- 8.60/10 1. Premium pick: Sony 6.95 Inch
- 9.00/10 2. Editors choice: Govee Smart Car Lights
- 8.20/10 3. Best value: TICARVE Cleaning Gel
- 8.00/10 4. echo auto
- 9.00/10 5. Garmin Dash Cam 66W
- 9.20/10 6. Tile Mate (2022)
- 9.40/10 7. Anker Car Charger
- 8.80/10 8. Nulaxy KM18 Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter
- 8.20/10 9. ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner
Although most modern cars are full of technology, they don't always meet our needs. That's why it's worth taking a look at the best car gadgets to extend the capability of your vehicle.
From in-car charges to Bluetooth transmitters, you can upgrade your car to be smart device-compatible. Best of all, most car gadgets are easy to install and use, so you won't feel overwhelmed by complicated controls or installation processes.
Here are the best car gadgets available today.
The Sony 6.95 Inch digital media receiver is a fantastic in-car gadget. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; simply connect your smartphone via USB and the screen will display a familiar interface for you to interact with. Here you can make phone calls, send SMS, listen to music, and more, all while driving safely.
Using commands like "Hey, Google" and "Hey, Siri", you can talk directly to the Sony 6.95 Inch receiver without lifting a finger off the wheel. This not only makes it easier to drive, but it means you won't be tempted to pick up your phone when it's illegal to do so while driving.
Better still, if you have a rear camera installed in your car, you can use the Sony 6.95 Inch as rear camera input, displaying a video feed on the screen. Installation is very straightforward, offering plenty of room for cabling behind the display. So, if you're looking for one of the best car gadgets to upgrade your ride, the Sony 6.95 Inch is definitely a worthy investment.
- Connects to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto via USB
- Reverse camera input
- Voice control
- Brand: Sony
- Display: 6.5-inch
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Apple CarPlay: Yes
- Android Auto: Yes
- Safer driving
- Can use the screen as a rear camera view
- Easy to install
- Expensive
The Govee Smart Car Lights are one of the best car gadgets if you want to brighten up your car's interior. Included are four 0.72-foot strips which are easy to install, provided you have a cigarette lighter in your vehicle. Once installed, you can control the lights via the smartphone app, remote control, or control box.
Using the app, you'll have access to over 16 million colors and seven scene modes. From here you can customize the lights to work with your car. What's more, the Govee Smart Car Lights are music reactive, so you can enjoy listening to your favorite tunes while the lights move and flash to the beat.
From the control box, there are two lines of LED strips, allowing for easy installation in almost any car. If pimping up your ride with vibrant lighting is a must-have, the affordable Govee Smart Car Lights are definitely worth considering.
- Controlled via smartphone app, remote control, or control box
- 7 scene modes
- 16 million colors
- Built-in microphone
- Brand: Govee
- Integrations: Govee Home App
- Hub Required: No
- Music Reactive: Yes
- Multicolor Capable: Yes
- Voice Compatibility : No
- Voltage: 12V
- Music reactive
- Can customize your own mode
- Quick installation
- Only works with a cigarette lighter
The TICARVE Cleaning Gel is an affordable car gadget that you shouldn't leave home without. It's compact, easy to use, and effective, allowing you to reach nooks and crannies within your vehicle. Whether you've got kids or not, you can use this cleaning putty on your gear stick, console panel, cup holders, and more.
While the TICARVE Cleaning Gel isn't washable, it does last a fairly long time. As long as you keep the gel in its included container, you'll be able to remove dirt from your car in no time at all, reusing it whenever you need to get to those hard-to-reach places.
Simply take the TICARVE Cleaning Gel out of its pot and press it into places in your car that require cleaning. When you pull the gel out, you'll see the dirt and debris collected, allowing you to brush any large pieces off, before using it again.
