Anker PowerDrive 2 24W Dual USB Car Charger
Our pick for the best USB car charger goes to the Anker Powerdrive 2 because it is the fastest charger we've tested due to the fact that it delivers 2.4 amps to each port. This means that it is capable of charging two smartphones or two tablets at full speed at the same time. Its reliability is also amongst the best I've experienced, lasting over a year, so far, without any hiccups. Finally, the price for this charger is what takes it over the top, costing less than almost every charger I've used.
Anker PowerDrive 2
Anker PowerDrive 2
- Fastest charge up to 4.8 amps or 2.4 amps per port
- Two USB ports and a LED light for after dark
- Small and compact
- 18-month warranty
$8.99
available
on Amazon
[1]* price at time of publishing was $8.99
Our experience with the Anker PowerDrive 2
Unless you have a car that's only a few years old, most cars don't have a built-in USB car charger. And for those of us who are somewhat heavy smartphone users, running out of battery is the last thing we want.
I've used my fair share of USB car chargers over the years, but the biggest problem I always had was that they never seemed to truly charge up my phone. They always felt like they were just giving my phone enough power to not die, but they weren't really charging them like I wanted. In fact, for the longest time, I didn't even think it was possible that my car could truly charge up my phone. That changed when I tried the Anker PowerDrive 2 which, when combined with a great cellphone holder[2], changed my driving experience entirely.
So what makes this particular car charger so great? It really boils down to a few features, which may not seem like a big deal at first, but over time become more and more valuable, especially as you use them every day.
First up is without question charging speed. This is without question the most important feature of any USB car charger. If if doesn't charge up your phone quickly, then you shouldn't buy it. Luckily the Anker PowerDrive 2 has no problem doing this. Why? Because it can put out up to 2.4 amps, which means it will charge your smartphone or tablet about as quickly as if they were connected to your wall outlet.
It will charge your smartphone or tablet about as quickly as if they were connected to your wall outlet.
Oh, and you don't just get one port with this car charger. Instead, you get two, both which can put out 2.4 amps. If you dig around and look at other USB car chargers, you'll find that most of them can only do this with one port, not two. This is by far what sets the PowerDrive 2 apart from other car chargers. Being able to charge two iPhone's at the same time is crucial.
My second favorite feature of the PowerDrive 2 car charger is its size. It's super tiny and works great in any car, including the Honda Civic my wife drives every day to and from work. There are some chargers out there that are just way too big and bulky, making them a bit annoying when dealing with. With the PowerDrive 2, you don't have to worry about that.
While it's unlikely that you'll take it out of your cigarette lighter much, this car charger does stick out a tad, which, to me is a good thing simply because it makes finding it easier. Again, it's compact, but not big and bulky.
My third favorite feature is not something you'd think I'd appreciate at first, but trust me, after you use this for a while, you'll love it too. What is it? It's the glowing LED indicator. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? Trust me, it's not. You won't believe how many car chargers have no LED indicator on them, making them so hard to find, especially when there's so little light at night or if your car is in a poorly lit garage. It's also great at letting you know that your device is being charged. Again, this may not seem like a big deal to you at first, but trust me, you'll come to appreciate it after you live with this car charger for a while.
Reliablity
Here's the thing: car chargers should just work. They shouldn't be complex, and they should charge your iPhone, iPad or Android device as quickly as possible. It sounds simple, I know, but you'd be surprised at how many of them can't even do that right, let alone be reliable.
Speaking of reliable, I've been using the PowerDrive 2 for over a year now and have had absolutely no problems. It doesn't matter if it's just me in the car or me and my wife, we can each plug in our iPhone's and know that our devices are being charged every time. For that reason alone, I can't recommend this car charger enough.
Who Else Likes It
On Amazon[3], over 6,000 users have given the PowerDrive 2 a 4.7 out of 5 stars, complimenting its fast charging speed and its reliability, with one user saying "This Anker PowerDrive+2 is the most powerful car charger I've seen thus far." Even the few folks who have encountered some problems with the PowerDrive 2 say that Anker was able to remedy the issue within just a few days, which highlights the company's great customer service.
The Wirecutter[4] also calls the PowerDrive 2 the Best USB Car Charger saying it has "the capability to simultaneously charge two full-size tablets at full speed."
References
- ^ $8.99 available on Amazon (www.amazon.com)
- ^ cellphone holder (appadvice.com)
- ^ On Amazon (www.amazon.com)
- ^ The Wirecutter (thewirecutter.com)
