Anker PowerDrive 2 Review: Affordable and Fast In-Car Charging Menu Lifewire Tech for Humans Newsletter! Search Close GO Best Products > Car Audio & Accessories
Anker PowerDrive 2 Review
Blazing fast recharge at a reasonable price
By Nick Jaynes Nick Jaynes Writer University of Oregon Nick Jaynes is a tech writer whose writing has been published by Mashable, Digital Trends, Cool Hunting, and Travel+Leisure, among other publications. lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on June 24, 2019 Tweet Share Email We independently research, test, review, and recommend the best products—learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission. 4.5 Anker PowerDrive 2 24W Dual USB Car Charger
Lifewire / Nick Jaynes What We Like Good fast-charging capabilities Robust construction Supports two devices at once Includes 3-foot micro USB charging cable Affordable price What We Don't Like Does not support Nexus 5X and 6P or Qualcomm Quick Charge Not compatible with 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid The Anker PowerDrive 2 is an affordable and durable in-car USB charger capable of quickly recharging devices. It’s perfect for buyers who care more about effective charging and overall robustness than cutting-edge aesthetics. View On Amazon View On Walmart View On EBay 4.5 Anker PowerDrive 2 24W Dual USB Car Charger
Lifewire / Nick Jaynes View On Amazon View On Walmart View On EBay in this article Expand Design Performance Price Competition Final Verdict Specs We purchased the Anker PowerDrive 2 so our expert reviewer could thoroughly test and assess it. Keep reading for our full product review. The in-car USB charger market is virtually flooded with offerings for virtually any taste to any budget — from the cheap and chintzy to high-tech. The Anker PowerDrive 2 is one of the most popular chargers on the market, and it didn’t disappoint during our testing. In addition to its durable plastic construction, it includes a 3-foot micro USB cable, a dual-port design, and fast recharge rates for your devices thanks to its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology. Don’t let the diminutive blue LED light fool you, the Anker PowerDrive 2 can put out enough power to recharge two iPads simultaneously. What’s more, it can do that without overheating. Lifewire / Nick Jaynes Design All-plastic but sturdy and subtle
The Anker PowerDrive 2 might not be the sharpest or most cutting-edge looking in-car USB charger, but what it lacks in visual pizazz, it more than makes up for in sturdiness. A lot of in-car USB chargers are susceptible to slowly fragmenting. If you yank a USB cable out of the charger haphazardly, the charger might come apart (we encountered this with the RAVPower 24W USB charger). Not so with the Anker PowerDrive 2 which survived weeks of rigorous testing and careless USB cable unpluggings. It’s also fairly compact. It’ll protrude a bit from the 12V port, but it’s not very noticeable. Don’t let the diminutive blue LED light fool you, the Anker PowerDrive 2 can put out enough power to recharge two iPads simultaneously. That said, it’s not the prettiest charger. The black plastic construction is fine to look at and blends in nicely with most car interiors, but the red ring around the face makes it look a bit cheap. So, too, does the “IQ” logo printed between the two USB ports, but these are fairly minor quibbles. The PowerDrive 2 has a small and unobtrusive LED light to help you find the USB ports in the dark. We found it less distracting than other chargers we tested. Lifewire / Nick Jaynes Performance Fast charging for demanding devices
The best part of the Anker PowerDrive 2 is its charging. It has the ability to charge iPads simultaneously without getting overheated thanks to its PowerIQ and VoltageBoost technology. Each USB port can output a maximum 5V/2.4A, for a total of 24W. That’s in line with other car chargers we tested, but the PowerIQ technology can help identify device and deliver the fastest possible charge. This also gives you some overvoltage protection to make sure something like a smartwatch doesn’t fry when you plug it in. This isn’t quite the same as Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 or other fast charge technologies which vary the voltage and amperage on a larger range, but it’ll top up your phone or other devices faster than a regular charger. The Anker PowerDrive 2 is the workhorse of the in-car USB charger market. One thing to note is that the PowerDrive 2 includes a micro USB cable, in case you don’t want to carry your device’s cable everywhere with you. That’s a nice touch we didn’t get with other chargers we tested. The 6 Best Car Chargers, Tested by Experts Price Middle of the pack
The list price of $14.99 is positioned in the mid-range of the USB charger market, which ranges from just a few dollars to upwards of $50 for some fancier chargers. However, Anker PowerDrive 2 can be had for a discounted price on some websites. Considering the fact that the Anker PowerDrive 2 includes both the fast-charger and a 3-foot micro USB cable, it is well priced for the marketplace. Lifewire / Nick Jaynes Competition A handful of rivals
The RAVPower 24W charger is one of Anker’s main rivals. It has a metal exterior, a lower price tag, and theoretically identical power output. However, its construction is far less robust. In fact, its metal outside easily separates from the internal components easily making Anker a better pick for longevity. The Aukey CC-S1 charger is a much closer competitor. It has the standard dual 2.4A USB ports, is constructed from plastic, and costs a few dollars less. One advantage it has is that unlike the PowerDrive, the CC-S1 sits virtually flush to the 12V socket. But you don’t get LED lights, which might make it a hindrance to find at night. RAVPower 24W USB Car Charger Review: High Power Output, Low-Quality Construction Final Verdict The Anker PowerDrive 2 is the workhorse of the in-car USB charger market. The price is fair, the charging is fast, and the design is unobtrusive. It’s hard to ask for much more. Specs
Product Name PowerDrive 2 24W Dual USB Car Charger Product Brand Anker SKU 848061073508 Price $14.99 Product Dimensions 2.6 x 1.1 x 1.1 in. Ports 2 Warranty 18-month Waterproof No Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire RAVPower 24W USB Car Charger Review: High Power Output, Low-Quality Construction Choetech Fast Wireless Charging Stand Review Roav VIVA by Anker Review: Take Amazon Alexa Along for The Ride Anker PowerCore+ 26800 Battery Pack Bundle Review: Sleek The 6 Best Car Chargers, Tested by Experts Apple Lightning to USB Cable (3-Foot): Consistent Charging for Your iPhone The 6 Best Fast Chargers of 2022 Seneo WaveStand 153 Fast Wireless Charger Review: Budget Option Scosche ReVolt Dual Review: Low Profile, High Power Output Yootech Wireless Charger Stand Review: Broad Compatibility Apple Lightning to USB Cable (6-Foot): Reliable, Flexible iPhone Charging What to Do When Your Car's USB Port Won't Charge Your Phone The 11 Best Micro USB Cables of 2022 Samsung Galaxy A Phones: What You Need to Know Anker PowerWave Fast Wireless Charging Stand Review: Fast The 7 Best Rechargeable Battery Chargers of 2022 Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies