Buying guides for the road and the runway
Five products per guide, scored on the same criteria before anyone sells you one. Each guide names one clear winner and shows the working.
For the drive
Dash cams, night glasses, scanners, inflators and breathalysers for the car and the road ahead.
Dash cams for drivers who want proof
Five dash cams compared on picture quality, night recording, ease of fitting and total cost, down to the memory card.
OBD2 scanners that explain the warning light
Five scanners compared on vehicle coverage, live data, ease of use and price, so you know before you go to the garage.
Cordless tyre inflators, and the tools that only look like one
Five cordless pumps and compressors from the same search results, compared on roadside usefulness, portability, total cost and what is in the box.
Portable breathalysers for drivers who want to know for sure
Five portable breathalysers compared on stated accuracy, reading speed, size and price, for a limit that changes at the border.
Night driving glasses that take the glare off
Five pairs compared on glare, contrast, comfort and price, from a yellow-lens fit-over to premium sunglasses.
From the driveway to the departure gate, the same criteria apply
For the trip
Translators, wallets and sunglasses for airports, crowds and unfamiliar streets.
Handheld voice translators for the trip abroad
Five handheld AI voice translators compared on language coverage, offline use, speed and price.
Slim RFID-blocking wallets for crowds and commutes
Five wallets compared on RFID blocking, thickness, card access and price.
Aviator sunglasses, five pairs head to head
Five aviators compared on stated UV protection, polarisation, comfort and price.
Ranked by research
Every guide follows the same four steps.
- 1Shortlist
We map what is on sale in each category, then pick the five products a buyer is most likely to compare on price, specification and availability.
- 2Research
For each product we read the specification sheet, the manual, the warranty terms and the retailer listings, and we weigh consistent patterns in verified buyer reviews. Where a claim can only be proved by measurement, we rely on manufacturer data and certification marks.
- 3Score
Every product in a guide is scored on the same five criteria: stated performance, price and value, ease of use, build and materials, and the guarantee behind it.
- 4Re-check
Prices, stock and new models are re-checked before each update, and every guide shows the date it was last verified. If a reader reports an error, we correct the guide and note the change.
- Stated performance
The maker’s own numbers, checked against the manual, the listings and the rules that apply on the road or at the gate.
- Price and value
What it costs to buy and to run, against what the same money buys elsewhere on the shortlist.
- Ease of use
Set-up, controls and the manual, judged for a first-time owner in a car park or an arrivals hall.
- Build and materials
What it is made of, how it is put together and how it survives a glovebox or a rucksack.
- Guarantee
The warranty and the returns terms standing behind it, and who honours them in the EU.
Advertising and rankings. Advertising compensation affects which products appear in our guides and their position, order and, in some cases, their rating. The criteria are ours, and ratings and reviews reflect our subjective opinion. Full details are in our Terms of use.
About PlanesAndLanes
PlanesAndLanes is a buying-guide publication for drivers and travellers. Each guide compares five products on the same criteria and ranks them, whether you are fitting a dash cam or packing for a flight.
The name is the remit: lanes for the road at home, planes for the trip abroad.
If we get a price, a specification or a claim wrong, we fix it and record the change on the guide. Use the contact page to report an error.
