compact this device is, as it barely sticks out of the auxiliary power outlet and doesn’t protrude into your dashboard space. Users will also be happy to know that the brand also claims it uses 11-point safety technology to protect your devices from overheating. All in all, it’s a good, simple port that will work for most peoples’ needs.

2-Port USB Car Charger

At just under $12, this is a great budget buy for USB charging. It has two ports — one is USB-C while the other is USB-A, which makes it a great option for charging devices with different cord types. The UBS-C port is more powerful, delivering 27 watts of power for faster charging, while the USB-A port delivers 12 watts. It’s simple in design, and you’ll know it's working when the convenient LED light turns on.

PowerDrive Speed+ USB-C Car Charger

Another top pick from Anker is this USB-C car charger that has both a USB-C port and a USB-A port to charge different types of devices. The USB-C port offers a whopping 30 watts of power to speedily charge up devices, while the USB-A port has 19.5 watts for decent charging speed. It also supports fast charging via the USB-A port, which can make up for the lower wattage so long as you have a fast-charging supported cable.

40W Dual USB-C PD Car Charger

If you only have a short drive ahead of you but need a little more battery on your phone, this speedy charger is for you. With two USB-C ports that deliver 20 watts of charging, the brand claims can bring a dead iPhone to 50% battery in about 30 minutes. However, it is a bit longer than some of the other car chargers on this list, so it may stick out from the dash a bit, though its design is quite sleek regardless.

78W Fast USB Multi Port Car Charger

Got a whole family along for the ride? This car charger features five different ports, three of which are attached to a 5-foot cable that can easily reach to the back seat. That makes it easy to charge a variety of phones and tablets at once. You'll find two USB-C ports and three USB-A ports, with 78 total watts, you’ll experience quick charging that won’t leave you plugged in for too long. It also comes with a digital display that will show you how powerful the charger currently is — and it lets you know when it’s time to replace it.

USB C Car Charger

You’ll find two powerful ports in this USB-C car charger from Spigen: a 45-watt upper port and a 20-watt lower port. The 45-watt port is powerful enough to deliver enough juice to charge a small laptop. It supports a programmable power supply (PPS), meaning it works with both Samsung and Apple fast charging with the appropriate cable. It’s on the expensive side compared to other chargers on this list, but for such a powerful USB-C option, we think it's worth it.

How we choose the best USB-C car chargers

To find the best USB-C car chargers, we prioritized models that were powerful enough to charge larger devices quickly and that offered fast charging options. We also focused on car chargers that can juice up multiple devices at once and feature different USB port types to accommodate more cables. Although some chargers come with lightning cables attached, we chose USB-C chargers that allowed the user to use their own cables to best fit their device.

What to look for when shopping for the best USB-C car chargers

Before hitting the road, there are a few things to consider when picking a USB-C car charger to best fit your devices and needs.

✔️ Ports: Most USB-C car chargers have at least two ports to attach a charging cable to. However, if you’re traveling with several people, you might want to choose an option that has a few additional ports.

✔️ Wattage: The wattage of the charger determines how fast the device will charge, and those with higher wattages can provide enough power to charge a larger device like a laptop. Typically, 20 watts are enough for a smartphone, but you can find ports that deliver up to 45 watts of power.

✔️ Fast Charging: Some car chargers will feature a “fast charger” port that can offer compatible devices quicker charging than a typical regular USB port can. This depends heavily on the quality of the charger and often requires a compatible fast-charging cable.

✔️ Size: A more compact car charger will be less of an unsightly nuisance in your car and keep the space looking more aesthetically pleasing. But chargers with more ports will be larger.

✔️ USB Type: In addition to a USB-C port, some car chargers will also feature a USB-A port, allowing you to use the cable of your preference for different devices. You’ll just need to remember to bring the necessary charging cables you need or keep some in the car.

Why trust Good Housekeeping?

This roundup was written by contributing writer Courtney Campbell, a longtime product reviewer, who selected products based on hours of research and her personal experience with shaving products. Her work has appeared in Apartment Therapy, Domino and SELF.

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