No USB port in your car? No problem — this $9 charger will keep your phone juiced

The average car on the road in the United States is over twelve years old, which means a lot of us aren't riding around in vehicles that have a USB charger installed. Even if it does, what good is one USB charger anyway, especially if you have multiple passengers trying to charge their phones? Not much good at all. That's where a 12V USB charger that can plug into your cigarette lighter (ew) comes in.

Unfortunately, many USB converters are bulky devices featuring only one outlet and are way too easy to bump and disconnect. But not with the Ainope car charger adapter: At only 1.7 inches long, it sits flush with the rim of the lighter outlet, giving it a sleek, streamlined look while providing two USB ports to charge your devices. The best part? It's on sale for just $9.

Why is this a good deal? 💰

Aside from the obvious (this compact charger costs waaay less than a new car), it's hard to argue with the cost, especially when comparable chargers cost as much as $20.

Why do I need this? 🤔

The biggest draw of this car charger versus others is its sleek look, but it also doesn't skimp in the power department. Its maximum output of 4.8 amps or 24 watts is enough to charge two devices at full capacity (although it doesn't work with fast-charge functions).

You don't have to worry about the charger getting scuffed over time — it's made of scratch-resistant metal. It also doesn't heat up, so you won't burn yourself while unplugging it.

The Ainope car charger works with most devices and is available in six different colors, so you're likely to find one that looks good with your car's interior. (Note that not all colors are on sale.)

What reviewers say 💬

Over 50,000 reviewers have thought this is the perfect addition to their car.

Pros 👍

Many reviewers, including this five-star customer, loved that the charger hides in plain sight. "I love that this charging port sits flush in the cigarette lighter. No need to remove when not in use since it doesn't take up any additional space. A great way to provide additional functionality by providing additional ports."

"My phone gets a fast charge out of this and I appreciate its flat design," said a reviewer. "My connection is in my glove compartment so I appreciate the light as it guides me to find the connection. I’m very happy with this purchase and bought another one for a friend."

"The best I have found," wrote one verified shopper. "I originally bought one of these, but when I saw the quality I ordered a second one. I do a lot of off-grid camping, and I use one in my Jackery power bank to add two extra charging slots. The other one stays in my Jeep for off-road camping. Highly recommended!"

Cons 👎

Not everyone thought this charger was perfection. One four-star reviewer wished it was brighter. "A brighter glowing LED like advertised would have been a 5-star rating. Nevertheless, it does the job with performance and looks. It matches my interior trim and doesn’t look or feel cheaply made."

"The one downside was that it fit so snugly that I had difficulty taking it out," cautioned one five-star fan. "Needed to use rubber gloves that I had in my car to get a good grip on it to pull it out! It's a keeper."

If you have Amazon Prime, you’ll get free shipping, of course. Not yet a member? No problem. You can sign up for your free 30-day trial here. (And by the way, those without Prime still get free shipping on orders of $35 or more.)

The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.

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