- Pulls up dirt and dust
- Suitable for all surfaces apart from carpet
- Different scents and colors available
- Brand: TICARVE
- Color: Blue
- Material: Gel
- Weight: 160g
- Dimensions: 2.75 x 2.75 x 2.5 inches
- Easy to use
- Effective
- Affordable
- Can't be washed
4. echo auto
The Echo Auto is Amazon's solution to bringing Alexa in the car with you. Using your vehicle's USB port or cigarette lighter, simply connect Echo Auto to power it, then download the Alexa smartphone app. The device will use your mobile data to establish a connection, then use your car's Bluetooth or AUX port to work when you're driving.
With eight microphones, the Echo Auto is able to pick up your voice even in noisy areas. You can ask Alexa to play your favorite music, get directions, or set reminders while you're driving. It's like having your home's smart speaker in the car with you.
However, if you're relying on the Echo Auto to determine your location, you may run into issues. While it picks up your voice easily, it can have trouble with navigation requests. But, if you're looking for a car gadget that is affordable, easy to use, and lets you listen to music on the fly, it's a great product.
- Connects via the Alexa smartphone app
- Includes 8 microphones
- Voice control
- Microphone off button
- Brand: Amazon
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, AUX
- Integrations: Alexa
- Color: Black
- Easy to install
- Great for voice commands
- Sensitive microphones
- Car stereo must be set to AUX or Bluetooth before every drive
5. Garmin Dash Cam 66W
The Garmin Dash Cam 66W is a must-have car gadget if you want plenty of features that are worth the cost. While you'll need to purchase a microSD card for this dash cam, it's a small price to pay when you consider how useful it is. Securing the dash cam is easy using the magnet mount and included USB cables. Once you're connected, you can download the Garmin Drive app to sync it with your smartphone.
The ultra-wide 180-degree field of view is very useful, capturing 1400p video at 30fps. You can lower the resolution down to 1080p and 720p, too, offering impressive daytime visuals. When connected, the Garmin Dash Cam 66W records continuously; you can take snapshots easily by pressing the button on the left-hand side, either in a photo or video format.
While the Garmin Dash Cam 66W doesn't support Alexa, you can use the voice control video to ask this device to take photos. And, in case of an emergency situation, the camera time stamps the images and supports time-lapse, so you can share the results with other people. If that wasn't enough, this dash cam also offers driver assistance features like lane departure warning and forward collision.
- 180-degree field of view with 1440p HDR
- Playback footage from four cameras via the Garmin Drive app
- Camera alerts
- Voice control
- Number of Cameras: 1
- Front Camera Resolution: 1440p
- Field of View: 180 degrees
- Emergency Power: N/A
- Brand: Garmin
- Small and compact
- Easy to use
- Wide-angle camera
- No microSD card included
6. Tile Mate (2022)
The Tile Mate (2022) is an ideal gadget for keeping track of your belongings, like your smartphone, keys, and bag. With a 250-foot Bluetooth range, you can attach the small device and locate your lost items with real-time tracking, location, and alerts. While the battery cannot be replaced, it does last up to three years, which is a great investment considering how affordable this gadget is.
Using the Tile app on your iOS or Android smartphone, you can locate your items within the Bluetooth range. If you've lost your car keys, and they aren't within range, the Tile Mate (2022) will register them as lost, detecting the last known location to help you find them.
With IP67 water and dust-resistant rating, the Tile Mate (2022) can be submerged in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes. So, if you've dropped your keys in a puddle, you can still find them.
- IP67 rated
- Up to 250-foot range
- Make your phone ring even when on silent
- Tracks keys nearby
- Brand: Tile
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Battery: 1x Lithium Metal battery
- Weight: 1.4oz
- Dimensions: 1.49 x 1.49 x 0.28 inches
- Color: Black, White
- Can place on almost any object
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- Battery lasts up to 3 years
- Limited range
7. Anker Car Charger
The Anker Car Charger is capable of charging most modern smartphones and tablets, including Apple, Samsung, Google, and more. It features twin USB-A ports, offering a combined 24W. This means you can keep your devices charged while in the car, allowing you to keep in touch with friends and family, access navigation apps, and listen to your favorite music.
