Running a phone as your GPS on a motorcycle drains the battery fast, and a dead phone in the middle of nowhere is more than an inconvenience. A proper motorcycle phone charger wires into your bike so the engine keeps your screen alive mile after mile, even with navigation, music, and the screen brightness cranked up to fight the sun.
We looked at hardwired USB kits, SAE plug-and-play adapters, and waterproof handlebar mounts to find chargers that survive rain, vibration, and heat. Below are the seven best motorcycle phone chargers we trust, ranked by charging speed, weather sealing, ease of install, and how well they hold up over a real riding season.
| Photo | Product | Score | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
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Quad Lock Waterproof 12V Motorcycle USB Charger Best Overall Single USB-A, hardwired 12V, IP66 waterproof cap |
9.5 | 🛒 Check Price |
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RAM Mounts X-Grip with Quick-Release Charging Cradle Best Mount and Charger Combo Spring-loaded X-Grip cradle with hardwired charging dock |
9.2 | 🛒 Check Price |
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NOCO GCP1 Connect EZ USB Charger Plug Easiest Install Dual USB, plugs into SAE battery tender leads |
9.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Rokform Motorcycle Charger with Pro-Series Mount Best for iPhone Users Twist-lock magnetic mount with hardwired USB charging |
8.8 | 🛒 Check Price |
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MICTUNING Aluminum Motorcycle USB Charger with Voltmeter Best with Battery Monitor Dual USB, aluminum body, built-in voltmeter display |
8.6 | 🛒 Check Price |
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Chargercity SAE to USB Motorcycle Adapter Best Plug-and-Play Value SAE to dual USB adapter with weatherproof cap |
8.4 | 🛒 Check Price |
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DEWHEL Hardwired Motorcycle USB Charger Socket Kit Best Budget Hardwired Kit Hardwired dual USB socket with inline fuse and switch |
8.0 | 🛒 Check Price |
1. Quad Lock Waterproof 12V Motorcycle USB Charger: Best Overall
The Quad Lock charger earns the top spot because it does the one job a rider actually needs done, keeping a navigating phone topped up through any weather, without fuss. The sealed cap is the standout feature. Flip it open to charge, snap it shut when you park, and water never reaches the contacts. Through wet commutes and a few genuine downpours it never once cut out, which is more than we can say for the cheap exposed-port units.
The honest weakness is that it is a single USB-A port, so you cannot charge a phone and a heated vest controller at the same time, and it leans on the rest of the Quad Lock ecosystem to shine. If you already run their mount and case, this is a no-brainer. If you do not, the port speed is fine but not the fastest USB-C delivery on this list. For most riders who just want a phone that never dies, it is the most dependable pick we researched.
- Sealed rubber cap keeps water and grit out of the port
- Hardwires directly to the battery with an inline fuse
- Built to pair with Quad Lock handlebar mounts and cases
Pros: Genuinely waterproof in heavy rain; Clean, low-profile install; Reliable charge even on long GPS days
Cons: Single port only; Best value comes when paired with the wider Quad Lock system
2. RAM Mounts X-Grip with Quick-Release Charging Cradle: Best Mount and Charger Combo
RAM Mounts built its reputation on indestructible cradles, and the charging version solves the two biggest rider problems at once: holding the phone securely and feeding it power. The X-Grip springs clamp a phone with or without a case, and the charging contact in the cradle means you are not fishing a loose cable out of your pocket at every fuel stop. For riders who do not want to commit to a phone-specific case system, this is the most universal answer.
The trade-off is bulk. This is a substantial piece of hardware on your bars, and the initial cable routing to the battery is the fiddliest part of any install here. We also found that very heavy phones can shift slightly over hard chatter bumps, so the optional tether is worth adding. Once dialed in, though, it is rock solid and charges steadily, making it the best all-in-one for people who change phones often.
