The ZUS Smart Car Charger paired two USB ports with app-linked car-location and parking features, but its strongest case for the extra cost rests on a small set of tests published in 2016. The charger was listed at US$35.99 by New Atlas that year; current pricing and availability for the exact model are not established. The app’s car-finding and parking functions are now described by nonda as usable without ZUS hardware, which changes the value calculation for buyers today.
What made the ZUS charger different?
In its March 3, 2016 review, New Atlas described the ZUS as a compact, German-designed charger with two USB ports, illuminated port accents, and a smart chip intended to identify connected devices and supply the maximum charging rate each could accept. The review described a titanium-coated case, German Bayer plastic exterior, and long retaining springs that held the charger firmly in a vehicle power outlet. These are descriptions from that 2016 review, not independently verified current specifications. New Atlas’s review
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Beyond charging, the charger paired over Bluetooth with the ZUS app. The review said the app could store the parked car’s location for later map or directional navigation and let the driver set a parking timer when leaving the vehicle. Those conveniences helped distinguish it from a basic USB adapter at the time.
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New Atlas reported informal comparisons using older iPhones. These are limited tests from 2016, not controlled or repeatable benchmarks for current phones, cables, or chargers.
#1 Best Overall
- 🚗Pure Copper Car charger: The upgrade copper exterior is more durable, scratch-resistant and won’t be burnt-out, which is safer than any plastic and Aluminium alloy chargers! PLEASE NOTE: Benefit with all copper body, you may feel the copper shell get hot easier, it actually prove copper body do good in heat dissipation & safety!
- 🚗27W/20W USB C Power Delivery: Adopt PD PPS Tech., compatible with Apple 27W/20W fast charging Tech., provide up to 27W output for iPhone 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 Pro/ Max/ Plus/ Mini. Charging for iPhone 17 Pro Max near dead to 88%, just need 35 Minutes.
- 🚗Dual Smart USB Ports: Both the 27W/20W PD USB-C port and 18W Quick Charge 3.0 USB-A port can allow users to simultaneously charge multiple devices at full speed with a max output of total 45W. Perfect for iOS and Android devices!
- 🚗Premium Design: A soft LED light ring illumination to help you easily find the charging ports while driving at night, and a soft LED light screen will display the voltage of your car battery at any time.
- 🚗 Warranty and Safety Features: All our products comes with 18-month warranty plus life time technical support. The built-in smart multiple protection system to protect your devices from over-current, over-charging and over-heating ensures superior performance, safety and durability.
| Test reported by New Atlas | Reported result |
|---|---|
| Two dead iPhone 5s, one on ZUS and one on a no-name charger | The ZUS-connected phone restarted two minutes earlier. After 30 minutes, it showed 23% charge versus 13% on the other charger. |
| iPhone 6 charging for 20 minutes | The phone connected to ZUS reached 24%, compared with 20% connected to a Mac and 7% on a no-name charger. |
The review also said ZUS charged two iPads simultaneously, but supplied no comparable figures for that test. The reported results suggest the unit performed well against the particular chargers used in those comparisons; they do not establish how it would compare with a modern adapter.
What limitations did the reviewer identify?
- No Qualcomm Quick Charge: New Atlas noted that the charger did not support Qualcomm Quick Charge.
- Cable choice could affect speed: The review cautioned that maximum charging speeds might not be available with non-OEM cables. Check the cable and device requirements rather than assuming any USB cable will deliver the best rate.
- Device compatibility matters: The smart-chip description does not establish support for every device or charging protocol. The review’s results involved an iPhone 5s and iPhone 6, not current handsets.
Does the app still make the hardware worth buying?
Not on its own, based on nonda’s current support information. The company says its ZUS app can mark a car’s location and set a parking-meter alarm without a ZUS hardware device. It also says mileage logging no longer requires one of the listed devices. nonda’s help article on using the ZUS app without hardware and its article on automatic mileage logging describe the current app context.
Rank #2
- [65W 4-Port Fast Car Charger] With the upgrade PD&QC3.0 Fast charging technology, the 65 Watt high speed car adapter can support max PD 30W and QC 18W output simultaneously, fast charging for iPhone, Galaxy, tablets even Macbook, and quick charge 3.0 for most android devices from 0% to 60% in 35 minutes.One car charger with both standard usb and usb-c ports, works with all types of charger cables.
