Many drivers connect their phone to their car’s standard USB port. Experts explain why this common method doesn’t work for modern gadgets and how to get fast charging even during a short trip in 2026.
Many drivers connect their phones to their car’s USB port to recharge the battery while driving. However, experts warn that this is not good for your phone’s battery. It can hurt the battery’s health and slow down the charging process. This is because the USB connectors in the car’s onboard system are mainly designed for data transfer (e.g., for Android Auto or CarPlay) rather than for charging devices. HowToGeek says that they usually don’t put out enough current, which makes charging slow.
Even ports that are supposed to be used for charging often don’t provide enough power for modern smartphones with large batteries and fast charging support.
During a recent trip, the author of the article decided to recharge his Samsung S25+ by connecting it to the USB-C port in the car with 56% charge remaining. He expected the phone to recharge quickly, but a notification appeared on the screen stating that it would take 2 hours and 51 minutes to fully charge. If you use a standard power adapter, the device can charge from 0% to 50% in 30 minutes.
Here’s the best way to charge your phone in the car
Experts recommend not using built-in USB ports and instead using an adapter that plugs into a 12V cigarette lighter socket (DC connector), such as the UGREEN 130W.
This socket can handle a lot more power (120-240 W), which is great for quickly and efficiently charging phones, tablets, laptops, and other devices in your car.
To put it simply, car USB ports are too slow. For normal charging speed, it’s better to use a separate car charger that plugs into the 12V cigarette lighter socket.