Updated: 07/04/2021
Smartphones. We’re all glued to them now, but for rideshare drivers, they’re more than a way to check social media (or this blog). You rely on your device for work from start to finish—accepting rides, navigating, even checking payment. The last thing you need is a dead phone battery, which means a good phone charger is a must. Here are the best car phone charger options for rideshare drivers.
The Charger
A car charger, technically, is the little box you plug into your cigarette lighter receptacle in your vehicle. While there are specific chargers that plug directly from your phone into the receptacle, most chargers simply provide a converter to allow you to plug in a USB charging cable.
When searching for a charger for your car, power is key. If you think you’ll need to charge more than one device (for example, your phone and your passenger’s phone), make sure your charger is at least 10 Watts (2.1 A per port). This ensures you will have enough power to charge the devices.
A popular option is the Moshi Revolt Duo. Moshi is famous for its technological gadgets, and this particular charger fits in close to the wall of the vehicle.
The Charge Cord – Turbo Charge
Newer Android phones (newer than the Samsung Galaxy S6) have Qualcomm Quick Charge, either 2.0 or 3.0. This feature allows the phone to charge to full capacity in around an hour. However, the manufacturers claim it can get your phone to 50 percent battery in about 15 minutes. There are specific Qualcomm chargers that charge the phone that fast—standard chargers won’t deliver the same results. If your phone has Qualcomm and you’re interested in speedy charging, be sure to look for a charge cable specifically designed for Qualcomm phones.
iPhones can charge quickly as well, but do not utilize Qualcomm, in spite of having the technology.
All other phones charge best off a 5V/2A rated charger.
The Charge Cord – iPhone
The AmazonBasics Apple Certified Lightning to USB Cable comes in multiple lengths and also costs less than buying directly from Apple. However, as an Apple Certified cord, it won’t bring up that “uncertified hardware” warning on your phone every time you plug it in. It’s also pretty durable—tested to be able to bend to 95 degrees without damaging the cable.
If you’re especially hard on phone chargers, however, consider the Anker PowerLine+ Lightning Cable. The 6-foot cord can reach to passengers in the back if necessary, and it can stand up to 6,000 bends according to the manufacturer. The reinforced stress points and double braided nylon exterior make it extra durable, although you’ll pay a little more for that strength (around $17 from Amazon).
The Charge Cord – Android
The iSeeker Nylon Braided Tangle-Free charger cord is a great option for a versatile, long-cord (6.6 feet) phone car charger. This one is especially helpful if you need your cord to reach to the back seat for a passenger. The heads are also heat-resistant, so they should hold up well even will frequent use.
If you tend to be hard on chargers, consider the Lumsing Micro USB cable, which has reinforced stress points. The manufacturer claims it can survive over 10,000 bends. It’s also a high speed cable, and not too expensive—under $2 apiece.
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