ZDNET reviewer finds tiny 'advanced electromagnetic' car de-icer ineffective

ZDNET's Adrian Kingsley-Hughes examined a small gadget marketed as an "advanced electromagnetic antifreeze snow removal device" and found it did not remove snow or prevent icing on a windshield.

The product's packaging promises things like using "active electron interference" to stop water from condensing and icing and even claims it does not affect the human brain. Physically the unit is a tiny black box with a switch, a micro USB port, self-adhesive tape on the bottom and a blue LED that blinks occasionally; the reviewer said the blinking blue light could draw unwanted attention from police in the UK.

After leaving the device in a car overnight on a frosty evening, the reviewer reported it did nothing. The solar panel on the unit did recharge a small battery, but a teardown showed only a tiny circuit board, a small battery, a small solar panel, an LED and a chip to blink the LED and control charging. There were no components consistent with the claimed "advanced electromagnetic" effects, and the device costs about $10.

The reviewer recommended using a decent de-icer and scraper for frost, a windshield cover for snow and a cordless vacuum squeegee for condensation, and advised against relying on the marketed "advanced electromagnetic" gadget.

Key Topics

Tech, Electromagnetic De-icer, Adrian Kingsley-hughes, Solar Panel, Windshield Cover, Scraper