If your car’s 12V port charges your devices slowly, this might be why

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Unless you’re in a bind, it’s highly advisable to avoid using public USB ports, but the good news is that you shouldn’t need to do that very often these days thanks to all the other options we have. In addition to portable power banks, most modern batteries come with several types of charging options, including the classic and reliable 12-volt DC port. Formerly reserved for cigarette lighters, this connection often includes a flip cover, and some vehicles even have several. Your vehicle’s 12V port is powered by the car battery (with the key on or off), but you need an adapter to convert that power to your phone or device.

There are hundreds of 12V port charging adapters on the market, but if you’ve noticed that your 12V port isn’t charging your mobile technology well, the problem may have more to do with the adapter you’re using than the port itself. Most 12V ports are rated between 10 and 20 amps, but an older (or less expensive) DC adapter may be capped at 10 amps or less. For best results, you’ll want to invest in an adapter that will provide the power you need and from a reliable manufacturer. Fortunately, premium brands like Anker and Ugreen offer plenty of 12V adapters, many of which include USB-C and USB-A connections.

Let’s remember that any type of USB adapter is only as good as the USB cable you plug into it. Generally speaking, the thin, short USB cables lying around in your junk drawer probably aren’t the best tools for the job. Instead, set your sights on a top-rated USB cable (Anker and Ugreen also make them) that can produce between 60 and 100 watts. If the primary device you’ll be connecting is an iPhone, you’ll also want to make sure you’re purchasing a Made for iPhone (MFi) certified cable.

Modern smartphones are capable of packing more power than ever before, and many portable power banks are optimized for fast charging. This is due to features like Power Delivery (PD) and Qualcomm’s Quick Charge technology. Fortunately, many 12V adapters also contain these USB-certified connections. Trust us: if you’ve bought a brand new Apple or Android phone in the last couple of years, you’ll definitely want to use fast charging technology.

And let’s not forget that you can always optimize phone settings to improve battery life. Even simple things like keeping your screen brightness down or reducing on-screen animations can make a difference in how much charge your iPhone is able to hold on to before you need to plug it in. Put all of these tips together and we guarantee your 12V port will start working better than ever.