New cars these days come jam packed with a whole host of innovative and swanky technology. Newer models have integrated smartphone displays, sophisticated audio systems and handy interior extras that make your drive more comfortable. But if your car is a little older and you want to upgrade your car technology but don’t want to spend a fortune? Refused Car Finance have compiled a list of the best 2021 gadgets that will instantly modernise your car!
1. Amazon Echo Auto
Amazon finally launched their Amazon Echo Auto in the UK in 2020. After good reception in the US since 2018, Amazon decided to launch it in the UK, and you can buy it for around £50 today. The Amazon Echo Auto enables older car owners to spruce up their technology by integrating voice-driven smart technology. The Amazon Echo Auto allows you to connect the Alexa app to your phone and plays through your car’s speaker via an aux or Bluetooth. The Echo Auto have 8 microphones so it’s able to hear you over your music air conditioning and road noise. You can use your Echo Auto to play music through Apply Music, Spotify, Deezer and of course Amazon Music. You can also use voice commands to check the news, make calls, add to your to-do list, set reminders, check petrol prices and more.
2. Garmin Speak with Amazon Alexa
The popularity of dashcams is on the rise and you may be asking yourself should you get a dashcam for your vehicle and how do you know which dashcam to buy? The Garmin Speak with Amazon Alexa is a great choice for anyone looking for a small but mighty voice controlled dashcam. The Garmin Speak does not have a visual screen but does record your drive and provides you with driver assistance features such as lane departures warnings and forward collision. The Garmin Speak app works with a Bluetooth enabled smartphone and allows you to stream audio through your car’s speakers. You can use the voice controls to ask Alexa to create to do lists, check your calendar or weather/traffic, control smart home devices and entertain passengers with interactive games! You can buy a Garmin Speak with Amazon Alexa for around $149.99.
3. Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam
The Nextbase 622GW Dash Cam is one of the most highly praised dash cams on the market today. It has won Auto Express Best Buy 2021 and its easy to see why! One of the more expensive gadgets on the list, you can grab a Nextbase 622GW for around £250. It has an abundance of world first features including the first dash cam to be what3words integrated and stunning 4k image quality. It can easily connect to your smartphone to send dashcam footage straight to your phone and also has Alexa built in. Its intelligent parking mode detects any impact to your car whilst parked and automatically records the event to give you video footage of the incident.
4. Tile Mate
Are you always losing your car keys? You need a Tile Mate! Tile Mate is a small, light square device that attaches to your car keys. You then use the free Tile app to find your keys if you have misplaced them. Tile uses an active Bluetooth connection to locate the Tile attached to your car keys. The Bluetooth range of a Tile Mate is around 200ft or if you’re outside of Bluetooth range, use the Tile app to view your Tile’s most recent location. You can buy Tile Mate for around £20.
5. Arteck Portable Car Jump Starter
The Arteck Portable Car Jump Starter is a handy for any driver to have no matter what type of technology they already have in their vehicle! The small and compact design enables you to jump start your car up to 20 times. It has built-in heavy-duty clamps and also includes its own torch. You can also use it to Charge phones, tablets or other device and speed of up to 2.1 amps via the USB. The Premium cells, circuitry and safety features protect you and your device from surge or short circuits and recharges in just 4 hours using the included AC adapter or car adapter. You can buy an Arteck Car jump starter for around £30-£50.
6. Wagan 12V Cooler and Warmer
If you’re not lucky enough to own a Range Rover with a built-in fridge then the Wagan Cooler is the next best thing! The Wagan 12V Cooler/Warmer with 12L or 24L Capacity is perfect for long family road trips or camping weekends. It can function as both a cooler and warmer and the heavy-duty handle allows for easy transport on the go. Just simply plug the 12v adaptor into your cars 12v outlet. The cool setting can reach -36 degrees Celsius, and the warming function can heat food up to 60 degrees Celsius.
7. Pure Highway 400
Many drivers assume that most cars come with DAB radio functionality these days and they would probably be right. But many older models don’t have a DAB function. However, you don’t have to fork out for a new car to get a DAB radio! Digital radios allow drivers to have a much wider range of stations available and provides clearer sound and is less susceptible to noise and interference. The Pure Highway 400 enables drivers to enjoy DAB radio through a cleaver audio adapter. The Highway 400 is easy to use. The compact, stylish controller can be fixed just about anywhere on your dashboard and uses a discreet windscreen aerial and antenna. You can also use the tagged tracks functionality to save songs you like from your radio to your Spotify library. The Pure Highway 400 can be purchased for around £60 in the UK.
8. EPAuto portable air compressor and tire inflator
The EPAuto portable air compressor and tire inflator is a handy choice for any driver. Take your road safety seriously with this handy portable air pump. It can be used to inflate tyres on cars, bikes, and mid-sized SUVs. The needle valve can also be sued to inflate footballs and inflatable swimming pool accessories too! You can purchase the EP Auto Portable air compressor for around £30 and is capable of providing a maximum pressure of 70 psi.
