40 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 $8.43.
2. Or a magnetic phone mount that clips into your air vents allowing your phone to (basically) hang freely on the dashboard while you keep your eyes on the road and hands on the wheel.
Clip the magnetic base into your vent, stick the included sticker to the back of your phone (or place it in the case), and you're ready to go! Just be sure to review your vents before purchasing. Anything too low down would keep your phone out of your field of vision, which isn't ideal if you're using it as a GPS.
Promising review: "Love this product. It’s so simple and stays on the dash nicely. The magnetic plate for your phone is thin. The fact that the magnet isn’t on the phone itself is better for the phone, I feel. If you have a phone cover, you don’t even have to stick it to the phone. Rather, just insert it between your phone and cover. The magnet is very strong and should hold." –Mika
Get a two-pack from Amazon for $11.45.
We also featured this product in "31 Things You'll Probably Want To Buy For Your First Car," for any first-time car owners out there.
3. 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. While you're at it, take a look at some other cleaning products with professional results.
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 $12.17.
4. 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.
Promising review: "My car now smells amazing! I love how cute it looks hanging from my mirror. I've had it hanging for a few weeks now and have only had to re-tip it once." –Shelby
Get it from Amberand Wood Co on Etsy for $8 (available in twelve scents).
5. 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!" —Arianna
Get them from Amazon for $139.95+ (available in two colors and four styles).
6. 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.
7. 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!" —Neese
Get it from Amazon for $13.59.
8. A portable car desk/tray combo so eating and working in your car can actually be comfortable! Plus, do restaurants usually have recliners?? I don't think so.
Promising review: "This is perfect for a mobile office or digital nomads!!! No more trying to balance my laptop on my knee and a cup in my cup holder or those low-centered kinds that cut into your belly. Oh, and it doubles as a writing desk, tablet stand, and food tray!!! Highly recommend!" –Deanna Holmes
Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in three colors).
9. 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 $29.70 (available in three colors).
10. 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 $8.99 (also available in two-packs).
11. A cordless vacuum to clean all of those pesky things that you can never seem to get out of your car (I'm looking at you, rock salt and beach sand).
Promising review: "Buy this!!! It is awesome! I love not having to touch the grungy vacuum at the car wash that has been picking up who knows what!!! This little vac works great. I haul my dogs around and it is very hard to get all the hair out of the carpet. My Honda Element was super dirty, but now the Space Bus is clean and ready for its next adventure!!!" –Jennifer E.
Get it from Amazon for $37.99 (available in black and white).
12. 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
Get it from Amazon for $25.99+ (available in four styles).
13. 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.
14. 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 $6.97+ (available in four shapes and packs of two or four).
15. 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 $24.
Be sure to check out some of our other favorite ingenious pet products - from cleaners to toys.
16. 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 $28.99 (available in three colors).
17. 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.
Check out some of the other organization products that we're loving right now!
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 Tickle
Get a pack of six from Amazon for $6.96.
18. 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.
19. 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 $25.99.
20. A pocket-sized Tile Mate that would've come in handy every time you misplaced your keys, wallet, or anything else you tend to lose. Just attach it to the item of your choice, and the next time you can't find it, you'll be able to use the Tile app on your smartphone to make your missing object ring until you track it down!
Or try the Tile Pro if you want to extend the range from 200 feet to 400 feet.
Promising review: "I normally don't write reviews for products, but the Tile is too fantastic not to yell it from the rooftops! I am always losing my keys or my phone and with the Tile it makes it so easy to find my keys in a flash or find my phone! All you have to do is attach it to your keys and you're all set! When you misplace your keys, you go into the app on your phone (which is super user-friendly) and tap find my keys. It then rings your Tile that is attached to your keys and if they are not in an area where they can ring, it shows you the location of the tile, which is also very helpful! If you misplace your phone, you can double tap the middle button on the tile and it will ring your phone! It is such an amazing product and I am thinking about attaching them to everything in my house!!" —Brooke
Get the Tile Mate from Tile or Amazon for $24.99 or the Tile Pro from Tile for $34.99 or Amazon for $29.50+ (both available in packs of one, two, and four).
21. 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: "Now you go to a truck stop or gas station and they are gonna wack you generally for a junk scraper that barely works and if it has a brush it would not brush ice off a cup of soda. But THESE. This thing is a beast. Literally cleans my truck like I am part yeti. If you need a good ice scraper that is not wimpy and takes the winter beatings with a grain of salt...(See what I did there? A grain of salt melts snow.....badum dum), anyway this thing WORKS! When you need it, IT WILL BE THERE. I recommend you take it inside with you so it won't get brittle but that's just me. People knock on my door to use it! Seriously a beast." —Sinbadd
Get it from Amazon for $36.96.
22. A heated seat cushion to make driving in cold weather less painful. It even has two heat settings so you can adjust it to your preferred level of toasty.
Promising review: "I am so grateful for this heated seat cushion! I park outdoors and in the winter is it cold out there and frequently I have to scrape frost, ice or snow off before I can drive. Getting in and within a minute this seat is warm and feels so good. The heat in the truck takes a little longer to come on, but there is nothing like having heat right on your body. I am so glad I found this! And what a terrific value!! Highly recommended." –sunny
Get it from Walmart for $20.88.