- Holds the phone and charges it through the cradle dock
- Spring arms grip phones of nearly any size
- Rubber feet and tether options reduce vibration drop risk
Pros: Mount and charger in one purchase; Fits almost every phone; Famously tough RAM build quality
Cons: Bulkier than a bare USB port; Cable routing takes patience
3. NOCO GCP1 Connect EZ USB Charger Plug: Easiest Install
If your bike already wears a Battery Tender SAE pigtail for off-season charging, the NOCO GCP1 is the fastest path to onboard power. It simply clicks onto that same connector, gives you two USB ports, and you are charging. There is no fuse tap, no fairing removal, and no soldering. For riders who dread electrical work, this removes every excuse, and the dual ports cover a phone plus an action camera or earpiece.
The catch is in that very convenience. You need the SAE lead present first, so a brand-new bike with no tender harness means buying and fitting that lead before this plug is useful. It is also weather-resistant rather than truly submersible, so we would not trust it through a sustained storm without tucking it under a fairing. For garage-kept commuters and tourers with a tender already installed, the value here is excellent.
- Connects to existing SAE Battery Tender pigtail in seconds
- Dual USB ports for two devices at once
- Weather-resistant housing with a flip cap
Pros: Plug and play if you already run a tender lead; Two ports; No new wiring needed
Cons: Requires an SAE lead already on the bike; Not fully submersible
4. Rokform Motorcycle Charger with Pro-Series Mount: Best for iPhone Users
Rokform’s twist-lock and magnet combo is the most confidence-inspiring retention system we mounted a phone in. On broken pavement and gravel where lesser clamps let phones rattle loose, the Rokform held firm, and the hardwired charging means your iPhone keeps navigating no matter how long the day runs. The machined aluminum hardware feels like it will outlast the bike, and that build quality justifies the investment for serious touring riders.
The limitation is the ecosystem lock-in. To get the twist-lock benefit you need a Rokform case, so this is really a system purchase rather than a standalone charger. Charging speed is steady but not the quickest here, which matters if you run power-hungry navigation with the screen at full brightness. For iPhone riders who want a mount that simply will not drop their phone, the confidence on the road is worth it.
- Twist-lock plus magnet holds the phone through rough roads
- Hardwired charging keeps the screen alive on long rides
- Aluminum mount built for sport and adventure bikes
Pros: Very secure dual-retention hold; Premium machined hardware; Strong fit with Rokform cases
Cons: Needs a Rokform case to use the twist-lock; Charging port speed is moderate
5. MICTUNING Aluminum Motorcycle USB Charger with Voltmeter: Best with Battery Monitor
The MICTUNING unit adds something most chargers ignore, a live look at your battery voltage. For riders on older bikes or anyone who has been stranded by a tired battery, seeing the charging system’s voltage on the bars is genuinely useful, and it doubles as an early warning before a no-start morning. The aluminum body clamps cleanly onto standard bars and the dual ports handle a phone plus a heated grip controller or camera.
It is not a premium sealed unit, though, and the rubber caps do not inspire the same all-weather confidence as the Quad Lock or RAM options. We also found the voltmeter display tough to read in direct sunlight, which undercuts its main selling point on bright days. For the rider who values that battery readout and a tough metal housing, it delivers real function and strong value, just keep it away from sustained heavy rain.
- Live voltmeter shows battery health at a glance
- Dual ports in a rugged aluminum housing
- Handlebar clamp fits common 22mm to 25mm bars
Pros: Voltmeter helps catch a weak battery early; Two ports for phone and accessory; Solid metal construction
Cons: Voltmeter backlight can wash out in bright sun; Caps feel less sealed than premium rivals
6. Chargercity SAE to USB Motorcycle Adapter: Best Plug-and-Play Value
Chargercity’s adapter is the simplest, most no-nonsense way to add USB power if your bike already runs an SAE tender pigtail. It plugs in, tucks under the seat or behind a fairing, and gives you two ports without touching the wiring loom. For tourers and adventure riders who route a cable up to the bars and back, the compact inline shape disappears once installed, and the weatherproof cap covers the ports when they are idle.
This is a budget-minded utility piece, so do not expect rapid-charge wizardry. The output is steady and fine for keeping a navigating phone alive, but a power-hungry phone running bright-screen GPS will charge slowly rather than gain ground quickly. It also depends on that SAE lead being present. For riders who already have the tender harness and just want dependable ports without fuss, the value is hard to beat.
