iPod Car Charger Review

When headed to the gym, class or just on the go, there's nothing worse than looking down at your iPod or iPhone and realizing it is dead. And in a world where connections happen at your fingertips via social media, websites and other online mediums, without your iPhone you are, in a sense, dead to the world. And for music fanatics, a dead iPod means no tunes to get you through the day. An easy solution to all of these dilemmas is an iPod car charger. Simply connect the charger to your car’s power source (usually the cigarette lighter), and in no time you’re ready to reconnect to the world. We have dug through the massive pile of iPod car chargers available on the market and sifted out our top 10 favorites. You can also read up on up-and-coming iPod technology in our articles on iPod car chargers. At TopTenREVIEWS We Do the Research So You Don’t Have To.™

iPod Car Chargers: What to Look For

During our research, we ran into several must-have qualities in the best iPod car chargers. We categorized these qualities into three specific lists: compatibility, features and ease of use. While all are important, we weighted compatibility heavier than the rest, as we find it wasteful to purchase an iPod charger that can only charge some of your devices. Our favorite iPod car adapters are the Griffin PowerJolt Dual Micro, the Belkin MicroCharge + ChargeSync In-Car and the Kensington PowerBolt Micro Car Charger with Griffin's PowerJolt being the best car charger for iPods.

Compatibility
Although most iPod touch car chargers boast compatibility with the iPod, this may not mean that it is compatible with your version of the iPod. Say, for example, you have the iPod Touch second generation: A car charger may say that it is compatible with the iPod Touch when in reality it is only compatible with the first and third generation. Make certain that the iPod car charger you purchase explicitly states it will work with your specific iPod. None of the iPod car chargers we researched mesh with every single version of the iPod, but the best iPod car chargers work cohesively with over 15 different versions including the iPhone.

Features
In the features department many of the iPod car chargers on the market are identical. Very few soar ahead of the pack. Look for a charger that includes dual USB ports so you can charge multiple devices at the same time. This option allows you to charge both your iPod and your phone while driving. Also, be on the lookout for an iPod car charger with a built-in circuit breaker. This added layer of protection will ensure that the charger takes the hit, and not your iPod, if a power surge occurs.

Ease of Use
Although purchasing an iPod car charger won't break the bank, it is important to make sure that the product you purchase is designed for the long haul. Look for a charger with at least a one year warranty. To make charging easy, we favored those chargers that included a status indicator light. The simple inclusion of this light will tell you whether your iPod is charging or not and whether it has completed its charge. We also like those iPod chargers that have a detachable USB cord that you can take inside and connect to your computer if necessary.

Help & Support
The best iPod chargers are made by manufacturers with informative websites and rapid technical support. During our research we contacted each company, and those that answered our questions in a timely manner are rated much higher in this category than the rest.

The convenience factor alone is worth equipping your vehicle with an iPod car adapter and charger; charging your phone while driving saves a lot of time. Never be without your iPhone or iPod – have an iPod car charger handy at all times.