32 Practical Accessories To Make Owning And Driving A Car An All Around Better Experience
Quit ~stalling~ and add these to your car(t)!
We hope you love the products we recommend! All of them were independently selected by our editors. Just so you know, BuzzFeed may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page if you decide to shop from them. Oh, and FYI — prices are accurate and items in stock as of time of publication.
1. A phone holder so you can keep both hands on the wheel and still be able to see the GPS. This one works with most smartphones, lets you adjust the angle, and makes it super easy to get your phone in and out.
Just attach it to any horizontal vents, and you're ready to go!
Promising review: "Am happy to say it holds the iPhone 6s inside an OtterBox cover, even though the OtterBox’s thickness exceeds the two bottom feet of this holder. Squeeze the two sides really hard to ensure that they grip the Otter box tightly. I have already made a long trip of nearly 1,000 miles without the phone falling out. Really love the ball-and-socket joint since you can angle the phone just right to avoid glare. " —maiji
Get it from Amazon for $9.97.
2. A no-rinse carpet spot remover that'll get rid of those stains you thought were just a part of your car forever.
It works on any colorfast material that can be safely dampened with water — which probably covers every kind of car upholstery except leather.
Promising review: "I had terrible rust and oil stains all over the seats of my car. I tried other cleaners but they made the stains darker. I took it to the dealership to see if they could get it out and they flat out told me no, so I gave up and lived with it for five years. I tried this after it was recommended by a friend. I sprayed it on and literally watched the stain run right off my seat. It was amazing! I thought I was going to have to pay hundreds of dollars to replace the seats in my car because nothing else would work. This stuff really is awesome!" —Brittany
Get a 32-ounce bottle on Amazon for $10.56.
3. An adorable hanging diffuser to make your car smell like a spa on wheels. Choose from a variety of signature and seasonal scents, and get ready to impress your passengers.
Get it from AmberandWoodCo on Etsy for $6 (available in twelve scents).
4. Some lightweight and durable escape tracks in case your car decides to get trapped in the snow. I wish I'd gotten these sooner because once my car gets stuck, it's pretty adamant about...remaining stuck.
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 $133.17.
5. A set of car hooks so your bags and jackets don't have to spend the entire trip rolling around on the floor, dumping out their contents everywhere, and winding up covered in whatever grime has been hiding under your seats since the beginning of time.
6. A three-pocket folding car trunk organizer for anyone whose trunk has descended into full blown chaos. Strong Velcro keeps it secure while driving and it even folds down for easy storage when not in use.
Promising review: "It was just what I needed for my messy and unorganized truck! I wanted something not too bulky, but just the right size to help me reorganize my trunk. This product did that for me. I was also concerned that it’ll move when I drove but luckily there is Velcro on the bottom that secures it in place while you drive, and sure enough it did just that! This product does not take up a lot of space and gives you the right amount of measure to place other things like groceries and a suitcase. I am completely satisfied and content with this product! I wish I had it all along!" —Sheneese
Get it from Amazon for $14.43.
7. A double-sided wheel desk so eating and working in your car can actually be comfortable! Plus, do restaurants usually have recliners?? I don't think so.
Promising review: "As an outside sales rep, I sometimes feel like I live in my car. This dual-purpose tray is a must-have if you need a well-positioned mobile desk or a less awkward way to eat (and avoid wearing) your lunch. It's nice that both sides are functional — a food tray complete with a cup holder on one side, and a smooth flat writing surface on the other. You won't have to worry about getting grease or food residue on your paperwork! Also works well with small laptops or your iPad. Made of high-impact plastic, it won't melt or warp if you leave it sitting in your hot car... virtually indestructible. I can't imagine how I lived without one of these for so many years!" —Mike
Get it from Amazon for $12.99 (available in two colors).
8. A super comfy memory foam chair cushion that your butt and back will thank you for on long drives.
Promising review: "Works great, helps to relieve some pressure from sitting. This is a great memory foam cushion for office chairs or your couch. You really can feel the difference. This is thick, and feels like it will last for a really long time. I've been using mine for a couple of weeks and already feel a little better. The cover is removable for washing, and the stitching is done really well. I recommend this to anyone who has to sit for more than a few hours." —phillygirl
Get it from Amazon for $29.95.
9. A tiny trashcan – it fits right in your car's cup holder so you can stop just letting your trash fall into the mysterious, unexplored depths of your vehicle.
Promising review: "It’s ridiculous how much I love these! The push part is on a spring so it stays closed when you aren’t pushing it, and of course it perfectly fits in the cup holder of our vehicles. Pro tip: a quart-size Ziploc is the perfect size to add as a liner and fold over the top to keep the inside clean!" —Chaos Coordinator
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
10. A wet and dry vacuum perfect for those hard-to-reach spots you usually give up on or spend WAY too long trying to clean.