- Plugs straight into any SAE Battery Tender connector
- Dual USB output for phone and second device
- Compact inline design tucks out of the way
Pros: Easy install on tender-equipped bikes; Tidy, low-profile size; Good value for the convenience
Cons: Relies on an existing SAE lead; Basic charging speed
7. DEWHEL Hardwired Motorcycle USB Charger Socket Kit: Best Budget Hardwired Kit
The DEWHEL kit is for the rider who wants a fully hardwired charger without leaning on an SAE lead and without paying premium money. Everything you need is in the box: the dual USB socket, an inline fuse holder, and an on-off switch so the ports are not draining when the bike sleeps. Wired straight to the battery, it gives you proper engine-fed charging that keeps a GPS phone alive on the longest days, which is exactly what a motorcycle phone charger should do.
You pay for that value in install effort and finish. Routing the leads, fitting the fuse, and mounting the switch is an afternoon job that needs basic tools and patience, and the plastic housing does not feel as solid as the machined-aluminum rivals above. The waterproof cover does its job in normal weather but is not built for submersion. For a hands-on rider chasing the most function for the least outlay, it is a genuinely capable kit.
- Hardwires to the battery with included fuse holder
- Dual USB ports plus an on-off switch
- Waterproof flip cover over the sockets
Pros: True hardwired power, not tender-dependent; Includes fuse and switch; Strong value for a full kit
Cons: Wiring install takes time and basic tools; Build feels less refined than premium brands
Frequently Asked Questions
Will a motorcycle phone charger drain my battery when the bike is off?
It depends on how it is wired. Chargers connected through a switched circuit, or kits with an on-off switch like the DEWHEL, only deliver power when the ignition is on, so they will not drain your battery overnight. Units wired directly to the battery terminals without a switch can pull a small standby current, so for those it is smart to add an inline switch or relay, or simply unplug accessories when you park for long periods. SAE plug-in chargers draw nothing meaningful once your phone is unplugged.
Are these chargers actually waterproof in the rain?
The better ones are. Sealed units like the Quad Lock use a rubber cap rated to keep out rain and road spray, and that is what you want if you ride in all weather. Many cheaper chargers are only weather-resistant, meaning they handle light moisture but should be tucked under a fairing or seat during heavy storms. Always close the port cap when the charger is not in use, since an open exposed USB port is the most common failure point on a wet ride.
Do I need an SAE lead, or can I wire the charger straight to the battery?
Both work, and the right choice depends on your bike and your comfort with wiring. If you already run a Battery Tender SAE pigtail for winter charging, plug-in chargers like the NOCO GCP1 or Chargercity adapter are the fastest install with zero new wiring. If you have no tender lead, a hardwired kit such as the DEWHEL or the Quad Lock connects directly to the battery with an inline fuse, which is a slightly longer job but gives you a permanent dedicated charging point.
Can these chargers keep up with GPS navigation running all day?
Yes, a properly wired motorcycle charger pulls power from your bike’s electrical system, so it can run navigation, the screen at full brightness, and music together without draining the phone. That said, charging speed varies between models, and a very power-hungry phone with the screen at maximum can charge slowly rather than gain charge quickly on the slower units. For heavy all-day GPS use, choose a faster-output charger and consider dimming your screen slightly to stay ahead.
Will a motorcycle charger fit my specific bike and handlebars?
Most hardwired chargers connect to a standard 12V system and work on essentially any motorcycle, scooter, or ATV with a 12V battery. The mounting is what varies. Handlebar-clamp units list a bar diameter range, commonly around 22mm to 25mm, so check your bar size before buying. Cradle and mount systems like RAM and Rokform offer adapters for different bars and even fork stems. The charging electronics themselves are universal, so focus your fit check on the mount, not the charger.
Our Verdict
For most riders, the Quad Lock Waterproof 12V Charger is our top pick: it is genuinely sealed against the weather, installs cleanly, and keeps a navigating phone alive through any conditions, especially if you already run the Quad Lock mount and case. Our runner up is the RAM Mounts X-Grip charging cradle, the best all-in-one for riders who want a tough, universal mount and charger in a single purchase without committing to a phone-specific case system. Either one will end the dead-phone-at-the-worst-moment problem for good.
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