Smart devices have become hugely popular in recent years, but electronic additions to your car have been around for decades. However, progress in this area has been relentless as countless manufacturers strive to provide the smoothest road experience for all drivers. While some may be more versatile than others, there is no shortage of car (or key) fasteners these days.
You can customize your vehicle to make sure it stays on the road so you can use everything from small vacuum cleaners to a solar-powered tire monitoring system. However, when it comes to this niche accessory world, there are plenty of budget options that perform nowhere near the best on the market and are best avoided? With that in mind, buckle up and get ready to explore our pick of the 20 best car gadgets to pick up for your next trip.
- The original 2-in-1 lifesaving compact emergency car safety tool: this keychain hammer provides peace of mind on the road in case of car entrapment.
- Jammed seatbelt cutter: the razor-sharp, stainless-steel blade allows to cut a jammed seat belt in no time.
- Tempered glass window breaker: the solid, heavy-duty, stainless-steel spike easily breaks tempered glass car side windows.
- Made in USA. We pride ourselves in offering efficient and reliable, made in the US, safety tools for the last 20 years.
- Plug and play: no driver or software needed.
- Keep your old devices alive: add Bluetooth receiving functionality to your old boom boxes and Walkman’s with a cassette deck.
- Sleep mode: the receiver will auto turn off within 5 minutes after disconnected from any device.
- Stream for hours: 8 hours of continuous streaming from a single charge with the built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery.
- Bluetooth Car Kit: Make hands-free calls from your bluetooth enabled smartphone.
- Convenient Design: Flexible neck allows you to position the LCD screen to your preferred view.
- Fast Charging: The 10-watt 2.1Amp USB port on the 12V car charger quickly charges your device.
- Compatible with Mobile Devices: The transmitter can be used with Apple and Andriod devices with a 3.5 mm port.
OCTESO BLUETOOTH FM TRANSMITTER
Getting started with this is a must for any old school dash mount cigarette lighter. The Octeso Bluetooth FM transmitter can charge your phone up to four times faster than your standard charger. Plus, it offers crystal-clear sound quality for streaming your favorite songs on the go. With full compatibility with Siri and Google Assistant, the voltage sensor adapter also keeps things hands-free, so driving isn’t scary.
ARSVITA BLUETOOTH CASSETTE RECIEVER
Whether you’re riding an objective classic or something less desirable, a Bluetooth cassette receiver will certainly come in handy. While there are many on the market, Arsvita gives you seamless customization and up to 8 hours of playback time on a single charge, allowing you to stream multiple music albums with extreme ease. In addition, the gadget automatically goes into sleep mode after 5 minutes of unplugging from any device, taking into account the battery life.
ZTYLUS STINGER PRO ESCAPE TOOL
While we hope this isn’t necessary, one of the general elements of the guide is unpredictability. In an emergency, this unique escape tool from Ztylus can (somehow) safely pierce glass with a durable spring-loaded window punch and cut seat belts with its razor-sharp blade. The term “life-saving” can be used sparingly to describe a number of products, but few embody its meaning quite as well as this one.
APPLE AIRTAG
Since most Apple products already offer the brand’s own find my tech, it’s worth throwing an AirTag at something it can’t track on its own, and nothing comes to mind faster than a lost set. Keys. Thanks to the Gizmo’s small-scale built-in speaker, finding non-mobile devices has never been easier, as virtually every connected device has its own ringtone. Sold individually or available in a pack of four, you can’t go wrong either way.
LANDAIRSEA 54 GPS TRACKER
While you should always know where your keys are, the same goes for your car itself. LandAirSea’s GPS Tracker 54 can be connected to any vehicle and tracked in real time thanks to Google Maps. Whether you’re a concerned parent looking for your family’s new driver, a warehouse manager tirelessly waiting for the next delivery, or stuck in a parking lot looking for your vehicle, this discreet plug-and-play device has everything for you.
BELKIN MAGSAFE CAR VENT MOUNT PRO
Charging your phone on the go is a necessity, but it can be a pain when you need directions or a quick number change, which is where Belkin comes in. Featuring Apple’s ever-popular MagSafe technology, this accessory provides effortless wireless charging in the driver’s seat. The ventilation clip and sturdy base ensure the safety of your phone. This is the only MagSafe compatible car holder as it is a must have for all Genius Bar regulars. Sure, we might be a long way from Apple Car news, but for now, it’s as close as we can get.
AMAZON ECHO AUTO
In the same way that Apple’s MagSafe technology has taken the world by storm, Amazon has practically invited itself into countless homes via Alexa, leaving no choice but to bring the virtual assistant to life on the go. The retail conglomerate’s Echo Auto is equipped with eight microphones, so it can pick up your voice regardless of the volume of your AC (or AC / DC) blast. Plus, it lets you stream directly from Apple Music or Spotify, as well as from Amazon Music and Audible (of course). This is the perfect gadget for people who don’t want their voice activation experience to end just because they leave the house.
NORSHIRE TIRE INFLATOR
NORSHIRE advertises its portable tire inflator as the smallest and lightest in the world, and at just under 9 inches in length and just over 2 pounds, we’d be crazy to demand that too. And just in case you do, you can plug it into a cigarette lighter or USB port for instant power. It can fill all types of tires. This comes from the clutch whether you are on a mountain bike or stuck on the side of the road with a flat tire.
