5 Cool New Dashboard Gadgets That Are Better Than Your Car’s Built-in Technology

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There is always room for more gadgets, and a new car device can make a great upgrade. While a modern car can have a variety of cool technologies built into it, not every car, truck, or SUV will be so lucky. Whether you bought an old car with some outdated features or decided not to purchase certain upgrade packages, the internet can have your back with neat dashboard gadgets. Of course, these devices are not only cool, they also provide functionality.

The following items can give you a driving experience, light up your interior, or provide a variety of capabilities that go beyond what you might normally find on a car’s dashboard. We scoured Amazon for the lowest-priced tech, and looked at real customer reviews to make sure these products are worth your time and money. We’ve done our best to let readers know when certain devices are on sale, because savings can always be good.

If you feel like your car could use a tech makeover, the list below is a good place to start, as many of these items are quite expensive, too.

The Loncaster Car Phone Holder and Mount for $18.89 is usually on sale, and comes in a variety of colors to match your interior or personal style. Designed with one-handed operation in mind, the Phone Holder can be secured and removed easily. There is even a small space in front of the device to store small items, if you need it.

Compatible with a variety of smartphones, including iPhone, Samsung Galaxy, and Pixel devices, the Loncaster Car Phone Holder can fit devices between 0.23 and 0.47 inches in diameter, including the case. Along with 360-degree rotation that doesn’t require tips or reinforcement, the silicone design makes for a solid base. Installation simply involves peeling off the base cover – which the company recommends saving to protect the adhesive surface for future use – and sticking it over your car. When the mounting surface is no longer usable, it can be cleaned with water to make it stick again.

The Loncaster Car Phone Holder has a 4.2 star rating with over 54,950 reviews which is consistent with being an Amazon Choice item. Users appreciate the simple holder design, easy mounting, and keeping devices in place. However, at least one negative review notes that the mount has the phone sitting at an angle, which can make for poor viewing on sunny days. However, this device can pair well with other free applications that emulate Apple CarPlay, such as Car Play Connect Sync AutoLink.

There are many gadgets that are perfect for gearheads, and the KUEOWEIHUD Heads Up Display for Cars can be one of them. It is priced at $15.99 and comes in black, but you can also get a version where the text is white in color. This Heads Up Display is great for displaying speed information directly on your car’s windshield, which the company promises can keep said information within your view, rather than constantly looking down at your speedometer.

KUOWEIHUD’s Display is great for any car with a USB port, and relies on dual-chip technology to receive GPS or BDS signals. Capable of picking up 32 different satellite signals, the device promises to deliver accurate speed data. The HUD also features automatic brightness adjustment alongside large font and anti-reflective metal shading for easy reading.

With over 200 monthly purchases, KEUOWEIHUD Heads Up Display has a rating of 4.3 stars and 780 reviews. Users appreciate it for its GPS accuracy and connectivity, easy setup, and overall quality. One negative review, however, is that they need to reboot the device several times. This can be great for parents of teenagers who need to give gentle reminders that it’s time to take their foot off the gas.

Sometimes a good gadget for your dashboard can be an aesthetic choice, and Winzwon’s RGB LED Lights for Interior offer a variety of color options while also including some additional media-friendly features. Normally priced at $9.99, this product has regular discounts, and there is also an option to buy the product in two-packs.

Powered by USB-A, Winzwon’s LED lights feature a highly sensitive microphone that changes colors to the beat of the music — users just need to enable music mode. Additionally, users are able to choose from up to 16 million different color patches or create their own through the device’s mobile app. When it comes to installation, the device itself has four separate lines of waterproof lights that connect to the power cable, allowing users to cover many areas with just one package – however, the company warns to determine where the lights will go before exposing the device’s adhesives.

As well as being an Amazon’s Choice item, Winzwon RGB LED Lights holds a 4.3 star rating with over 22,000 reviews. Users appreciate the lamps for their ease of installation, solid build quality, and variety of color options. As for the negatives, a few reviewers reported having issues with the straps sticking.

Like the LED lights from Winzwon, this next accessory is all about looks, but there’s a strong performance behind it, too. The Kwak Solar Energy Rotation Car Air Freshener can be for anyone interested in the cosmos and making their car smell good. It is available on Amazon for $16.99, or sometimes it can be sold for a lower price. As well as not requiring more energy than the sun, it also comes in different colours.

A crystal ball depicting the solar system will begin to rotate as the rings rotate around the base when exposed to direct sunlight. In line with this move, the Kwak Air Freshener also comes with Ocean Perfume capsules for the device to produce a gentle scent that the company promises will not be overpowering. Additionally, installation is easy, as the bottom of the windshield includes adhesive to attach it to your dashboard.

Kwak Air Freshener currently averages 4.1 stars with over 2,200 reviews. Users appreciate how long-lasting the scent is, how easy it is to use, and the fun design. However, many reviews note that the included fragrance may be weak, and at least one reviewer recommends using essential oils rather than blended fragrances. It’s also worth noting that you can order fragrance refills directly from the product page for $8.99.

The Kiswuren Wireless Touchplay Screen is a self-installing infotainment screen with adhesives installed on the phone, and it also includes support for connecting to two popular driver stations next to placing the mobile phone directly on the screen. Normally priced at $69.99, Kiswuren is often on sale and sometimes on sale for around $45. In addition, the device includes some additional features besides smartphone connectivity.

With support for both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, the Kiswuren features a 7-inch display that supports video up to 1080p with a resolution of 1024 x 600. To transfer audio from the unit to your car, options include an FM transmitter, Bluetooth, or an AUX cable, and the device also supports DC 12V-24V — meaning it can connect through your cigarette lighter. The device also has support for USB sticks and SD cards, although not included. Along with smartphone features, the device also includes a 180-degree wide-angle backup camera and GPS navigation support.

With over a thousand monthly purchases, Kisuren has a 4.1 star rating from over 400 reviews and has the Amazon’s Choice seal of approval. Customers appreciate it for its quick setup, clear display, and compatibility with almost any vehicle. In terms of negatives, most reviews have complaints about the device’s built-in speaker, or 76% of customers rate it 4 stars or more. Considering there are so many great things you can do with Apple CarPlay, this device might be worth checking out.

As well as making sure each item was something cool to wear or stick on your dashboard, we did our best to make sure each item was worth your money. This means focusing on products with 4 stars or more, and hundreds if not thousands of reviews from real customers. Bonus points if something is an Amazon’s Choice item, too. We also explore the pros of every device while looking at a few cons to keep things fair.