Thanks to these car tech accessories, your vehicle will be a whole lot smarter and safer.
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20 Cool Car Tech Accessories for a Better Driving (and Parking) Experience
Updated on Nov. 04, 2024
No matter how much time you spend in your car, you’ll appreciate these useful car tech accessories. From dash cams to diagnostics, these handy gadgets will make your drive time safer and more fun. Long work commutes and road trips, we’re ready for you.
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Dash Camera
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Cooler and Warmer
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Remote Start System
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Radar Detector
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Bluetooth Scanner
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Wireless Baby Monitor
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Portable Espresso Maker
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Cell Phone Signal Booster
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Swivel Tray
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Backup Camera
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Bluetooth Receiver
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Bluetooth Headset
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Tire Pressure Monitoring System
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Media Receiver with Bluetooth
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Dashboard Anti-Slip Pads
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Lightsaber Windshield Wipers
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Tracking and Safety Adapter
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Precision Parking Aid
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Touchscreen Multimedia Player
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Hands-Free AI Assistant
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On Sale
Dash Camera
A dash cam is a smart investment to provide you with a video record of a wreck, hit-and-run or theft. The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 2 has a compact design and is placed discreetly onto the inner windshield, providing high-quality 1080p video. With the Garmin Drive app, you can even monitor your parked car. The Wolfbox dash cam is another quality option.
Cooler and Warmer
A convenient addition for your next road trip is the Wagan cooler/warmer, the closest thing to a mobile refrigerator or microwave. It plugs into the 12-volt DC outlet for power or to recharge the battery. You can toggle between cold and hot, and its 24-liter capacity holds a 24-pack of 12-ounce cans of soda.
Remote Start System
Compustar’s remote start system is the top of the line in remote car starters. This remote start and alarm bundle comes with two-way remotes, allowing you to lock and start your vehicle. You’ll also be alerted if an intrusion is detected.
Radar Detector
Speeding isn’t something we condone, and yet, we know some people like to be warned about speed traps in the area. The Valentine One radar detector is the best device for finding them. It comes with a cigarette lighter power adapter, visor clip and windshield mount.
Bluetooth Scanner
One day, your check engine light comes on and you find yourself dreading going to your mechanic to find out what’s wrong. If you drive a car made from 1996 onward, your car has an Onboard Diagnostic II, so your car is eligible to use the OBDLink scan tool. This gadget provides you with all sorts of knowledge about your car.
Wireless Baby Monitor
A must-have device for new parents, this baby monitor attaches to your car’s headrest to provide a video view of your little one without needing to turn around. The 4.3-inch display screen with night vision will come in handy every time you get behind the wheel.
Portable Espresso Maker
If you must get on the road early in the morning, there’s no need to stop at a coffee shop. The Minipresso is a portable espresso maker specifically made for on-the-go people, working with your preferred coffee grounds or espresso pods. Plus, it comes with a small cup so you have everything you need to sip.
On Sale
Cell Phone Signal Booster
If you spend a lot of time driving and making calls on the road, you’ll find this weBoost kit useful. The brand claims it’ll dramatically enhance your cell phone reception, making it up to 33 times better. It works with all the major U.S. and Canadian cell phone service providers.
Swivel Tray
After hitting the drive-thru, sometimes it’s impossible wait to get home to dig into the fries. Instead, break out this handy car swivel tray that fits right into your cup holder. It provides a sturdy table area to enjoy your food, and it even has a slot to prop up your phone to have a little dining experience in the parking lot.
Backup Camera
Many new cars have cameras and detectors to protect your car and others, but if yours lacks this feature, add this backup camera to your vehicle. It comes with a camera you place on the back of your car and a screen that mounts to the dashboard, ensuring you drive in and out of your parking space perfectly.
On Sale
Bluetooth Receiver
Anker’s Bluetooth receiver is a top-notch choice for streaming crystal-clear music from your device. It features a built-in microphone for hands-free calling. The battery allows you to enjoy up to 12 hours of playtime.
Bluetooth Headset
If you can’t make calls through your car, or the people you’re calling complain about the muffled, distant sound, try this Bluetooth headset. It lets you make hands-free calls with noise cancellation. Plus, the mic supports Siri and other voice assistants, and has a mute button.
Tire Pressure Monitoring System
Before a long road trip, you may find yourself on hands and knees checking your tires. Get off the ground and get smart with these Bluetooth-enabled sensors that attach to your tires’ inlet valves. They notify your phone when the tires need to be inflated, saving you worry, effort and grimy hands. How cool is that?
