Best Options for In-Car Mobile Charging

There’s nothing worse than setting out on a long drive and realizing your phone has a low battery. Even worse is realizing that you forgot your charging cable at home—especially when you’re relying on your smartphone for navigation. But even when not looking for directions, keeping a phone charged is still a smart move.

Especially for drivers stuck waiting in their car, playing a mobile game is a great way to pass the time. Some might prefer a puzzle game like Candy Crush, while others might want a full video gaming experience with a mobile title like PUBG: Mobile. Today, even games like the 9 masks of fire slot are accessible straight from a smartphone.

Some might also choose to handle a few tasks while waiting. Whether answering emails or logging into a mobile banking account to pay a few bills, the smartphone has simplified life in a variety of ways… but none of that matters if the screen goes black. Keep reading for more information on how to charge smartphones in a car and a few tips to find the best charging options for you.

Battery Health: The Basics

There are a few important elements of maintaining your smartphone’s battery life. First, keep in mind that extreme heat and cold can degrade your battery, so leaving your smartphone in the car unattended in extreme heat isn’t the best idea. Second, you should avoid ‘fast charging’, or charging just to refill the battery.

Instead, the best practices are to ‘slow charge’ your phone overnight. And when charging your phone in the car, don’t fill it up all the way to 100%. Most experts recommend keeping your phone between 20% and 80% charged.

USB Cables

For cars with USB ports and cigarette lighters

The most common way to charge your phone in a car is with a USB cable. For older models, USB ports are available to charge from a cigarette lighter. Newer models include USB ports straight in the dashboard.

To take USB charging to another level, consider a device like the Anker Roav T2 Bluetooth adapter. In addition to charging your smartphone, it also enables Bluetooth connections to your car’s media system. Some models also include temperature.

Tips for USB cable charging:

● Always remember to unplug your USB cable from its cigarette lighter port. It will eat up your car’s battery.

● Purchase quality USB cables. The best option is to buy the same brand as your smartphone, as they’re optimized for charging that specific model.

● Keep in mind that some applications will drain your battery faster than a USB will charge it, especially when using a navigation app.

Wireless Charging

For cars with built-in charging stations

Many new, tech-forward models include wireless charging stations that are built into the dashboard. Just set your device close by, in a tray or drawer, and it charges automatically. This new technology is thanks to the Qi standard, which is also what powers wireless toothbrushes.

This process should be extremely straightforward, but there are a few tips you may want to keep in mind. These include:

● Some cars must be in ‘accessory’ mode or a similar state to enable wireless charging.

● Put your phone fully on the charging pad, or it may not pick up the signal. Check that the charging symbol lights up before assuming that it’s charging.

● If your smartphone won’t connect even though correctly placed, pick it up and rotate it 180 degrees, then try again.

Battery Packs

For any car

Regardless of your car’s condition, there’s one simple way to keep your smartphone charged at all times: carry an external battery pack. These devices are sold at any electronics store. The battery packs come with USB ports (and a few more) that make charging almost any device a breeze.

Battery packs can be pricey, and they should also be cared for like a smartphone’s battery. This means, once again, avoiding extremes in heat and cold. Additionally, you must purchase all the cables used for charging. However, keeping an external battery pack as a backup is a great way to ensure your smartphone stays charged—especially for cars that might be due for a battery update in the near future.