TYMATE TIRE PRESSURE MONITORING SYSTEM
The solar charge pressure monitoring system is a great addition to your tire inflator and we hope you need more use than before. So consider the Tymate option, it’s the perfect accessory for any dashboard. It features a handful of alarm modes, including a quick leak alarm, pressure alarm, and temperature alarm. Put simply, this solar-powered gadget is a very neat addition to any four-wheeled vehicle and saves you stress if things don’t go well.
SPOTIFY CAR THING
For the people living and dying of Spotify, the global music streaming service ensures that its members are always included when they are on the go. Car Thing’s basic voice is a way to put your phone aside when you want to change songs or select playlist. Although it has a touch screen, dial, and preset buttons of your choice, the sturdy matte accessory can also be controlled by voice, allowing you to easily change the music.
BASEUS CAR VACUUM CLEANER
While this handy cordless vacuum cleaner is suitable for more than just a car, it has up to 45 minutes of battery life and a powerful dual filter system. The metal frame also offers a streamlined look, so you can be sure this isn’t one of the many bulky, portable options that take up space in your car. We believe a well-maintained vehicle is a happy vehicle and getting rid of crumbs is essential to keeping things in top condition.
BACTRACK S80 BREATHALYZER
No matter what part of the country you are in, this will definitely come in handy. BACtrack’s S80 breathalyser is approved in all 50 states, which is no big surprise as it is the most accurate option on the market. With a long battery life, LCD screen and entry-level controls, this portable gadget is ideal for your next night on the town. Do yourself a favor and make a safer choice.
WOLFBOX 12″ MIRROR DASH CAM
Whether you’re an Uber driver or just prefer the high-tech version of everything, this modernized mirror dash cam is the perfect replacement for your old-fashioned rearview mirror. In addition to capturing 1080p front and rear images, it offers improved night vision thanks to the built-in Sony Starvis sensor, which can capture anything, no matter what time you travel. The WOLFBOX is an impressive 30 cm wide and guarantees that, thanks to the hybrid camera on the dashboard and the mirror, you will have no problem getting back into a parking lot.
HANDPRESSO AUTO CAPSULE
Handpresso’s unique, Nespresso-compatible brewing system makes coffee on the way to work easier than you could ever imagine. The Auto Capsule brews a cup of espresso in less than three minutes and even has a digital display that tells you how long it will take to finish. It fits snugly into most cup holders and is sure to work as an easily accessible staple for any cafe.
NOCO BOOST HD GB70 12-VOLT JUMP STARTER
NOCO’s best multi-tool can do everything from charging your iPad to starting your car battery up to 40 times on a single charge, making it an incredibly versatile piece of equipment to keep. Most importantly, it keeps things very safe thanks to its spark-free technology. All you need to do is plug it into a 12 volt car battery and let it run. It’s also a very durable device, enhanced by its IP65 waterproof rating.
GARMIN DASH CAM 66W
Since there is no shortage of map applications that can be downloaded on a smartphone, the dashboard-mounted Garmin GPS is no longer necessary, so a high-quality dashboard camera from the reputable manufacturer is sufficient. The 66W device can capture TV-quality 1440p images and can also take advantage of dark situations thanks to the technology company’s patented Garmin Clarity HDR technology. Plus, this stylish dash cam offers an incredibly wide 180-degree field of view while remaining comfortably compact. Finally, the Driver Alert feature lets you monitor your surroundings for extra precautions, whether you’re drifting out of lane or alerting you to a potential collision ahead.
MOREC 32 AMP EV CHARGER
With gas prices likely to rise everywhere, that’s one more reason to switch to electric vehicles. While you might think of EVs as some of the best car gadgets out there, they’re in their own pantheon, but you’d be remiss in buying one for yourself without a portable charger. According to Morec, the IP66-rated 32 amp option can charge your eco-friendly car up to six times faster than any other EV charger you’ve used, making it a great choice if you’re in a rush to get back on the road. Away.
ICECO JP30 PORTABLE FRIDGE AND FREEZER
Your next road trip will definitely benefit from the JP30. ICECO’s portable hybrid refrigerator and freezer offers adjustable temperatures between -7 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so all your snacks and drinks stay as fresh as you want them to be. It’s powered by an eco-friendly, automated Danfoss compressor, so it shuts off automatically when you’re not using it. Finally, as it is intended for long range, the JP30 can operate normally even at a 40 degree tilt, making it an exceptionally durable long range rig.
VALENTINE V1 GEN2 RADAR DETECTOR
With the introduction of a brand new format in its world-renowned security unit, Valentine One continues to do what it does best: create radar detectors like no other. Inspired by traditional military-grade CHIRP radars, the V1 Gen2 is the first K-Verifier technology to improve the robustness of blind spot detection. If you consider yourself a speed demon or if one of your friends has told you to slow down anytime, this is the perfect pickup truck for you.
REVIVER RPLATE
Aside from the occasional Snoopy decal or rough-drawn field of flowers we often see on a license plate, customization options are limited, aside from picking just seven badges for a mysterious vanity at the local DMV. Fortunately, Reviver consists of a bunch of nerds who have had enough of this creative box. The manufacturer’s digital R license plate can make the simple look of a monotone license plate a little more interesting. Plus, drivers don’t have to worry about the tedious re-registration process thanks to Reviver’s handy app, which allows them to do it at the touch of a button when the time comes.
