The 12 best and coolest car gadgets of 2019
Whether you’d like to make your car journeys safer, more practical, more comfortable or perhaps even more fun, car gadgets are all the rage.
While the latest car models seem to come with a never-ending list of features built-in, there’s no journey that can’t be enhanced with a gadget or two. Here are just a few of our favourite devices on the market today.
1. AutoExec Wheelmate Steering Wheel Attachable Work Surface Tray
Used to working in between drives? Need to park up mid-commute to hop on the laptop for a call? Then you’ll love this solution: an easily-stowed tray that clips to your steering wheel in seconds, providing a small work surface where you can get the job done.
It’s always worth bearing in mind that safety needs to come first, so if you do need to park up to work, make sure you do it only when and where it’s safe to do so.
2. Garmin HUD+ Navigation system
A Head-up Display clearly projects all your important navigational info onto the windscreen in front of you – putting an end to those constant turns of the head to check the Sat Nav. While many of the latest models come with built-in systems, this Garmin innovation will allow you to enjoy HUD no matter what you drive.
3. Carpack Car Organiser
If you spend a lot of time on the road, you’ll know how quickly your cabin gets cluttered and disorganised. This solution provides a handy hold-all attachment strap that can be strapped to your passenger or rear seat, with compartments to hold all manner of objects.
4. SCOSCHE USB Car Charger
With today’s phone chargers requiring a USB port, few of us are without one of these anyway – but this gadget is extra handy. It provides two ports rather than one, promises super-fast charging speeds and even illuminates the ports, making them easier to find in the dark.
5. Topfit Anti-Slip Car Dash Grip Pad
Many dashboards are big on space, but not so great at storing your phones, wallets, keys and sunglasses in practice. This grip pad provides compartments for all of these essential items, while stopping them flying around the cabin.
6. Tile Mate Key Finder
Bluetooth trackers are fairly commonplace these days, but Tile’s solution is among the best. Slide one of their sensors onto your car keys and track their whereabouts using a mobile app. Tile Mate’s devices are also compatible with an impressive number of car infotainment systems.
7. Garmin Dash Cam 65 W
While there are a huge number of dash cam options out there, this is among the most comprehensive. You’ll get 1080p video from an extra-wide-angle lens, all operating to automatic incident detection system that automatically saves footage on impact. Throw in GPS location, direction, speed and time recording – and this discreet dash cam is hard to beat.
8. Handpresso Auto 12v
Get your morning coffee from your car by using this super handy gadget. Add your favourite grounds or pods to the device, and power it up using your cigarette lighter. At the push of a button, you’ll get a tasty espresso on the go. The device is easy to hold and small enough to store somewhere in your cabin.
9. GLOSSE Digital Tyre Pressure Gauge
Checking our tyre pressure is something we should all be doing regularly, but many of us don’t do it enough. Make light work of this task by upgrading to a digital reader like this one, which comes with a backlit display for nighttime use. It’s the perfect size for stowing in a glove compartment.
10. Mpow Car Bluetooth Receiver
No roadtrip is complete without a soundtrack. Simply plug this device into your auxiliary jack and connect your smartphones and other mobile devices through it. You can make hands-free calls, listen to podcasts or play your favourite hits. You can even connect two devices at once, a feature that sets this model apart from competitors.
11. Trademark Global Car Swivel Tray
If the demands of 21st century life see you eating from your car all too often, this innovation is for you. Connecting to your cupholder, a swiveling tray pulls in front of you when you need it, providing a much-needed surface for lunch-on-the go and putting an end to accidental sandwich spills.
12. BACtrack Mobile Smartphone Breathalyser
Getting behind the wheel when under the influence is not only illegal, but extremely dangerous – both for you as a driver and those that may cross paths with you on the road.
Even if you’d never do it knowingly, all too often, people take to the road before last night’s drinks are entirely out of their system. Take responsibility and alleviate those worries with a breathalyser of your own. This small and portable option works in conjunction with your smartphone, providing readings through an app to help you make sure you will be driving safely.
With or without a breathalyser, if you’re unsure of whether or not you’re in shape to be driving, then it’s always better to play it safe and not get behind the wheel.
No matter how many gadgets you use to make your drive safer or more efficient, you’ll always need to be protected by car insurance. If you’re looking to make the switch, get a quote for Rias comprehensive car insurance today >