If you’re embarking on a long-haul road trip, make space for one of these fantastic car accessories. Road trips are best enjoyed when the route ahead is clear and everything runs smoothly from start to finish. Sure, you may want to veer off route to experience some hidden gems and untrodden paths. But, every adventurer needs the support of some handy technology to help them on their way.
I’ve put together a list of my favorite car accessories, designed to save you time, space, and peace of mind, during those long hours cruising the open roads, blogs Tamara Hinson.
Campingaz Powerbox, £61.89.
Long gone are the days when Campingaz was merely a canned gas supplier.
One of their most popular products is this hi-tech cool box, which can run off either a 12V car plug-in or a 230V electrical outlet (cables for both are included.)
Unlike some electrical cool boxes, it’s a wonderfully quiet device, so once you’ve arrived at your destination you can drift off to sleep while your food stays fresh.
It’s also got an antimicrobial lining, which provides protection against mold and reduces unpleasant odors. Designed in a range of sizes, it can be easily stowed – whether you’ve hired a Mini or a Mercedes.
Suaoki U10 Car Jump Starter 800A Battery Booster Pack, £59.99.
Who knew a jump-starter kit could be a product of such beauty? Every road tripper should set off with one of these.
No matter how much you love the route you’ve chosen, being stuck there due to a flat battery will quickly dampen your enthusiasm.
I also love the fact that it comes with a micro-USB cable, meaning it can be used to charge certain smartphones and tablets. And, there’s no excuse for letting its battery drain as it can be charged using either the mains power adaptor or the in-car charger.
Handpresso Auto Capsule, £175.
A must for dedicated coffee-lovers, the Handpresso Auto Capsule is an espresso machine for your car.
Features such as the anti-spray nozzle allow you to enjoy your favorite coffee without risk of mess or injury! The Handpresso Auto Capsule, pictured above, only uses capsules – which is a big novelty.
Part of a larger Auto range from Handpresso, you can use Senseo pods with the Handcoffee Auto and ground coffee with the Handpresso Auto.
Simply plug any of these fantastic models in and you’ll be sipping your favorite blend in no time.
Nextbase iN-CAR CAM 512G, £179.99.
A growing number of drivers are installing in-car cameras as protection against damage caused by reckless road users.
This particular model is the first to have an anti-glare polarising filter designed to cut out windscreen reflection. Six individual layers of glass also ensure crystal-clear vision, and an ultra-wide field of view (140 degrees to be precise) means the camera won’t miss a thing.
UE Boom 2, £169.99.
This Bluetooth waterproof speaker is ideal for long journeys and it’s blissfully easy to use.
To start with, it has both Siri and Google Now voice integration. You can play, pause, or skip a song by simply tapping the speaker, which can be accessed by two other people.
Its waterproof feature makes it the perfect accompaniment to an adventurous road trip. It’ll also last for 15 hours on a fully charged battery.
Un air de Diptyque car diffuser, £45.
After a few hours on the road, even the cleanest of cars can begin to pick up an unpleasant scent – especially if it’s a hot summer’s day.
Yet, that doesn’t mean you need to resort to installing a forest of tree-shaped air fresheners swinging from the rear-view mirror. Instead, give your car a fragrant upgrade with help from this beautiful diffuser by perfume brand Diptyque.
After you’ve attached it to the air vent, insert one of the fragrance cartridges, which come in six different varieties. I’d recommend Orange Blossom (inspired by Florida’s state flower.) This will provide a warming blast of citrus, whether you’re driving through Kissimmee or Croydon.
Celestron 18774 PowerTank, £74.45.
This superbly bright torch, with a 12V power supply, will have you reaching for your sunglasses.
In addition to the main torch, there’s also a smaller, built-in flashlight. If that’s not enough, there are two USB ports for charging portable devices, along with booster terminals to help charge weak car batteries.
The device is easy to charge itself – plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter (adaptor included.)
Car technology continues to evolve at a staggering rate. Whether it’s new mobile apps or the rise of driverless cars, there seems to be a new development every month. These car accessories will all enhance a long-haul road trip, giving you the time and space to enjoy a luxurious adventure wherever you choose in the world. www.avis.co.uk/inspires/
