There is no doubt that the world revolves around cars to a considerable extent. Car owners spend a significant amount of time on the road, whether it's going to work, meeting friends, dropping kids off at school, or for recreational activities. There is a lot of reliance on our cars these days as, without them, life would be much, much harder.
Due to this reliance, it is no surprise that there are numerous gadgets out there that make the driving experience better and give us the tools we need to find our way along the road. There are all kinds of gadgets out there for drivers. Some add a cool edge, some are very useful, some are there for entertainment, and a few are a bit of all.
Here is a list of 10 must-have car gadgets serious drivers need this year (and 5 that are useless).
15. Mpow Bluetooth Receiver - $19.99
9to5toys.com
With this device, you can play music in your car through a Bluetooth connection with your phone or tablet. You can also make phone calls using the stereo system. This device provides you with excellent sound quality and doesn’t compromise on battery life at all. You can also connect two devices at once.
14. Cooluli Mini Fridge Electric Cooler and Warmer - $49.99
via Pinterest
Whenever you have to go on a road trip, this fridge is your perfect go-to gadget, as it will keep your snacks and drinks at your desired temperature, whether it is cold or hot. The fridge can carry around six 12 ounce cans in one go, making it the ideal size for a family outing.
13. Aylio Coccyx Seat Cushion - $39.99
thebrandsview.com
The ergonomic cut out design of this cushion is meant to ensure that there is no pressure on your spine, hence, protecting your lower back from becoming sore regardless of how long you will be on the driver’s seat for. This cushion can help you drive with all the comfort and ease you need.
12. Thule Motion XT Rooftop Cargo Carrier - $779.95
expocafeperu.com
The purpose of this carrier is to balance storage capacity with aerodynamics and weight. It is capable of carrying around 16 cubic feet worth of luggage while not wasting as much fuel as conventional designs tend to do. It can also be mounted onto your car quickly and with ease.
11. FRiEQ Car Air Purifier - $16.99
pinterest.com
This device is simple to use. Just plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter and enjoy improved air quality each time you are traveling. This purifier does not just cover bad smells, it eliminates them. This device is the perfect solution for any car odor problems that you might be having.
10. Wacaco Minipresso GR, Portable Espresso Machine - $48.95
pinterest.com
If you are a coffee lover, then this is perfect for you. The compact flask provides you with great extraction pressure, ensuring that you get amazing coffee every single time. It is simple to use and only requires hand power. This is just what you need for a pick me up on the go.
9. Roav SmartCharge F2 - $16.55
gigazine.net
This device comes with a lot of useful features. You can stream music directly to your car stereo, and you can also use it to make calls on the go. It comes with an in-built car locator, and also gives you two USB ports to be able to charge your devices while on the road.
8. Nonda ZUS Connected Car App Suite - $39.99
youtube.com
This device can offer you various insights into the performance of your car, and also offers you a convenient way to charge your phone. It can charge your phone 24 times faster than your standard car charger and can also help you in locating your car in case you forgot where it was parked.
7. Uniden HomePatrol Series Digital Handheld Scanner - $482.24
via Uniden
This hand-held scanner is a useful device to keep you up-to-date with road and weather warnings in your area, wherever you are traveling. All you need to do is enter your zip code, and then the gadget will scan for frequencies in your surroundings. It is especially useful for managing weather warnings.
6. BLACK+Decker Cordless Lithium Hand Vacuum - $56.92
ebay.com
This is precisely the gadget you need if you wish to keep the interior of your car clean. The batteries of this device can last you up to 12 months, and it also comes with smart charge technology allowing it to use 50% less energy in comparison to other similar gadgets.
5. Useless: Automatic Moisture-Sensing Wipers (Comes in Car)
youtube.com
The annoying part of this feature is that you spend more time defeating it when it comes up unnecessarily in the middle of your driving, in comparison to the time when it is actually useful. This was invented as people complained that wiper switches were poorly designed, so, why not just make better switches instead?
4. Useless: Motorized Rearview Mirror (Comes in Car)
alibaba.com
This device allows you to adjust the rearview mirror with controls. While this sounds convenient, you can simply adjust your mirror manually with your right hand after getting into your car. Considering the importance of this habit, it should be one everyone follows and it’s easy to get the hang of too.
3. Useless: The Airscarf (Comes in Car)
youtube.com
This gadget blows warm air onto the neck of a person on the car seat. It was assumed that this would be a great way to keep people warm on cold days. But here is the catch: If you are feeling cold around your neck, can’t you just wear a scarf to protect yourself?
2. Useless: Interior Map Lights (Comes in Car)
youtube.com
Many cars, both old and new, come with extra lights called map reading lights. You can use them if you’re lost and need to navigate your way around. For example, it comes in handy reading a map. But they are quite useless, as they do not add much illumination, and no one ever really uses them anyway.
1. Useless: Cup Holders (Comes in Car)
wardsauto.com
Most cars have cup holders, but most cups out there don’t really fit well, and the ones that do fit are likely to end up over spilling if they are filled to the brim. In fact, most drivers end up forgetting that they even have cup holders to begin with.