Measuring 1.8 by 1 inch, the Anker Car Charger is incredibly compact. It sits flush with your car, taking up as little room as possible. Installation couldn't be easier, and the device is scratch-resistant, so you don't have to worry if you place it in your bag or pocket.
The Anker Car Charger supports iPhone and Samsung fast charging, so if you need some more juice quickly for emergency situations, you won't be disappointed.
- Compatible with iPhone, Samsung, Google Pixel, and more
- Twin USB-A ports
- Scratch-resistant
- Brand: Anker
- Output: 24W
- Input: 220V
- Type: USB
- Useful
- Compact
- Efficient
- No compatible with Quick Charge
The Nulaxy KM18 Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter is a useful in-car gadget since it allows you to make and answer calls, hands-free, while you're driving. Installing the device is easy, and once connected, it feels secure. Using Bluetooth, the transmitter can connect to your Bluetooth devices like your smartphone or tablet. However, if you don't have a compatible device, you can use the microSD card slot to listen to your favorite music.
While the Nulaxy KM18 Car Bluetooth FM Transmitter features a blue LCD screen, it's not bright enough to be distracting at night. If the FM channels aren't producing clear enough audio, you can use the AUX port to directly connect your device with a 3.5mm cable. This is especially useful if you have multiple people or different drivers that use your car.
The flexible gooseneck is really easy to adjust, allowing you to view the caller ID and any other alerts. The volume knob is easy to reach and is big enough, so you don't deter your eyes from the road. So, if you're looking for an in-car FM transmitter that allows you to hear your music clearly, this affordable investment is a great choice.
- 1.44-inch display
- Hands-free calling
- Compatible with most Bluetooth devices
- Brand: Nulaxy
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB
- Color: Black
- Dimensions: 6.4 x 4.9 x 2.1 inches
- Power Supply: DC 12V
- RGB Lighting: No
- Wireless: Yes
- Display: Color LCD
- Easy to use
- Fits 12V-24V vehicles
- Voice control
- Voice calls can't always be heard clearly
9. ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner
The ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner is essential for taxi drivers and family cars. It offers plenty of suction power, allowing you to pick up dirt, dust, and debris, meaning you can keep your car clean. It comes with a handy carry case and three attachments, perfect for road trips when the kids are eating in the car.
At an affordable cost, this car gadget comes with a long 16-foot power cable, allowing you to get to hard-to-reach places, without having to unplug the device. The dust bin is easy to detach when you need to empty it, and while it isn't the largest, it is very effective at getting rid of debris fast.
The built-in LED is an added bonus, so if you want to clean your car at night, you can still see. For car lovers who value the cleanliness of their vehicles, the ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner is definitely a great buy.
- Includes 3 attachments
- Connects via cigarette lighter
- LED light
- Weight: 2.4lbs
- Wattage: 110W
- Filters: HEPA
- Brand: ThisWorx for
- Good suction power
- Affordable
- Free accessories
- Not designed for deep cleaning
FAQ
Q: What Are The Most Popular Car Accessories?
Car accessories come in all shapes and sizes, however, some must-have gadgets include an in-car charger, Bluetooth transmitter, and dash cam. These gadgets can help to make your car feel more modern and enjoyable while offering a useful purpose.
Q: How Can I Make My Car Smarter?
You can make your car smarter by including smart-compatible devices and gadgets. Items like a dash cam, Alexa-enabled device, and key tracker can make almost any car, new and old, smarter.
Q: How Can I Get Wi-Fi In My Older Car?
You can get Wi-Fi in an older vehicle by using your smartphone as a wireless hotspot. If you have a cigarette lighter, you can plug in smart devices that use Bluetooth or wireless technology to make your car feel smarter.