Some minimalist drivers prefer that their car’s cabin be absolutely clean and clear. On the opposite end of the spectrum, we find those who love and need all the latest and coolest gadgets, from the surprisingly useful to the purely aesthetic and fun.
If you’re looking for some of the latest gadgets to try out, we’ve compiled a list of ones to avoid and ones we feel will improve your daily driving experience.
How We Chose These Gadgets
I wanted to make sure that this article includes products for a wide range of drivers, so I tried to think of what products would be useful or useless for both casual commuters and road warriors. I searched Amazon and various other gadget-focused sites and then read their features and reviews. I also checked out Reddit and other forums to see what people say about these products.
In the end, I came up with a list of products that will save you from buying useless products while also elevating your driving experience with alternatives that would benefit all kinds of drivers.
Lame: Rubbit
Rubbit describes itself as an “eco-friendly waterless car wash kit.” As someone who parks in a garage in the city, this seems useful to me. However, as I did a bit more research, I found that most people didn’t really find the Rubbit kit to be worth the money. For about $100, the complete kit will get you the foam sprayer along with foam, microfiber towels, and an air freshener.
And if you think that sounds like a lot of money, you’re not alone. While there’s nothing inherently wrong with the product (I still secretly want to try it out if it goes on sale), Reddit users couldn’t help but compare it to the few bucks you’d spend if you just brought your car to a handwashing station or buying cheap foamers and such online.
Cool: VIOFO A229 Pro
The Viofo A229 Pro comes with two outward-facing cameras, one that records your car’s interior, a Bluetooth remote, and a microSD card. This can create a lot of wiring when setting it up, even passing wires through your car’s frame. But it’s worth it if you want a high-tech dash cam that captures 4K videos and detects movement expertly with its G-sensor functions, automatically recording videos if it detects an incident.
One cool feature is the ability to use voice control and ask the dash cam to record. This can really come in handy if you find yourself in a troubling situation where you don’t want to take your hands off the wheel. It will set you back around $360, but it’s worth it if you want a quality dash cam.
Lame: RevHeadz App
Did you ever drive your Toyota Corolla to work and wish it sounded like a Lexus LFA instead? No? Well, if you change your mind, you can download the RevHeadz app. It connects to your car’s onboard diagnostic adapter and plays the engine through your stereo — except instead of playing the sounds of your car’s engine, it gives you the option to make it sound like a variety of supercars.
I can see this being fun sometimes, but ultimately, it’s useless. If anything, it would just make me even sadder I’m not driving a cooler car.
Cool: SUPERONE 150W Car Power Inverter
You’ve probably seen phone chargers in a car, but nothing like this. This car inverter features an AC outlet, two fast USB ports, and a two-socket splitter for five different charging options. It fits into your cupholder, making it extra convenient. Providing 150 watts of power, it can be used to charge laptops, gaming devices, and any other electronic gizmo you’ve brought along for a road trip.
Checking out its reviews on Amazon, it seems to come in handy for a wide range of situations. This includes powering a laptop so you can work in your car or even use it for a camping trip. Its ability to charge multiple devices at once makes it even more versatile.
Lame: Whistle Tips
Whistle tips are basically a piece of metal welded into your car’s exhaust tip — you can make it yourself or get some questionable products online — most of the ones on Amazon don’t have good reviews. But even if they worked amazingly, all that would get you is a ticket in some states or just laughed at by real car enthusiasts.
Whistle tips are frowned upon in the car community — and in quiet neighborhoods that don’t want to hear your car’s high-pitched squeal down the street. We did get a good meme from car whistles back in the day, but you definitely shouldn’t do this.
Cool: Blind Spot Mirrors
Cars and trucks that have blind spots that make driving a bit more dangerous. If you find yourself almost hitting cars as you change lanes on the highway or can’t see the sidewalk behind you when you reverse, you may want to invest in a blind spot mirror.
These handy little items just stick onto your car’s mirrors, improving your vision in a second. They’re easy to install and can really improve your safety, so they’re worth the investment to avoid being involved in an accident.
Lame: Portable Apple Car Play
There’s a bunch of these on Amazon, including the one above by LSLYA. However, when looking at the descriptions of what they do, I can’t help but think, “So… why not use your phone?” These devices basically use Bluetooth to connect to your phone and put everything on a screen that hangs in your car.
This seems like extra steps when you could just put your phone on a mount and call it a day. It’s not a crime if you want this gadget, but I can think of better ways to spend money than duplicating your phone that’s also in your car.
Cool: Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler
This doohickey was featured on Shark Tank, and I can see why Lori Greiner made a deal with the brand. The Drop Stop basically fits snugly between your seats, so you can no longer drop your phone, change, and food into that abyss. Their website talks about how this will help stop distracted driving and reduce car accidents — I am just a klutz and don’t want my phone to slip into the seat in the middle of my drive again.
It’s not the most aesthetically pleasing gadget, but it’s definitely a smart purchase if you want to keep your car free from clutter.
Lame: Fake Hood Scoop
I feel ashamed I even am showing you this. All over Amazon, you can find cheap fake hood scoops that you basically slap onto your car like a sticker. It clearly doesn’t function since it’s just stuck onto your car for looks, but it even fails at that part because it looks lame.
The car community has dedicated entire threads on Reddit to complaining about how tacky these are. It’s just not a good look. I may not be able to stop you from putting this on your hood, but I can warn you that it’s cringe.
Cool: Mochi
I love this little guy. Dasai’s Mochi 3 is a fun little robot with over 70 animations and optional sounds that react to your driving. Before taping him down, he thought I was drifting when he slid over and started making screeching and burning rubber noises in response. Mochi 3 isn’t useful at all, but it can definitely improve your commute and make it more fun.
There are multiple colors and helmet styles you can purchase as well, making Mochi match your aesthetic. There’s also a keychain helmet if you want to bring him around with you after you park.
Lame vs. Cool: The Conclusion
At the end of the day, every driver is different. While I may not spend $100 on foam and microfiber cloths, it may seem worth it to others. And that’s okay! We listen, and we don’t judge.
However, I can attempt to warn you. So don’t feel bad if you actually want one of these “lame” products — it may not be lame for your specific driving needs!