A quality emergency kit is a must for any car owner. Accidents happen and it’s always prudent to be prepared. We tested several of the best car emergency kits, and think that First Secure offers one of the best overall options.
This kit includes essentials like jumper cables, tow straps, tire repair kit, air pump, and first aid kit. Included tools are durable and high-quality.
We unpacked a First Secure emergency kit to assess item quality and organization. We were generally impressed. The air compressor isn’t the most robust, though it should work in a pinch.
Throw this kit in your truck or center console: It is compact and could easily fit in any car. There are only two internal mesh pockets, so there’s no way to organize, but in an emergency, you simply empty the entire pack to locate the item you need
Most people’s phones are entirely integrated into the driving experience: for navigation, entertainment, and more. If you use your phone for directions, it’s extremely useful to have a mounting device that allows you to easily see your screen while driving.
The Ram® X-Grip® offers a secure grip and is compatible with a wide range of phone sizes. It can be mounted on your windshield or drilled into your dashboard. But be aware the X-Grip isn’t ideal for every phone. The grips on the side can push the volume and power buttons if the phone isn’t aligned properly
The X-Grip is extremely adjustable. It has ball joints and 360-degree rotation in several locations. While it can take time to set up (as there are several knobs to adjust), users can perfectly position the mount for their preferences.
With a powerful grasp, the X-Grip supports even the heaviest phones. Overall, we think it’s one of the best car phone mounts. However, be aware that in some states it is illegal to attach objects to your windshield. Be sure to check local laws before installing this phone mount.
It’s handy to keep a pair of jumper cables in your car, and these will be included in any auto emergency kit. But what if there’s nobody around to help revive your car battery? If that happens, it can be useful to have a portable jump starter like the Clore Jump-N-Carry.
The Jump-N-Carry weighs about 20.0 pounds but is relatively portable and will fit in most trunks. This jump starter has a lead-acid battery and can emit a powerful charge. Its peak amperage is 1,700.0, meaning it can jump even large vehicles like pickup trucks. The Jump-N-Carry can also charge handheld electronics using a built-in USB port
We tested many of the best jump starters using a carbon pile tester. This allowed us to check consistency and output. Clore did well, showing a consistent 12.6 volts. This device is easy to use and reliable. It even has a test button that shows you the remaining charge so you can quickly check if it is ready to go before you head out Keeping your tires properly inflated increases fuel economy and can save money in the long run. Keeping an air pump in your trunk can help you maintain proper tire pressure when the weather shifts.
Having reviewed several of the best tire inflators with gauges, we like the Fanttik X8 Apex Tire Inflator best. It can inflate tires up to 150.0 psi (pounds per square inch) and it’s cordless, meaning you can take it with you and top off anywhere . The battery is rechargeable, and the device has an auto shut-off feature so you don’t accidentally over-inflate
The Fanttik X8 is easy to use and has a lightning-fast inflation speed. The smart features are robust and easy to use. This inflator can even double as an extra power bank to charge your devices.
The Air Spencer consists of a plastic case and changeable gel insert. The plastic case can be affixed to your dashboard, floorboard, or center console. It’s a long-lasting car air freshener with several scents (squash, lime, citrus, and crystal) .
We tested the Air Spencer alongside several of the best car air fresheners. The Air Spencer is easy to use and excellent at masking bad odors. We liked the smell a lot, though this is subjective. We recommend the squash scent (which smells more like lime soda than the gourd).
Perhaps most importantly, the Air Spencer scent lasted longer than any other air freshener that we tested. You can get well over a month of odor from a single refill
A dash cam can be a wallet-saver when it comes to insurance claims. We believe the Kingslim D4 is among the best dash cams because it offers both front and rear video coverage at a moderate cost.
Recording at 4K video resolution and 30 frames per second (FPS), the Kingslim provides clear video, especially for a camera in this price range. It also has a built-in GPS that records speed and location as well as video. The Kingslim is easy to use and suitable for those who’ve never used a dash cam before.
The Kingslim demonstrated the superb daytime video quality. Many dash cams include a single camera, but the D4 comes with two cameras wired together. The rear camera’s resolution is noticeably lower, but nonetheless usable. More cameras does mean more work during installation. You’ ll have to tuck wires into your upholstery, which can be a time-consuming task.
The menus feature intuitive design and are easy to navigate. You can adjust video resolution, event detection sensitivity, loop recording time, and more.
The Auto-Vox is a simple wireless backup camera that anyone can quickly install. While most new vehicles already have a built-in backup camera, this is not often the case with older cars. Backup cameras can help prevent fender benders in the parking lot and make parallel parking much easier The Auto-Vox backup camera offers a 110-degree viewing angle, features a wireless digital connection, and is waterproof.
We rated the Auto-Vox CS-2 as the overall best backup camera because it is reasonably priced, has useful features, and is easy to install. We found the display screen to offer reasonable resolution, and we like that the wireless connection means that you don’t need to deal with a lot of wires. The wireless feature works well: We didn’t notice any drops in connection, though the video can rarely lag. An OBD2 scan tool is a useful tool for car owners, even if you don’t know much about car repairs. OBD2 scan tools can help even the layperson diagnose and clear some engine codes. And if you want to work on your own car, an OBD2 scanner is a must.
We think the Launch CRP129E Scan Tool is among the best OBD2 scanners. It’s easy to use and has a depth of features for those interested. You can check live data, perform emissions tests, and reset diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs).
The CRP129E comes with data code protocols from nearly 60 carmakers and over 1,000 models, and it provides free lifetime updates
We found the Launch CRP129E simple to use. We like the touchscreen user interface and long connection cable.
Note that you will need a WiFi connection to set up your Launch scanner. Once you’ve registered the device, however, you won’t need a persistent internet connection to use the scanner. The Launch OBD2 scanner is small and you can easily store it in your car to quickly diagnose issues
Sunglasses are typically the best means to filter harsh rays in the car, but glasses aren’t comfortable for everyone. If you want to forgo the wraparounds, a car sun visor has you covered.
The Sailead polarized sun visor is adjustable and stable. You can situate it close to the front of your face, effectively protecting your entire field of vision
The Sailead earns its designation as the best car sun visor extender because of its adjustability. Most extendable visors connect to your existing visor via an elastic strap. The Sailead attaches with a spring clip which allows it to fit more vehicles.
Importantly, you can adjust the Sailead’s distance from your face, and it also rotates and swives. Lesser visors don’t fit all vehicles and may not stay stable, especially as the elastic stretches over time. Expect the Sailead to last quite some time
The Trtl Pillow is an adjustable travel neck pillow that’s well-suited for sleeping. You shouldn’t wear a car neck pillow while driving, but it’s one of the best car accessories for passengers and a good item to keep in your back seat. This lightweight device keeps your neck cool and supported. The Trtl offers a more rigid alternative to memory foam, though it does sacrifice plushness.
It’s not immediately obvious how to use the Trtl, but we were able to figure it out with some fiddling. It’s easy to adjust and features an ergonomic design. The microfiber fleece lining is soft to the skin. What makes this one of the best car neck pillows is the unparalleled neck support.
