25 Practical Things For Your Car That People Actually Swear By

Time to update your car with these trusted products.

1. A dual-port car charger reviewers swear by for quickly charging your phone and other devices!

Amazon

Promising review: "The charger fits practically flush with the top of the outlet with just enough room to remove it. I tested it with my phone alone, and in only five minutes the battery charge increased from 35% to 45%! I used my phone for navigation while charging it simultaneously, and the ratio was approximately 1minute/1%. Then, I charged it without using the phone, and it was 1minute/2%. Overall, this is an excellent product, and the company emailed me directly to see if I had received it, and how it was working!" —Moombamimi

Get it from Amazon for $9.34.

2. A restorative headlight cleaning kit that just may make your lights shine like new so you can see better when you're driving at night.

amazon.com

Set includes: gloves, surface activator (an activator that softens plastic, making it easier to sand smooth) sanding paper, polish, and a finish and seal UV block clear coat applicator

Promising review: "The results. I am still in shock about them. I saw some pictures of 'results' and I thought they were all fake. NO, they are not. It's that good. I am very pleased with this product. If you need your headlights cleaned, buy this kit! On another note, my mom was so amazed by how well it worked she made me go buy another kit and clean her headlights too!" —Brad

Get it from Amazon for $19.99.

3. A pair of back seat headrest hooks so you can snap these on, hang up your purse, and drive without worry.

Amazon

Promising review: "I bought these for my wife because her purse would always fall over in the back of her Jeep. She was skeptical at first but now uses these hooks every day. They are able to hold her tank of a purse without breaking." ⁠—Brian

Get a set of two from Amazon for $6.99.

4. A lint-free car duster people swear by, as will you, for keeping your car shiny and dust-free on the daily.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "I’m extremely fussy about keeping my Ram 2500 clean — I do some type of detailing every morning before leaving for work because the truck lives outside, and there is so much dust and pollen here that there’s always a fuzzy coating on it. The Ultimate Car Duster does an amazing job of lifting the dust away while being gentle on the paint. Get the large size with extendable handle if you have a large vehicle — it’s worth it. I’ve got a collection of different brands of dusters, and the Ultimate does the best job — removes the dust instead of pushing it around." —Robert M.

Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available as a single brush or set).

5. A car coin holder to put an end to searching for quarters at drive-thrus and toll booths.

Overstock

Promising review: "Bought two of these, one for me and one for my sister. We both put them in our cars and they are such a convenience. No more searching around on the floor or in the consoles, glove compartment, or between the seats for loose coins to pay for something. I have no idea who thought of this product, but they did a really good thing. I love it and would most definitely recommend it to others." —MRC

Get it from Overstock for $8.79.

6. A blind spot mirror for anyone who still has their dad's voice yelling "check your blind spot!" every time you switch lanes — make dad proud.

Amazon

Promising review: "I really like these mirrors. The extended length provides a wide field of view, and they are adjustable vertically for proper view regardless of driver height. I would definitely purchase these again, as they are the best I have found." —RSH

Get them from Amazon for $8.99.

7. A waterproof nonslip trunk organizer so you can keep all the junk in the trunk organized and tidy.

amazon.com

Promising review: "I was so happy with this when it came! It's the perfect size for the trunk space in my Subaru Outback, it's super durable and the bottom spacers make it feel extra sturdy. I love to organize clutter in my storage area, so this has really been a great solution. It fits all of my emergency gear, changes of clothes, and the outside mesh pockets are great for my bike tools. I'm so happy with it I'm actually ordering a second for my groceries!" —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.74..

8. A heated car blanket to keep you warm and snug even when the driver is blasting the AC.

Amazon

Promising review: "Well it is another Colorado winter. I bought this little blanket for my mama who is also a little and gets pretty chilly. It came in really nice packaging and the blanket size was just right I was worried it would be big and awkward but it fits perfectly over her seat to warm up her car before she goes to the store. Sometimes the cold can be crippling to her so it’s nice for her to have something warm to get into. She doesn’t have heated seats in her vehicle and this is a much more reasonably priced way to achieve the same result. The fabric is soft and cozy. It’s not too cumbersome and easily plugs into your lighter fixture in your vehicle. It’s not heavy at all." —HBD

Get it from Amazon for $27.99.

9. A backseat organizer and protector that'll organize your life and turn the mud on your kid's shoes from "oh god" to not a big deal at all.

Amazon

Promising review: "It's made very well, no unfinished seams, no loose threads. And fits the seat precisely. It is large enough to protect the entire under the car seat area and the kick backseat organizer will fit all their gear! The fabric seems very cleanable with a damp cloth and soap." —Cruise Mom

Get it from Amazon for $24.77.

