45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (2024)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (1)

This article was updated in September 2023 with new products and information.

Whether you are driving a brand-new vehicle or your ride's new-car smell wore off long ago, adding a cool car accessory or three can go a long way toward making your car feel fresh and personalized. To achieve this, we've sourced these gadgets and gizmos to make your ride more fun to be in. Some are useful in vehicles of any age, while others add modern functionality to an older car. Better yet, these accessories make great gifts for a fellow car lover.

The best part about these items is that they're a simple click away on Amazon—something most of us use all the time. So do your ride a favor (or any other car lover in your life) and check out these cool car accessories—see if there's one that'll make your time behind the wheel even more enjoyable.

Related: Best Radar Detectors | Best Portable Jump Starters | Best Dash Cams | Best Tire Inflators

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Our Top Picks for Car Accessories and Gadgets

Best Car Trash Can

Car Trash Can

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (3)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (4)

Best Car Trash Can

Car Trash Can

Now 40% Off

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (5)Leakproof
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (6)Doubles as a cooler when not in trash mode
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (7)Might crowd folks in the back seat

Those little compartments alongside your vehicle's doors fill up with trash way too fast. A solution? Pick up this leakproof car trash can. It can strap on either headrests or your center console and can double as storage or a cooler when not in trash mode.

Best GPS Head-Up Display

Universal GPS Head-Up Display

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (8)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (9)

Best GPS Head-Up Display

Universal GPS Head-Up Display

Now 20% Off

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (10)GPS powered
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (11)Features different displays
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (12)GPS readings can be slightly delayed

Speedometer doesn't work? Or maybe you've upgraded with some larger wheels? Keep an eye on your GPS-provided speed with this head-up display. But that's not all. The HUD also can display acceleration numbers, battery voltage, and trip time. Just plug it into the 12-volt socket, and you're all set.

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Best Interior Lighting

Govee LED Car Lights

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (13)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (14)

Best Interior Lighting

Govee LED Car Lights

Now 20% Off

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (15)16 million colors
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (16)Colors can bounce to the beat of the music
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (17)Requires app to unlock all colors and features

Interior LED lights seem to be all the rage these days, and this kit from Govee is one of the top-rated choices on Amazon. By using the Govee Home app, you can unlock up to 16 million different colors and even utilize Music mode—where the colors bounce to the beat of your tunes. Simply install with adhesive strips, plug into the 12V socket, and you're good to go.

Best Seat Gap Accessory

Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (18)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (19)

Best Seat Gap Accessory

Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (20)Fits most vehicles
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (21)Saves your items from the Gap of Death
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (22)Some reviews cite quality issues

If you've ever lost something in the abyss between your front seats and the center console—and who hasn't?—you've likely thought, "Why doesn't someone do something about this?" The folks at Drop Stop have. The Seat Gap Filler's name says exactly what it does. This inventive product promises to prevent many future hand contortions—as well as the occasional skinned knuckle—due to lost change, pens, phones, keys, or anything else prone to falling into the no man's land between the seat and center console.

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Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (25)Clear pockets
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (26)Organize your important info
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (27)The only time you'll use this is when you're in trouble

Keep all of your vehicle's important documents organized with this handy holder that fits right in your glovebox. With clear pockets galore, you can fit and display insurance cards, registration, and other important info without embarrassingly digging through paperwork.

Best Dashcam

Wolfbox G840S Backup Camera

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (28)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (29)

Best Dashcam

Wolfbox G840S Backup Camera

Now 39% Off

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (30)Great image quality day and night
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (31)Built-in dashcam
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (32)Not wireless

Welcome to the future. The Wolfbox G840S has it all and then some: a massive 12.0-inch display that doubles as a mirror, a high-quality camera that performs fantastically well both day and night, and an integrated dashcam built into the display for recording what's going on in front of you as well. In fact, the Wolfbox came out on top in our backup camera test.

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Best Lip Balm Holder

Car Chap Lip Balm Holder

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (33)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (34)

Best Lip Balm Holder

Car Chap Lip Balm Holder

Now 33% Off

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (35)Easy to install
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (36)Holds most tube lip balms
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (37)Oversize lip balms will not fit

Know someone who always has a stick or two of lip balm on them at all times? Those little guys can be so tricky to keep track of, but this lip-balm holder (aptly named the Car Chap) erases that problem. Simply stick it on wherever is handy, and you're good to go. Holds lip-balm tubes up to 3/4-inch wide.