This vacuum holds 2.5-gallons and includes a six-foot hose and 10-foot cord.
Promising review: "This is the vac you are looking for, if you are looking to keep your car clean. Easy-open clips make emptying a breeze. It is lightweight for ultra portability. The best, most unexpected surprise are the attachments. They actually fit into BOTH the nooks AND the crannies of your car. We have two dogs. This picks up about 95% of the dog hair (I would estimate that the average shop vac picks up 85% of dog hair). There will always be a stray hair that has somehow bonded at the molecular level with the car mat. Finally, it's not painfully loud to operate." —MJKeys
Get it from Amazon for $64.02.
11. A console side pocket that not only helps keep your phone and keys from falling into the dreaded space between the seats, but also includes a piggy bank for loose change, a longer pocket to hold items like your phone and wallet, AND an extra cupholder.
You can order one for the driver's side seat or passenger's side seat.
Promising review: "I put this in last night and went to work today and everything was perfect. I did have to install the foam spacers (included) to make it a really snug fit. It would have still worked without it but I like things perfect. So now the coins go in the coin pocket and my keys and other work related accessories go in the bigger pocket. This is one of the best cheap life hacks you can get if you're a car person and/or just like being organized and neat." —R.Garcia
Get it from Amazon for $27.99 (available with or without cupholder).
12. A windshield cover so you won't have to partake in everyone's favorite winter task: spending way too long standing in the cold and scraping ice and snow off of your windshield before every drive. "I just love shivering and being covered in snow every time I want to run to the store," said no one ever.
The shield cover is made with straps that hang down and attach to your cars' wheels for a secure and tight fit. This keeps snow/wind/and frost from building up under the cover!
Promising review: "This is the best thing I could have ever bought! I bought one for myself, my mom, and my sister. New England just got slammed with a Nor'easter, and let me tell you...this thing works! It only took about five minutes to put on my car, and like five seconds to get it off this morning. No snow or ice anywhere on the wiper well or windshield. I highly recommend this!" —Shelley
Get it from Amazon for $26.95+ (available in two sizes).
13. A blind spot mirror designed to help you merge a little more safely and keep an eye on those areas that are usually out of view.
Promising review: "I purchased this one because there is no bezel that takes up space when the rear view mirror is already so small and you'll need whatever space you can get. The angle is also adjustable. Of all the ones I've purchased, this seemed to fit and look the best."—literofpeter
Get it from Amazon for $7.97 (available in four shapes and packs of two or four).
14. A pair of pet hair-removing brushes in case your favorite passenger loves to shed all over your seats almost as much as they love to bark at the other dogs at stoplights.
Promising review: Really impressed with these! We have a dog who sheds like it’s his job and our car is always extremely difficult to vacuum. These really picked up the hair with minimal effort. I’ve also used on our home area rugs and got way better results than our shark vacuum. Left the carpets feeling soft as well. I’d definitely recommend for any pet owner!"—jonathanc1222
Get it a pack of two from Amazon for $18.
15. And a quilted, water-resistant bench car seat cover to also help keep your seats from ending up covered in fur, mud, and who knows what else. Plus, it's padded and comfy for your pup which is really the most important thing.
JUST LOOK AT THAT HAPPY, COMFY PUP!!
Promising review: "This car seat cover is so much better than my last one which was basically a piece of plastic for twice the price. My dog and I travel a lot and I noticed she was much more comfortable with the new cover and was not slipping as she did quite often with the last cover. This cover is quilted, machine washable, has anchors to place in the seats, and is water resistant. I know this to be true since my dog has sloppily drank a bowl of water on the cover....LOL. She also got the car cover super muddy on the first day....cause you know.... a stream to play in on the side of the road somewhere in the Finger Lakes was found.....LOL.... but once the mud dried it was so easy to clean. Fantastic! I highly recommend this bench car seat cover." —Nena
Get it from Chewy for $22.94.
16. A pack of six cable clips so that you don't have to choose between keeping your eyes on the road and digging for your charger that has managed to position itself just out of reach.
Promising review: "If you have devices that need to be charged and you want to keep your cables neat, tidy and in place, you need this product. You could also use your imagination to find other uses! I have purchased two packs of these and used them all! I simply could not imagine life without these cable clips!" —Mike
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $6.97
17. A stick-on shade to protect your eyes and keep your car nice and cool despite the scorching rays of sunshine that just won't quit.
18. An expandable hanger bar for anyone who treats their backseat more like a closet-on-wheels.
Promising Review: “We got this bar for a move to a new apartment 15 miles away from our old one. It was so easy just loading our already hung clothes onto this and driving it over in loads than taking everything off hangers, storing, and then having to rehang items. Since the move, we have used the bar numerous times for vacations, events, and even just to pick up dry cleaning!” —Alan Blankstein
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
19. A Tile Mate you can use as a key tracker if you are seriously always forgetting where you put your keys (and by you, I also mean me). Just attach it to your keys (or whatever else you always lose), and use the Tile app to make it ring loudly when it's within 200 feet.
