Car Adaptors Test

December 2008

Portable sat-navs, safety camera locators, FM transmitters, MP3 players, phones and a whole host of other electronic kit all fight for a place in your car’s cigar lighter.

Some manufacturers have moved with the times and provide two power sources near the driver, but for most of us one lighter socket is simply not enough. Just as we would in the home, in the car we need an adaptor to power or charge more than one piece of kit at a time. Recently, we have seen these boast computer USB sockets as well as 12V lighter outlets, and there is now a wide range of designs. But which one should you reach for when you want to plug and play? We took 12 top-sellers off the shelves to find out.

The Test

‘Whatcan it do?’ and ‘how does it do it?’ were the key questions, so we counted the outlets and checked for socket and plug fit with a range of kit and cars. We then looked for power lights, battery monitors, low power cut-outs and assessed how they would work in a car by checking mounts, leads and build quality. Finally, price was considered.

Verdict

It was close at the top, but Ring manages to take the winning spot with its well planned Can Multisocket. With its twin 12V and USB outlets, it can cope with almost any combination of kit. Halfords’ sensibly priced Four-way Multisocket is next up, and the choice for those who do not need USB. And Ring takes the final podium position with its Multisocket with USB, for people who prefer to keep drinks in their cup-holders.

1. Ring Can RMS10
2. Halfords Four-way
3. Ring RMS7

Contacts

Polco/Hama: www.caeurope.co.uk 01980 676 400
MW: www.maplin.co.uk 0844 557 6000
Ring: www.ringautomotive.co.uk 0113 213 2000
CarPlan: www.tetrosyl.com 0161 764 5981
Altai: www.keene.co.uk 01332 830550
Halfords: www.halfords.co.uk 08457 626625
Metro: www.saxon-brands.com 01488 689400

Top 3

1. Polco Twin Socket
2. MW Four-in-one
3. Metro Four-way

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