Cool Way to Light Up Your Cupholders

LED Cup Holder Lights

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (38)

Cool Way to Light Up Your Cupholders

LED Cup Holder Lights

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (39)Wireless
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (40)7 colors available
Cons
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (41)8-hour battery life could be longer

These rechargeable LED cup holder lights can transform any ordinary water bottle into a jug of neon-green nuclear waste in a matter of seconds. The discs are charged via USB cable and have up to eight hours of battery life while emitting one of seven colors.

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Best Trunk Organizer

Trunk Organizer

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (42)

45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (43)

Best Trunk Organizer

Trunk Organizer

Now 20% Off

Pros
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (44)Collapsible
  • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (45)Tie-down system
Cons

    This trunk organizer is excellent for drivers who like to keep stuff in their car. With multiple storage compartments and a tie-down system, the collapsible organizer will keep your groceries, tools, and more secure and contained. It'll fit in your trunk, or your front seat if you want to keep your stuff within reach.

    Easy USB Addition

    USB Adapter

    45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (46)

    45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (47)

    Easy USB Addition

    USB Adapter

    Now 20% Off

    Pros
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (48)Adds two USB ports
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (49)Flush surface
    Cons
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (50)Without a cover, blue lights can be distracting

    We all want USB ports in our cars now, particularly to charge our phones and power other devices. But getting those ports can be tricky and ugly—this little gizmo changes that. It's designed to fit in your cigarette lighter port and stay flush, which looks cleaner while also providing two extra USB ports. Win-win.

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    Best Option for Car Foodies

    Car Steering Wheel Tray

    45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (51)

    45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (52)

    Best Option for Car Foodies

    Car Steering Wheel Tray

    Now 20% Off

    Pros
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (53)Works with any round steering wheel
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (54)Set up for both work and food
    Cons
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (55)Another excuse to work more

    If you find yourself working and eating in your car quite often, consider this handy steering wheel tray. It works with any round steering wheel and features space for your laptop or a container of grub. It also has a cupholder on the side. The tray is perfect for mobile workers and foodies on the go.

    Best Stick-On Blind-Spot Mirrors

    Blind-Spot Mirrors

    45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (56)

    45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (57)

    Best Stick-On Blind-Spot Mirrors

    Blind-Spot Mirrors

    Now 34% Off

    Pros
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (58)Increase visibility
    • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (59)Easy installation
    Cons

      Blind spots can be very dangerous, so stick some blind-spot mirrors on to expand your visibility. This is especially useful for folks who have difficulty performing head checks or vehicles with large blind spots. Just stick them on the top outside corners of both mirrors and you're good to go.

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      Best Power Inverter

      SuperOne 150W Power Inverter

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (60)

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (61)

      Best Power Inverter

      SuperOne 150W Power Inverter

      Now 12% Off

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (62)Features a plethora of plug-in choices
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (63)Fits easily in a cupholder
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (64)No USB-C ports

      For a light-duty power inverter that does a little bit of everything, the SuperOne 150W is our pick. Featuring two USB, one AC, and two cigarette lighter–style ports, there's room for a host of different gadgets. It's rated for 150 watts, which might not sound like a whole lot but is enough for most electronic devices necessary for a pleasant family road trip. Because of its versatility, we loved it in our power inverters test.

      Best Interior Dust Brush

      Car Interior Dust Brush

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (65)

      Best Interior Dust Brush

      Car Interior Dust Brush

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (66)Easy, quick way to tidy up your dashboard
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (67)Fits in glovebox when not in use
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (68)Brush needs cleaning

      Sometimes, dust on the inside of your car warrants a clean. You don't want to be breathing that stuff in anyway. But what if you didn't need to break out the Shop-Vac—which can be a pain. Solve that issue with this dust brush, which stores nicely in your glovebox when you don't need it.

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      Best Little Friend

      Car Mirror Swinging Duck

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (69)

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (70)

      Best Little Friend

      Car Mirror Swinging Duck

      Now 15% Off

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (71)A duck with gold chains—awesome
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (72)And a big hat
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (73)You can't match this duck's level of coolness

      If you need a little road-trip buddy, look no further—this li'l swinging duck will keep you company. Just strap it around your rearview mirror and watch him sway along with the bumps in the road.

