10 of our favorite crowdfunding projects to come out of China this year

We started writing monthly lists of China’s best crowdfunding projects just about one year ago and have kept a close eye on the scene ever since. To be frank, most of it is crap. And copies of crap. But a few gems have shined through the muck and really made us think, "that doesn’t suck." Here’s our top 10 for 2014:

Ki Wireless Car Microphone

Asians love karaoke. Drivers love singing in their cars. Why not combine these two activities into one unbearable pastime? The Ki Wireless microphone is made especially for that purpose. Just flip on your favorite music or karaoke app on the phone, connect it to the mic via Bluetooth, and the mic sends an FM signal to your car stereo. Now both your voice and your music will come out of the car speakers. While I personally would never ride in a car with someone intending to assault my eardrums with one of these, I can certainly see the appeal. Ki hit JD Coufenzi just this month and has raised over RMB 153,000 (US$24,600) so far.

Snail

Sometimes the best ideas are the simplest ones. Adding suction cups to a phone charger cable is about as simple as it gets, and that’s why it’s one of our favorites. This colorful tentacled cord is durable and won’t tangle, sticks to surfaces so it won’t fall to the floor when disconnected, and can be used as a stand to vent heat or keep your device upright. Snail raised a commendable RMB 178,000 (US$28,600) in December on JD Coufenzi.

Dr. Drinks

Focusing on tea over coffee, Dr. Drinks wants to be China’s Keurig. The instant drink dispenser touts 18 different types of sphere-shaped capsules. The accompanying app lets you schedule a brew at your preferred temperature and strength while on the way home from work or before you go to bed. This smart localization of a western fad earned a place on our list, along with RMB 590,000 (US$95,000) on JD Coufenzi in November.

iBall and Skea