The 2 Best USB Car Chargers of 2025

Top pick

This model can charge phones, tablets, and computers on its USB-C port, and it has a second port for charging USB-A devices. It adheres to USB-C fast-charging standards and includes a quality cable.

The Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger is the right charger for any vehicle, any phone, and almost any device you might want to charge while driving. It’s a tiny but powerful charger that has both USB-C and USB-A ports, ensuring near-universal charging compatibility.

Thanks to the USB-C port’s 45 W output, it can charge almost anything at top speed, so you’ll never have to worry about your phone running out of power while you’re using it to navigate, and you can even juice up your laptop on the go. This Nekteck charger also comes with a USB-C–to–USB-C cable, which makes this low-priced model an even better value.

It charges most phones as fast as possible. Most smartphones charge at 15 W to 18 W, so this charger’s 45 W USB-C port is more than powerful enough to charge any smartphone at its fastest rate.

In our testing, the Nekteck charger’s USB-C port charged our iPhone 13 from completely drained to about 56% in 30 minutes, and to 85% after an hour (such figures may be slightly lower if you’re using navigation apps). Its 12 W USB-A port, on the other hand, brought the iPhone to about 42% and 75% in the same time periods.

It’s even powerful enough to charge some larger devices. Since many compact laptops charge at 30 W or 45 W, you can even use this Nekteck charger to quickly fill them up on the go. However, a larger laptop, such as a MacBook Pro, will struggle to charge with less than 60 W, especially if it’s in use.

In our tests, the Nekteck charger’s USB-C port charged our iPads at their fastest rates, something that no other model we tested could do. Our 12.9-inch iPad reached 33% charge in half an hour and 65% in one hour.

It has a slick look and feel. The body of the Nekteck charger combines glossy black plastic and matte metal elements, making it look pretty good next to the cheaper designs of some competitors. Also, it has a blue LED to indicate when it’s plugged in.

It sticks out 1.4 inches from the outlet, and its face is an oval 1.6 inches tall and 1.1 inches wide. Although it’s compact and unobtrusive, it isn’t so short that it’s difficult to remove, as some other car chargers are.

It comes with a high-quality cable. This Nekteck charger is the only model we tested that includes a USB-C charging cable. We’ve verified that the cable adheres to standards, and its build quality is sturdy.

It’s made by a brand we trust. Similar to the coverage from most reputable charger makers, Nekteck’s standard warranty period is 12 months, with a six-month extension if you sign up for the company’s newsletter. We’ve found the customer support to be helpful, both in response speed and in addressing our concerns.

Flaws but not dealbreakers

Unlike some chargers, the Nekteck PD 45W Type-C Car Charger doesn’t have illuminated USB ports, so plugging in your cables in the dark is a bit trickier.