Best car accessories for your smartphone in 2023

Our phones have become so integrated into our lives, especially regarding navigation capabilities. It’s a marvel how anybody got around without a smartphone prior to 2008 (when GPS was introduced into smartphones). When you’re in your car, your phone’s capabilities and features become especially helpful and, in some cases, can even be life-saving. But your smartphone renders useless if the battery is dead or you drop it between the seat and your center console (don’t you hate that?!). That’s where the best car accessories for smartphones come in.

According to the Atomic Habits book, one of the steps to creating a good habit is to “make it easy.” Keeping your phone charged is a good habit, and one way to make it easy is to have phone charging accessories readily available in your car. Although many charging accessories are listed below, like MagSafe chargers and Qi wireless chargers, we’ve also included a few other handy car accessories for your smartphone that make the time in your car more enjoyable, whether commuting for work, running errands, or road tripping.

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  Spigen ArcStation 65W

  Editor’s choice

  The Spigen ArcStation is a compact car charger capable of handling your smartphone, tablet, computer, and other portables. This pint-sized charger has one PD 3.0 port that delivers 45W and one USB-C that delivers 20W. It is small enough to stay out of your way and has enough juice to keep your devices running while you’re on the road.

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  Source: iOttie

  iOttie AutoSense Qi charger

  Premium pick

  The iOttie AutoSense is both a wireless car charger and a phone holder. It sits snuggly in an unused cup holder, so it doesn’t take up precious dash or vent space. It also has motion-sensing technology to automatically open and close the mount when needed, making it a real convenience. Additionally, the iOttie can juice up your Android or iPhone using Qi technology.

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  Ugreen USB-C car charger

  Best value

  $11 $13 Save $2

  The Ugreen USB-C car charger sports two ports and a low price tag. The 20W PD port fast-charges PD-enabled devices, like phones and dashcams; a secondary USB-A port gives you 18W of power for topping off additional devices. This low-profile charger sits flush against your car’s outlet and has built-in power management to prevent overheating.

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  Anker USB-C to Lightning

  Sturdy cable for iPhones

  Anker’s USB-C to Lightning cable costs less than the proprietary charging cord from Apple while delivering the same speeds. MFi Certified and built to last, the Anker cable plugs into any USB-C car charger and supports Power Delivery. It is 6 feet long and available in white, black, and gray.

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  Spigen DuraSync universal charger

  Works with any device

  $18 $25 Save $7

  Spigen’s DuraSync is a 3-in-1 universal charging cable that can power all your portables. It works with Micro-USB, Lightning, and USB-C. The cable is 4.9 feet long and braided, so it never tangles or wears out prematurely. If you have a brand-agnostic family, this is one of the best smartphone accessories you can buy.

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  Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-A charging cable

  Best long cord

  $16 $18 Save $2

  The Amazon Basics USB-C to USB-A 3.1 charging cable comes in red, dark gray, pink, and silver. At 10 feet long, it’s a cable that’ll stretch all the way to the backseats when needed. The charging cord works with most devices and has data transfer speeds of up to 5Gbps.

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  The 1Mii Bluetooth adapter slips into your aux port and connects your smartphone to your car’s speakers.

  1Mii Aux Bluetooth Adapter

  Go hands-free cheaply

  The 1Mii Bluetooth adapter fits in your car’s AUX port and turns your “dumb” car into a smart car. With Bluetooth 5.1, you can stream music wirelessly from your phone to your car’s speakers and make and take phone calls. The 1Mii can pair with up to two devices and has an internal battery that holds out for 14 hours.

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  Source: Avantree

  Avantree Roadtrip bluetooth speaker

  Two-in-one hands-free kit

  Avantree Roadtrip is a Bluetooth speaker and FM transmitter in one. Once installed, you can make and receive hands-free calls and text messages. You can also stream your playlist from your smartphone right to your vehicle’s speakers. The Roadtrip installs in seconds by sliding over your vehicle’s visor and has built-in noise cancelation for clear calls.

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  Source: Belkin

  Belkin BoostCharge for iPhone

  MagSafe vent charger

  $54 $60 Save $6

  iPhone owners will love the Belkin magnetic wireless car charger. It attaches to any vehicle’s air vent and serves as a phone holder and wireless charger. The Belkin BoostCharge includes the MagSafe vent holder and charger, plus a charging cord and a 20W USB-C PD 3.0 car power supply.

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  Lisen’s phone mount works with 20 strong magnets, holding iPhones in place without disrupting your cell signal.

  Lisen MagSafe car phone mount

  Heavy-duty MagSafe mount

  $27 $40 Save $13

  Lisen’s MagSafe mount works with all compatible iPhones. Twenty heavy-duty magnets secure your phone to the mount, holding it in place while you travel. The Lisen sticks to your dashboard with 3M adhesive, moves in three positions for the perfect viewing angle, and works with all MagSafe-compatible phone cases.

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  Syncwire Bluetooth FM Transmitter

  FM transmitter with enhanced bass

  $24 $28 Save $4

  Syncwire’s Bluetooth 5.1 FM transmitter plugs into your car’s charging port. It offers fast 38W PD charging and QC 3.0 fast charging. In addition, the Syncwire gives any car hands-free capability. By connecting with your car’s speakers and smartphone, you can stream tunes, make phone calls, and listen to GPS instructions. This transmitter even has a built-in bass booster.

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  OHLPRO Multi Car Retractable Backseat Charging Station

  Best for backseat riders

  $33 $37 Save $4

  Backseat riders’ phones go dead too. The OHLPRO Backseat Charging Station provides three charging pins — micro USB, USB-C, and USB-i — to charge virtually any modern phone. The cables pull out and retract back into the box, so your backseat remains clean even when it’s not in use. This is a great car accessory for your smartphone if you drive for a rideshare company or often commute your kids around in the backseat.

Recapping the best smartphone car accessories

When it comes to fast and efficient charging, the Spigen ArcStation 65W is our editor’s pick. The 45W port delivers a quick power boost that can quickly bring dead batteries back to life and keep your phone powered during long road trips. But if the price tag is too steep, consider the Ugreen USB-C car charger. It features a 20W USB-C port for fast charging and is half the price of our editor’s choice.

Of course, both of those options require cables. But, if you’re more of a wireless charging kind of person, then a car accessory for your smartphone, like our premium pick, the iOttie AutoSense Qi charger, is a great cableless option for quickly charging your phone while keeping your car clutter-free. And if you drive an older vehicle without Bluetooth (like myself), the 1Mii Aux Bluetooth Adapter is a brilliant way to stream your favorite podcasts or music without fumbling with any wires.