How to Charge a Laptop in a Car [ 2022 Guide]

It is indeed possible how to charge a laptop in a car or truck, but you do need a piece of special equipment to complete this task. Your car also must have a working cigarette lighter, which is usually near your car stereo area. Once you obtain the appropriate adapter for your laptop, charging the laptop with your running vehicle is a simple task. Keep in mind you would not be able to charge your laptop if the car’s engine is not running.

All cars nowadays allow you to charge compact devices like camera, phones, tablet and so on. Some cars even boast off wireless charging plate to charge high-end smartphones.

How to Charge a laptop in a Car?

Because there is no provision created for you to charge your laptop in your car nor there is there any laptop car adapter to help you with your dilemma. Hence if you are running late and you forget to charge your laptop, then God, it might be such a frightful experience, would not it? That is why in this article, I am going to show you, “How to Charge a laptop in a Car” with minimal or no effort.

Can you charge a laptop in a car?

Most of you might surprise, is it even possible to charge a laptop in a car?

Short Answer, Yes!

Long answer, it includes a bit bit of science.

The car that you use comes with a 12V Power Outlet (also known as cigarette Lighter), that with the help of a car Adapter will be used to power your smartphone and tablets.

However, the 12V Power Outlet, because the name suggests, provides only 12V of DC (Direct Current) power. Whereas your laptop needs 110/220V AC (Alternating Current) to charge itself via the charger.

Hence you will need a power inverter to convert DC to AC, and with that, you will charge your laptop easily in your car.

Recommended Product

BESTEK  Power Inverter  300W / DC 12V to 110V AC

• BESTEK Advantage: America’s leading power inverter brand. Provides 300 Watts continuous DC to AC power and 700 Watts fast power.
• Fast Charging: two 110V AC outlets for charging larger devices like laptops and tablets, 2 USB charging ports (0-2.4A) for powering USB compatible devices.
• Ultra Compact and light-weight.
• Multi-Protection: Built-in 40 amps fuse to protect the device.

The Bestek 300W Power inverter is my recommended product in case you are still wondering how to charge a laptop in a car. With around 5,000 customer reviews on Amazon.com, you really can not go wrong with a product that is popular among different consumers.

Bestek is a popular brand that deals in Power Inverters of various shapes, sizes and power ratings, one that even seems like a coffee mug.

“Almost Bestek product have raving reviews on Amazon, thus be rest-assured that you’re in safe hands.”

Moreover, with its capacity of 300W, you can charge your laptop at the same speed as it is connected to an actual power outlet in your home or office.

It comes with two AC outlet but, my recommendation would be only to use one at a time because you would not want to place more strain on your car battery, would you?

Additionally, it comes with dual USB ports that collectively provide a power output of 4.2A, enough to power your smartphone and tablet at the same time.

Note: The Bestek 300W Power inverter contains a switch to turn On/Off AC Output. It does not shut off power to USB ports. thus you’d be better off removing the power inverter from the socket when not in use. Otherwise, it can slowly drain the car battery without your notice.

Will an inverter Drain car Battery?

A car Power inverter comes with totally different power ratings like 150W, 300W and all the way up to 2000W and 5000W. However, for your use, any car inverter with a rating of 150W and 300W is enough, anything more than which will drain your car battery faster. Moreover, it is sensible not to use the car Power inverter once your car is stalled.  Otherwise, the battery drain will be quick too.

A car battery is charged through an ‘Alternator’ that converts the engine’s pistons mechanical energy into electrical energy and stores it into the car’s battery.

The car battery then powers different electric parts like Ignition, Headlamps, Taillights, Wipers, In-Car entertainment System, AC and so on.

Are Power Inverters bad for your Car?

No.

The 12V socket is designed to provide 12V at max. However, what’s risky is how you use the power inverter and that Power inverter it is. Ideal power rating for a power inverter for a Hatchback and Sedan is between 150W and 300W, anything more than will lead to faster battery drain.

However, make sure to buy Power inverter from a reputed brand (like the one I recommended) otherwise a cheap inverter may draw more power from 12V port, which is able to result in a blown fuse. Another thing to notice is, while a power inverter provides an AC outlet. It is advisable to use it for low-power electronics like smartphone/camera/Bluetooth speaker charger, light stand, computer monitor, gaming Laptops so on.

However, if you got out for a camping or a long trip. It is not recommended to use high-powered consuming electronics like:

• Toaster
• Coffee Maker
• Hand blender
• Power Tools
• Business-Class Printers
• Electric Pressure Washer

For such requirements, you would be better off carrying a portable Generator with you.

Other recommended laptop car Charger

As I discussed earlier, there are multitudes of Power Inverters or laptop car Charger as some may call.

Hence if you are not happy with my recommended product the Bestek 300W Power inverter and want something with extra features or a better design. Then please take a look at our other recommendation below.

Bestek 200W car Power inverter

Remember earlier I talked about a Power inverter from Bestek that seemed like a coffee mug.

Well, this is it.

Compared to the 300W Power inverter discussed earlier, this one has lower wattage. That is a good thing just in case you want to reduce battery drain.

Additionally, it has a more user-friendly design, instead of the industrial look on Bestek 300W Power inverter.

It also comes with a dual 120V AC outlet and dual 4.5A USB ports. You even get a cigarette lighter, and also the brand mentions that this inverter has a high Power Conversion efficiency at 92.

Foval 200W Power inverter

If you want a laptop car Charger that your children won’t be afraid to use, then the Foval 200W inverter is a good choice.

It comes with a particularly portable size of 3.2 inches that may easily fit anywhere in your car. But, it comes with a small cable length of 10 inches.

Hence it might be difficult to pass it to your children sitting back. Otherwise, it won’t be an issue if your car comes with a 12V port for passengers behind similarly.

Though make sure you or your children do not drop it because it weighs around 20oz and its internal parts will easily get damaged due to its weight.

Conclusion

I hope this article was able to solve your question of “How to Charge a laptop in a Car” and would help you select the right Power inverter for you.

To be extremely informative, I have not only suggested the most effective laptop car Charger however also the basic science behind it. This is to help you create an informed call and can also help if any of your friends raise about this new component in your car.

If you prefer this article, then it is my humble request to share this article on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, and Google+.

This will help your friends who wish to buy a laptop car Charger for themselves.