There are plenty of tools and gadgets car enthusiasts have probably never even seen before. Even if they’re not an enthusiast, car owners, in general, will find uses for these gifts. Whether it helps someone in a roadside emergency or is a cool accessory that enhances the driving experience, these gift ideas will not disappoint. Nearly all of them benefit someone’s car, and a few are for entertainment purposes.
Updated May 2022: If you're wondering which cool gadgets you should buy, either for yourself or someone in your life, you'll be happy to know that we've updated this article with more information about the latest gizmos.
All of these gadgets fulfill that lofty criteria. It’s a list with a wide variety from tech gadgets to old-fashioned tools to fun automotive-related diversions. It’s appropriate there’s such a range of ideas considering how many different car owners are out there. As a general rule, these gadgets are small enough to fit into your glove box, but some of them, however, require more space than others.
24 Portable Jump Starter
Technology has made the world a more convenient place. Not long ago, if a car’s battery died, the best one could hope for is another car nearby with jumper cables. Otherwise, calling a company for roadside assistant was the next best option.
Today, portable jump starters are here to save the day. WTOP recommends the Levo Portable Jump Starter, which not only revives a car’s battery but also charges drivers' devices.
23 Digital Tire Gauge
Tire pressure gauges have advanced in leaps and bounds from what they used to be. It was common for gauges to be chrome dials that weren’t always accurate. Nowadays though, the digital versions are hard to beat.
If the car lover in your life doesn’t have a digital one yet, or one that works at all, it might be time to purchase a tire gauge. The blog Direct Auto & Life Insurance notes that they can run for less than $15.
22 GPS Homing Device
If looking for auto gifts that fit in a stocking, a vehicle GPS tracker fits the bill. These devices will help users know the whereabouts of their vehicle at all times. Lifewire suggests going with the Spy Tec STI GL300 version, which is available online for $50.
With its compact size and sleek design, it fits virtually anywhere. It doesn’t even have to go in a car but can also fit in a laptop case.
21 Portable Tire Compressor
Filling up tires with air is what drivers have to do to maintain their car. It can be a pain to walk up to a gas station counter, ask a worker to turn on the machine and then fill up the tires.
Now, owners can avoid the hassle with a portable tire compressor. Cars.com likes the Slime 40020 Tire Top Off Inflator that’s around $10. It claims to be able to fill up tires in 14 minutes, which is longer than gas stations, but possible from anywhere.
20 Windshield Heads Up Display
This tech brings 3rd party infotainment to a whole new level. According to WTOP, the Hammacher Schlemmer Windshield Display provides drivers with important data while driving. It’s like putting a computer on the dashboard.
One feature even tracks a driver’s habits, even going so far as to remind them of when they need to stop and get out for a stretch. Instead of buying a state-of-the-art vehicle with luxury features, this converts any car into a car from the future, making drivers feel like a billion bucks.
19 Humidifier
These popular devices are popping up in cars all over. This holiday is the perfect time to get a mini humidifier for one’s car, considering winter is when they come most in handy.
According to Cars.com, they’re especially useful in dry climates. All you need is a place to put it—like a spare cupholder—and an open port to plug it in. Having a humidifier on the go may sound posh, but this can be a popular gift that will earn the recipient’s appreciation.
18 LED Car Sign
Ever wanted to show how you feel to drivers behind you? The Drivemocion LED Car Sign finally gives drivers the power to emote while on the road. The device itself is a circular sign that displays a number of universal “faces.”
According to WTOP, there’re 16 different options in all. It’ll set back buyers $40, which will seem paltry to those who’ve been wanting to express their inner road rage. At least there’s a smiley face too for those pleasant days.
17 Roadside Emergency Kit
One never knows when an emergency can strike, especially while on the go. As a result, it’s important to prepare for it no matter what. The blog Direct Auto & Life Insurance recommends buying a Roadside Emergency Kit for friends and loved ones this holiday.
For less than $30, buyers will get a case that houses tons of essential items for those emergency instances. They can even assemble their own emergency kit if they don’t want to buy one that’s already assembled.
16 Car Handheld Vacuum
Dyson has a reputation for making some of the best vacuums on the market today. Although their products don’t come cheap, they make up for it in delivering high-quality appliances. Now, consumers can bring the quality of Dyson into their car’s interior. This vacuum is small enough to fit in one’s hand.
According to WTOP, it comes with lots of attachments too, though it’ll set buyers back $200. Santa only puts this kind of gift in stockings that belong to those who’ve been nice.
