Jumper cables are great if you have another vehicle to give you a friendly jolt. However, if you’re in a more isolated area, jumper cables are essentially useless. The portable self-powered Schumacher jump starter is ideal for this exact scenario, and it also lets you test your battery and your alternator so you’ll know exactly where your problem is coming from. $59 FROM AMAZON See All Jump Starters on Amazon
No one wants to think that they will get in a car accident, but being prepared for it will give you a sense of security. The Stinger is a handy device to have at your disposal after an accident. If your car windows or doors are jammed, the Stinger is designed to shatter the dashboard or car window, thus allowing you to quickly exit your vehicle. The device also incorporates a slim blade on the backside, which allows you to slice through a jammed seat belt.
Properly inflated tires wear more evenly, thus increasing the lifespan of your rubber as well as fuel efficiency. Rather than using a handheld pressure gauge to ensure your tires are properly inflated, however, the Fobo Tire Plus system uses a series of Bluetooth gauges that relay this information directly to your smartphone. Fobo will alert you when your tire pressure is getting too low directly on your phone. The app even provides a straightforward tutorial, making installation a breeze.
As you begin to accumulate car gadgets, you’ll also need more space to charge many of these devices. Thankfully, Scosche’s charger allows you to charge two devices at once. While there are USB hubs with more ports, this unit is one of the best given its low profile and budget-friendly price tag. There are plenty of excellent chargers if you’re willing to spend a little bit more, too.
Our forgetfulness costs us thousands of dollars over the course of our lifetimes. Unsurprisingly, one of the most commonly misplaced items is our car keys. Thankfully, the Bluetooth-equipped Tile Mate easily slides onto a key chain, allowing you to track the whereabouts of your keys using an accompanying mobile app — even if they’re locked inside your car. Tile is one of the best Bluetooth trackers on the market, and it’s even compatible with several infotainment systems.
A dash cam is an exceptional tool for determining fault after a car accident, and the Garmin Dash Cam 56 is our top pick. The device captures images in crystal-clear 1080p video, saves video on impact, and will record your GPS location to show when and where accidents occurred. It keeps you safe, it’s compact, and it even responds to voice commands.
4.3" OE-style rearview mirror monitor 2 video inputs
4.3" replacement type 480 x 272 resolution
Very bright screen auto adjusts to dim at night & brighten during the day Includes universal fixed mounting bracket wire harness wire cover & user's manual
When it’s just you and the open road, no cars in sight, it’s nice to go a little bit over the speed limit. Unfortunately, this unlawful (albeit ubiquitous behavior) will eventually lead to hefty fines. Thankfully, there are an array of radar detectors on the market to notify us when law enforcement is using radar in the vicinity, including the lauded Escort Max 360. The device is one of the most accurate on the market, loaded with dual antennas and robust smartphone compatibility that allows you to network with other nearby speedsters.
Most of us simply shudder at the thought of starting our workday without a cup of coffee. It’s easy to forget to set our favorite coffee maker, or, if we’re running behind, we may simply lack the time to swing by our preferential coffee shop on the way to work. Designed for the flibbertigibbet — or those with a soft spot for unnecessary gadgets — the Nanopresso is a coffee maker tailor-made for those of us who are constantly on the move. It doesn’t need power to work, and it’s compatible with Nespresso capsules.
The Automatic Car Adapter plugs into the standard diagnostic (OBD-II) port on most cars from as from as far back as 1996, so it pulls data directly from the on-board computer. The paired mobile app also has many convenient features, including a vehicle locator, mileage log, and the ability to notify emergency services after an accident. The car adapter works with third-party apps, but you’ll need to pay a monthly fee if you want that functionality.
Second onthe list, The Akaso Mirror Dash Cam is one of the best cameras for your rear-view mirror. Instead of sending footage either to an external screen or your smartphone, the Auto Vox beams footage from a camera positioned above your rear license plate to a small screen integrated into your rear-view mirror. The camera itself features a durable, water-resistant design, too, while the LCD monitor offers auto-adjusting brightness and anti-glare properties, among other incentives. It doubles as a dash cam equipped with a Sony IMX307 sensor that provides surprisingly good night vision.
