Review: Anker PowerDrive Speed 2 Car Charger

Anker PowerDrive Speed 2

9.6

Power

10.0/10

Design

10.0/10

Build

10.0/10

Reliability

8.5/10

Pros

  • Fast Standard 2.4 Amp Charging
  • Quick Charge 3.0 and Compatible with Quick Charge 2.0 Devices
  • Great Design with Carbon Fiber Mesh Ring
  • LED Lights within Charging Ports

Cons

  • If you're not using the Quick Charge Tech, then it's better to go for a standard Car Charger
(Last Updated On: May 7, 2019)

The latest charging technology is being implemented with more car chargers. You can basically expect car chargers to be on the same level as power banks and wall chargers.

This is very important and vital because car chargers need to have the latest kind of tech since charging with a car charger is really only happening when the car is on and you’re driving.

As a result, vehicle chargers are being created to adapt to a faster moving world where our expectations of charging speeds need match our needs.

In this case, Anker is one of the most prominent companies to be creating these fast car chargers and they’re really pushing the envelope with this highly objective and universal car charger that gives the best charging tech.

Other Types of Dual Port Quick Charge Car Chargers:

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Power

Powering capabilities is what the main part of this car charger because that’s what you’re mostly going to experience. This is called the PowerDrive Speed 2 and features two USB charging ports with the same exact tech in both.

The two ports feature 3 of Anker’s main technologies that they specialize in; which is Quick Charge, PowerIQ, and Voltage Boost. So the PowerIQ is able to deliver a max charging speed for any USB charging device that you connect to the charger.

Power IQ – 5V/2.4A

PowerIQ is basically Anker’s way of saying that the charger is able to give out a fast charging speed. In this case, both of the charging ports are capable of speeds at 5V/2.4A, which the max standard charging speed.

This means that the car charger will be able to charge any standard USB charging device at its max speed. Assuming that the device is not Quick Charge compatible, it will charge at its max speed.

This definitely applies to tablets such as iPads because the max charging rate for iPads is 5V/2.4A, so if you wanted to, you can charge 1 or 2 iPads at the same time at max charging speed. As for smartphones, as we mentioned, your smartphone will able to charge at its max speed as well.

The Voltage Boost from Anker is basically the technology that is able to keep the voltage at a more constant rate, you can get a more in-depth explanation of what voltage is right here

But to basically sum it up, the Voltage Boost is able to keep the charging speed stable by keeping the voltage during charging at a constant speed. By doing so, the fast PowerIQ charging is more stable, this is especially useful if you’re charging devices that require lots of Amperages.

Similar Dual Port Car Charger

Quick Charge 3.0 – 5-9-12V/3.0A | 5V/2.4A | 9V/1.5A

Powerful Charging Through Every Port

The second most important aspect of this car charger is the use of Quick Charge 3.0 in both of its USB ports.

That’s right, you can charge 2 Quick Charge compatible devices at Quick Charge speeds at the same time.

Perfect for a Quick Charging Family

If you want to know more about Quick Charge technology, then check it out here. Overall, you’re going to be getting a higher voltage and Amperage output if you’re using a Quick Charge compatible device.

The higher Amperage will charge your device faster and with the higher voltage, the charging speed will be kept at a more constant speed.

The powering from this car charger is easily second to none. It has the fastest Standard charging speed and the Quick Charge technology that Quick Charge compatible devices can take advantage of.

There’s no need to worry about having a slow charge during your drive, but it’s important to think about if you’re really going to take advantage of the full tech package that it has. The main reason the car charger is priced at $31.99, is because the charging tech is the latest.

Design

On the design side of things, there’s not much that the car charger does differently, but it does very well with its size and the way it’s designed.

The charge is 2.6 inches long and 1.4 inches in width and thickness. So it’s a very lower profile car charger that has the charging stem end, being able to stick fully inside the V12 outlet of your car.

Cool LED Lights

The part with the charging ports is where the most distinguishable design aspects are; with the charger has a Carbon Fiber mesh that is enveloped around the USB charging ring.

The Carbon Fiber makes it really easy to change the orientation of the car charger and taking it out because it’s really easy to grip.

Then there’s the Blue LED light within both of the charging ports. The light isn’t really bright but is a cool Blue color. It’s a perfect way to see the charger if you’re looking to plug in a device while it’s dark.

