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Best car accessories: seat covers, dash cams and more
Drawing on nearly half a decade at Which?, Natalie helps readers cut through the noise with practical guidance on trending products, pest control, cleaning advice and money-saving tips during the sales.
Sick of awkwardly propping up your phone to follow a map, or tired of your back seat being buried in rubbish? We've got the perfect car accessories for making driving easier and more enjoyable.
We asked our team of experts and frequent motorists about the items they won't drive without, including handy seat covers to protect against mud and spillages, and devices to keep pets buckled in safely. Scroll on for their picks of the best car accessories.
How to save fuel and other money-saving driving tips
Best health & safety car accessories
Garmin Dash Cam X210
This compact dash cam is unobtrusive on the windscreen and easily adjustable thanks to the gimbal on the mount. It magnetically connects to the mount, making it easy to remove and reattach as needed. You can also check footage on the small rear screen.
We like: Easy to use once set up
We don't like: No SD card supplied
This Garmin dash cam supports MicroSD cards and removable memory cards. It features motion detection and voice assistant controls, and uses a sensor to detect possible incidents and automatically save them. You can review the footage either on the small rear screen or, for an easier experience, using the excellent app.
A subscription option is available but not required. If you want it, the Vault Subscription Plan Advanced (£9.99 per month), accessed via the Garmin Drive app, saves video securely within the Garmin Vault online storage.
Want to know more about this model? We've tested it – head to our Garmin Dash Cam X210 review.
See our expert's pick of the best dash cams
Electric tyre Inflator
An absolute must-have. It's so important to check your tyre pressure regularly, and this handy device makes it easy to inflate or deflate your tyres without leaving your driveway.
We like: Portable
Watch out for: You'll have to familiarise yourself with your car's tyre-pressure requirements
This electric tyre inflator from the AA – also called a digital air compressor – is a multifunctional unit designed to inflate vehicle tyre pressures up to 120PSI. It has a maximum power output of 12V.
It plugs directly into your car's 12V socket and has a 3-metre power cord, so you can reach each tyre easily. It also has an LED lamp with three settings: light, flash and SOS.
All your questions about car tyres answered: see which car tyres you should buy
Dog Car Restraint
Available from Pets at Home (£7)
These restraints offer a safe way for your dog to be secured on one of your rear passenger seats while you're driving.
We like: Affordable
Watch out for: Dog harness required (not included)
It's a legal requirement that your dog is suitably restrained while you're driving, to ensure their safety and your own.
This safety clip attaches to the seatbelt clip and your dog's harness to keep them safely buckled in. You can adjust the length of the strap to give your dog enough room to travel comfortably.
Best dog insurance policies: we've analysed over 190 insurance policies to find you the best
Best accessories for keeping your car clean
Karcher K5 WCM Flex eco!Booster Car & Home
This compact pressure washer is a great all-rounder and comes with handy car cleaning tools.
We like: Lightweight
Watch out for: Could be speedier
This Karcher pressure washer can be used on cars as well as paving, concrete or decking. The accompanying car kit comes with a rotating brush, foam jet and 3-in-1 car shampoo.
We liked how easy it was to move around and to store things on the body of the machine.
For more information on this model, head to our Karcher K5 WCM Flex eco!Booster Car & Home review.
We've found the best pressure washers for cleaning cars, patios and driveways
TurtleWax Zip Wax Car Wash & Wax
Available from TurtleWax (£3 for 500ml) and Halfords (£13.49 for 5L)
This is an all-in-one product, and it's fantastic value. You won't be compromising on any bit of performance.
We like: Shiny finish
Watch out for: Not as widely available as other car shampoos
Many other car washing products require you to buy separate bottles of shampoo and wax, but this bottle from TurtleWax is all you need.
It's also more budget-friendly than a lot of options we've tested.
See our full verdict in our TurtleWax Zip Wax Car Wash & Wax review.
Discover the best car wash kits to keep your car looking shiny and new
Angelwax Enigma AiO
Available from AngelWax (£32.95 for 500ml)
It costs a bit more than other scratch removers, but it's worth it.
