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12 essential tech solutions to modernize your car

By Monique Crawford, Komando.com
•
March 14, 2021

Your beloved car may get you from point A to point B, but what you really want are all those tech upgrades that come standard nowadays.

Newer vehicles offer more comfortable rides, organization options, safety features and more. But don’t worry, you don’t have to purchase a new car to access these perks. You can modernize your vehicle with a few simple devices that are affordable and easy to install.

Here are 12 life-changing items to choose from. And believe me, once you give these tech options a try, you’ll wonder how you ever lived without them.

1. Magnetic Phone Mounts

Magnetic Phone Mount, WixGear [2 Pack] Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Phone Holder, for Cell Phones and Mini Tablets with 4 Metal Plates

Magnetic Phone Mount, WixGear [2 Pack] Universal Air Vent Magnetic Phone Car Mount Phone Holder, for Cell Phones and Mini Tablets with 4 Metal Plates

These magnetic phone mounts fit perfectly over your air vents and can swivel to help you keep an eye on the display. Worried about magnets affecting your device? Don't be. The mounts come with protective plates to keep your phone safe.

Promising review: I am very happy with this product. Although it just uses the simple mechanism of magnets, it makes life so much easier for me. I do a lot of driving ... [and] having a magnetic mount has made ... my life so much easier during these trips.
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$13.89 on Amazon.com

2. Satellite Radio Kit

SiriusXM SXPL1V1 Onyx Plus Satellite Radio with Vehicle Kit, Receive 3 Months Free Service with Subscription – Enjoy SiriusXM Through your Car's In-Dash Audio System on this Dock & Play Radio

SiriusXM SXPL1V1 Onyx Plus Satellite Radio with Vehicle Kit, Receive 3 Months Free Service with Subscription – Enjoy SiriusXM Through your Car's In-Dash Audio System on this Dock & Play Radio

It's time to go above and beyond your tape deck and CD player. Install this satellite radio kit to access the wonderful world of unlimited music. The best part? The first three months of your music subscription are absolutely free.

Promising review: Easy installation ... Especially pleased with the adhesive radio stand that enables me to place it anywhere on my dashboard I wish. If you are halfway handy, you could install this and hide the wires etc. with just a little investment of your time. The three months free upfront was a nice gesture also.
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$79.95 on Amazon.com

3. Dual USB Charger

Anker Car Charger, Mini 24W 4.8A Metal Dual USB Car Charger, PowerDrive 2 Alloy Flush Fit Car Adapter with Blue LED, for iPhone XR/Xs/Max/X/8/7/Plus, iPad Pro/Air 2/Mini, Galaxy, LG, HTC and More

Anker Car Charger, Mini 24W 4.8A Metal Dual USB Car Charger, PowerDrive 2 Alloy Flush Fit Car Adapter with Blue LED, for iPhone XR/Xs/Max/X/8/7/Plus, iPad Pro/Air 2/Mini, Galaxy, LG, HTC and More

This compact dual USB-A port car charger allows you to charge two devices at once. It fits snugly in your vehicle's charger socket to conserve space and is also equipped with an "on" light to indicate your devices are charging properly.

Promising review: Fits nearly flush to the surface, but has enough of a lip that it can be gripped for removal. The blue light is nicely adjusted to be visible in daylight (not direct sun), but not annoyingly bright at night. The two USB ports mean both of our phones can charge at the same time, who doesn't love win-win?
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$11.99 on Amazon.com

4. Cord Organiziers

Cable Clips - Cord Organizer - Cable Management - Wire Holder System - 6 Pack Adhesive Cord Hooks - Home, Office, Cubicle, Car, Nightstand, Desk Accessories - Gift Ideas Men, Women, Dad, Mom, Him, Her

Cable Clips - Cord Organizer - Cable Management - Wire Holder System - 6 Pack Adhesive Cord Hooks - Home, Office, Cubicle, Car, Nightstand, Desk Accessories - Gift Ideas Men, Women, Dad, Mom, Him, Her

Love your car tech but hate tangling up all your device cords? You're not alone. Try these discreet cable clip organizers to keep your car looking clutter-free. Just peel, clip and stick.

Promising review: These work insanely well for what they're supposed to do. They have incredibly strong adhesive and will keep your cable in place. The rubber is a little harder than the competition, making it harder to get the cables in but also harder to get them out. This ends up being a giant plus.
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$6.96 on Amazon.com

5. Cassette to Aux Adapter

Arsvita Car Audio Cassette to Aux Adapter, 3.5 MM Auxillary Cable Tape Adapter

Arsvita Car Audio Cassette to Aux Adapter, 3.5 MM Auxillary Cable Tape Adapter

Still have a tape deck in your vintage car? No problem. Use it to play all the music from your mp3 player, smartphone or other aux port-supported devices. All you need to do is plug it in, find an unused radio station and play your favorite tunes.

Promising review: This converter is great for older cars. I use it to listen to music with a lot of bass and treble and I haven't found any loss in quality from my music. ... Definitely recommend!
Buy Now
$9.99 on Amazon.com

6. Mini Fridge

AstroAI Mini Fridge 4 Liter/6 Can AC/DC Portable Thermoelectric Cooler and Warmer for Skincare, Foods, Medications, Home and Travel (Black)

AstroAI Mini Fridge 4 Liter/6 Can AC/DC Portable Thermoelectric Cooler and Warmer for Skincare, Foods, Medications, Home and Travel (Black)

When you're taking a road trip, meals, snacks and medications are literal life savers. Don't rely on old fashioned ice chests that may or may not keep your items cool. Trust in this reliable mini fridge instead.

Promising review: The fridge works as advertised and is a great little addition to my car. ... It does its job quietly and unobtrusively. ... I was so impressed, I went looking to see what other products AstroAI makes that I might need.
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$49.99 on Amazon.com

7. Backseat Organizer

ULEEKA Car Backseat Organizer with 10" Table Holder, 9 Storage Pockets Seat Back Protectors Kick Mats for Kids Toddlers, Travel Accessories, Black, 2 Pack

ULEEKA Car Backseat Organizer with 10" Table Holder, 9 Storage Pockets Seat Back Protectors Kick Mats for Kids Toddlers, Travel Accessories, Black, 2 Pack

The next time you take the family on a road trip, don't forget this handy backseat organizer. It can hold tablets, snacks, toys, drinks and more.

Promising review: This organizer is a life saver! My kids are always losing things under the seat. This organizer has a space for all their things! I am impressed by the amount of items that fit in the variety of pockets. I highly recommend this car organizer because of the range of storage options, the quality and the ease of installation.
Buy Now
$19.99 on Amazon.com

8. Car Power Inverter

Foval 150W Car Power Inverter 12V DC to 110V AC Converter with 3.1A Dual USB Car Charger

Foval 150W Car Power Inverter 12V DC to 110V AC Converter with 3.1A Dual USB Car Charger

This power inverter is the perfect charger for anyone who spends a lot of time on the road. It offers built-in protection from overheating, overloads and overcharging. It comes with two USB ports and an AC outlet so you can charge anything from a laptop to a smartphone.

Promising review: This thing has been a life saver. When I was pregnant and had terrible back pain, the only thing that helped was having a heating pad 24/7. I had to drive from St. Louis to Chicago a few times and this thing made it so I could have my heating pad. I don't know if I could have made that drive without this. Charged cell phones really fast too, runs with no noise [and] does not get hot when running.
Buy Now
$17.98 on Amazon.com
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