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These 10+ car gadgets upgrade your daily commute for cheap
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Any time is a good time to score practical purchases that will make your life easier. And if you've got a road trip planned soon, it's a great moment to consider outfitting your car with some new gadgets to upgrade your driving experience.
Also: One of these 13 gadgets could be the hero your junk drawer needs (here's why)
From chargers to headrest hooks to emergency gear like jump starters and tire inflators, there's a lot to consider for your ride. Experts at ZDNET, including our in-house gadgeteer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and me, have tested more than a few of these car gadgets. These are some of our favorite car tech devices you can shop right now -- many of which are on sale.
The best car gadgets you can get for cheap
ZDNET writer Cesar Cadenas recommends this retractable car charger from Lisen. It's a 4-in-1 charging hub that makes powering devices in your vehicle much easier. It plugs into your car's cigarette lighter socket and includes a built-in USB-C cable, a Lightning cable, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port. The two cables extend up to 31.5 inches, making it easy for back-seat passengers to charge their devices.
Also: I highly recommend this car charger for quick charging on the go - and it's cheap
Car mounts with built-in chargers are popular for stability and comfort when driving. ZDNET gadgeteer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes likes this one from Scosche. He says it's "rock solid and delivers on its promise of fast charging."
Also: I finally found a MagSafe car charger that handles bumpy roads
These car hooks slip between your headrest and the top of the seat, adding a place to store purses, bags, and other incidentals from the back of the seat. This multipack from Amazon comes in over a dozen colors to match your interior or provide a pop of color, and I love having them in my car for my handbag. Plus, they're less than $10.
This MagSafe compatible phone mount clips into your air vent or mounts to your car. It features a cooling fan, a built-in Qi2 charger, illumination, and more. It's great for charging your phone on the go while keeping your device hands-free.
It also doubles as a mount to keep your phone stable while following directions or maps. Plus, the wireless car charger supports both iPhone and Android Qi‑enabled smartphones, and includes a metal ring to enable secure mounting and charging for non‑MagSafe devices and cases, too.
If you don't want a car charger for your device but still want an easy and affordable way to mount it for long trips or hands-free travel, this clip from Lamicall has been a steady presence in my car for over 5 years. It's no-fuss and no-frills, but it's reliable and useful.
Even with a MagSafe charger in my car, I still like to keep a charger for my cigarette adapter on hand. This one from Pioneer works with iPhone and Android, and it offers a USB-C and USB-A port for a dual-port experience. This is also a great option to plug in MagSafe charging mounts or other accessories if you don't have enough USB-C ports in your vehicle (or don't have any at all depending on your model car).
A jump starter is an emergency essential that's always good to have on hand. Adrian Kingsley-Hughes tested this one from Hulkman, and was impressed. "This Hulkman Alpha went above and beyond, jumpstarting a car with a dead battery multiple times on my journey across England," he says.
Also: My old car just survived a 500-mile cross-country road trip - I have this gadget to thank for that
If you're eyeing a car mount that's a bit cheaper, expert Adrian Kingsley-Hughes is also fond of ESR's HaloLock MagSafe charger, which is often available on sale.
Also: I finally found the ultimate car charger for my iPhone
The AAWireless Two Plus enables wireless Android Auto and CarPlay connectivity, with a multifunctional button designed for quick pairing and switching between Android and iPhone devices. Editor-in-Chief Kerry Wan says the gadget delivers the best wireless Android Auto experience yet.
This gadget is more for your car keys than your actual car. The She's Birdie is a personal safety alarm with a wildly loud siren built-in. I've carried this on my keychain for almost 7 years, and it's a great investment for college students, parents with small children, older adults, and more, but for less than $30, I recommend everyone scoop one up.
When the top pin of the Birdie is pulled out, a 130db siren sounds and a strobe light flashes for up to 40 minutes. To put that in perspective, a 130db sound is equivalent to a jackhammer and nearly equal to the sound of a jet engine in the distance, according to the Hearing Health Foundation.
Also: My favorite personal safety alarm is as loud as a jackhammer
Statik's Tire Hero air compressor does more than just fill your tires, making it the ultimate emergency accessory to keep in your car. I appreciate the added features, like the flashlight and portable charger, and am fairly satisfied with its performance. I don't think this is necessarily the answer to all PSI problems, but it's an efficient tool in any roadside emergency kit.
Also: Going on a road trip? This multi-functional car charger has saved me so many times
Nomad's Chargekey makes it easy to keep a way to power up on your keychain. The dual USB-C ends are compatible with plenty of devices, including the latest iPhones.
Also: This $30 keychain accessory is way more useful than half the gadgets I tested last year