Media Receiver with Bluetooth
Want to update your car’s entertainment and navigation system? Consider investing in a stereo that supports Apple CarPlay so you can use apps for GPS and music from your smartphone. The Sony media receiver features voice control with Apple CarPlay, allowing you to control and view everything with the nearly 6.5-inch touchscreen. You can create virtual speakers on your dashboard with the Dynamic Stage Organizer. This receiver also features an ergonomic rotary dial for distraction-free operation.
Dashboard Anti-Slip Pads
Keep your keys, phone, glasses and other small items in sight and in place during sharp turns or quick stops with these anti-slip mats. Made of 3-millimeter-thick soft latex, the pad secures your objects to the dashboard so they won’t slip or fall while ensuring you know exactly where they are.
Lightsaber Windshield Wipers
Reflective windshield wipers that look like lightsabers—WipeSabers, if you will— attach to your vehicle’s rear wipers and look beyond cool. They’re easy to install—no special tools required. WipeSabers come in a SkyForce Blue color and work in rain, snow, sun and sleet.
Tracking and Safety Adapter
Whether you want to know when you need an oil change, where your car is parked or why the “check engine” light just came on, you can get the answers with this automatic car adapter. Plug the adapter into your car’s diagnostic port to sync your driving data and vehicle diagnostics with your smartphone. The iPhone, Android or web app tells you everything you need to know.
On Sale
Precision Parking Aid
If you’re constantly getting out of the car to check how you parked, consider this parking aid. It’s especially useful in smaller garages and tight spaces, because it helps make sure you’re getting in properly. The gadget’s traffic signal display alerts you before you tap your front bumper.
On Sale
Touchscreen Multimedia Player
If you’re looking for car tech accessories with safety features, consider this hands-free add-on. The Intellidash streams the screen of your smartphone to the 7-inch display, allowing you to safely use your favorite GPS and other apps. It comes with a suction mount that can be used on your dashboard or windshield.
Hands-Free AI Assistant
Amazon’s Echo Auto brings the Alexa AI assistant to any car. It plugs into your car’s 12-volt outlet or USB port and connects to the Alexa app on your phone, letting you play music, read the news, add items to your shopping list, get sports scores and more—all hands-free.
What to Look for When Shopping for Car Tech Accessories
With such a broad category, it can be tough to pinpoint exactly what to look for in car tech accessories. But here are some of the most important factors to consider when shopping:
Compatibility
First, ensure any car tech gadget you’re considering is compatible with your specific car model. For instance, a Bluetooth device won’t be useful if your car doesn’t support Bluetooth. Always confirm compatibility before buying.
Redundancy
Know your car’s built-in features to avoid buying gadgets that duplicate existing functions. This will save you time and money by preventing unnecessary purchases.
Access
Consider how and when you’ll access the device. Place it within easy reach if it’s meant for use while driving. If it’s for use before or after your drive, storing it in one of the vehicle’s storage areas works well.
Storage
Consider where you’ll store the device when not used, especially for larger items like coolers. Remember that these accessories will occupy space, which can be a factor on long trips or when carrying extra cargo.
Budget
Set a budget before you start shopping. This will prevent overspending and help you assess whether a piece of tech is worth the splurge.
Why You Should Trust Us
Sheri Kaz reviews dozens of home and lifestyle products each month for Family Handyman, Reader’s Digest and Taste of Home. Her previous role as an associate shopping editor further underscores her experience and expertise in the field.
Sean Tirman, Content Updates Editor at Family Handyman, updated and contributed research to this piece. Sean has written shopping guides since 2016 and is a former associate editor at Gear Patrol.
How We Found the Best Car Tech Accessories
The car tech accessory category is vast, so we explored dozens of items to find the best options. We aimed to present a diverse selection that covers various driving needs, as everyone’s requirements differ. To ensure quality, we carefully evaluated each product’s overall durability, cost and customer feedback. After scrutinizing the myriad options, we finalized the list you see here.
FAQ
How can I upgrade my car technology?
Upgrading car tech doesn’t require a high-tech vehicle. The key is to 1) ensure the gadgets you’re interested in are compatible with your car and 2) verify your car’s existing capabilities to avoid buying redundant devices.
Can you put new tech in an old car?
Yes, many aftermarket devices are designed specifically to add new tech to older cars. However, not all will be compatible with every vehicle, so always check compatibility before purchasing.
How can you make your old car more modern?
Adding any of the car tech gadgets from our guide can modernize an older car. Prioritize gadgets that will genuinely improve your driving experience. Avoid buying tech for the sake of it to prevent wasted money—focus on items you’ll use regularly.
