How much time do you spend in your car every week?
Between driving to and from work, dropping the kids off at school and practice, and running errands, it’s probably more than you think. And that doesn’t even count road trips and other adventures!
If you’re spending that much time in your car, you might as well enjoy it! Don’t drive away without checking out these five must-have car gadgets that will make any trip worthwhile.
1. Portable Espresso Machine
Stopping for coffee adds a lot of time to your morning commute. Instead of leaving early enough to stop at the drive-through, why not savor those few extra minutes of sleep and make your joe on the go?
Sound too good to be true? Enter: the portable espresso machine.
Small enough to fit in your cupholder and powered by your cigarette lighter, this is by far the coolest car gadget available for caffeine junkies. They can brew a barista-quality beverage from any ground coffee beans as you drive, meaning you’ll never have to walk into a meeting 15 minutes late with Starbucks again.
2. Combination Phone Mount + Charger
The Department of Transportation warns drivers that navigating with a phone’s GPS while driving can be as dangerous as texting. But never fear, you don’t have to go back to the days of unwieldy atlases! Just get yourself a combination phone mount and charger, one of the best car accessories for hands-free navigation.
There are different types of these available to fit every car and phone. Some clip into an air vent while others attach directly to your dash. Some contain USB ports to connect a charging cable, and others are set up to allow wireless charging on newer phones.
3. Car Seat Massager
If you spend a lot of time on the road, you’re probably aware that driving can cause and worsen lower back pain. If your back muscles have tightened up into rocks by the end of your morning commute, a car seat back massager just may be the thing for you.
These portable back massagers are easy to install on any car seat and can even be taken indoors to use on another chair as well. Many come with multiple massage settings and options for heat, making them the ultimate winter road trip accessory. Just make sure it doesn’t put you to sleep while you’re driving!
4. Portable Jump Starter and Air Compressor
Have a dead battery or flat tire in the vast plains of Kansas? Ain’t nobody got time for that. That’s why this cool car gadget is a must-have for family vacations where you could find yourself venturing through the middle of nowhere.
These portable devices aren’t tiny, but they are small enough to tote around in a car trunk. They come with a rechargeable, high-voltage battery and jumper cables, as well as an air compressor, pressure gauge, and air hose. Many varieties can hold a charge for a month or more, meaning you’ll always be ready for quick repairs at a moment’s notice.
5. Mini Air Purifier
It’s nice when your car smells like royal pine instead of stale fast food, but did you know that the chemicals in your air fresheners could be bad for your health?
Swap them out for a portable air purifier. These do more than cover up bad odors—they filter out the dust and microbes responsible for the smells. Plug one into your cigarette lighter for better air quality in a jiffy!
Ready for a Road Trip? You Will Be with These Must-Have Car Gadgets
Now that your car gadgets are all stocked up and ready to go, it’s time to plan your next road trip! Not sure where you want to visit? Check out this post for five great travel ideas for your 2019 vacation!