Buy a car charger for your mobile phone
Looking for a car charger? Here you’ll find all our car chargers, from compact plugs for the 12V socket to models with multiple USB-C ports for the whole back seat. When it comes to car chargers, power is key: too few watts and your phone will run out of battery whilst you’re using sat-nav. If you mainly charge at home, take a look at our range of chargers and fast chargers. We compare the current prices across all shops, 100% independently: use the filters for power, connection type and number of ports to instantly find the charger that suits your device.
What should you look for in a car charger?
The power output, and only then the other features. A car charger rated at 20 to 30 watts charges a phone noticeably faster than most built-in USB ports in a car. If you’re charging two devices at the same time or have a laptop connected, you’ll need something in the region of 45 to 65 watts. You should also consider the type of connector, the number of ports and the cable you’re using: these three factors together determine whether the power actually reaches your battery.
Since 28 December 2024, new phones, tablets and earbuds in the EU must charge via USB-C (Dutch Government). If you’re buying a car charger now, choose a model with at least one USB-C port, even if your current device still uses USB-A. Your next phone will have that port anyway.
Not enough watts? Then your phone will run out of power whilst using sat-nav
This is the classic bad buy. Navigation, a bright screen, Bluetooth and a hotspot together use more power than a cheap charger of a few watts can supply, meaning your battery slowly drains during the journey instead of charging up. Allow for at least 20 watts via USB-C Power Delivery when using sat-nav on the road, and more if you’ve got passengers on board. A charger that doesn’t deliver enough power isn’t a saving – it’s a waste of money.
12V socket or the car’s own USB port
The USB ports fitted as standard in the dashboard of many cars are primarily intended for data transfer, CarPlay and Android Auto, not for fast charging. A separate charger plugged into the 12V socket – the connection that used to be the cigarette lighter – will provide a higher output. Newer cars sometimes do have a USB-C port with substantial charging capacity on board; check this in the owner’s manual before you buy anything, as you might not need a separate charger at all. If you drive a van or lorry, look for a charger that can also handle 24V.
Multiple ports: power is shared
A charger with two or three ports is handy when there are more people in the car, with one important caveat: the total power is shared across the ports. A 45-watt charger therefore does not deliver 2x45 watts when used on two ports simultaneously. Check the specifications for the power output per port, not just the highest figure on the packaging. If you also want to be able to charge older devices, choose a model with both USB-C and USB-A.
The cable accounts for half the result
An old or cheap cable limits the current, causing your phone to revert to slow charging. For fast charging, you need a USB-C-to-USB-C cable that can handle your charger’s power output; look out for the CE mark and the stated wattage. Length matters too: the longer the cable, the greater the power loss. A cable that just reaches your phone holder is therefore better than one that’s three metres long.
Car charger, power bank or wireless charging?
There are three ways to charge your phone on the go, each with its own pros and cons:
- Fast chargers: the same USB-C Power Delivery technology used at home and in the office, usually with more power than a car charger
- Power banks: handy if you need power away from the car, but you have to remember to keep it charged yourself
- Wireless chargers: a magnetic holder charges without a cable, but this is slower and generates more heat, which can be problematic in a car parked in the sun
