Best motoring kit 2014 - pictures

We’ve tested hundreds of products over the past year, but here we name 20 that broke new ground or stood out above the rest...

While this Halfords Advanced Professional 200pc Socket & Ratchet Spanner Set may not look different to rival sets, we can’t get over its value for money. It was on offer at £150 when we tested it, and Halfords has halved the p

Apple's iPad is ideal for allowing passengers to watch movies or TV shows on the move, and a headrest holder puts the screen at eye level. This Snugg Adaptable Headrest Mount – used with the case, available separately – stood out

The innovation used in the design of the Jawbone ERA impressed us as much as the performance of the Bluetooth hands-free earpiece itself. The unit can detect voice interaction from facial vibrations when talking – plus it’s a comfy fit

We've long been convinced that claying your car before waxing is beneficial, but not everybody has the time to do it. This mitt from bodywork specialist G3 can really speed up the process. One side of the microfibre mitt is impregnated

Standalone safety camera locators aren’t as popular as they once were, with most sat-navs now displaying speed limits and warnings of traps. But we were left impressed with RoadPilot Mobile after our group test. It wasn’t the overall w

Action cams are becoming more and more popular, as drivers who fancy themselves on the track want to record footage to show friends. But it’s not always easy to get a good angle for capturing all that unfolds – which is where this head

Despite not being the cheapest, this excellent Bosch GSB 18 v-Li cordless drill caught the eye. It oozes quality and has impressive stamina – thanks to its 4.0Ah lithium battery – and easily completed our durability tests. It’s co

Dash cam sales have boomed in 2014, with makers eager to get a slice of a market fuelled by road accident insurance scammers. The Transcend DrivePro 200 is among the cheapest but also the best, as it’s one of the few to include a

Belkin's CarAudio Connect FM transmitter adds another dimension to wireless music playback. Simply hook up your smartphone to the device via Bluetooth and it’ll re-transmit music by FM frequency much clearer than rival transmitters.

Considering how large conventional powerpacks usually are, this Sealey LSTART 235 broke the mould when we tested it. Its tiny size makes it small enough to fit in most gloveboxes or door pockets, and yet it still has the ability to jum

For those looking to grab a slice of the future for their car, the Garmin HUD+ is one of the most innovative navigational aids available. Taking inspiration from the head-up display technology featuring on an increasing number of premi

Many of the samples we test each year are sent back to the supplier after testing. However, some aren’t – and this is one that we hope won’t be going anywhere. If you frequently carry tools or heavy car parts like we do, nothing protec

The GDC (Gerber Daily Carry) Zip Blade is part of a three-strong range, which includes a multi-tip screwdriver and a light, but the blade is the most useful. It’s perfect for opening packaging with its 17mm locking blade and the flat t

The long-established Gran Turismo series continues to go from strength to strength, and we think the sixth edition of the racing simulator is one of the best driving games available on modern consoles. It’s a shame that this hasn’t mad

We've used several powerpacks over the years and appreciated their impressive, all-in-one versatility, but this new-for-2014 Ring Powerpack RPP170 is now our favourite thanks to its charging cradle. Simply drop it on and it’s alwa

The first aftermarket head unit to incorporate Apple’s new CarPlay technology, this Pioneer SPH-DA120 is preloaded with software that gives near-full iPhone integration. It relies on Siri interaction, so you given spoken instructi

We thought Anki DRIVE really shook up the racing games and toy market when we first tested it back in June. Just like a traditional electric track racer, you control a car that careers around a miniature course. However, thanks to new,

As much as TomTom and rival Garmin continue to concentrate on innovative new features for their sat-navs, many will be grateful for the entry-level Start 50, included in TomTom’s refreshed line-up. It’s better than other budget navs we

This year, we tested Vax pressure washers for the first time, and the new PowerWash range made a really big impression. The 2,500W VPW4 model won our multi-test by combining great cleaning with a bargain price tag. It’s not quite perfe

This Sony XAV-602BT stereo can be as valuable to Android users as Pioneer’s CarPlay-enabled SPH-DA120 is to iPhone fans. When we tried it, stereo tech was not as advanced as it is now, but this remains one of the best to buy, with