Watch out for: Relatively pricey
This car scratch remover is available in 250ml, 500ml, 1L or 5L bottles. AngelWax says it's designed to correct, refine and protect your car all in one application.
It can be manually buffed in or used with a car-polishing machine.
See what our experts thought in our Angelwax Enigma AiO review.
You can compare more of the best car scratch removers in our dedicated guide
Waterproof Towel Car Seat Covers
A great option for keeping your car seat upholstery clean, especially if you go to the gym or play sports a lot. It's also good to have for when you're transporting potentially damaging or staining goods like takeaway food, paint or tools.
We like: Removeable and washable
Watch out for: Only covers one seat, rather than an entire row
This car seat cover is designed to help improve the longevity of your car's upholstery by protecting it from dirt, sweat and spillages.
It's available in four colours to match your car's interior: black, beige, blue or grey.
More liners, dividers and covers for your car:
- Lekespring Waterproof Car Boot Liner – You can get generic one-size-fits-all options, but our expert recommends getting one sized to your boot. SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023444.
- Dog Car Seat Cover – One of our experts said this product helped her keep a closer eye on her dogs (and feed them treats) while they drove across Europe. SQUIRREL_TEXT_50023442.
- Wellington boots bag – If you're a fan of long, muddy walks, this can help keep your car interior from getting too grubby. Available from Lakeland (£9.99).
'Bucketty'
Available from Viking Direct (£4.31).
If you regularly have to drive a child who suffers from travel sickness but neglects to tell you when they need you to stop, this comes in very handy. It saves you having to look in the mirror for signs of green/paleness.
We like: You probably already have one somewhere
Watch out for: Remember to line with plastic bags
It's not the most glamorous accessory, but a handy safety essential if you or any passengers get travel sick.
Halfords Car Bin
Available from Halfords (£5.99).
Really helpful if your car gets messy quickly - you can hang it on the back of the front seat so your back seat passengers can access it too.
We like: Waterproof lining
Watch out for: Straps may be too short for some cars
This car bin is designed to hook inside your vehicle, such as behind the front seat, to give you somewhere to put your rubbish while on the move.
More car cleaning products and tips:
- Best handheld vacuum cleaners – Find the best compact hand vacs from Shark, Dyson, Vax and more.
- Best bin bags – We tested more than 10 brands to find the most durable bin bags.
- 7 tips for cleaning the inside of your car (and what not to do)
Best car accessories for long journeys
Vanmass Car Phone Holder
There are several ways to attach this handy phone holder to your car, including on your air vent, windscreen or dashboard.
We like: Stable
We don't like: A little fiddly to assemble
There are a few ways to attach this phone holder to your car, and you use a lever to tighten your phone into place.
It's available in five colours: black, blue, pink, purple or red.
Read our Vanmass Phone Holder review for more information on this model.
Compare more options with our guide to the best car phone holders
Hands-free Bluetooth Adaptor
If your car is slightly older and doesn't have Bluetooth capabilities built-in, an adapter lets you easily connect your phone's audio to your car's radio so you can listen to music or directions.
We like: Also has USB charging capabilities for up to two devices
Watch out for: Requires some set up to tune into the correct radio frequency
This compact Bluetooth adaptor lets you transmit your own music through your car's speakers if your vehicle doesn't have its own Bluetooth capabilities. You can also answer phone calls hands-free and charge your devices.
Looking for top-quality sound wirelessly indoors? See the best portable Bluetooth speakers
Tefal Travel Mug
I need at least two coffees a day so if we're on a long car journey, rather than pull over and spend money on a takeaway, I like to pack a travel mug to drink on the drive.
We like: Comfortable to hold
We don't like: No bigger sizes available
This travel mug from Tefal has a push-button lid and is designed to keep cold drinks cold as well as hot drinks hot.
It's dishwasher-safe and comes with a five-year manufacturer's guarantee.
Read our Tefal Travel Mug review to see how well it insulates drinks.