23. 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 $11.99.
24. 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.
25. 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 $26.50+ (available in three colors and six styles).
26. 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 fit PERFECTLY in my car and attached snugly to the back of my center console. It's easy to reach, yet not in the way for people in backseat. The size is perfect - not too small or big. The plastic side pieces are ingenious and help it keep it's shape, making it easy to put trash in it. My daughter and I attached ours to the back of our center consoles and my husband to his back seat. We're all very happy with the purchase! I'm so impressed with the quality and thought that went into this. If you're in the market, don't hesitate to buy this." –Deb H
Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in three colors).
27. A tissue dispenser for your sun visors to help you combat the sniffles on the go. Plus, you'll be able to dispose of them in that handy dandy trash can listed *above*.
It's great for tissues, napkins, wipes, plastic bags, and just about anything else you'd need to grab before exiting your vehicle.
Promising review: "I absolutely love this sun visor tissue holder because I no longer have to struggle to locate the tissue box in the car. I used to always carry a tissue box and set it on the floor, which would constantly shift around depending on how the car would move. I have allergies so I always need tissues and this makes it easy to find a tissue when you feel a sneeze sneaking up on you. It was very easy to install and it looks great. I would definitely recommend this product." –Ruth
Get it from Amazon for $10.97 (available in three colors).
28. 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!" —Christopher Britt
Get it from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two colors).
29. 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 pack came with absolutely everything needed for a good go kit on a weekend or seasonal adventure. With everything from first aid, car jumping, and a good quality light to give you a good vantage in the nighttime when jumping cars (Montana winter/spring is dark in the evenings quite quickly), this kit has helped me out personally quite a few times. For the cost of what it is, I'm surprised at the result." —Alexander
Get it from Amazon for $25.59.
30. 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 hook up via Bluetooth, Micro SD card, and USB flash disk.
Promising review: "My teenage daughter loves it. I know the sound quality is good since I hear when she’s home but I love that she doesn’t need to look at her phone. And the volume control is easily accessible." —Amazon Customer
Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in six styles).
31. A set of groovy interior LED car lights for that extra amount of razzle dazzle when driving at night.
Promising review:"Amazing for the price! There are four sections total, so I did two in the front, one on either side, and then there are two under the front seats facing toward the back, so the back seats can see them also. They work great I still can't believe it for the price. Very happy." —Jeepet76
Get it from Amazon for $19.99.
32. A car seat gap filler that will make sure your phone doesn't fall in between that annoying space between your seat and middle console.
Promising review: "Finally bought it. This was perfect. I tend to drive with my keys on my leg whenever the cup holder is in use and now if the keys fall off on a turn I no longer have to squeeze my arm between the seat and middle console 😅 great product. It stays in place when I adjust my seat as well." —Robin Rivera
Get it from Amazon for $24.99.
33. 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.
34. 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 $39.99 (available in six colors).
35. 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 $31.99 (available in three colors).
36. 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.' —Sharon
Get it from Amazon for $12.74+ (available in seven sizes).
37. A 3D-printed clip-on sauce holder you can attach to your vents to make on-the-go meals a lot more convenient.
Limit3DitionShop is a small business based in Texas that offers a variety of cool 3D-printed items.
Promising review: "This is the coolest most innovative thing I’ve ever seen. This person needs to go on Shark Tank. So convenient and awesome that it comes in colors." —Julie Jones
Get it from Limit3DitionShop on Etsy for $8.77+ (available in 14 colors and two patterns).
38. A replacement air filter because, if yours looks anything like this one, it's probably time for a change.
Promising review: "I know very little about cars but I do know quite a bit about saving money. I went to get my airbag replaced this past month and they recommended I replace my cabin air filter. It was going to cost $60 and $40 for labor!! I YouTubed a tutorial and it looked so simple. I bought one on Amazon (same brand) for less than $20!!! For a 26-year-old (completely inexperienced with cars) who spent 10 minutes on YouTube and an extra 10 minutes in installation, I saved over $80!!! I probably would have had to wait at the dealer more than the 20 minutes it took me overall and would have had to pay an extra $80. No thank you!!" —Vanessa C.
Get it from Amazon for $9.97+ (available in multipacks).
39. A scratch remover so the next time your neighbor in the parking lot isn't the most graceful of drivers, you won't have to spend a small fortune on a minor facelift.
Promising review: "Super impressed with this product. I’m always skeptical of things like this that say they’ll perfectly fix scratches. I was worried because I randomly found three visible scratches on my front bumper. I could feel the scratch with my hand so I figured it was too deep. Well this product totally fixed it. As I was drying off the product I literally couldn’t even tell where the scratches were. Would totally recommend trying this first before anything else. Wish I took a before and after but wasn’t expecting it to be good enough for one." –Tom V Weekes
Get it from Amazon for $17.97.
40. A set of Drop Stop gap fillers to prevent your phone from falling into the abyss that is the space between your seat and the console. Plus, you'll never have to surrender a french fry (or a handful of french fries) to the gap ever again!
They even fit around your seat belts and move with the seats if you adjust them!
Promising review: "I have to admit, my expectations weren't very high. I thought it was more of a joke when my husband got this for me for Christmas. Little did I realize it would be 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!" —Tessa Forbes
Get a pack of two from Amazon for $24.99.
Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.