      Best Purse Perch

      Car Seat Headrest Hooks

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (74)

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (75)

      Best Purse Perch

      Car Seat Headrest Hooks

      Now 36% Off

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (76)Capable of holding 13 pounds each
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (77)Comes in a pack of four
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (78)May crowd rear passenger, depending on how big your bag is

      These headrest hooks are a simple, genius way to keep your grocery bags or purse easily within reach. Just hook around the legs of a headrest—these bad boys are rated to hold up to 13 pounds each. Better yet, you get four of them in a pack.

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      Fun, Easy Lighting

      Solar-Powered LED Wheel Lights

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (79)

      Fun, Easy Lighting

      Solar-Powered LED Wheel Lights

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (80)Easy to install
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (81)Solar-powered
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (82)Skeptical on how these actually look

      If you do a lot of night driving, these might be a cool thing to try. The solar-powered LED lights screw onto your valve stems and illuminate in your choice of four colors. They're built to be waterproof and will automatically turn on once wheel speeds reach 15.5 mph. We're a bit skeptical on how these actually look, but for $15, it's worth a shot!

      Best Car-Cleaning Gel

      Car Cleaning Gel

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (83)

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (84)

      Best Car-Cleaning Gel

      Car Cleaning Gel

      Now 30% Off

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (85)Gets stuff out of the deepest cracks
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (86)Reusable
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (87)Lavender scent might not be great for everyone

      We all know how tricky it is to get dust and crumbs out of your vents and interior cracks. Don't worry about bringing out the vacuum—this handy cleaning gel will do the trick. It's designed to goop up contaminants while keeping your hands from getting sticky.

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      This Is the Way

      Mando Push-Button Start Cover

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (88)

      This Is the Way

      Mando Push-Button Start Cover

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (89)Transforms your car into a starfighter
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (90)Gives your start button an upgrade
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (91)Not made of Beskar steel

      The Mandalorian's iconic helmet has become instantly recognizable from the show, so why not add it to your ride? Simply adhere the alloy-steel ring around your vehicle's push-to-start button, choose your style of Mando mask, and close it over the button. Now every time you want to start up your ride, it's like flipping a switch on a starfighter.

      Best Change Organizer

      Car Change Organizer

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (92)

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (93)

      Best Change Organizer

      Car Change Organizer

      Now 38% Off

      Pros
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (94)Compact
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (95)Easy to insert and remove coins
      Cons
      • 45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (96)We wish it held more

      Change is slowly becoming obsolete, but it's still out there, and hearing it rattle around your cupholders can be quite annoying. Getting this change organizer can help prevent that—it fits in most storage areas in a center console and makes it easy to pull out a few coins if the need arises.

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (97)

      Charles Dryer

      Charles Dryer formerly worked as a road warrior, at the copy desk, and as test-vehicle fleet manager at Car and Driver. He likes naturally aspirated V-8s and electric vehicles with enough range to get him to his hometown in Northern Michigan.

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (98)

      Collin Morgan

      Commerce Editor

      Collin Morgan is a Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.

      45 Cool Car Accessories You Didn't Know You Needed (2024)

      FAQs

      Which accessories are a must for car? ›

      Most of these accessories will work with any car, new or old, as long as you have a smartphone on hand.
      • Phone mount. ...
      • Multi-charger. ...
      • Car emergency kit. ...
      • Car locator. ...
      • Heads-up display. ...
      • Wireless tyre pressure monitor. ...
      • Dash cam. ...
      • Car performance monitor.

      What are accessories in a car? ›

      On the other hand, a car accessory is an optional item that is not necessary for the car to function but can add to its overall appearance, comfort, or convenience. Some examples of car accessories include seat covers, floor mats, sunshades, phone mounts, and entertainment systems.

      Why do you think you should turn off all of the vehicle's accessories? ›

      The idea was that it would be “easier” and better for the car to not have to power everything all at the same time when you next start the car. Also, if you have a weak battery, better to have it using all its juice to start the engine only, instead of all the other stuff, too.

