Best Car Accessories Ratings + Reviews

Best Car Accessories Review & Buying Guide

The EPAuto waterproof car trash can with a lid is a great solution for this common problem. And they’re awesome, but I saw a lot going on with awnings while walking AutoCartIps.net around Overland Expo this year. Whether keeping you out of rain or sun, these awnings open up living space around your vehicle that would previously be unused. While the picture shows a number of anchors securing the shading device to the ground, these aren’t always necessary—the show saw wind speeds upwards of 20 mph that day, and the awning had no issues.

But before we get into the cool gadgetry, there’s one necessary item that clinches the top spot. Dog hair, crisp crumbs, mud, hairpins and the odd penny coin; by the end of the month, your car probably looks like a detritus dumping ground. That means the clever and convenient Dyson V6 Car & Boat is a no-brainer when it comes to ‘need to buy’ car accessories. We’ve also got the best sat nav and the best car phone holder, for those really looking to upgrade their car cabin. You’ll also like that you get a controller that lets you toggle between massage modes and intensity levels as well as adjust the heat levels as needed. Nick Guy is a former senior staff writer covering Apple and accessories at Wirecutter.

• Matt Crisara is a native Austinite who has an unbridled passion for cars and motorsports, both foreign and domestic.
• Reuse until the putty gets dark and then it’s time for a new one — priced under $7 this cleaning tool won’t break the bank.
• But in reality, for many drivers it’s the source for navigation, information, messages, music, and (of course) phone calls.
• And again, with safety, the majority of the selections in our guide are designed to keep you safer on the road.

Dash/windshield-mounted models

After taking all of the above into account, we nominated the Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler as our Top Pick. We liked that this was a simple and easy to install device that solved a major problem — dropping items between your seat and the center console. The iOttie Auto Sense charging mount is ideal for those looking to keep their phone charged while mounted on their dashboard or windshield. It has a unique design that includes a telescoping arm, self-clamping tension grips, and wireless-charging capabilities for Android phones (10 W) and iPhones (7.5 W). And the Auto Sense is designed to be easy and straightforward to install, similar to the iOttie iTap Magnetic 2 dash mount.

Our Verdict on the Best Car Accessories

It has one of the strongest magnets on a car mount that we’ve tested thus far. But the ball joint that allows it to rotate is a little stiff to adjust compared to our picks. The Kenu Airframe Magnetic has a good, strong magnet to hold your phone, but its clamp doesn’t stay secure once mounted, which can cause your phone to shake often while in motion. Belkin’s BoostCharge has a great magnetic/MagSafe mount, but it doesn’t sit securely on the vent with larger phones like the iPhone 14 Plus, the iPhone 15 Plus, or the Pixel 7 Pro. If your vehicle dash has curved, grooved surfaces, or has a large display taking up space in the dashboard, the 613 might not work for you.

That’s going to be a real bonus if you’re ever stuck by the edge of the highway in an emergency situation. You’re even able to set it to strobe or flash in an SOS manner if need be. The device itself is small and fairly innocuous to look at, but the potential it offers for getting to the root of head-scratching car faults is hugely appealing. This is normally the sole preserve of mechanics and their laptops, so the Carly is a real boon for anyone who’d prefer to dodge expensive garage bills. While the AA Wireless Dongle for Android Auto works with most car brands and head units, it is worth going to their website where you can check compatibility.

And while it does have a manual controller to turn the lights on and off and toggle through effects, you can also download Govee’s proprietary app to your smartphone and control colors, effects, and more through your phone. You’ll also like that these lights have a built-in mic so you can control the effects to the beat of your favorite tunes. Everyone knows the frustration that comes with accidentally dropping keys, your phone, or a credit card down the side of a seat — especially between the seat and the center console. The Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler is one of the best car accessories because it’s a simple product that addresses this universal pain point.

Some of the best car accessories are the most practical — including this gadget that lets you check your tire pressure at a moment’s notice. View the reading via the digital display that’s clear and easy to interpret. You can purchase the gauge in sets of three or four if you have more than one vehicle at home. The last thing you want is for a car accessory to increase the operating costs of your car.

The Apps2Car Universal Magnetic CD Slot Car Phone Mount does a good job of holding a phone in place, but it uses a screw and washer nut to tighten the mount in place in your CD slot, which is strange. This MagSafe mount offers simple installation, fast charging, and everything you need inside the box. We added details on new Qi2-powered mounts from ESR, iOttie, and Mophie that we plan to test in our What to look forward to section.