15 Drop Stop
Drivers experience this on numerous occasions. Whether it’s a piece of food, a pen or even a cell phone, items get dropped and lost in the narrow space that sits between a driver's seat and the center console.
Now, a clever invention has arrived that keeps items from falling in this space: Drop Stop. WTOP reports that this item is a strip made to plug up that narrow space and prevent items from falling—although there's no stopping drivers from continuing to drop things.
14 Body Works’ Scentportables
Bath & Body Works has a reputation for making products that smell good. Now consumers can bring that same fresh-air goodness to their automobiles. Cars.com highlights Scentportables made by Bath & Body Works, which can easily affix to a car’s sun visor.
A few of the scents include mahogany teakwood, cinnamon stick, and balsam. They also come in lots of colorful and fun shapes. It’s a gift that will have recipients smiling from both the look of the Scentportable to the smell their car generates.
13 Key Clip
This next gadget not only finds uses in the car, but outside of it as well. A key clip by Bobino offers several methods to keep those important items within easy reach. For one, as Cars.com notes, it can act as a clip for one’s keys by attaching to purses and laptop bags. They also stick to the sun visor and can clip items to it like sunglasses.
12 Travel Coffee Mug
Taking a drink into the car is a risky game. No one can predict what’s going to happen while on the road, which could result in a spilled beverage. That’s one of the worst things that can happen, because it not only spills all over the interior, but can also lead to an accident.
A travel mug is essential for those who want to drink coffee on the go. Cars.com recommends the brand Contigo, which comes with tight-fitting lids that prevent leaks.
11 Vehicle Desk
It’s one of the first things that strike people as they look inside a police car: there’s a laptop sitting up on a desk. Now, the ability to work on the go is available to anyone through the AutoExec Vehicle Desk. It’s a much simpler set up than that of a police car’s though.
According to WTOP, for $220, the AutoExec sits in the passenger seat and needs a seat belt to stay in place.
10 Headlight Defogger Kit
The elements can affect a car’s exterior over time, which inhibits its performance. When certain parts become compromised, including the headlights, it’s important to correct the problem. This area is susceptible to fogging up, which not only looks unpleasant but can limit a light's effectiveness.
There are headlight defogger kits on the market that make great stocking stuffers. Cars.com recommends one by Turtle Wax that’s inexpensive and easy to use. They even advertise that the formula keeps it clear for longer.
9 Wireless Key Finder
Smaller items like wallets and keys have a tendency to go missing. Leaving either of these behind is a frustrating experience for drivers. Nowadays, a key finder helps to prevent such instances from ever occurring. According to WTOP, for only $20, there’s the Xcellent Global Wireless Key Finder.
The way it works is simple. It comes with four locators that can attach to keys or any other hard-to-find items. Pushing the color-coded number on the station will guide owners to their keys using sounds and a flashing light.
8 Smartphone Holder
Smartphones offer plenty of benefits while on the road. Whether it is GPS navigation or serving as a music player, cars and phones seem inseparable. If drivers want to keep using them though, they’ll have to find a way to do it safely without cruising distracted.
To solve this dilemma, Cars.com likes dash-mounted holders, which can hold both phones or tablets. Plus they can look really slick and add a nice centerpiece in a car.
7 Air Freshener
Cars aren’t the most aromatic spaces we occupy each day. Going with us wherever we go, they tend to collect unpleasant odors along the way. An air freshener is the perfect gift for a car owner. Better yet, they won’t take offense, since everyone’s car needs a freshening up every once in a while.
WTOP recommends the Ozium Air Freshener as a great way to go. The best part is that it costs less than $10.
6 Windshield Shade
Cars take a beating sitting in the sun all day. When owners come back to them, they find that their car is baking and too hot to even touch the steering wheel. A sun shade helps to mitigate the unwanted heat.
According to the blog Direct Auto & Life Insurance, the sun can even damage a car’s components and the upholstery if exposed for too long. If the person on your gift list doesn't have a sun shade this holiday, considering getting them one for their stocking.
5 Wireless Headphones For Kids
Kids tend to get restless for those long commutes. LilGadgets has the perfect gift for the lil’ ones this holiday season: headphones. According to WTOP, they fit snugly so kids will spend less time hassling their headphones and more time watching. Even better, they’re Bluetooth, so there’re no cables to negotiate with.
The headphones also come in bright colors that will appeal to kids. Headphones can get really expensive, but these manage to hit all the right marks for only $50.