The best mobile car accessories you can buy

Even though Google is making a big push into cars with Android Auto, not everyone wants or needs a new car. The good news is there are plenty of car accessories that bring at least part of the mobile experience into your car.

From head units, dash cams, and cables to mounts and chargers, here are the best Android-compatible car accessories you can buy.

Best mobile car accessories

Editor’s note: We will regularly update our list of the best mobile car accessories as more products are released.

1. Pioneer AVH-W4400NEX

If you have an older car without an in-dash head unit, your best bet to get the best Android Auto is with a third-party unit. That’s where Pioneer and its Nex line of infotainment systems come in, since they all support wired or wireless Android Auto.

Also read: Best Android Auto head units

In terms of cost and features, one of the better head units is the AVH-W4400NEX. Featuring a seven-inch WVGA (800 x 480) touch display, the AVH-W4400NEX also supports wired or wireless Apple CarPlay for those with iPhones. There’s also a built-in HD radio tuner, Miracast support, 1.5A output to devices, and support for FLAC files up to 192kHz/24-bit.

The biggest downside is the archaic resistive display. If you can live with that, the AVH-W4400NEX is available for just under $454. For $509, you can get the in-dash head unit, a back-up camera, and magnetic phone mount.

2. Kenwood Excelon DMX706S

If you’re looking for a Pioneer alternative, Kenwood also makes a wide array of Android Auto head units. One that stands out is the Excelon DMX706S, which Kenwood announced earlier in 2019.

Featuring a 6.95-inch WVGA (800 x 480) resistive touch display, the DMX706S also supports Apple CarPlay. There’s no mention of wireless functionality with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, so keep that in mind before you buy. The head unit also features a USB port with 1.5A output, two camera connections, and support for FLAC and WAV files up to 192kHz/24-bit.

The resistive display is sad to see in 2019, but the $349 price point earns it a spot among the best mobile car accessories.

3. Roav DashCam C2 Pro

Regardless of where you live, having a dashboard camera could be the difference between heavy insurance fees and no fees when involved in an accident. There are plenty of dash cams to pick from, but a great choice is the Roav DashCam C2 Pro from Anker.

The C2 Pro supports 1080p video recording and Anker’s NightHawk Vision tech for improved video recording at night. The Sony Starvis sensor features an f/2.0 aperture and can properly view four lanes of traffic. The GPS logging feature keeps track of where the camera was last located, while loop recording lets the camera record over saved footage.

Finally, you can wirelessly connect the C2 Pro to your phone with the Roav app. Through the app, you can view, download, delete, and share any recorded footage.

At $149.99, the C2 Pro isn’t the cheapest dash cam you can find. Roav even offers cheaper alternatives, such as the DashCam S1 and DashCam Duo. However, the C2 Pro packs enough features to warrant the higher price tag.

4. Yi Smart Dash Cam

If you want to spend as little as possible on a dash cam and still want something good, take a good look at the Yi Smart Dash Cam. Coming from the folks at Xiaomi, the Yi Smart Dash Cam features an Advanced Driver Assistance System (ADAS). The system warns you if you’re about to depart your lane and can detect the distance between your car and the car in front of you.

The camera’s 165-degree lens covers up to three lanes, while the f/1.8 aperture, 1080p recording at 60fps, and night vision promises to deliver bright and smooth footage in all lighting conditions. Finally, you can connect the Yi Smart Dash Cam to your phone with an app to view real-time footage or play back recordings.

At just $49.99, the Yi Smart Dash Cam delivers features not often seen in this price bracket. Couple in the 2.7-inch touch display and maximum video resolution of 2,304 x 1,296 at 30fps, and you have a camera with fantastic value.

5. Anker 3.5mm Nylon Audio Cable

If you want to keep things simple and use your phone for everything, just stick to a regular audio cable for your car. We recommend the Anker 3.5mm nylon-braided audio cable.

There’s a ludicrous number of 3.5mm male-to-male audio cables out there, but Anker’s offering makes our list of mobile car accessories thanks to its use of nylon. The nylon makes sure the cable doesn’t tangle up and remains durable over time. Since this cable will likely live on the floorboard of your car, you’ll want something that lasts.

Along with a $6.99 price tag and a four-foot length, Anker’s 3.5mm cable also comes with an 18-month warranty.

6. Anker Powerline II 3-in-1 Cable

Driving is one of the best times to keep your phone charged up, and that’s where the Anker Powerline II 3-in-1 cable comes in.

By itself, the three-foot cable features a micro-USB connector. However, the cable features two attached Lightning and USB-C adapters. You’ll have to place the adapter on the micro-USB connector to get output, but this is a nifty cable if you have a wide array of devices in the car.

Also read: The best USB-C cables

You’ll be paying for the flexibility of three connectors — $17.99, to be exact. However, it’s as if you’re getting three cables instead of just one.

7. Anker Roav SmartCharge T1

If your car’s stereo doesn’t have Bluetooth or an aux-in port, the Anker Roav SmartCharge T1 is the way to go for listening to your smartphone’s music on your standard car stereo. You connect your phone to the SmartCharge T1 over Bluetooth, then the device connects to your car stereo over an FM frequency.

Also read: Best FM transmitters for your car

In addition to hands-free calling, the SmartCharge T1 plays double duty as a mobile car accessory by featuring a USB port to charge your phone. The SmartCharge T1 is available for $25.99.

8. iOttie Phone Car Mount

Placed on your dashboard or windshield, the iOttie phone car mount is quite the mobile car accessory. The calling card is the lock and release button, which lets you mount and remove your smartphone with one motion. You’ll also find a knob behind the mount to move the feet up and down, a removable and washable suction cup, and a telescopic arm that extends from four to 6.5 inches.

Also read: The best phone holders for your car

iOttie’s phone car mount is available for $24.95. There’s a version of this car mount with Qi charging, but be ready to spend almost twice as much for it.

9. Besign BK06

If you’re someone who spends plenty of time talking on the phone while driving, put down the phone and get the Besign BK06. This curious gadget is a Bluetooth 5 speaker and clips to your sun visor. Thanks to the dual two-watt speakers, you can talk over the phone and listen to your music. Interestingly, it also turns on automatically when you enter your car and turns off when you exit.

Also read: What are the best Bluetooth speakers under $100?

Finally, the 1,000mAh battery delivers up to 20 hours of use. When you need to charge it, just remove the BK06 from your sun visor and plug in a micro-USB cable on the side. At $24.99, the BK06 is a great mobile car accessory to get personalized sound and keep your eyes on the road while doing so.

10. RAVPower Car Charger

If you’re doing fine with your car stereo and just want more ports to charge your devices, take a look at the RAVPower car charger. Thanks to support for Quick Charge 3.0, each port delivers up to 18W of output from each port. That means the charger totals 36W of output. There’s also a small blue light that helps guide you as you plug in your devices at night.

Also read: Best car chargers you can get your hands on

At just $13.99, the RAVPower car charger is very cost-effective. There are cheaper options available, but odds are they don’t deliver the output of RAVPower’s car charger.

That was our list of the best Android-compatible mobile car accessories. Let us know in the comments below if you think we missed something or your experiences with any of the aforementioned accessories!