12V Adaptors Tested

Never has your cigar lighter been under so much pressure than in today’s cars, which have become home to a long list of electronic essentials. Music players, mobile phones, portable sat-navs and inverters for powering mains kit such as laptops all fight for a place in that often lone socket. 

Many drivers will have faced the choice of doing without some of their cabin kit simply because there is no power available. The solution is an adaptor, which provides extra sockets and, increasingly, the option of USB connections for phones and music players. They are generally not too pricey and can often save on the expense of buying specific 12V chargers. So which is the one that has first claim on your car’s cigar lighter? We hooked up 10 to find the top plug and players.

Versatility is at the heart of these gadgets, so we tried each in several sockets and put a range of kit in the outlets, looking for reliable connections and a snug fit.

We also looked for compact designs, as lighter sockets are often near the gearlever, and features such as power indicators, battery warning lights and mounts. Bonus points were given for the inclusion of USB sockets, and we wanted these to work with Apple’s iPhone and iPod. Price, excluding delivery, played a relatively small role.

If imitation is the greatest form of flattery, then Ring should be very pleased, as chain giant Halfords now has its own cup-holder-style adaptor with the same winning combination of 12V and USB sockets. Ring rightfully hangs on to its crown thanks to the slightly cheaper prices we found online. Halfords comes second, while Ring also takes third position, as the RMS7 is ideal for cars without suitable cup-holders.

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