I’ve come across and used quite a few of USB car chargers. There are a couple of features unique to this Alartec charger that set it apart from other ones that I’ve tested: 1. Dual 2.4 A USB outlets, and 2. Socket lighter plug. The first one of these features is important because the USB outlets that provide more than 2 A of current are ideal for charging tablet devices. They also work with most smartphones these days as well, and will charge your devices more than twice as fast as the smaller, “ordinary” 1 A USB outlets. Furthermore, the availability of the socket lighter plug ensures that you will still have an additional plug available for all of your in-car electronic devices that still don’t use USB charging.

I’ve tested this charger by simultaneously using it with my iPhone, iPad and a radar detector. I was able to charge both of my i-devices effectively while still being able to use the detector. The front console of my car did get a bit cluttered with all these wires though, and you definitely don’t want to be fiddling with charging your gadgets while driving. I would strongly recommend that you plug all of your devices before setting on a trip, or have someone in the passenger seat do it for you.

The charger overall seems very solidly built. This is particularly the case of the metal lighter charger contacts. The design is not particularly fancy or elegant, this is a charger that is designed primarily with the utilitarian ends in mind. I do wish that the lighter plug socket came with some kind of a cap – leaving it exposed doesn’t seem very elegant or safe.