Whether you’re commuting for work, running errands, or taking a road trip, a lot can happen getting from point A to point B. On this list, I compiled some of the best gadgets to keep in your car, so regardless of where the road takes you, you’re prepared, safe, guided, aware, and even entertained. Also: My 3 must-have car accessories: This phone mount, charger, and cable There are a lot of car gadgets out there that promise safety, an upgraded ride, and convenience. To find what people have at the top of their essentials lists, and to find which were the best in class, I chatted with people passionate about their car gadgets and conducted some classic deep-internet dive research of my own. Here are my top picks. For more on car tech, also be sure to check out our lists of best car phone mounts of 2023, electric cars, hybrid cars, and most affordable electric cars. Raised by a mother with 30+ years in the automotive industry, ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz claims her car is always stocked with enough materials to survive an apocalypse or at least a flat tire, and this digital tire inflator is at the top of her essentials list. The digital Slime tire inflator is compatible with 12-volt car accessory outlets, measures just 7 x 2.5 inches, and weighs only 1.85 pounds, making it compact and easy to control. Employing Inflate Right technology, you can plug in the cord, set your desired pressure on the display, and walk away to let the inflator do its thing. In college, Ortiz reaped the benefits firsthand when she unknowingly had a nail stuck in her tire and kept getting a low tire pressure warning. “Instead of panicking and dragging myself to a gas station, which can even be dangerous at night, I would just plug the tire inflator into my cigarette lighter and calmly fill the tires with air from the comfort of my driveway,” Ortiz said. Though small, the Slime Inflator is powerful with a 6-minute inflation time from flat to functional tire. The tire is sensor safe and has a universal fit. Plus, at $35, it’s a small price to pay for convenience and safety Ortiz’s auto expert mom, Flor Ortiz, recommends the Noco Boost plus portable battery, commending its multi-functional safety suite and dependability. “It’s useful to have a portable booster pack because if your car doesn’t start, you can use the booster and you can even use it to charge your phone too in case of an emergency. It also has a flashlight that could come in handy,” she said. As Ortiz mentions, the Noco Boost has battery starting capabilities, a portable power bank, an LED flashlight, and even an emergency strobe light function, Essentially, it’s now my answer to the “what’s one item you’d take with you on a stranded Island,” question. The 8.3 x 4.6-inch battery pack also comes with heavy-duty power clamps and jumper cables for up to 6-liter gas engines (3-liter for Diesel), a Micro USB charging cable, and a storage bag. Bottom line, this battery is feature-rich while still managing a compact design and easy-to-use interface, making it a great car tech gadget in case of emergencies. I’m lucky – and so are many other drivers – that my car had a built-in backup camera. If yours doesn’t, this wireless backup camera may save you the stress of navigating tight parking spaces, not to mention the pain from constantly craning your neck. The Auto-Vox, 4.3-inch digital wireless backup camera is simple to use and install, durable, and promises a wireless range up of to 100 feet in the open area. For all these reasons, it even earned ZDNET’s reigning title of best overall backup camera. This backup camera may not be built into your car, but it has customizable features that make it feel as if it were. For example, it shows adjustable parking lines and allows you to adjust it to your vehicle’s exact height so that the projected image is proportional, and thanks to the PC1058 sensor, clear and vivid. The suction cup mount makes for a relatively hassle-free installation on your windshield or dashboard. But the best part? There aren’t any wires. The transmitter is promised to be cleverly designed inside the backup camera, so all you need is to attach the rear camera to the license plate and connect it to the reverse light for constant power. And although the camera is on the back of the car, it’s waterproof with an IP68 rating and can withstand anywhere from -4 to 149 degrees Fahrenheit. Also: The best backup cameras of 2023 More cars are starting to incorporate computers, whether that’s Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. If you want to reap the benefits of a multimedia screen, but don’t want to upgrade to an entirely new car, Curpuride provides an easy solution. And from what I can tell, most users, like TikTok tech influencer, gizmoegram, are impressed by the ease of the setup, touch control responsiveness, and screen resolution quality. Coming in 7-inch and 9-inch screen options, both screens are modern and sleek, capable of displaying your maps, music, and calls. To set up, just use the self-adhesive sticker so it can attach to your dashboard or windshield, connect the wire to the cigarette power supply, and then pair it with your phone via Bluetooth. In a matter of seconds, you’ll have a DIY smart car for only $230. To me, the Carpuride’s standout feature is its compatibility with both Android and iPhones, making it easy if you share a vehicle with someone of the opposite smartphone. It’s also worth noting that there’s an option to buy the Carpuride and the attached backup camera for a fully integrated system. Want the benefits of CarPlay without the cable salad? ZDNET’s Adrian Kingsley-Hughes thinks a dongle like the SuperiorTek 5.0 is “well worth taking a look at.” The SuperiorTek 5.0’s Sync to Bluetooth connection allows you to skip the hassle of plugging in your iPhone every time you get into the car. Also: How to add wireless Apple CarPlay to your car This adapter is my top pick because it works with all factory-wired CarPlay cars, is compatible with iPhone 5 or newer as long as they’re running iOS7.1 or later, and has a compact size that won’t clutter your car. While you may experience some latency with a dongle versus a direct-wired connection, it shouldn’t be more than 30 seconds – and if your patience is more plentiful than your space for wires, it’s worth it. To choose which products fit the bill, I talked to ZDNET’s Sabrina Ortiz and her mother, Flor Ortiz, an auto expert who has over three decades of industry experience. I also looked at ZDNET’s unofficial automotive and tools expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes’s tips and went down the TikTok rabbit hole to find what enthusiasts and everyday users are using to tech-ify their cars.
