Do these cheap car de-icing gadgets actually work? My verdict after testing one in the winter cold

"The most recent scammy gadget that came across my workbench was an "advanced electromagnetic antifreeze snow removal device." A relative of a friend of mine bought the device, wondered why it didn't do what it claimed, and it ended up in my hands. Let's take a look at the device. Its box makes a lot of promises, from using "active electron interference" to preventing water from condensing and icing on your windshield, to claiming it does not interfere with or affect the human brain."

"Physically, the gadget is a tiny black box with a switch and micro USB port on the side, self-adhesive tape on the bottom, and a blue LED that blinks occasionally (which is a bit of an issue for me, as having blue lights flashing in a vehicle in the UK is going to draw unwanted attention from the police). Giving the gadget far more benefit of the doubt than it deserved, I left it in the car overnight on a frosty evening."

"Also: Why I keep this Bluetooth tracker tag on my keychain instead of an AirTag - and don't regret it Unfortunately, the device did nothing. Interestingly, the solar panel does actually work and recharges the little battery. Then I tore the device open, which fell apart easily. There was a tiny circuit board inside, a tiny battery, a tiny solar panel, an LED, a chip to make the LED blink and control battery charging, and that was it."

A device marketed as an "advanced electromagnetic antifreeze snow removal device" claimed to use "active electron interference" to prevent water from condensing and icing on windshields and to avoid affecting the human brain. The physical unit was a tiny black box with a switch, micro USB port, adhesive tape, a blue blinking LED and a small solar panel. When tested by leaving it in a car overnight on a frosty evening, the device did not prevent frost. The solar panel charged a small battery, but internal inspection revealed only a tiny circuit board, battery, solar cell, LED and a chip for blinking and charging. Conventional de-icers, scrapers and windshield covers are recommended instead.

Read at ZDNET