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You might still be charging your phone at a fraction of the speed it actually supports.
A car charger looks like a simple purchase, but the gap between a good one and a bad one is bigger than most people realize. A cheap 5-watt car charger can take three hours or more to charge a modern phone battery. Whereas a good USB-C Power Delivery charger can do the same job in under 90 minutes, and it can often charge a tablet or laptop too.
To find the best car charger available in 2026, we looked at many options and narrowed it down to the best 5. All of them are easily available through major retailers. Prices below are online prices and can shift slightly.
1. Anker 535 Car Charger (67W): Best Overall
Price: around $35 to $40
The Anker 535 is the car charger we would recommend when someone asks for a single recommendation. It has two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, with a combined output of 67 watts. That is enough to fast-charge a phone while still leaving power for a tablet or a laptop like the MacBook Air.
- 67W total output across 3 ports (2 USB-C, 1 USB-A)
- Supports Power Delivery (PD) and Programmable Power Supply (PPS), so it works with iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones, and most USB-C laptops
- Compact size, about 2.3 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches, so it does not stick out far from the dashboard
- Includes a USB-C to USB-C cable and offers an 18-month warranty
Anker’s safety system, called ActiveShield 2.0, monitors temperature and output continuously.
2. UGREEN 130W Car Charger: Best for Laptops and Multiple Devices
Price: around $25 to $40, often on sale
If you want to charge more than one device at a time, or you want to top off a laptop on a road trip, the UGREEN 130W is the car charger you need. It has two USB-C ports, one rated up to 100W and one up to 30W, plus a USB-A port, so three people can charge at once.
- 130W total output across 3 ports (2 USB-C, 1 USB-A)
- One port supports PPS fast charging for compatible Samsung Galaxy phones
- Comes with a 100W USB-C cable in the box
- 2-year warranty
It is slightly bigger than Anker 535, but for anyone juggling a laptop, tablet, and phone on the same trip, it is hard to beat for the price.
3. Nekteck 45W USB-C Car Charger: Best Budget Pick
Price: around $18 to $20
Nekteck 45W USB-C car charger is smaller and cheaper than the Anker and UGREEN options above, but it still offers fast charging.
- 45W total output across 2 ports (1 USB-C, 1 USB-A)
- USB-IF certified, meaning it passed independent testing for safety and performance
- Supports both PD 3.0 and Quick Charge 3.0
- Includes a charging cable
This is the one to buy if you only need to charge one or two phones and do not want to pay for power you will not use.
4. Scosche PowerVolt PD40: Best for Long-Term Reliability
Price: $19.99
Scosche has made car electronics accessories for years, and the PowerVolt PD40 is their best-selling car charger. It has two USB-C ports at 20 watts each, enough to fast-charge two phones at the same time.
- 40W total output across 2 USB-C ports, 20W each
- Flush, low-profile design that sits close to the outlet instead of sticking out
- Backed by a 3-year warranty and lifetime technical support, longer than most competitors offer
5. ESR HaloLock CryoBoost: Best Wireless Charger
Price: around $35 to $40
If you would rather skip cables altogether, the ESR HaloLock CryoBoost is a magnetic wireless car charger that mounts to your air vent or dashboard. It works with MagSafe on iPhones and with magnetic cases on many Android phones.
- 15W Qi2 wireless charging, matching Apple’s MagSafe speed
- Built-in cooling fan that keeps the phone from overheating and slowing down, a common issue with wireless car chargers left in direct sun
- Strong magnetic lock that holds the phone steady on rough roads
- Power adapter and cable included with most versions
Wireless charging is still a bit slower and pricier than plugging in a cable, but it also holds your phone in place for navigation, which many drivers find worth the trade-off.
What to Check Before You Buy
- Match the wattage to your devices: Most phones fast-charge at 20 to 30W. Laptops usually need 45W or more. Extra watts beyond what your devices can use will not charge them any faster.
- Look for Power Delivery (PD) support: It is the standard used by iPhones, most Android phones, iPads, and many laptops. Quick Charge (QC) mainly helps older Android phones.
- Check whether a cable is included: The UGREEN and Nekteck chargers include one. Others may not, so factor that cost in.
- Count your ports: If passengers regularly need to charge devices too, get a charger with at least two ports.
Final Thoughts
Any of these five car chargers will charge your phone faster and more safely than a bargain-bin adapter from a gas station rack. If you want one car charger that handles everything from a phone to a laptop, the Anker 535 is the safest all-around choice. If you are on a budget, the Nekteck and Scosche options both deliver reliable, tested performance for under $20.
