Why We Love Gadgets

Considering how much time we spend in our cars, it is not surprising that we try to make them as comfortable as possible. And in the fast-paced world we live in, it is technology that makes our lives easier to manage. Ergo, many of the quality of life enhancements take the form of gadgets for our cars. However, a fair number are simple life hacks or things we honestly would not notice if they were included as standard fall into this category too. But you may be asking yourself, is it really worth the effort to go out of your way? To answer that question, you'll have to weigh the pros and cons.

Just about anyone in the automotive game has something to offer in this area, so separating the wheat from the chaff is an arduous task. Luckily, some of the biggest gearheads, tech-heads, and hedonistic pleasure-seekers have taken the liberty to do this for you. So, here is a checklist of some of the cool gadgets to consider for your car.

The Most Convenient Gadgets for Cars

Not everything worth having comes from the fever dreams of sci-fi fanatics and eccentric engineers. Sometimes, the simplest of changes in our environment have the greatest impact on our comfort and mental well-being. Here are some of the more conventional must-have car gadgets and accessories:

  • A seat cushion - Since we spend so much of our time sitting down, carmakers have put a lot of thought into creating the comfiest seats possible. But, there is always room for improvement, which is where seat cushions, like that from Aylio come in. Designed to cradle the buttocks and coccyx to provide optimal comfort and spinal support, these cushions make long journeys more bearable.
  • A dashboard grip pad - Though most automakers do their utmost to provide ample interior small-item storage, we always seem to have more junk in our pockets than we expect. For times like these, gadgets for the interiors of cars, like a grip pad are specifically designed to fit your mobile phone and frees up some much-needed extra space for your knick knacks.
  • Car seat protector and backseat organizer - There is no denying that, no matter how much we love them, kids are messy little monsters. Therefore, among the must-have gadgets for your new car is something to protect against such mishaps. A seat protector helps to avoid any damage to the cloth or leather from spilled juice or other fluids, while a backseat organizer stores coloring books, notepads, snacks, and other items that are invaluable to keeping your little ones appeased over road trips.
  • Magnetic phone mount - Our phones are indispensable to our daily lives. We use them not just to make calls, but also to play music or video, navigate around town, and find answers to just about any question. On older cars where the likes of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto don't offer navigation and media benefits, we default to using our phones as is. Most car phone mounts are placed in inconvenient locations. A clip-on magnetic mount attaches to any air vent and offers a more convenient alternative that is compatible with any modern device.
  • Hand sanitizer dispenser - With the ongoing health crisis in the USA and abroad, this is one of the most important accessories for your vehicle. Several brands have something on offer in this category, generally suited to take up one of the cupholder slots.

Nifty Electronic Gadgets for Cars

But, as much as simple conveniences may improve our lives in unexpected ways, it is the snazzy gizmos that usually earn acclaim as the coolest gadgets for your car, electronic or otherwise. Necessity may be the mother of invention but, quite often, these gadgets for vehicles meet needs we never even knew we had. So, here are some of the cool electric gadgets to have in your car going into 2021:

  • Air purifier - Another way to ensure good health is to keep the air inside your car clean and hygienic, and this device plugs into the cigarette lighter to help deodorize and purify the air. Some can be plugged into more conventional outlets if your car lacks a car lighter.
  • Coffee machine - Not everyone has the time to stop by Starbucks on their way to work. For such guys and gals, there are a variety of plug-in coffee makers like those from Handpresso. It, too, plugs into a cigarette lighter or similar outlet to power up. All you need to do is add the coffee grounds and you are set to satisfy all your cravings on the go.
  • A mobile fridge or cooler - Hot coffee may not be to everyone's liking, so maybe you would prefer a soda or iced tea? But then the problem becomes keeping these drinks and/or snacks cool. Luckily, there are a variety of fridges and coolers on the market that can make similar use of the various power outlets around your vehicle. Some even double up as food warmers.
  • Roav SmartCharge F2 - This cool gadget for your car serves a whole list of purposes. Sure, it works as a charger for your phone, but it also emits Bluetooth signals, allowing you to stream music or make calls. It also has a built-in locator that helps you find your car in a busy parking lot via the Roav app.

Just keep in mind that these appliances draw more energy from your battery than low-tech add-ons, and while this may not be a problem for your gasoline or even hybrid vehicles, it can reduce the range of your EV and lengthen recharge times if you go overboard.