- [Upgraded 4-in-1 Car Phone Charger] Designed with dual 12V usb-c and usb-a car charging ports arranged on the edge of the car charger, you can easily plug all types of charging cords to power up your devices. It provide multiple charging protocol options and has connections for both standard usb and latest usb-c connectors.
- [Car Charger with Voltage Display] With a LED voltmeter displayed on the middle of the car adapter, you can easily monitor the status of your car battery and system voltage. It is a plus especially for those whom will use it with a 12V pack when camping or use it to monitor the battery amperage in hot days or area.
- [Safe and Reliable Type C Cigarette Lighter Adapter] Made of full aluminum alloy, the metal car charger is more sturdy and safety than the plastic ones. It fits snugly in the 12v port without being difficult to insert and makes a decent connection even driving on bump roads. The built-in smart chip enable the cigarette lighter plug automatically stop charging when the power is full and when you turn off and remove the car keys from the ignition, all 12V outlets in the car will turn off.
- [Wide Compatible] Wide range from dc 12V-24V(6A), the 12 volt usb c car charger outlet works great with smart phones, tablets, car charger mount, dash cams, usb fans and other usbc and usb car accessories. Fast charge compatible with iPhone 16/15/14/13/12/11 Pro Max/Plus/Mimi; Pad Pro/Mini; iPhone XR/SE/XR/Xs/Xs Max/8/7 Plus,Galaxy S24/S23/S22/21/S20/S10/S9/S8+,Note 20/10/9/8, A03S 5G/A13/A14/A15/A53/A54/A71; Motor, L G phones, driving recorder, GPS navigation, car vacuum cleaner, power banks and other devices.
nonda’s Mileage Log page still refers to ZUS Smart Car Charger hardware and lists two reversible USB ports and “up to 2X” charging speed. Those are manufacturer claims, not independent test results, and do not confirm that the precise model reviewed in 2016 is currently sold. nonda Mileage Log page
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What should you check before buying one?
- Confirm the exact model is available. New Atlas gave a typical retail price of US$35.99 in 2016. That is a historical price, not a current quote; current price and exact-model availability have not been established.
- Decide whether you need two ports. The review’s practical charging advantage was the ability to connect two devices, including two iPads, rather than a single basic port.
- Check charging protocols and cables. The reviewed model lacked Qualcomm Quick Charge, and the reviewer cautioned that cable choice could limit maximum speed. Match the charger and cable to the device you intend to charge.
- Verify app compatibility and behavior. nonda’s pairing guide says pairing is done in the ZUS app and lists iOS 8.0 and Android 5.0 as minimum requirements, but these old minimums may be stale; consult the current App Store or Google Play listing before relying on compatibility. nonda’s pairing guide
Is the ZUS Smart Car Charger worth the extra cash?
The 2016 review made a case for ZUS as a polished dual-port charger with useful port lighting, a firm fit, and better results than the specific no-name chargers it tested. Its price premium is harder to justify today from the available evidence: the favorable comparisons are old and limited, Quick Charge was unsupported, and nonda now says key app functions can work without the charger. Consider it only if you can verify the exact model, price, and compatibility and specifically want its two-port hardware; do not pay extra solely for car-location or parking features.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- [With Voltage Display] UYUXIO USB C car charger comes with voltage display, inspecting the status of car's battery, when it is pluged into the pluged into cigarette lighter socket, the volt meter area will monitor the battery status of the car all the time
- [6 in 1 Charging] This powerful 6 in 1 multi ports usb c car charger adapter allows charging 6 phones at the same time, this design of multi port helps you save time when you want to charge some more phones, and also save then number of 12V cigarette lighter socket because you needn't additional cigarette lighter ports if you want to extend some more charging ports
- [Fast Charging all Phones] If you want fast charging function, please connect super fast charging port. The super charging port of this multi ports usb car charger supports fast charging all phones, like iPhone 16 Pro Max Plus 15 14 13 12 11 Samsung and other phones, and also has super fast charging protocols for some other android phones