OR upgrade to the Tile Pro for a range of 400 feet. If whatever you're searching for is out-of-range of either model, you can view its most recent locations or enlist anonymous help from the Tile Network to track it down.
Promising review: "This new version of the tile is a miracle indeed. For someone who constantly keeps losing their keys, wallet, cat and sometimes wife in malls this little device has been a lifesaver. What’s different about this version? I’ve owned the previous generations which were more compact but had non replaceable batteries. The batteries eventually died and the tile became a brick. This version is slightly thicker and lets you replace the coin sized battery easily. This means you can continue tracking your belongings for years and years to come. Another cool trick is that when you double tap your tile you can easily find your phone without ever having to log in find my iPhone. It even rings when it’s on silent. I’ve attached a tile to my keys, wallets and even have one on my sneaky cat who wanders off into the unknown. I’ve even got one on my bike for tracking. This is an absolute must have even for people who think they’ve got a great memory for finding things." —Sid Z
Get the Tile Mate from Amazon for $19.99 or the Tile Pro for $34.16.
20. A tough, extendable snow brush with a squeegee and ice scraper to quickly break through the iceberg that has somehow appeared on your windshield overnight.
It also comes apart for storage or individual use if you prefer!
Promising review: "This brush is by far the best brush I've ever had! I like that it extends so I can easily brush off my roof and the bristles are dense enough to move a good amount of material. The bristles are soft though so I don't have any worry about scratching my car.
The ice scraper works very well without having to apply too much pressure and the squeegee part pushes water away easily. If you keep this in your car all year long it's even good to push water off your side windows from rain or morning dew!" —Leftymaggoo
Get it from Amazon for $27.99+ (available in four sizes).
21. A heated seat cushion made from super soft velour because once you've gotten a taste of life with seat warmers, you'll never want to go back. Plus, this one offers lumbar support so your lower back stays comfy (and toasty) even on long drives.
Just plug it straight into your car's 12 volt outlet and use the hi/lo/off switch to control the heat settings! Just remember to unplug it when you turn off your car so that it doesn't drain your battery!
Promising review: "In the winter, heated seats would be divine, but since they didn't come with my vehicle, I sucked it up. Recently I went on a hunt for a nicely-priced heated cushion and after reading tons of reviews I settled on this one. Pros: it has a fuzzy fabric material — not vinyl. It warms up super quick — in just a few minutes, the heat radiates — ahhh. Sometimes high is too much — and the low works — so you have choices. (choices are good). Easy to toss on your seat and go. Long cord. Switch: Hi, Low and Off. Cons: you must unplug it when you turn off car. So, I thread the cord through my purse so I can't leave the car without unplugging it. Bottom line: LOVE this heated seat cushion!" —TravelPrincess
Get it from Amazon for $27.95.
22. A game-changing car seat organizer complete with all the pockets you need to securely hold a tablet, cups, snacks, and anything else you might need on a road trip (probably just more snacks, but you do you).
Promising Review: “Can't go on car rides with out this.. I hate living in a city where I have to drive around 20–40 minutes to or from daycare because it is closer to work. However, this makes my daughter's rides more manageable, she watches Frozen and I get through traffic! She even places her little shoes in the big storage pocket and pacifier in the little mesh pockets.” —T. Khansari
Get it from Amazon for $18.99.
23. A sleek two USB car charger that fits right into your cigarette lighter, because at this point, at least 50% of a car's appeal is as a giant traveling phone-charging device.
24. A set of all-season rubber floor mats so all of that snow, salt, and filth that inevitably finds its way inside your car doesn't ruin the floors.
They're also equipped with anti-slip backing and won't curl, crack, or harden during cold weather. They can also be trimmed if they are too big for your car!
Promising review: "This rubber turned out to be the perfect fit for the front seats of our Toyota SUV. No trim or adjustment necessary. I prefer these much more than the basic carpet mats that came with the vehicle. It looks and feels more durable, easier to clean, and better to protect the flooring from footwear dirt or other nastiness. The two back seat floor seat pieces are good fits, too." —Heavy Muscle
Get it from Amazon for $22.78+ (available in three colors and four styles).
25. A leak-proof trash can that easily straps to your center armrest OR around your headrest, has a rubber lid to keep trash covered, AND includes pockets for extra storage. Now the evidence of your late night fast food detour is out of sight and out of mind, instead of tumbling around the backseat for the next six months.
