Driving Smarter Without The Clutter
It’s easy to get tempted by car accessories that claim they’ll make every trip better. Some really live up to the promise, while others end up being completely unnecessary. To help you spend wisely, we’ve gathered 10 must-have accessories and 10 you’ll wish you skipped. Before we talk about what to avoid, let’s start with the useful ones so you can see what actually makes a difference.
1. Portable Jump Starter
A dead battery far from home can turn any trip into a headache. With a portable jump starter in the trunk, you can revive the car on your own. Since plenty of units include USB ports, they serve as handy power banks, too.
Daniel @ bestjumpstarterreview.com on Pexels
2. Dash Cam
A dash cam works as your silent co-pilot, recording every moment on the road. Whether it’s proving fault in a fender bender or catching a scenic drive, it gives you both security and memories in one neat little device.
3. First Aid Kit
Road trips come with surprises, from paper cuts to headaches. Having a first aid kit close by makes those small problems less stressful. Packed with essentials like bandages and antiseptics, it takes up little space while offering plenty of peace of mind.
4. Bluetooth Transmitter
Driving an older car doesn’t mean giving up modern features. A Bluetooth transmitter turns any ride into a hub for music and calls. Just plug it in, pair your phone, and you’ve got wireless convenience without spending big on a new stereo system.
5. Sunshade
After a few hours under the blazing sun, your parked car feels like an oven. Sliding a foldable sunshade across the windshield keeps the interior cool and protects the dashboard and fabric from damage. Its clever design was inspired by space travel, making it a simple but brilliant solution.
6. Phone Mount
Nothing ruins a drive like fumbling with your phone for directions. A mount keeps it steady at eye level, turning GPS into a stress-free helper. Options range from vent clips to windshield suction cups, and the magnetic ones even feel straight out of sci-fi.
7. Roadside Emergency Gear
When your car decides to stop cooperating, roadside gear becomes priceless. Reflective triangles warn others, jumper cables bring life back to a dead battery, and gloves save your hands. Pre-packed versions cover the basics, while deluxe ones sneak in ponchos and extra tools.
Roadside Emergency Car / Truck Kit by MoonBuilt Garage
8. Tire Inflator
A tire losing air halfway through your commute doesn’t have to ruin your day. You need a compact inflator that lets you top it up within minutes. It’s small enough to stash in the trunk and powerful enough to handle emergencies whenever they show up.
9. Blind Spot Mirrors
Stick-on blind spot mirrors cost less than a coffee, yet they make lane changes feel much safer. Their curved design expands visibility far beyond standard mirrors. In fact, aviation borrowed the same idea for cockpits, proving this simple tool has serious credibility.
Model BSM017 Utopicar Blind Spot Mirror by Utopicar
10. Car Vacuum
Your car isn’t a snack graveyard, so make sure it never becomes one. A compact vacuum plugged into the 12V outlet makes quick work of crumbs, pet hair, and dust. Many include slim attachments for corners, and some even add LED nozzles for night cleaning.
Now that the keepers are out of the way, let’s look at the add-ons that drivers often regret buying.
1. Oversized Spoilers (On Non-Sports Cars)
Spoilers originally engineered for track performance lose their purpose when installed on daily commuters. Instead of creating downforce, they create drag and reduce fuel efficiency. DIY versions are often crooked, making them look mismatched. The attention they draw rarely feels positive for the driver.
Kieran White from Manchester, England on Wikimedia
2. Steering Wheel Trays
It sounds clever: a tray that turns your steering wheel into a desk. In reality, leaving one attached while driving is dangerous. Airbags can be blocked, and cheap versions snap under even small amounts of pressure. Safety officials and police departments strongly discourage their regular use.
Top 5 Best Car Steering Wheel Tray 2023 Best Car Table Tray by HOME COOL GADGETS
3. Car Seat Massagers (Cheap Models)
Budget seat massagers promise comfort but usually end in disappointment. The vibrations are faint, often too weak to make a difference. Prolonged use can even cause overheating, which risks damaging the wiring. Meanwhile, premium cars have massage seats that actually deliver what these imitations only claim.
Installed Ventilated Seat & Massager in New Honda Elevate 2023 | Original Accessories by Yash9w
4. Dashboard Mini Fans
Tiny blades whirl and chatter, barely brushing the driver’s face. Passengers feel nothing at all, and the rattling grows louder with every bump. It becomes obvious quickly that these small fans create noise and frustration without delivering the cool relief a real AC provides.
5. Mini Fridge Plug-Ins
A mini fridge in the car feels like luxury until reality kicks in. Most older models drain the battery fast, and cooling performance is limited. They’re often too bulky for compact cars. Today’s portable coolers do the job far better.
Refrigerator for CAR by Bulu Pattnaik
6. Interior LEDs
Flashing lights inside the cabin can seem stylish in photos, yet the effect on nighttime driving is far from safe. Glare and distractions are common, with many setups also prone to shorting out. To make things worse, adhesives fail quickly, leaving dangling strips.
7. Fluffy Steering Wheel Covers
While soft to the touch, fluffy covers often reduce grip and make handling feel clumsy. Dirt collects in the fibers, and hot weather makes them uncomfortable. After a few washes, many tear apart anyway and prove that looks don’t always pair well with durability.
8. Car Door Handle Lights
Glowing handles look cool at night in Instagram shots, but they drain battery and distract pedestrians. Cheap models flicker or fail entirely in rain, leaving a half-lit mess. In reality, car manufacturers provide far better visibility with standard lights and reflectors.
9. Cup Holder Expanders
Drivers who buy them to fit oversized mugs often face more spills than convenience. Since cup holders vary widely in shape, a right fit is rarely perfect. Flimsy plastics break under weight, while the added bulk eats up space that could be put to better use.
10. Perfume Clip-Ons
Those vent clip scents seem affordable at first glance, yet the fragrance rarely lasts more than a few days. Oils sometimes stain vents, and replacement packs cost more than expected. Despite these downsides, collectors still hunt for rare editions with unusual scents.
Best Aromatherapy Car Holder Fragrance - TheEliteTrends by The Elite Trends