- [With Colourful Atmosphere Light] UYUXIO Multi Ports USB C Charger has additional colurful atmosphere light, the light is dynamic. It will decorate the atmosphere inside of the car
- [Worry-free customer service] UYUXIO Multiports usb c car charger provides durable products, the product has already been tested good before shipping out, and also experienced aging test to insure it can be used for very long time
Rank #4
- 3-in-1 Car Phone Holder: Combined wireless car charger and car phone mount for a safe drive experience. JOYROOM wireless charger for car has strong suction cups and stable air vent clips for the windshield, dashboard and air vents to meet your different charging needs
- Super Stable Base: phone mount for car wireless charger's base is equipped with a powerful suction cup and professional 3M adhesive (high temperature resistant). The base's suction cup has been tested thousands of times, it can absorb more than 20 pounds of objects without dropping. Even if passing speed bumps or driving on mountain roads, you don’t need to worry about it falling. In addition, the bracket arm and clip are equipped with silicone pads for anti-slip and anti-vibration
- Auto-Sensing & Smart Charging: After connecting to the cable, the ZS219 car phone charger will automatically clamp when your phone is dropped in. A gentle touch on the 2 sides button of the car charger can make the arms open, which makes your driving easier and safer
- Flexible Angle & Case Friendly: With a retractable & foldable bracket and 360° rotatable head, it never blocks your driving sight, you can adjust it to a position that makes you comfortable. Joyroom car mounts wireless charger supports charging through phone cases up to 5mm thick. Please note that cases made of metal, external attachments such as magnets, credit cards, grips, and stands will interfere with charging
- Qi Wireless Car Fast Charger: Qi certificated, max 15W Fast Wireless Car Charger Mount for [iPhone]iPhone 15 Pro/15 Pro Max/15/15 Plus/iPhone 14 Pro Max/14 Pro/14 Plus/14/13 pro max/13 pro/13/12 series/11 series /SE /XS /X/XR/8 Plus/8;[Samsung]Samsung Galaxy S22+/S22/S21+/S21/S20/ Note 20/ Note 20 Ultra /Note 10/Note 10 Plus/Note 5/Google Pixel 6 Pro etc;[Others]LG G8 ThinQ/G8S/G7 ThinQ/G7/LG V50/V40/V30+/V30 etc. Note: iPhone 12 Mini is not supported
Rank #3
- 67.5 W EFFICIENT QUICK CHARGING: AINOPE 67.5 W fast USB C car charger supporting PD 45 W(Max) and QC 22.5 W(Max) high output, enjoy fast and efficient charging with a maximum output of 67.5. The 45 W PD port, 10X faster than 2.4A charger, can fast charge Macbook, iPad, Samsung Galaxy, iPhone 18 Pro Max 17 16, iPhone Duo, Google Pixel and more USB C Devices. The 22.5 W Quick Charge 3.0 port, charges devices from 0% to 80% within 35 minutes.
- UNINTERRUPTED FAST CHARGING SIMULTANEOUSLY FOR 2 DEVICES: Use the 12V USB charger 45 Watt ports your way—run the Watt 45 USB-C or pair it with the Watt 22.5W USB-A to juice two devices at once. Total output hits Watt 67.5 for fast, efficient power on the go. The Watt 45 USB-C port delivers full-speed charging for the iPhone 18 series. The AINOPE cigarette lighter usb charger uses integrated superconductor tech for dual channel fast charging without splitting power—so both devices charge strong, start to finish.
- COMPACT SIZE & ALL METAL, SMALLER AND SAFER: 1. Tiny thumb-sized body of type C car charger perfectly fits and sits snugly with most cigarette lighters, freeing up more space and providing you comfortable aesthetic. 2. The iPhone 18 pro max charger solid full Zinc Alloy body features exquisite texture and durable lifetime, and protects your devices from over heating.
- WIDELY COMPATIBILITY: Widely compatible with iPhone 18 Pro Max, iPhone Duo, iPhone 17 16, iPad Pro Air Mini, Macbook Air, Samsung Galaxy S26 S25 S24 Ultra S20/ Note 20 10 A52 A71 A51 A10E S9 S9, Google Nexus 6P Pixel 11 10 9xl 8xl 7xl 3a 4 4a, LG G8 G7 ThinQ V50 V40 V35 V30 V30s, HTC One M9+, Blue, LG, Nokia, Motorola, Kindle Fire HD 10 Switch, Fits 12/24V cars, trucks, RV and etc
- SUPERIOR SAFETY GUARANTEE: The upgrade metal cigarette car charger USB C will not be burnt-out, which is safer than plastic one; Certified by multiple safety certifications, the iPhone 18 pro charger has multiple protection against over-current, overcharging and will guard the safety of your devices
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