10. A clever stowaway trash can to stuff trash into what looks like any other car organizer 'til it's filled. Take that, friends who throw their trash on your car floor like you're driving around a dumpster.

Amazon

Promising review: "I absolutely hate having trash in my car. This trash bin is actually pretty good looking. When I first got it, I thought the supports were missing, but it did have two little plastic slats hidden on the bin itself. It has two pockets on the sides and one on the front. I let this trash can hang behind my passenger-side headrest, and it's easily accessible while I'm driving. It's pretty sturdy, and I'm surprised at how much fits in here." —BlessedSIren

Get it from Amazon for $14.99.

11. A heavy-duty expandable car hanger bar so you can load up the car with clothes, plants, dry-cleaning, and whatever else you need, easy-peasy.

Amazon, amazon.com

Promising review: "These were a lifesaver during a recent move. My girlfriend and I just moved about 20 miles, and we were faced with deciding how to move all of our clothing. We didn't really want to remove all of our hanging clothing, fold them, pack them, move them, and then have to unpack them again for such a short move. Thanks to these clothes bars, we were able to move our clothes one car-load at a time instead. The bar is very strong and high-quality. Her car has hooks and mine has handles, and this worked great for both. It can handle a huge amount of weight." —Mike Chrisley

Get it from Amazon for $24.99.

12. A PopSocket-compatible car vent mount that'll keep your phone in place as you use GPS or ask a friend to switch the playlist!

Target

Promising review: "Exactly what you need if you have a PopSocket! I love that you can put it in and out of the mount with one hand! It has a really good grip on the vent too. I love that you can use your phone vertically or horizontally while in the mount. Makes it so easy for using GPS." —Jessica

Get it from Target for $14.99.

13. A set of bamboo charcoal air purifying bags you'll rely on for eliminating wet dog, late-night fast food runs, and other unpleasant odors from the car the natural way.

amazon.com

Promising review: "These are easy to hang or throw into corners wherever moisture and must are a problem. We live in Florida, so these are really helpful in cars, garages, and around the home. The charcoal doesn't leak out and they are very reliable." —Mickey

Get a four-pack from Amazon for $15.99.

14. A car air mattress to take car naps, camping trips, and overnight adventures to the next level of comfort.

Amazon

Set includes: air mattress, two inflatable pillows, one inflator/deflator pump, one repair kit, and storage bag

Promising Review: "I have to say that this is amazing! This bed can be used in a truck or the back of a car, which is so practical. The machine it comes with helps it inflate quickly. It can also be used anytime you're camping, not just in a car. It shocked me how spacious the back seat was with this air mattress. And the cushion is very comfortable. It's easily portable because it's not heavy at all. Such good quality!" —Amy

Get it from Amazon for $33.99+ (available in three colors).

15. An orthopedic cushion people swear by for staying comfy on long drives; so even if your back-seat driver isn't supportive, at least this cushion will be.

Amazon

Promising review: "The rubberized dots on the reverse side stay in place on my car's seat when I sit inside my car. The memory foam supports my lower body and keeps me from shifting positions on long drives. I have used a similar cushion from another manufacturer, and I have to say the material covering this memory foam cushion is superior. I will continue to purchase this product and will recommend it to all my friends and relatives." —Michael Snow

Get it from Amazon for $32.95.

16. A waterproof car seat cover ready to protect the seats from doggo dirt, water, and hairs.

Amazon

Promising review: "This seat cover came in clutch after a day of trail running with two pups — no dirt or hair on my seats! Assembly in car is exceptionally easy — just loop the buckles around your headrests, push the weights between the seat cushions, and loop elastics around the edge of the seats. And just like that, you've got lasting protection against moisture, muddy paws, and stray pet hairs." —Amazon Customer

Get it from Amazon for $29.69.

17. A frost guard windshield cover honestly anyone who owns a car in a cold climate needs to own. Where was this when I was scraping snow from my windshield with a wet mitten at 8 a.m. in college?

Amazon

Promising review: "I am in central NY for college and figured I should invest in one for my new car. Fits my Hyundai sonata like a glove and works amazing. I will recommend it to anyone looking for a good windshield cover. Worth every penny!! I got an XL for my 2011 Sonata." —Shelby Martin

Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two sizes and three colors).

18. An inflatable roof rack for anyone who wants to carry outdoor gear without paying the usual high price of a car rack.

