11 cheap car gadgets that upgrade your daily commute instantly
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Prime Day is here, and it's my favorite time of the year to make practical purchases that will make your life easier. And if you've got road trips planned this summer, it's a great time to consider outfitting your car with some new gadgets to upgrade your driving experience.
Also: The best Amazon Prime Day deals we've found
From chargers to headrest hooks to emergency gear like jump starters or tire inflators, there's a lot of gear to consider for your ride. Experts at ZDNET, including our in-house gadgeteer Adrian Kingsley-Hughes and me, have tested more than a few of these car gadgets. These are some of our favorite car tech devices you can shop right now -- and some of these items are on sale for Amazon's Prime Day event.
The best car gadgets to buy now
ZDNET writer Cesar Cadenas recommends this retractable car charger from Lisen. It's a 4-in-1 charging hub that makes powering devices in your vehicle much easier. It plugs into your car's cigarette lighter socket and includes a built-in USB-C cable, a Lightning cable, a USB-C port, and a USB-A port. The two cables extend up to 31.5 inches, making it easy for back-seat passengers to charge their devices.
Also: I highly recommend this car charger for quick charging on the go - and it's cheap
These car hooks slip between your headrest and the top of the seat, adding a place to store purses, bags, and other incidentals from the back of the seat. This multipack from Amazon comes in over a dozen colors to match your interior or provide a pop of color, and I love having them in my car for my handbag. Plus, they're less than $10.
This gadget is more for your car keys than your actual car. The She's Birdie is a personal safety alarm with a wildly loud siren built-in. I've carried this on my keychain for almost 7 years, and it's a great investment for college students, parents with small children, older adults, and more, but for less than $30, I recommend everyone scoop one up.
When the top pin of the Birdie is pulled out, a 130db siren sounds and a strobe light flashes for up to 40 minutes. To put that in perspective, a 130db sound is equivalent to a jackhammer and nearly equal to the sound of a jet engine in the distance, according to the Hearing Health Foundation.
Also: My favorite personal safety alarm is as loud as a jackhammer
Statik's Tire Hero air compressor does more than just fill your tires, making it the ultimate emergency accessory to keep in your car. I appreciate the added features, like the flashlight and portable charger, and am fairly satisfied with its performance. I don't think this is necessarily the answer to all PSI problems, but it's an efficient tool in any roadside emergency kit.
Also: Going on a road trip? This multi-functional car charger has saved me so many times
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