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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.
Our Top Picks for Car Accessories and Gadgets
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.
Pros
GPS powered
Features different displays
Cons
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.
Pros
Leakproof
Doubles as a cooler when not in trash mode
Cons
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.
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Pros
16 million colors
Colors can bounce to the beat of the music
Cons
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
Best Seat Gap Accessory
Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler
Pros
Fits most vehicles
Saves your items from the Gap of Death
Cons
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
Collapsible
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.
Pros
Great image quality day and night
Built-in dashcam
Cons
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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Pros
Adds two USB ports
Flush surface
Cons
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.
Pros
Easy to install
Holds most tube lip balms
Cons
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.
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Pros
Clear pockets
Organize your important info
Cons
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.
Pros
A duck with gold chains—awesome
And a big hat
Cons
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.
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Cool Way to Light Up Your Cupholders
LED Cup Holder Lights
Cool Way to Light Up Your Cupholders
LED Cup Holder Lights
Pros
Wireless
7 colors available
Cons
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.
Goofy Cigarette Lighter
Fire Missiles Cigarette Lighter
Goofy Cigarette Lighter
Fire Missiles Cigarette Lighter
Pros
Impress your passengers
Anodized aluminum construction
Cons
Missiles not included
If you're feeling particularly James Bond-y, add this cigarette lighter to your ride to make your passengers raise an eyebrow. It's a fully functioning cigarette lighter and features a rubber gasket for a tight fit. And thanks to anodized aluminum construction, it feels legit.
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Best Screen Magnifier
DLseego 14-Inch Screen Magnifier
Best Screen Magnifier
DLseego 14-Inch Screen Magnifier
Pros
Collapsible
Magnifies phone screen by three or four times
Cons
Might give headaches to some
Do your kiddos want to watch a movie in the back seat? Or maybe you want to catch up on your favorite show while you enjoy a meal in the McDonald's parking lot. This screen magnifier is designed to take the image from your phone's screen and magnify it by three or four times.
Pros
Features a plethora of plug-in choices
Fits easily in a cupholder
Cons
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.
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Best Stick-On Blind-Spot Mirrors
Blind-Spot Mirrors
Best Stick-On Blind-Spot Mirrors
Blind-Spot Mirrors
Pros
Increase visibility
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.
Pros
Compact
Easy to insert and remove coins
Cons
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.
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Pros
Transforms your car into a starfighter
Gives your start button an upgrade
Cons
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.
Pros
Gets stuff out of the deepest cracks
Reusable
Cons
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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Pros
Works with any round steering wheel
Set up for both work and food
Cons
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.
Most Compact Jump Starter
NOCO Portable Jump Starter
Most Compact Jump Starter
NOCO Portable Jump Starter
Now 20% Off
Pros
Very compact
Easy interface
Cons
Cables are very short, clamps difficult to squeeze
Portability is a key aspect when buying a jump starter, and it doesn't get much more compact than the NOCO Boost Plus GB40. It's very portable and boasts decent power, an override button, an easy interface, and two work lights. If you're short on space and want to have a portable jump starter around, this is the one to get, as we found in our jump starter test.
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.
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.