3 Anker accessories to keep in your car

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Modern motor vehicles are optimized technological machines. Even at the most basic trim level, you’ll find everything from USB-C ports and robust infotainment systems to driver-assist features that make driving more intuitive. As long as your car, truck, or SUV can run its alternator, you’ll also be able to plug in a number of accessories. Anker is a manufacturer known for its automotive gadgets, and if you and yours a.) always travel with phones, tablets, and laptops, and b.) need a charger, Anker has more than you need.

The company specializes in plug-and-play chargers, portable power banks and cables. Many Anker products even come with USB cables, so you won’t have to dig through the junk drawer for an A to B connection. But what are the best Anker accessories to keep in the car? This question inspired us to put together this short list of must-have Anker products. All three are surface chargers, but two attach magnetically to most iPhones (and Android phones with a magnetic case), letting you easily switch between portrait and landscape views.

We’re going to break down the pros and cons of each Anker device we’ve chosen; We haven’t had any quality control issues, but it’s worth knowing about some of the negative experiences customers have had. So, without further ado, let’s jump straight into our first Anker add-on: a DC adapter with USB connections.

We could create a rundown based entirely on Anker’s many travel chargers. Instead, we’d like to highlight the $54 Anker Max 3-Port Car Charger, which was marked down to $34 when we wrote this. If you’re the type of person who uses a laptop on the go, you’ll know how frustrating it can be to charge a MacBook with a USB-A DC adapter. Although this Anker product includes a 22.5-watt USB-A port, its USB-C connections are worth talking about.

Plug in a single device and the top USB-C port delivers up to 100 watts, while the bottom port pushes 45 watts. That’s a lot of power for such a small accessory, and both USB-C ports also support fast charging, making it a must-have gadget for recharging an iPhone or Samsung Galaxy device in record time. Anker has also incorporated a few failsafes, including protection against voltage spikes, voltage drops, and excessive temperatures.

Conveniently, the manufacturer also includes a 3.3-foot USB-C to USB-C cable and an 18-month warranty. The adapter earned 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon based on over 3,450 user reviews, and up to 89% of the reviews were at the 5-star level. That said, a few users have reported that the adapter sometimes gets too hot; One person’s unit became so hot that it distorted the connection point.

Magnetically connecting your phone while you drive is helpful in several ways. That’s why we’re highlighting the $90 Anker Prime Qi2 MagSafe Car Mount, which features an adjustable air vent hook. Once you’ve attached it, plug in the included DC adapter, connect the included USB-C cable for power, and you’re done. The charger even includes a cord organizer to keep things neat.

The Qi2 wireless charging standard delivers up to 25 watts to compatible devices, making it ideal for iPhone 12 and later; you can also mount an Android phone with a magnetic case. According to Anker, you can charge an iPhone 17 Pro from 0% to 50% in just 22 minutes, which is pretty impressive. True to the manufacturer’s defensive engineering, Anker’s ActiveShield 5.0 performs millions of temperature checks per day to prevent your connected device from frying.

You can also easily switch your phone between portrait and landscape modes and tilt the entire chassis up to 32 degrees for a better viewing angle. Amazon shoppers gave the Anker Prime Qi2 4.4 out of 5 stars, based on over 830 reviews. Most users like its fast, reliable charging and strong magnetic grip. Keep in mind that the charger may not work as well with uniquely shaped vents (as shown in this three-star review).

While it’s not much different from the Anker Max 3-port adapter we talked about earlier, we love the $30 Anker Nano 75W Car Charger for its built-in, retractable USB-C cable. The wire is rated for up to 10,000 retractions and extends up to 29.5 inches. That’s not the only connection included in this adapter, but it also provides up to 45 watts, making it perfect for quickly charging a compatible iPhone or Android device.

The built-in USB-C cable isn’t the only charging point; there’s also a USB-C port that provides up to 35 watts, for a total of 75 watts. If you need a quick boost in power while driving, this is one of the best DC adapters for the job. Anker also offers an 18-month warranty for this product in case you experience any charging or compatibility issues.

However, we don’t expect you to do this; Amazon shoppers gave the Anker Nano a rating of 4.6 stars out of 5 based on more than 3,600 reviews, and most reviews were five stars. We’ve read a few reports of units failing, but it’s pretty comparable to a car charger. And remember: a better-than-normal warranty is in place should anything go wrong.

Anker is best known for its extensive line of chargers and charger-adjacent accessories, but we wanted to focus on three products best suited to an automotive vehicle. When making our selections, we did not choose any product with less than 4 stars on Amazon and we also took into account user comments, where applicable.