Promising review: "This trash bin is the perfect size for my 2015 Toyota Corolla S and my needs. I'm usually driving by myself, but sometimes I have family and friends that are not so tidy with their trash and end up making it a scavenger hunt when I clean my car. This sits at the bottom and is tightly secured with the pull-cord around the center console, while still allowing for someone to sit in the middle back seat. It can hold enough trash for my small trips and is easy to dump and clean. The extra pockets are a nice feature to store small snacks and other miscellaneous items." —Mitchell
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
26. An auxiliary cable in case that one you've been using since high school is at that point in its lifecycle where it has to be positioned just so, or else it crackles, pops, and cuts out constantly while you're just trying to vibe to your music.
Promising review: "A fantastic audio cable. I was skeptical at first but the cable is highly durable and the connection from my phone to my car is solid! No static so no issues. It's very durable and I regret wasting money in the past on the cheap ones you see online and in stores. They also have a guarantee card in the box. If you aren't happy they refund it or replace. I am buying another one for my work car today!" —Chris Britt
Get it from Amazon for $7.99.
27. A travel road kit so that if disaster strikes unexpectedly, you'll be prepared with all the emergency essentials.
It includes first-aid supplies, a jumper cable, flashlight, screwdriver, duct tape, bungee cord, a shop cloth, six cable ties, two AA batteries, and an emergency poncho.
Promising review: "This is a great buy for the price. The cables are built pretty solid, and all these extras make this thing pretty useful should you need it. You should always have a kit like this in the trunk of your car." —Stugi
Get it from Amazon for $14.99.
28. A Bluetooth car adapter in case your older car doesn't have an auxillary hookup or if you just wanna to go cord-free when listening to music or making calls.
Multi-playing modes allow you to hookup via Bluetooth, Micro SD card, USB flash disk, and 3.5mm Audio cable. Dual charging ports let you listen and charge simultaneously. AND the large screen is flexible so you can position it wherever is most comfortable for you!
Promising review: "Wow that's all I can say about this. I have a wired FM transmitter and was worried about losing audio quality through Bluetooth but that's not the case here. It's easy to set up, works for music and audio calls, and also charges your phone at the same time so you're not losing your cigarette lighter or charging option. Everybody who needs something like this should at least try it out. I don't take mine in and out of the lighter so I have had no issues with durability." —Brotha Dave
Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in three colors).
29. A keychain car escape tool that can cut through seat belts and break car windows because, even though you hopefully never need it, it's always better to be prepared.
Promising review: "I work in the medical and rescue field and have to say this is a great product to have on your keychain. One of the concerns I had when buying this was the breakaway portion of the device itself but that was an unfounded fear. This is something that will save your life if you are ever trapped in your own vehicle as it will stay connected to your keys in the ignition which means that you will be able to reach it without a major issue. It will not easily detach without you pulling it off which means will be available where you want it when you need it. I have nothing negative to say about this and have bought one for my wife as well to have." —Aizrec!
Get it from Amazon for $10.95+ (available in pack of one, two, or three and eleven colors).
30. A huge, incredibly warm military wool blanket you can keep in the trunk in case of emergency. It also makes a great seat cover if you're riding with a pet, AND you'll always be prepared for a spontaneous picnic.
Promising review: "This inexpensive washable wool blanket should be in every car, truck, and RV as a “just in case” item. Be sure to wash it several times before use and tumble dry low. It will shed a lot, but makes the blanket nicer for use. I have one for my dog’s bed as she seems to like the feel of wool to lay on." —Chris J.
Get it from Amazon for $40 (available in three colors).
31. An easy-to-use digital tire inflator for the moment when your car decides to improve your day with that little dinging sound telling you your tire pressure is low. Fortunately, this thing plugs right into your car outlet and even includes attachments to inflate bike tires, air mattresses, balls, balloons, you name it!
Promising review: "I was panicked when I went to my car the other night and had a flat tire. I had no idea how to change my tire, as my husband always takes care of stuff like that. Luckily a passerby had a small tire inflator, like this one, in his car. We inflated my tire and I was able to get home safely. The next day I got on Amazon and ordered this one. I immediately tested it and it worked great. It appears to be very well-made and comes in a very nice bag that I tucked away in the back storage compartment. Hopefully, I won’t have to use it any time soon, but if I have another flat tire, this time, I’ll be prepared..." —McintireP
Get it from Amazon for $28.04+ (available in three colors).
32. A car windshield sunshade to keep your steering wheel from inflicting third-degree burns on your poor, innocent hands after your car's been parked in the sun for hours.
Comes in multiple sizes (depending on your make and model) with a money-back guarantee.
Promising review: "This is super easy to use. Open and put in in the window, can't get any easier than that. My GMC Denali sits outside in the Southeastern NC sun all day and this really made a difference. When I get into my truck I can actually sit on the leather seats without being burned. It also keeps the sun off my dash which is important down here in the Southeast. I would definitely recommend it.' —Anne
Get it from Amazon for $15.96+ (available in five sizes).
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.