Review: Anker PowerDrive+ 4 Ports with USB-C and Quick Charge

Anker PowerDrive+ 4 Ports with USB-C and Quick Charge

8.5

Power

9.0/10

Design

7.4/10

Build

9.0/10

Pros

  • It has 4 charging ports that are able to deliver fast charging for each of them.
  • Strong build.

Cons

  • It's mainly meant for those that will use either the USB-C or Quick Charge 3.0 charging ports.
  • Larger than most car chargers on the market and even larger than Anker's PowerDrive 4.
(Last Updated On: October 5, 2020)

Most car chargers just have normal USB-A charging ports but more often than not, the charging ports on most car chargers are powerful with the ability to charge most devices at their max charging speeds. However, not many car chargers make use of special charging techs like USB-C or Quick Charge.

That changes with this Anker car charger because it has USB-C, a Quick Charge port, and 2 standards USB-A charging ports. It’s offering all the standards of charging with a car charger! This isn’t something that you see too often.

Let’s see what this uber-powerful car charger has hidden under the hood and if you should get it.

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Aukey 4-Port Car Charger

Power

Output Charging:

This car charger has 4 charging ports, so there’s quite a lot of power going around. Let’s start with the 2 USB-A charging ports.

2 USB-A Charging Ports: 5V/3.0A

The standard with this car charger sets a high bar and this kind of standard is becoming very common among many of Anker’s charging electronics from their wall chargers to their power banks. We say this because the max charging speed of each of the ports including the 2 USB-A ports is 3 Amps.

For these 2 standard USB charging ports, the max charging is 5V/3.0A. So you’ll be able to charge nearly any device at its max charging speed. This is especially true if you’re charging Non-compatible Quick Charge or USB-C devices.

Charging Quick Charge compatible devices will result in them being charged at or at least near their max charging speeds even when using the standard USB-A charging ports.

USB-C Port: 5V/3.0A

The USB-C port can be used by using a USB-C to USB-C charging cables, and it can only be used by devices that are compatible to use USB-C charging. The charging speed of this port is 5V/3.0A so it can charge devices that do use USB-C to charge their max charging speeds.

Also, if you’ve got a Macbook that uses Type-C to charge, then you can use the Type-C port to charge your MacBook while you’re driving to your location. Not something that is commonly done but the option is there to do so.

Quick Charge 3.0 Port: 3.6-6.5V/3.0A    –   6.5-9V/2.0A    –    9-12V/1.5A

Lastly, is the Quick Charge port that can be used by Quick Charge compatible devices that are either Version 1 or 2.

Charging is at its highest with 3 Amps and when charging is slowed down, then Voltage is increased making the charging speed more constant. This port is also able to deliver a max charging power to standard charging devices that don’t work with Quick Charge too, however, Anker explains that the Quick Charge can only charge an iPad Pro at 1 Amp.

Overall Charging Power:

The Overall charging power is quite impressive because the car charger can Output 6 Amps at once. With that said, this means that you can’t use all the charging power of each port at the same time. So you’ll have to prioritize what devices you’re charging all at once if you’re charging 2 devices or more at the same time.

Design

Size and Weight:

Okay, so it’s a pretty large car charger and that’s not something that is said about car chargers in general. This mostly because the Anker car charger is packed not only with 4 charging ports but also because of the fast charging speeds that each of the ports can offer. So it only makes sense.

It has a length of 2.1 inches, the width of the charging block is 3.1 inches and is the best portion of the charger, and the thickness is 1.3 inches. Not that it matters but the weight is 0.8 ounces.

Functional Components:

All you have to do is plug the car charger into your car’s V12 outlet, and once it’s plugged in a red ring around the charging block will turn on. It’s a low red light that is not distracting at all but perfect for telling where the car charger is at night time and easily plug your devices in.

Build

Structure and Material:

The entire wall charger is made of plastic and is built well. This is mostly because the charger has a Zinc Alloy finish that makes it strong and resistant to environmental effects like moisture in the air and any other effects that would make the plastic underneath degrade.

Also, all the components are placed strongly with the car charger not falling apart even when you pull it out in a quick fashion.

Tech:

It features Anker’s Multi Safe Protection system that uses an array of safety features like Short-Circuit protection, Temperature control, Total Current Limiter, and Surge Protection. So charging 4 devices at once is safe even when you’re pushing the car charger to its limits.

Anker PowerDrive 4 (Regular)

Reliability

Of course, charging 4 devices makes it very reliable. The charging speeds of each of the charging ports are very fast and you’re going to get max charging for whatever devices you’re charging. You can even charge a Macbook with this car charger.

However, we found that the USB-C and Quick Charge 3.0 charging ports are mainly for those that can take advantage of the fast charging these ports offer. Ultimately, this car charger is more for those that use either of those charging technologies.

Summary

Power:

It’s a really powerful car charger with 4 charging ports. Each of the charging ports has a possibility of Outputting 3 Amps of power. The Max Output limit of 6 Amps can be quite limiting so you’ll have to choose what devices you want to charge the fastest at a single time.

Design:

It’s a large one, and it’s larger than Anker’s PowerDrive 4 and that also has 4 charging ports. In this case, it’s big not only because it has 4 charging ports but also because each of the charging ports is very fast at charging.

Build:

Even though it’s made of plastic the Zinc Alloy finish on the car charger is what makes it strong. It uses an Anker Multi Safe Protection System.

Reliability:

For the most part, this car charger is more aim towards those that can take full advantage of the Quick Charge 3.0 port, and USB-C port.

Specs of the Review: Anker PowerDrive+ 4 Ports with USB-C and Quick Charge:

  • # Of Ports: 4
  • Output:

Both USB-A Charging Ports: 5V/3.0A

USB-C Charging Port: 5V/3.0A

Quick Charge 3.0 Port: 3.6-6.5V/3.0A    –   6.5-9V/2.0A    –    9-12V/1.5A

Max Output: 6 Amps

  • LED Power Indicators: A Redline that goes around the car charger
  • Size: 2.1 x 3.1 x 1.3
  • Weight: 0.8 Ounces
  • Comes with Welcome Guide

Conclusion

Car chargers are at a very high point right now. They’re able to use all the charging technology that power banks and wall chargers can use.

We’re even at a point that you can charge your laptop while you’re driving. If that doesn’t scream “progress” then we don’t know what does.

 

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