The Best Car Electronics & Accessories

Buying Guide

There are many ways you can use car electronics and accessories to improve your driving experience. From charging stations to dash cams and FM radio systems, there are plenty of options to choose from.

When considering which car electronics and accessories to get, always begin by outlining your goals. For example, do you want to be able to spend more time in your car without stopping at home to re-charge your phone? Do you want to make sure you are safe from an insurance perspective if anything troubling happens on the road? This will help you determine what the best gadgets are for your needs.

A car power inverter is a useful accessory for those who spend a lot of time on the road and have to use electronics along the way. This tool converts power from your car batteries (DC voltage) to AC power, which is what your home outlets provide. A car power inverter essentially powers your phone or laptop in your car. If you’re thinking about getting one, consider the capacity your car battery has, as well as the output wattage of the inverter. Keep in mind that your car battery will only allow you to use a finite amount of power before it dies.

A USB charger plays a similar role to the car power inverter, allowing you to charge electronic gadgets like phones and laptops. One of the key things to look at when getting a car USB charger is how many ports it has. This is important if you often travel with other people and need to charge multiple things at one time. A charger without a permanent cable attached offers you more flexibility, as you can replace the cable if it fails without having to shell out for a new charger.

If you do a lot of driving around other vehicles, such as during rush hour, a dash cam can ensure your actions and the actions of others are logged correctly. When looking for a car dash cam, consider purchasing one with auto start. This way, you don’t have to remember to start recording each time you drive. Loop recording is helpful for when you run out of storage space on the camera, as it will record over old footage with new footage. Parking mode is a handy feature because it means your car is monitored while unattended and parked, in case it is hit by another car or vandalized.

A Bluetooth FM transmitter is perfect for listening to songs over your car stereo using Bluetooth technology. You can also use the transmitter when answering phone calls using your mobile Bluetooth. Opt for one that has a large screen. This allows you to clearly see song details or incoming phone call information without having to take your eyes off the road for too long.

• If you have multiple vehicles, it can be a pain to remember to shift your electronics and accessories from car to car each time. Look at getting multiples of the same device so you can have one for each car. This leaves less opportunity to drop the gadgets while shifting vehicles, potentially causing irreparable damage.
• An important element to consider is storage. Where will the car electronics and accessories go while they are not in use? In some cases, you may be able to leave them in full view; however, in order to avoid theft, it’s best to place high-value items out of sight. Before you make a purchase, ensure you have a console or storage area where you can place your car electronics and accessories. While parked, roll your windows up so that a passerby cannot grab your belongings. Avoid leaving your car running or with the keys in the ignition if you are not in it.
• Make safety your priority while driving. Be sure to carefully read a gadget’s instructions before getting on the road. You do not want to have to fiddle with settings while you’re moving, as that can lead to distracted driving.