See the best travel mugs and reusable coffee cups from Thermos, Stanley and more
Chilly's Series 2 Water Bottle
There's nothing worse than needing a drink when you're on the road and I'm trying to reduce the amount of plastic I buy. A portable water bottle fits into the cup holder of my car and means I don't need to stop for water at a petrol station.
We like: Loads of colours available
We don't like: Not dishwasher-safe
These water bottles from Chilly's are available in 350ml, 500ml and one-litre options, and are double-wall insulated. They're made primarily from stainless steel and are BPA-free.
The cap separates fully from the bottle, so take care not to misplace it.
Find out how well it keeps water cool with our Chilly's Series 2 review.
Head to our pick of the best reusable water bottles
Best winter car accessories
A de-icer
De-icer will save you huge amounts of time when cold weather hits. Ensure you clear the whole windscreen and all other windows, otherwise you could be stopped by the police.
We like: Most brands have multiple sizes to choose from
Watch out for: The whole windscreen and other windows must be completely cleared before you set off
Most de-icers will involve you simply spraying the liquid all over the windows of your car and waiting a few minutes to allow the chemicals to break down the ice before you'll be able to scrape it and wipe it away. It's a handy and affordable addition to your car boot kit.
An ice scraper
A dedicated scraper can be used with a de-icer spray or liquid to expedite de-frosting your car. Though, in a pinch, another object with a plastic edge (like a credit card) will do.
We like: Compact and affordable
Watch out for: How heavy-handed you're being on the glass
Take care when using an ice scraper not to put too much pressure on the glass to avoid damaging it, and make sure the windscreen's surface is free of grit or dirt before you start, as you can inadvertently cause scratches by scraping over them.
How to drive in winter conditions and snow: see our top tips for keeping your cool when driving in the cold
Best car emergency accessories
A first aid kit
Most pre-made first aid kits should contain the essentials, though you can always customise what goes in there. It might also be worth considering downloading a first aid app to your smartphone, such as First aid by British Red Cross.
We like: They already come with the basics
Watch out for: You may want to add your own extras
Having a first-aid kit tucked away in your car boot can give you greater peace of mind when you're away from home. Pre-made options can be found starting at around £15 and typically come with essentials such as plasters, bandages, antiseptic wipes, gauze, tape and scissors.
A torch
Ever since I popped a tyre late at night a few years ago, I never drive without a torch packed away in the boot. You never know when you might need it!
We like: Handy
Watch out for: Keeping it charged up ahead of long journeys
Whether you opt for a smaller pocket model or a heavy-duty light, it's always a good idea to keep a torch in your car in case you run into any issues at night. Check whether yours is rechargeable or requires new batteries before the charge runs out.
We've found the best batteries plus the best rechargeable batteries
A warning triangle
While not a legal requirement in the UK, putting a reflective triangle behind your car will help alert drivers to your presence, especially on fast roads
We like: Most designs are foldable for easy storage
Watch out for: Remember to pack it if you're driving a foreign-registered vehicle through Europe – it's a legal requirement to have one in countries such as Italy, France, Spain and Germany
You can buy reflective warning triangles on their own or as part of a larger car emergency kit.
How to change a car tyre or use a repair kit
A high-vis vest
It’s always a good idea to keep a high-vis jacket in your car. If you break down, especially at night, it’ll help other drivers spot you more easily and keep you safer.
We like: Helps give you extra visibility
Watch out for: Like warning triangles, some European countries require you to carry one when driving abroad
High-vis jackets are relatively cheap to buy, and you'll often find a few colours available.
Our expert says
Michael Passingham, senior researcher & cars expert
'I wouldn’t set off on a car journey without a first aid kit, torch, a hi-vis vest and a warning triangle at the very least. I also store a couple of litres of drinking water and warm blankets in case of any cold-weather emergencies.
'I try to keep the fuel topped up to at least halfway; extreme weather events such as heatwaves or simply cold weather, combined with the potential for power cuts, means a car can be a last-ditch haven from the elements.'
Should you have an emergency kit? Here's what you need to pack