15 actually useful gadgets to keep in your car

No one wants to spend all day in their car. But many of us have long commutes, and there are lots of little ways to make time in our cars more convenient. Have you ever dropped a phone or favorite earring between the seats and struggled to retrieve it? Have you ever listened to groceries rolling around in the back and hoped it wasn’t the eggs? Or have you ever done something dangerous while driving, like eating or texting? Whether you’re going on a road trip or just driving to work, make your commute easier (and safer) with the 15 best car gadgets every driver needs.

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Magnetic phone mount

This gadget allows you to mount your phone where you can see the GPS while keeping both hands on the wheel.  To use, you attach the magnet to your phone. The magnet secures your phone to the mount. The SCOSCHE MAGDMB MagicMount is our favorite. You can use it as an adjustable adhesive dash mount, as a flat surface suction mount, a glass surface flex neck suction mount, a flush mount and a vent mount.

Car hooks

These hooks attach with ease to your headrest poles. They create an effective way to keep your purse, jacket, backpack or grocery bag off the floor and out of the way. And they’re convenient for drivers as well as for passengers. Lebogner Headrest Hooks come in a pack of four. They can hold up to 13 pounds each. And each hook also comes with a bonus attachment that turns it into a bottle holder. That’s a nice feature for cars with no backseat cup holders.

Leak-proof trash can

Car trash cans hook around a handle, console or headrest. They help you keep your car clean by keeping garbage out of cupholders, off the floor and out of sight. Good ones are leak-proof to contain any liquid (and prevent stains). The HOTOR Car Trash Can offers a lot of great features. Its adjustable strap lets you attach it almost anywhere and not be in the way. And the collapsible shape allows for easy storage. It even has external pockets for extra storage. And the leak-proof lining means no leaks or spills will occur. All that, plus it’s easy to clean.

Seat organizer

This is a great way to stay organized and have safe, easy access to anything you might need while driving. A good seat organizer has room for water bottles, laptops, tablets, phones, sunglasses, snacks or whatever you need. We like the Tidify Car Front Seat Organizer because it turns your seat into a mobile office. Face it to the front if you’re driving alone, or switch to place it on the back of your seat when you have a passenger. The padded headrest strap makes it comfortable to carry even when loaded down with all your gear.

Folding trunk organizer

A storage bin keeps the jug of washer fluid or grocery bags from tipping and rolling around in the back of your car. It also provides a tidy way to keep jumper cables and other necessities in one place and out of the way. The Honey-Can-Do Folding Car Trunk Organizer is an inexpensive and popular option. We love how you can fold it down when not in use. It offers two large main compartments for groceries and bigger containers. It also has exterior mesh pockets for smaller storage. And heavy-duty Velcro on the bottom holds it in place.

Console side pocket

This is a great gadget if you need storage for a few small items but nothing as big as a full seat organizer. These convenient pockets fill the gap between your seat and center console. They have room for your wallet, phone, chargers, coins and other small items. And they’ll prevent you from losing those items between the seats. The KMMOTORS Coin Box Side Pocket Black Console Side Organizer Seat Gap Filler Console Side Organizer Multi-Functional Storage (Black. Driver. With Cupholder) is a great option with a sturdy design and the addition of a separate coin box and cup holder. If you prefer it, you can buy a version without the cup holder. (But can you ever have enough cup holders?)

Dashboard grip pad

The JIMISHA Anti Slip Dashboard Pad is temperature-resistant, washable grip pad for your car. It’s easy enough to attach one of these sticky gel grip pads to your dashboard. When you do, you’ll turn the dash into a non-slip surface. It’s great for preventing phones, keys and sunglasses from sliding off onto the floor. It won’t damage the dashboard or leave sticky residue behind when you remove it. And it’s compatible with almost every dashboard.

Smart car charger with car finder

A car phone charger is already one of the most essential and best car gadgets. But this one goes the extra mile. The Nonda ZUS Smart Car Charger is a cigarette-lighter car charger with two USB ports to quickly charge your phone while you are driving, but it’s also so much more. Once parked, it becomes a car finder. Just download the companion iOS or Android app and forget wandering around the parking lot looking for your car. It also allows you to set a parking meter alert, monitor your car’s battery and share your parking location with your spouse or friends.

Sunglasses visor clip

This gadget turns your visor into a secure, out-of-the-way place to store your sunnies after the sun goes down. No more sliding around on the dash, or taking up coveted space in your cupholders. The Dulashine Car Visor Sunglasses Holder is sleek and easy to install. It’s small but strong, and the clip itself is padded to protect your sunglasses from getting scratched.

Cable clips

These allow you to keep your chargers within reach instead of on the floor or just out of reach, allowing you to safely charge whenever you need to. Simr Cord Organizer cable clips are eco-friendly and easy to attach to any surface, keeping your cables close at hand allowing your hands to stay safely on the wheel.

Mini vacuum

Spills are bound to happen and so is dirt, especially when you’re on the go. A small car vacuum that will pick up those sunflower seeds, Cheerios or pet hair and get in under the seat is always good to have around. The ThisWorx Car Vacuum Cleaner comes with three attachments, works for wet and dry and runs through your cars 12v outlet.

Wireless backup camera

If you don’t have a newer car that has a back-up camera, this is the gadget for you. The VanTop H610 10″ 2.5K Mirror Dash Cam attaches to your rearview mirror and provides a front view camera along with parking and reversing assistant for safety in the riskiest of situations, and you can easily control it by touch.

Jumper cables

This great gadget allows you to jump a dead battery without the aid of another car so you will never have to wait for a tow or be alone on the side of the road in a dead car. The HULKMAN Alpha85 Jump Starter will jump up to an 8.5L gas engine and also doubles as a flashlight and will charge your phone, has an LCD screen and is water resistant.

Digital tire inflator

This device gives you peace of mind when that low tire pressure light comes on without an air pump in sight. VacLife’s Air Compressor Tire Inflator plugs into your 12v power outlet and reads your tire pressure and inflates your car tire in seconds. It also has LED lighting for safe night-time use and turns off automatically when your tire is at its desired level.

Car escape tool

This gadget allows you to be prepared for the worst case scenario whether you want to think about it or not. It is small and something you would be so glad you had were you to ever need it. This Resqme original keychain car escape tool was originally designed for first responders and is small but mighty as it will cut through a seatbelt or break a window if you find yourself trapped.