Is Anker worth it for USB car chargers?

By The FitMyRide desk·Updated 2026-09-19

What Anker makes

Anker's in-car range is a subset of a much larger charging catalogue. The PowerDrive line is the classic two-port 12V charger: one USB-A and one USB-C in the older models, and two USB-C in the newer PD versions. The Nano line uses gallium nitride (GaN) to shrink the same wattage into a smaller body, and the higher-wattage Nano PD units (30W and 45W) support both USB Power Delivery and PPS, which is the standard Samsung Galaxy handsets use for fast charging.

Around those, Anker sells a large range of USB cables (USB-A to Lightning, USB-C to Lightning, USB-C to USB-C, USB-C to MagSafe), PowerCore portable power banks (from pocketable 10,000 mAh units up to laptop-class 40,000 mAh packs), and wall chargers that share the PowerIQ and PPS support with the car range. Nothing in the car range makes sense in isolation from the cable and phone stack around it, and Anker's habit of keeping the same protocol set across the whole range is part of what makes the brand a common recommendation.

Where Anker sits in the market

Anker sits at the mid-market: above cheap Amazon own-brand multipacks, roughly level with Belkin and RAVPower, below specialist audio-brand chargers. The value case is protocol support and reliability of the USB Power Delivery negotiation. Cheaper chargers often quote a peak wattage in marketing that the port will not actually deliver to a specific device because the PD handshake fails; Anker's certification with Apple's MFi programme, USB-IF PD and Samsung PPS means the handshake succeeds and the phone gets the wattage on the box.

The car charger guide for your vehicle

These are the UK vehicle guides where Anker's PowerDrive PD and Nano car chargers appear in the shortlist, with 12V socket-position notes for each cabin.

Tesla Model 3 car chargers Tesla Model Y car chargers Volkswagen ID.3 car chargers Volkswagen ID.4 car chargers Ford Focus car chargers Volkswagen Golf car chargers Nissan Qashqai car chargers Vauxhall Corsa car chargers

Common misconceptions

"Bigger wattage always means faster charging." Only if the phone can request the wattage over USB Power Delivery or PPS. A 60W charger paired with a phone that caps at 20W PD delivers 20W. The phone dictates the ceiling, not the charger.
"USB-A is fine, USB-C is a marketing gimmick." USB-A tops out at around 12W on most cars. USB-C with Power Delivery goes to 20W and up, which is the difference between finishing a top-up on the school run and not. Newer devices (iPhone 15 and later, most Android flagships) are USB-C only.
"All 12V sockets deliver the same current." They do not. Some UK cars fuse the 12V socket at 10A, some at 15A, and a few Teslas and EVs use USB-C ports as the primary in-cabin charging point with no 12V socket at all. The vehicle handbook or fuse-box legend will confirm.

Frequently asked questions

Does Anker support USB Power Delivery and PPS?

The current PowerDrive PD and Nano car chargers support USB-C Power Delivery. The higher-wattage Nano PD models (30W and up) also support PPS, which is the standard that lets a Samsung Galaxy phone charge at its full rated speed. If PPS matters for your device, look for the wattage figure and the PPS logo on the listing.

What is the difference between PowerDrive and Nano car chargers?

PowerDrive is the older dual-port range, typically one USB-A and one USB-C, and it sits close to the 12V socket. The Nano range is smaller, higher-wattage per port, and uses gallium nitride (GaN) internals to shrink the size. For a modern phone or a tablet, Nano is the more future-proof choice; PowerDrive still suits an older phone that only needs 5V USB-A.

Will an Anker car charger damage the 12V socket?

No. The car charger draws well below the 10 to 15A the 12V socket is rated for on most cars, and Anker's units include over-current, over-voltage and thermal protection. The 12V socket's fuse in the fuse box is the ultimate ceiling.

Do Anker chargers work in the vehicle's rear USB ports?

The vehicle's own USB ports are already regulated by the car, and plugging a phone straight in bypasses any separate charger. The Anker units are for the 12V socket or for the dedicated 12V outlet in the boot. A power bank plus an Anker wall charger can also make a rear-seat charging point on cars whose rear ports are USB-A only.