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Best Car Chargers and Cables for Rideshare Drivers (2026)

By Andrew, rideshare driver since 2014

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A rideshare driver should buy a USB-C Power Delivery car charger with at least one port of around 30 watts, a decent USB-C cable, and a second port if riders ask for a charge. The five picks below come from 2025 and 2026 reviews, with the limits each reviewer noted.

How we picked

We have not tested these products, and nothing here claims we own or use them. We looked for chargers and cables that a named reviewer recommended in 2025 or 2026, and we report what that reviewer said. Several of the sources are deal or roundup pieces, not lab tests, and the exact model a reviewer named can be hard to match to a listing. Check the current price and the listing’s port ratings before you buy.

Quick picks

  • One fast port for your phone: Anker 30W 2-Port USB-C Car Charger
  • Dual-port for you and a rider: Baseus 60W Retractable USB-C Car Charger
  • Cable for full speed: Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C Cable
  • Spare or passenger cable: Anker 310 USB-C Cable twin pack
  • Magnetic Qi2 charger mount for iPhone: Anker Prime 25W Qi2 Wireless Car Charger Mount

Anker 30W 2-Port USB-C Car Charger

Macworld’s roundup of iPhone car chargers lists an Anker 30W two-port charger as its entry-level pick. The USB-C port can deliver about 30W on its own, enough to fast-charge a current iPhone while you navigate.

Macworld’s catch is that speed drops to about 12W per port when both ports are in use. It is a good fit if the second port is only an occasional extra.

Baseus 60W Retractable USB-C Car Charger

In a November 2025 deal piece, Macworld described a 60W Baseus charger with a built-in retractable cable and a second USB-C port, and said it keeps 30W available when both are used. That makes it the dual-port pick for you plus a rider.

Macworld’s own tests found that an iPhone 17 does not draw more than about 25 to 28 watts, so a bigger charger will not make a current iPhone charge faster. Baseus sells many similar models, so match the listing to the one with a 60W total and 30W per output. A built-in cable is one less thing to lose but cannot be swapped if it wears out.

Cable Matters 10Gbps USB-C Cable

Macworld’s 2026 guide to USB-C cables calls the Cable Matters cable its best charge-and-data cable for iPhone 15 through 18 and iPad, rated at 100W. For a car, the charging rating matters most: the cable will not hold back a phone’s fast charging. Macworld also says Apple’s own cable is limited to a lower data speed.

Cables get pulled, bent and tangled for hours. Replace any cable that frays or charges intermittently.

Anker 310 USB-C Cable (60W, 2-Pack)

Macworld’s 2026 cable guide names the Anker 310 60W twin pack as its budget pick. A pair gives you a spare, or one to leave in the back seat for riders.

Consumer Reports’ cable durability test, from about 2023, found Anker and Belkin cords lasted well in a bend test. That test did not cover this model, so treat it as a note about the brand.

Anker Prime 25W Qi2 Wireless Car Charger Mount

If you want a magnetic charger in the vent, Macworld calls the Anker Prime the fastest wireless car charger for iPhones it has tested: 25W for iPhone 16 and 17, and 15W for older iPhones. It also made Macworld’s best-of 2025-2026 list.

The downsides, per Macworld: it lists the price as a drawback, the 25W speed applies only to newer iPhones, and it does not work with Tesla or Mercedes vents. Anker says its cooling keeps the phone under 95 degrees Fahrenheit, but that is Anker’s claim. Wireless charging adds heat, so on a long hot shift a wired setup is still the safer default. For more on heat see our car charger guide.

What to look for, and mistakes to avoid

  • Match the port to your phone. Look up your phone’s maximum wired speed, and for Samsung look for PD with PPS.
  • Read per-port wattage with both ports in use. The total on the box is not what each port gets.
  • Do not overload the socket. A 12V socket is fused, often 10 to 15 amps. Add up the dash cam and charger draws and check your manual.
  • Avoid unknown brands. Look for a charger from a company that lists safety certification.
  • Carry a spare cable. It is the part most likely to fail.

FAQ

Wired or wireless? Wired generates less heat. Use wireless for convenience, not as your only way to charge.

Do I need 100W? No, unless you charge a laptop. Macworld’s testing suggests current iPhones top out near 25 to 28W.

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