      What's the most important thing in a car? ›

      What Are the Most Important Parts of a Car?
      • Battery: The battery is what makes the car go. ...
      • Brakes: Brakes are what make the car stop. ...
      • Pistons: Pistons handle all gasoline explosions in your engine, and they should pump smoothly and quickly.
      • Radiator: The radiator keeps the engine from overheating.
      Feb 8, 2021

      What are the 3 things a car needs to run? ›

      Internal combustion engines use fuel to create an explosion (power) to move a piston down. Although there are many different designs to an internal combustion engine, there are three crucial components needed to make one run, a fuel to burn, oxygen to support combustion, and an ignition source to start combustion.

      Has a car ever hit 400 mph? ›

      1898–1964 (wheel-driven)
      DateLocationComments
      August 23, 1939Bonneville Salt Flats, United States
      September 16, 1947Bonneville Salt Flats, United StatesFirst single pass at over 400 mph (402 mph)
      July 17, 1964Lake Eyre, AustraliaLast wheel driven absolute record.
      45 more rows

      What car went 1000000 miles? ›

      The most popular million-mile Saab 900 SPG belonged to a Wisconsin sales agent, Peter Gilbert. The car racked up over 1,001,385 miles with the original engine and turbo. The only major part replaced was the transmission at 200,000 miles.

      What car goes 700 miles an hour? ›

      Thrust SSC holds the world land speed record, set on 15 October 1997, and driven by Andy Green, when it achieved a speed of 1,228 km/h (763 mph) and it became the first and only land vehicle to officially break the sound barrier.

      What is need of accessories? ›

      Accessories tie your ensemble together. They create interesting detail where clothes are simple or plain. Accessories add personality to your look and give you an opportunity to express your unique personal style. Accessories add versatility.

      How many types of accessories are there? ›

      Worn accessories include cravats, ties, hats, bonnets, belts and suspenders, gloves, muffs, necklaces, bracelets, watches, eyewear, sashes, shawls, scarves, lanyards, socks, pins, piercings, rings, stockings and hair ties. Shoes, boots, sneakers, and all types or footwear are not accessories but 'wear for the foot'.

      Is it bad to sit in your car while it's on? ›

      If you're just sitting in your car for a minute or two while you wait for someone, then it's probably not going to hurt anything. But if you're regularly letting your car idle for long periods - like when you're stopped at a long red light - then it's definitely not doing your car any favors.

      Can you sit in your car with it on? ›

      The Downside of Idling

      First, a running engine emits pollution, so unless a commute warrants use, why release pollutants when you don't have to? If the car sits idle while the air conditioner runs, there's a greater risk for carbon monoxide poisoning.

      Does sitting in a parked car drain the battery? ›

      Your battery has a parasitic drain

      Some drainage is normal and shouldn't be an issue if you drive regularly. It will likely shorten your battery's life if the car sits idle for a long time.

      What are non standard accessories in a car? ›

      Non-Standard Accessories means accessories or equipment fitted after the manufacture of Your Vehicle or at the time of manufacture as an optional extra.

      What car parts need changing? ›

      Here are some parts that you could look to repair or replace at home:
      • Wiper Blades. Your windscreen wiper blades will start to leave smear marks and make annoying, squeaky noises are a while, as the rubber strips degrade. ...
      • Oil and Oil Filter. ...
      • Spark Plugs. ...
      • Battery. ...
      • Bulbs. ...
      • Air Filter.

      How can I make my car interior beautiful? ›

      Car Decoration Ideas
      1. Install New Seat Covers. ...
      2. Cover the Steering Wheel. ...
      3. Invest in All-Weather Floor Mats. ...
      4. Get Covers for the Gear Knob, Handle Brake, Pedals, and Seat Belt. ...
      5. Install Ambient LED Lights. ...
      6. Get an Infotainment Screen. ...
      7. Buy Decorative Air Fresheners. ...
      8. Get a Tissue Box.
      Dec 28, 2023

      Does high idling consume more fuel? ›

      That means for a 2L engine you can expect something like 0.16-0.2 gallons per hour. This is approximately linearly related to idle speed: 1000rpm idle burns ~50% more fuel than 700rpm idle. If you hold the gas pedal so that the engine is revving at 3000rpm, you'll find the fuel flow is usually around 3-4x that at idle.

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