Bass Pro

Promising review: "Purchased this with my new FS10 since I drive a 2005 Ion that has no roof-rack to speak of. I was honestly a bit nervous when I first strapped it to this car with this thing (did some donuts around the parking lot to see if it shifted at all), but it performed exactly as advertised. Drove home (about a 40-minute commute) from the nearest BassPro at speeds ranging from 25 to 65 mph and the yak never moved once. Totally worth the $100. Very easy to set up and break down, holds the kayak tight but doesn't hurt it." —MNTwins

Get it from Bass Pro Shop for $109.99.

19. A heavy-duty power inverter that'll allow you to charge a computer, blow up an air mattress, run a projector for a DIY drive-in, or accomplish all sorts of other possibilities!

Amazon

Promising review: "Now that’s power! On long driving trips we all need to power our various electrical accessories; those things we have come to consider necessities. For my wife it was a heating pad and for me my laptop. We tried other smaller inverters, the kind that makes your cigarette plug look like an AC plug, but they were loud and would only work temporarily for the heat pad. This unit does have a fan but only turns on when needed; so far our unit has powered the heat pad quietly and continuously. Since my laptop requires less power I anticipate the same when I use that too. We love this unit and highly recommend it." —George

Get it from Amazon for $39.99.

20. A precise dashboard cam with superb video quality for anyone who is weary of accidents or unruly Uber passengers.

Amazon, amazon.com

Set includes: AUKEY DR01 dashboard camera, dual-port USB car charger, USB mini-B power cable, sticker mount, three 3M stickers, six cable clips, user manual, 45-day money back guarantee, and 24-month warranty card.

Promising review: "The AUKEY dash cam came with a suction cup mount and a mount that has a 3M tape on the back so you can do a more permanent type of mounting. I personally used the suction cup mount, which seems to be a good quality suction cup. The video quality and field of vision is really good. I set my video to record at 1080p/30 frames per second. There are other options, like loop recording, and how long you want the video segments, etc. The Sony Exmor sensor makes a difference in the quality of image, and now I understand that not all 1080ps are equal in quality. I just ordered another one for my wife’s car after seeing first-hand the video quality of this dash cam." —TK

Get it from Amazon for $59.99.

21. A car tablet holder so the kids have easy access to their favorite shows and movies on long drives.

Target

Promising review: "This is the EXACT thing we needed for our cars. My iPad mini fits perfectly, even with the case on. My son can watch a movie or a show in the car no problem. Very easy to install, very easy to use, and the price point is so great that we were able to buy two (one for each car). Definitely recommend." —Brianna A

Get it from Target for $22.49.

22. A drop stop car seat gap filler you'll feel calmer just thinking about. Imagine — never a misplaced phone or fry lost to the abyss of your car again.

Amazon

Promising review: "I have to admit, my expectations weren't very high. Little did I realize it would become one of my most favorite gadgets ever! I don't know if I realized just how many things went missing in my seat gap. It has really saved a lot of things from disappearing into that black hole. It was easy enough to fit into my car, and it's soft! It's just like an extension of my seat, except it fits every curve of my seat. There really isn't another product that compares to this. That's why I gave it 5 stars." —Tessa Forbes

Get it from Amazon for $22.99.

23. A CowBoy Bebbop-themed sun shade reviewers adore for fandom, plus the colors hold up in the sun!

BoxLunch

Promising review: "Great product! The colors are brilliant and have not faded from time in the sun. Awesome to have a unique shade that shows my love for the series." —Anonymous

Get it from BoxLunch for $10.14.

24. A genius magnetic mount designed to universally hold up your cell phone on air vents so you can keep the directions or good tunes going as safely as possible.

amazon.com, Amazon

Promising review: "I am directionally challenged and map myself everywhere. I am able to easily see where I need to go with my phone perfectly visible and hands free. I have a case on my Samsung phone and I never have issues with it falling off of the magnet. It also prevents me from dropping my phone on the concrete when I'm getting out of the car because I no longer keep it in my lap/seat while driving." —Amazon Customer

Get a set of two from Amazon for $11.99.

25. And a pair of durable escape tracks lightweight enough to store in the car in case you get stuck in the snow, sand, or a ditch on the road.

Amazon

Promising review: "These traction pads are amazing! For anybody who's never used them, essentially you jam them against your drive tires in slick conditions or if you're stuck in sand, and your tires grip them and pull you right out! The bright orange makes them easy to see after digging them into the mud, and the knobs are durable enough to withstand a very large truck's beating. For the price, the quality, the durability, and the hundreds of uses, you can't go wrong with these. If I could give them 6 stars I would have!" —sean

Get them from Amazon for $132.90 (available in three colors).

Driving around in your decked out car:

Disney

Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.