Before you jump into your car and hit the road, whether it’s to enjoy a leisurely drive or to get to work, it’s important to ensure your vehicle is properly prepared.
Taking the time to get your car ready for winter can prevent potential issues, while stocking it with essential items can be crucial in case of an emergency. Having the right tools on hand is just as vital as having the proper maintenance in place.
Thankfully, there are a variety of car gadgets available that can significantly improve your driving experience. These are the innovative products you didn’t realize you needed, but once you have them, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.
Think about a device that boosts your cell signal, ensuring you stay connected in remote areas, or a backup camera that makes parking much easier. There’s also a clever gadget that explains why that pesky “Check Engine” light is on, among many others.
These tools are designed to help keep you, your passengers, and other drivers safe on the road. Combined with helpful car hacks, these gadgets will enhance your time behind the wheel, making every trip something to look forward to.
1. Trash Container For Car
A trash container designed for all the empty cups and wrappers that accumulate on the floor of your car.
It features adjustable straps to ensure security and comes with mesh pockets for added convenience. The charming and practical design of this trash can will encourage you to dispose of items properly.
Black trash can with a lid, attached to the back of the reviewer’s car console. Pink trash can with a lid, positioned behind the headrest of the reviewer’s passenger seat.
I used to toss my trash into the side pocket of my door, hoping to get rid of it by the end of the day, but that doesn’t always happen, and it builds up. Purchasing this trash can made a huge difference.
It holds so much! I haven’t had to replace the trash liner in months, and it’s still not full.
Where To Get it: Hotor Car Trash Can
Also Read: Top 10 Signs Your Car Needs Immediate Servicing
2. Mini Trash Can For Your Car
Or opt for a mini trash can that fits perfectly into your cup holder, making it ideal for straw wrappers and receipts. The lid helps contain odors and opens with a simple button press. It’s not just incredibly functional, it’s also ADORABLE.
Black mini trash can with a trash bag inside, placed in the reviewer’s cup holder. Sold in a set of two, with 30 mini trash bags included.
We love this mini trash can! It’s so easy to use with the kids. It helps keep the car tidy with items like straw wrappers, gum, candy wrappers, and more. It was a nice surprise to find that it came with a roll of trash bags.
Where To Get It: Mini Trash Can For Your Car
3. Drop Stop
A Drop Stop (featured on Shark Tank), designed to prevent the frustration of dropping your phone or keys into the “abyss” between your car seats. This simple but brilliant product fits snugly into the gap.
The Drop Stop in the reviewer’s car, preventing a paperclip from falling into the seat gap. Sold in a pack of two.
For someone like me who constantly drops things, this product is a lifesaver. I love not losing food, my phone, or anything else small and slim down the seat crevices.
I even bought two more sets for my friends, because they’re just like me, dropping stuff all the time. This product is a hit, and I’d highly recommend it to everyone!
Where To Get it: Drop Stop
4. Magnetic Sunglasses Holder
A magnetic sunglasses holder designed to give your delicate eyewear a designated place, instead of simply tossing them into the center console. Just attach it to your sun visor, and you’ll never have to worry about losing your sunglasses again.
A reviewer’s sunglasses secured in the magnetic clip attached to the sun visor.Promising Review: “I bought this for my husband. His car didn’t have a pop-down sunglass holder.
This little gadget is fantastic. It attaches tightly to his visor and keeps his expensive sunglasses safe. I would highly recommend this!”.
Where To Get it: Magnetic Sunglasses Holder
5. Car Cable Holders
Small but powerful cable holders that prevent cords from tangling — a true game changer.
With these holders, you won’t need to search around for the right charger for your phone. They feature adhesive backs, allowing you to stick them wherever you need.
Two cable holders attached to the reviewer’s dashboard, holding chargers. Comes with six cable holders. “I used four of these great clips to manage the cables in my car.
Two of them keep cords organized in the glove compartment, and the other two are on the side of the center console, so my phone chargers aren’t all over the place or in my way while driving.
These clips were super easy to install, and I’ll tell everyone to get these if they need cable management. They give a nice, clean look!”
Where To Get It: Car Cable Holders
6. Headrest Hook
A headrest hook to prevent your precious items from falling every time you hit the brakes. You’ll never have to place your bags on the dirty floor again, where only feet belong.
The reviewer’s purse hanging from the bag hook behind the driver’s seat. Sold in a pack of four and can hold up to 44 pounds!
“These are perfect for hanging my purse, the diaper bag, or a bag from a quick shopping trip.
I no longer have to worry about my items rolling around the van while I drive. Plus, it gives passengers a place to store their purse and other bags when they ride along.”
Where To Get It: Headrest Hook
7. Extended Cup Holder
An extended cup holder designed to ensure your precious bottle (let’s be honest, it’s like your baby) stays upright rather than rolling around.
The slot on the side allows you to slide in mug handles, making it easy to take your morning coffee on the go — because some days, it’s an absolute must.
The reviewer’s large water bottle in the extended cup holder. The reviewer’s mug placed in the black extended cup holder.The insert is adjustable to fit the width of your car’s cup holder.
“I bought a 32oz water bottle, and of course, it didn’t fit in my cup holder. I found this product, and it was super easy to install. I love not having to leave my water bottle on the passenger seat, where it could easily fall.”
Where To Get It: Extended Cup Holder
8. Hanging Trunk Organizer
A hanging trunk organizer designed to maximize space in your trunk and keep everything neat. With eight large pockets, this organizer can store almost anything, from reusable bags to blankets.
The hanging trunk organizer with the reviewer’s belongings in the car.
Great purchase! This has really opened up more space in my trunk. It’s so nice not having things rolling around in the back of my Outback while I drive.
It keeps everything organized and easy to find, much better than the crate I had in my trunk that I ended up having to search through. I’d definitely recommend it.
Where To Get It: Hanging Trunk Organizer
Also Read: Top 7 Ways to Improve Your Car’s Cooling System Efficiency
9. Collapsible Trunk Organizer
A collapsible trunk organizer for bulkier items — especially useful when you visit Costco and stray from your shopping list.
It also features hooks to keep it in place, eliminating the annoying thud sounds in the trunk and letting you know exactly what’s making the noise.
The collapsible organizer in the back of the reviewer’s sedan, filled with items. The collapsible organizer in the reviewer’s SUV trunk, filled with groceries.
I bought this when I got my first SUV. I dislike things rolling around while I drive. What I didn’t expect was how perfect it was for taking into Aldi or Costco, keeping everything organized instead of using multiple bags.
Transferring groceries into my vehicle and then into the house with the handle made it so much easier! Now I need to buy one for my daughter’s car!
Where To Get It: Collapsible Trunk Organizer
10. Coin Holder
A coin holder to keep all your coins neatly organized, so you’re always prepared to pay a parking meter or need exact change at a drive-thru. Say goodbye to tossing coins into your cup holders and cluttering them up.
The reviewer holding a coin holder filled with quarters, dimes, nickels, and pennies.It’s incredibly easy to sort, all you have to do is insert coins into the designated slots.
So glad I purchased this! Whenever my dad is in my car, he throws random change into the cupholder.
This has solved that problem and makes it so much easier to pay for metered parking or give exact change at the drive-thru. If I had another car, I’d buy one for it!”
Where To Get It: Car Coin Holder