For car charging (phone and iPad), would you…

[ssledoux]

Get a USB to USB-C cable, OR would you get a USB-USB-C converter piece then use your c-c cable?

I’m thinking the charge would be more efficient if I didn’t have the converter piece in between, but I don’t really know that.

I have all USB ports in my car, and often have grandkids who need USB-C cords in the car for their iPads when we road trip.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

I don't think there will be any practical difference in "efficiency" between the two options. What will make a bigger difference is the amperage of the port. The built-in USB ports in most cars are going to have pretty low amperage, about 1 amp according to the article I'll link to below. If you are concerned about efficiency, I'd recommend not using those USB ports and get a good car charger that goes into the "lighter" port. Anker makes a couple that I would recommend sticking with, and this one in particular has 2 ports: one with USB-A, the other USB-C. But they aren't the only game in town and the HowToGeek article lists some others.

Want Fast Charging? Don't Use Your Car's USB Ports

If you have a relatively new car, it probably has a USB port in the dashboard, glove box, or center console.

www.howtogeek.com

 

[ssledoux]

I don't think there will be any practical difference in "efficiency" between the two options. What will make a bigger difference is the amperage of the port. The built-in USB ports in most cars are going to have pretty low amperage, about 1 amp according to the article I'll link to below. If you are concerned about efficiency, I'd recommend not using those USB ports and get a good car charger that goes into the "lighter" port. Anker makes a couple that I would recommend sticking with, and this one in particular has 2 ports: one with USB-A, the other USB-C. But they aren't the only game in town and the HowToGeek article lists some others.

Want Fast Charging? Don't Use Your Car's USB Ports

If you have a relatively new car, it probably has a USB port in the dashboard, glove box, or center console.

www.howtogeek.com

That's a good thought but I honestly need to check and make sure my car even has a lighter. I truly do not know if it does. 😬

 

[Lifeisabeach]

That's a good thought but I honestly need to check and make sure my car even has a lighter. I truly do not know if it does. 😬

LOL! Well they aren't actually called cigarette lighters these days (Auxillary Power Port, or something like that), but it'd be pretty unlikely your car doesn't have at least a couple. My 2010 SUV has 4, including one in the rear cargo area and one inside the armrest.

 

[jetsam]

LOL! Well they aren't actually called cigarette lighters these days (Auxillary Power Port, or something like that), but it'd be pretty unlikely your car doesn't have at least a couple. My 2010 SUV has 4, including one in the rear cargo area and one inside the armrest.

Right. My 2016 Hyundai has two “power outlets“ next to the USB-A port. For universal support, I have a dual USB-C / USB-A car charger plugged in to one of the power outlets.

 

[Lifeisabeach]

Right. My 2016 Hyundai has two “power outlets“ next to the USB-A port. For universal support, I have a dual USB-C / USB-A car charger plugged in to one of the power outlets.

Some cars today even have actual AC outlets in them.