That all about sums up the design of the PowerDrive Speed 2 car charger. Its minimalistic design has features that make it easy to use and its small design leaves it to be very low-profile.

Build

Nearly the entire car charger is made of plastic, except for a few parts.

The charger’s stem and the area surrounding the car charger are made of plastic. It’s not a bad build, and most car chargers are made of plastic.

There’s aren’t any parts that are going to fall apart simply by pulling the car charger out of its socket, and this can mostly be attributed the Carbon Fiber mesh ring that’s in between the stem and charging port area.

Built Better than Most Car Chargers

The Carbon Fiber piece isn’t only to make the charger easier to handle but it’s also a catalyst to move the charger around and not to move the vital parts such as the USB charging port cover.

By reinforcing a part somewhat separate from the charger itself, the build is able to be less vulnerable from falling apart.

Along with a strong physical structure, Anker has implemented a smart safety tech features like Surge Protection, Temperature Control, and Short-Circuit protection to ensure that your devices are safe during fast charging situations.

Temperature control will most likely be the most apparent safety that’s used because during fast charging situations when Amperage Current is higher, that means there will be higher temperatures.

To ensure that the Temperature inside the car charger doesn’t get too high, the charging speed may be lessened.

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Reliability

This is one of the most reliable car chargers that money can buy.

Sure, there are car chargers with more charging ports, but for a two-port car charger with its capabilities, it’s able to give an optimal charging experience to whoever uses it.

It’s able to deliver max standard charging speed for non-compatible Quick Charge devices, and if do have a Quick Charge compatible device, then both devices are able to accommodate Quick Charge 3.0 speeds at the same time.

Even if you have a Quick Charge 2.0 compatible device, then that will charge at QC 2.0 speed, since it’s backward compatible with QC 3.0.

It’s a low profile and very easy to use a car charger with its Carbon Fiber mesh being the main reason why it’s so easy to move around and remove.

The Carbon Fiber mesh is also attributed to the build since you’re not pulling to twisting on vital points of the car charger.

However, with all that said, the car charger may be delivering too much for what you need. If you don’t plan on charging or don’t even have a Quick Charge compatible device, then you have to ask yourself: “Do I really need it that much?”

Summary

Power:

The power is the aspect that you will mostly use during charging. Standard devices that don’t use Quick Charge will be able to charge at their max speed, and you can even charge two iPads at their max speeds.

The two charging ports feature Quick Charge 3.0, which means that you can charge two Quick Charge compatible devices at the same time.

Design:

The design is much like other car chargers, with a small size and low profile.

The most noticeable part is the Carbon Fiber mesh that makes it easy to move the car charger and to remove it from the V12 socket. There are Blue LED lights that are within both USB ports, and it makes it easy to see and access the charger.

Build:

It’s a good build that uses plastic, just like many other car chargers use.

The best thing about the physical build is the use of the round Carbon Fiber part, which is strong and doesn’t move around or damaged other parts of the charger.

Additionally, the charger has safety tech to ensure that your devices are safe for some fast charging.

Reliability:

It’s a very reliable car charger, with its universal fast charging, great design choices and strong build. However, it may be too reliable for its own good.

This is because if you’re not going to using the Quick Charge 3.0 capabilities that it holds, then is there really a reason to pay the price?

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Specs of the Anker PowerDrive Speed 2 Car Charger:

  • # Of Ports: 2
  • Output:

Quick Charge 3.0 – 2.0: 5-9-12V/3.0A    5V/2.4A     9V/1.5A

Standard PowerIQ: 5V/2.4A

  • LED Power Indicators: Each Port has a Low Blue Light
  • Size: 2.6 x 1.4 x 1.4 inches
  • Weight: 1.8 Ounces
  • 18-month warranty
  • Comes with Welcome Guide

Conclusion:

This PowerDrive Speed 2 car charger pushes the envelope of what it means to be a car charger.

In some ways, it rises above some power banks and wall chargers because it’s able to deliver a fast charging experience constantly; with its use of PowerIQ and Quick Charge.

It’s a somewhat new design that strengthens user experience and build quality. However, with all that said, the car charger is being sold at a price point of what it really values. All of the great features and tech that is car charger comes with, literally, comes at a price.

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