Top Ten 12-volt car accessories
Hairdryer
Cost: £10.99
Where: Amazon
Ladies: Have you ever been put off going on that camping holiday or amazing road trip because you know you'll end up walking around with hair like the popular eighties troll dolls? In-car hair accessories are here to save us. Plug this hairdryer into the 12-volt socket and style away.
Ceramic hair straighteners
Cost: £9.99
Where: Amazon
Once you have dried your hair (see above) tame it with these frizz busting ceramic hair straighteners. They won't give you the poker straight hair that expensive straightening irons do - but if you're going camping or out for the day then these are a life saver.
Griffin TuneFlex
Cost: £42.99
Where: Play
This handy device plugs into the 12-volt socket and will position your iPhone on a flexible steel neck so it is always within reach – but not in the way. Connect via a cable to your aux-in socket and stream your tunes through your car stereo whilst charging your phone. It also comes with a handy remote control that will magnetically mount on your steering wheel.
Cordless compressor with spotlight
and car starter
Cost: £34.20
Where: Clarke Tooling
Do not be put off by the really boring name. You need this! The beauty of this clever all-in-one ninja tool is that it will jump-start your car direct from the 12-volt socket – you do not even need to open the bonnet. Brilliant for those of us who are mechanically challenged!
And if that wasn't enough, the unit also has a built in compressor for inflating tyres and airbeds if you are camping. There is an integral LED light for working in the dark, a power lead for in-car charging a USB socket for powering laptops and a 12-volt socket to charge mobile phones.
12-volt / USB Multi-socket
Cost: £12.99
Where: Halfords
No more arguing over who gets to charge their phone or iPad. This classic accessory allows two gadgets to charge at once. The perfect stocking filler!
Digital tyre inflator
Cost: £26.99
Where: Halfords
The tyre inflator - a classic 12-volt car accessory. This one does what it says on the tin. Plug it in, your tyre will inflate in less than 5 minutes and you're back on the road.
Baby bottle warmer
Cost: £9.99
Where: Amazon
This simple gadget allows you to warm baby bottles on the move. Made from stretch neoprene it slips over the bottle and gently warms it up. Perfect for long journeys or days out.
Thermoelectric cooler
Cost: £99
Where: Complete Outdoors
The clever cool box plugs into your 12-volt socket keeping your picnic and drinks cool whilst you travel to your destination. With a capacity of 35 litres it can be used as a chest cooler or an upright fridge – and even has a heater setting if you prefer.
When you've arrived at your destination just extend the multi- functional handle and it will roll along on two sturdy wheels.
Kettle
Cost: £19.99
Where: Halfords
Everybody knows that us Brits love a cuppa. But all too often a cup of tea at a service station doesn't leave you with much change. This kettle is perfect for holidays or long journeys.
Boot Dryer
Cost: £23.96
Where: Blue Tomato
If you are an avid snowboarder or just love walking on a crisp winter's day this nifty little gadget will both pre-warm your boots before you head out and dry them off when you have finished.
The bonus: 'Who knew!' gadget:
Remember the Sex and the City episode where the girls discovered the infamous rabbit? Well, it's now available as a 12-volt plugin - this is about as racy as in-car accessories get. Who knew!
*Not all accessories are suitable for use whilst driving. Please follow the manufacturer's guidelines on safety.