USB ports have been a norm in cars for years now, but most people still use them for one of two things — charging their phone and using wired Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. But those USB ports can do a lot more than that, and all you need is the right gadget to plug into. These can make your car rides safer, cleaner, and a lot more fun. Most importantly, none of them will break your bank.
Power gadgets like air purifier, dashcam, and TPMS
Let’s start with the obvious
You probably already use your car’s USB port to charge your phone, but that same USB port can power other smaller gadgets too. And no, I’m not talking about random devices that power via USB. There’s a whole category of car gadgets on Amazon that can give your ride a real upgrade.
A dashcam, for instance, is something I feel every car should have. You can grab one for around $60, and it’s a good safety net to have, especially for insurance purposes. The setup is dead simple too. You just have to mount the dashcam on the windshield or rear glass and connect it to your car’s USB port. If you don’t want to spend, you can even repurpose an old phone as a dashcam for your car.
Another useful add-on is an air purifier, because air quality inside a closed cabin can get bad fast, especially in traffic. A USB-powered air purifier can fit inside one of the cupholders and keep the air clean. Some of these also double as a scent diffuser, which is a nice bonus.
A USB humidifier is another one worth having, since your AC tends to suck all the humidity out of the cabin. A humidifier can counter that and keep your throat from drying out on long drives. Finally, if you’re an old car that doesn’t show tire pressure readings on the dash, an aftermarket TPMS can fix that gap. These are usually very cheap, around $50, and can be useful if you often forget to check the tire pressure.
Connect a portable vacuum cleaner
Tackle car messes without losing your mind
A vacuum is another gadget that your car’s USB port can power. I’m not talking about the one you use at home, of course. You can grab a handheld car vacuum that runs off USB to keep your interiors nice and clean. These are usually compact enough to store in the glovebox or a door pocket.
You can get one of these for $20-30 on Amazon, which makes it a no-brainer, especially if you have kids or tend to eat inside your car often. The suction obviously isn’t going to match a full-size vacuum, but it’s usually enough for cleaning crumbs, dust, pet hair, or even sand tracked in from the beach. Some of them even come with extra attachments so you can reach tighter spots, like the glove compartment or footwells.
Enjoy offline music with a flash drive
The old-school way
I’m old enough to have driven cars that didn’t have Bluetooth, let alone Android Auto or Apple CarPlay. Back then, the only way to play your favorite music — without keeping your phone hooked up via an AUX cable — was a good old flash drive. You’d stash all your music on it and plug it straight into your car’s music player to play songs during a ride.
The idea may be old, but it can still work today. You probably won’t have to buy anything for this one — any old USB drive you already have will work. Format it, load it with music you won’t get bored of, and your car will always have your favorite playlists ready for long trips. It’ll work even when there’s no cell signal, and the biggest win is the battery life. You won’t be draining your phone’s battery with Bluetooth or Android Auto.
Upgrade your car’s interior with ambient lighting
Your cabin could use a glow-up
If you’re into aesthetics, USB-powered ambient lighting strips are one of the easiest ways to make your car’s interior feel a little less boring. These strips plug directly into your car’s USB port, and you can run them along the footwells, dashboard, or door panels. This can change the whole vibe of your cabin, especially at night.
Most of these LED strips also offer controls via an app or a remote for switching colors, adjusting brightness and even syncing to music. Again, this one’s more about aesthetics than function, and it’ll take some effort too. Still, it’s still worth it, because for $15-20, it can make your car’s interior feel more premium.
And if you’re a Fast and Furious fan, some of these LED strips can even add under glow lighting for a look that’s hard to miss from the outside.
