Car chargers have a tough life. They sit in your vehicle through summer heat waves and winter freezes. They get yanked in and out constantly. They're expected to work perfectly every single time. Most of them don't last a year.
I've been using this dual-port USB-C car charger for exactly one year and 15,247 miles. Road trips to three different states, daily commutes, and more hours of podcast listening than I'd like to admit. Here's my honest review.
Photo: Pixabay
The Extreme Temperature Test
Last August, my car's interior hit 54°C (130°F) according to the dashboard thermometer. The charger was sitting in my cup holder (where I usually keep it), baking in direct sunlight. When I plugged in my phone, I half-expected it to fail.
It didn't. Charged at normal speed, no issues.
Same story in January when temperatures dropped to -12°C (10°F). Cold-soaked overnight, the charger worked fine the next morning. No slowdown, no complaints.
Power Output Reality
This charger claims 36W total - 18W per port when both are in use. My testing with a USB power meter showed:
- Single device: Consistent 18W delivery
- Two devices: Each gets about 16-17W (not quite the claimed 18W each, but close)
- iPhone fast charging: Works, phone hits 50% in about 25 minutes
Build Quality After One Year
Here's where this charger surprised me. After a year of daily use, there's no play in the cigarette lighter connection. It still fits snugly. The USB-C ports haven't loosened despite hundreds of plug/unplug cycles.
The aluminum body has some scratches from bouncing around in my cup holder, but that's purely cosmetic. Functionally, it's identical to day one.
One issue I noticed around month 8: The blue LED indicator started staying on even when no device was connected. Doesn't affect charging, just a minor annoyance. I covered it with a small piece of tape because it was distracting at night.
Photo: Pixabay
What I Actually Use It For
My typical day: 45-minute commute each way. Phone runs GPS navigation in the morning, podcasts in the evening. Both use significant battery. The charger handles this easily - I arrive with more battery than I started with.
Road trips are where it really shines. My partner and I both plug in, both stream music or navigate, and we never worry about battery. That peace of mind is worth more than the price of the charger.
The Passenger Problem
One thing I didn't anticipate: cable management. With two ports, you need two cables, and they get tangled. I eventually bought a short 6-inch USB-C cable for my own phone and a longer one for the passenger. Solved the problem, but it took some trial and error.
Comparison to Other Chargers
I've owned three car chargers before this one:
- A cheap $8 one that died after 4 months
- A single-port 18W that worked fine but only charged one device
- A "fast charger" that turned out to be slower than advertised
This is the first car charger I'd actually recommend to someone. It does what it claims, it's built well, and it's survived a year of real use.
Would I Buy It Again?
Yes. Without hesitation. For $25, I got a year of reliable car charging and it shows no signs of stopping. That's excellent value.
If you're tired of car chargers that die after a few months, this is the one to get. It's not the cheapest, but it's cheap enough that the quality-to-price ratio makes sense.
I purchased this charger with my own money. This review reflects my honest experience after 1 year and 15,000+ miles of use.