As of July 1, our home state of Indiana joined a growing list of states banning the use of a mobile device while driving. While hands-free laws may vary by state, typically the law prohibits motorists from holding or using a cellphone while operating a motor vehicle unless they use hands-free technology, such as Bluetooth or a cradle, or need to call 911 in an emergency situation.

In the Hoosier state, violating this law may cost you a fine of up to $500. Ouch!

While the primary purpose of the law is to protect citizens, it also presents an opportunity for brands to get ahead of the competition. If you’ve been feeling like your swag closet has gotten a little stale, investing in a hands-free branded item could be a great way to show that your business is timely, functional, and caring.

How to choose a hands-free branded item

Hands-free devices are not new to the promotional product industry. In fact, the options may be more varied now than ever. This is great if you love to shop! But it can be a bit daunting if you’re not sure which item will be the best bang for your buck.

Our recommendation is to consider the following factors when choosing a hands-free branded item:

• Budget: First things first, decide how much you are willing to invest. The amount you can spend will inform every other decision you make. Start here before getting your heart set on a specific item.
• Distribution: How will you be getting these items into the hands of your recipients? At an event? Through the mail? At the office? Your ideal hands-free branded item may need to be simple to mail, or easy to transport.
• Quantity: Are you giving out products at a large tradeshow with heavy foot traffic? Or are you narrowing down a list of specific recipients? Knowing this may help inform your budget, as well.
• Recipient: Who will be receiving your freebie? Are they mostly commuting from home to the office? Are they on the road for long stretches? Matching the item to the user makes it more likely your brand will end up on their dash, and not in the trash.

Here’s the good news: you don’t have to spend a ton of time researching the best device. We did the work for you! Here are our picks for the best hands-free branded items for the three most common categories of drivers:

Hands-free branded items for long-range drivers

Professional drivers who are on the road for long stretches – for example, fleet, LTL, taxi, and ride-sharing drivers – most likely already have a hands-free solution. In order for your brand to earn a coveted spot on the dash of a pro, you’re going to have to give them something better than their existing solution.

 

For long-range drivers, consider the Prim Detachable Wireless Phone Mount. The mount doubles as a wireless charging pad, and can easily be removed for use inside – at home, in an office, or a hotel room. It also works with most plastic cases, a challenge with many Bluetooth charging devices. While it’s a larger investment than some of the other options out there, it’s certain to be worth the brand impressions.

For delivery drivers

For thousands of years (approximately), the only food one could have delivered to their house was of the Chinese or Pizza variety. Thanks to the advancement of mobile apps like Doordash, GrubHub, Postmates, and more, almost every type of cuisine can be delivered right to your doorstep. These drivers are in and out of restaurants and front porches. The last thing they want is to struggle to get their mobile device on and off of a phone mount.

Our favorite for delivery drivers is the FastMount™ PRO. This handy device is an all-in-one phone wallet, dash mount, and viewing stand! The Lockhide™ technology makes it super convenient to mount and unmount your device on the go. Do you hear that? That’s the sound of thousands of people asking their delivery driver, “Hey, where’d you get that cool hands-free phone mount?”

For commuters

The average commute time to work in the United States is 26.6 minutes. That’s just enough time to knock out a podcast, catch up with Mom, or listen to a chapter of a best-selling audiobook. Obviously commute time can vary based on metro-area. For the most part, commuters just need a solid option to hold their device between their house and the office.

For a versatile option that will appeal to the biggest audience, try the Clip-IT Anywhere™. This model fits almost any device, case, or accessory. It also comes with two mounting options: a heavy-duty adhesive to affix anywhere on a dash or a non-adhesive clip that slides onto an air vent. Plus, it’s an affordable option for brands on a budget.

Our final recommendation when it comes to hands-free branded items? Give yourself plenty of time before you place your order. Ask your promotional product provider for a sample, and test out the stand for yourself. Most promo distributors will offer a reasonable amount of free samples or will credit the cost of a sample toward your order. The last thing you want is to invest in a hands-free branded item that doesn’t work for most phones, or worse, breaks after just a few uses. Don’t be afraid to ask if you can do a test run before placing your order.

If your business is in the market for hands-free branded items, give us a shout! We’re ready to help find the perfect item to bring your brand to (real) life.