Unlike smartphones and tablets, laptops come in a wide variety of models, each with its own unique power requirements. The power needed to charge a laptop depends on factors such as the processor, screen size, graphics card, and other hardware components. Consequently, not all car chargers are created equal, therefore making it difficult to find one that works for you. So even though there are numerous charger options available, only a handful can handle the specific power demands of a laptop.

What To Look For When Shopping: Understanding The Specs

Before we jump into the options available and what to look out for when searching for a laptop car charger, let’s get a better understanding of the electrical terminology used.  Voltage (measured in volts) is what allows electrical energy to flow from your car’s battery to your laptop, while amperage (measured in amps) is the rate at which electrical current flows from the charger to your laptop. It determines how fast the electricity is delivered. Higher amperage means more current, which can result in faster charging. So when you are looking at the specs, check to see what the amps are indicating. Different laptops require different voltage and amperage combinations, and using an incompatible charger can lead to an insufficient power supply or, worse, damage to the laptop.

When searching for a car charger for your laptop, the first step is to identify the specific power requirements of your device. This information is often found on the original charger or in the laptop’s user manual. Once armed with this knowledge, look for a car charger that matches your laptop’s voltage and amperage requirements. Now this could be a bit tricky because most adequate chargers on the market today hit a maximum of 100W. However, don’t let this discourage you! You can absolutely charge your laptop using a 100W car charger, it just means your laptop will charge a little slower than what it would at home. Also, some laptops may have proprietary charging ports, so it’s crucial to find a charger that includes the appropriate adapter or cable… Apple we are looking at you. (Thankfully most devices are all switching over to USB-C ports, so this won’t be such an issue for devices purchased in 2024)

What’s On The Market: Car Chargers Available in 2023

Let’s talk about what kind of car charging options are out there. Nowadays there are a few options available so depending on what your needs are you should be able to find something that works for you. Below you’ll find two top chargers we recommend.

Naturally, we have to start with our TEKTURN 160W Multi Port Car Charger with 100W E-Mark Cable:

Our TEKTURN charger comes with 3 different ports – 100W USB-C, 30W USB-A, and 30W USB-C offering you the ability to charge multiple devices at once or maximize charging your laptop with the 100W port. You can depend on TEKTURN to provide its users with the top of the line specs, which include:

• Both Type-C ports support the following power profiles – PD3.0/2.0, QC2.0/3.0/4+, AFC, FCP, SCP, MTK PE2.0, BC1.2, DCP1.5, APPLE2.4, SAMSUNG5V2A, and PPS
• The USB-A port also provides QC3.0/2.0, AFC, SCP, FCP, MTK-PE2.0, BC1.2, DCP1.5, APPLE2.4, and SAMSUNG5V2A power profiles for comprehensive device compatibility.
• It includes safeguards against over-voltage, over-current, over-temperature, and short-circuit incidents.
• Has a fan-blade cooling hole design to help with temperature control
• Showcase an LED-illuminated design, helping you navigate your charging needs a night
• Compatible with all kinds of devices with USB-C and/or USB-A ports

This is enough power to charge a big laptop on the go… Charge 140W MacBook Pro to 50% in 35 minutes! Whether it’s a laptop, phone, tablet, or whatever you may have, this charger will handle it with ease. Don’t be left on empty, charge your Samsung S23 Ultra to 50% in 12.9 minutes with our TEKTURN charger.

Check out some of our other TEKTURN products to level up your gear!

Next on our list has to be the Baseus 160W USB-C Car Charger. Now this charger is basically a direct competitor of ours and boasts a very well-built charger, however, it’s not as accessible to Canadians, which gave us the competitive edge to continue serving our fellow Canadians.

This car charger also supports up to 160W of power output from 3 ports – 2 USB-C ports, 1 USB-A, and the specs look like this:

• USB-C1 outputs 100W of peak power, USB-C2 maxes out at 30W, as well as the USB-A port.
• This charger supports Quick Charge 5.0, PPS, and USB PD 3.0
• It also protects devices from overheating and over-currents, overcharging, and short circuits. It also stops charging automatically when the battery is full
• The soft LED light makes it easy to find the charging port in the dark