5 Best Wireless Car Chargers That Let You Juice Up Your Phone on the Go

Pretty much everyone fears getting that low-battery notification on their smartphone when driving, especially when you're relying on it for navigation.

Whether you know someone whose smartphone is always low on battery, or who can't get around without relying on battery-depleting apps such as Google Maps or Waze, consider gifting them a wireless car charger. No matter how far your route is taking you, a wireless car charger will be nice to have on hand, so you'll never hover around the dreaded 10% mark again.

We're here to help you find the fastest, most secure, and most reliable ones worth buying because we've tested all the latest options to separate the best from the rest.

Best Wireless Car Chargers of 2023

What to Consider

Distracted driving is dangerous, and smartphone use is one of the distractions cited most frequently by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration as a factor in fatal crashes, so please use your best judgment before installing a wireless car charger in your vehicle. When selecting the best wireless car charger for your needs, there are a few things you should keep in mind.

Charging Speeds

Wireless chargers trade speed for convenience, so you'll only get a quick boost of power during a short drive. Having said that, none of our tested picks match the speed of a car's 12-volt accessory outlet (the cigarette lighter) or your wall charger at home.

MagSafe Versus Qi

Qi (pronounced “chee”) is a wireless charging standard that most wireless car chargers use to charge your smartphones and typically takes 1.5 hours to give your device 50% of battery charge.

MagSafe is the fastest way to wirelessly charge your iPhone, which uses an array of built-in magnets that allow compatible accessories like wallets and charging stands to seamlessly snap onto your phone's backside. You can expect an additional 50% of battery life in an hour — or half the speed of a wired charger.

Mount Type

Having your smartphone mounted in your vehicle makes it easier and safer to get directions, answer phone calls, and stream music in your vehicle. You'll need to decide how you want to mount your device.

• Dash & Windshield Mounts: These mounts use a suction cup or adhesive pad so you can affix them to your vehicle's windshield or dashboard — but keep in mind that some states have strict windshield-obstruction laws.
• Vent Mounts: This type of mount slips into a slat of your vehicle's A/C or heater dash vents. The good news is that vent mounts help keep your phone from overheating (if the A/C is on). The bad news? They are less sturdy, could potentially break your vent's slats, and block the airflow you use to keep cool or warm.
• CD-Player Mount: If you have a vehicle that still has a CD player, there are a handful of wireless car chargers that you insert into your vehicle's CD slot so you can securely mount your device.

You'll also need to choose how the mount grips your phone, as some mounts use magnets while others physically grip your phone. I prefer grip mounts since the magnetized versions require you to attach a magnet to the back of your smartphone or store one in your phone case (assuming you don't have MagSafe).

Power Source

Finally, not all of our recommended picks include a power adapter that you plug the wireless charger's cable into. If one isn't included, I recommend the Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger, which conveniently comes with a USB cable and supports some of the fastest charging speeds. Be sure to check out our full guide to the best USB car chargers while you're at it!

How We Tested

Over the course of a long move across the country, I used a handful of wireless car chargers to see how reliable they would be for juicing up my iPhone and Android smartphones. For each of the below picks, I considered the following criteria when using them:

• How sturdy is the mount?
• Does it grip smartphones tightly?
• Can you easily mount and unmount your phone with it?
• Does it still charge a phone with a case on?
• Does it keep your phone stable even on rough terrain?
• Does it handle intense heat from the sun over time?

Find your next favorite car charger to gift yourself or a loved one among the thoroughly scrutinized picks below and keep your smartphone more accessible and in view for when you briefly use your device for navigation in a vehicle.