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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 backseat 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.
Best health & safety car accessories
Road Angel Halo Ultra Dash Cam
This dash cam includes an ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) function which provides voice alerts regarding safety concerns - this may be an especially useful feature for new drivers.
We like: Easy to use
We don't like: Limited internal storage
This forward-facing dash cam has motion detection and GPS tracking. It also records your speed, the date and the time in the video footage. Event recordings are stored in a folder within the accompanying app.
It's powered via a 12V power cable and socket adapter. You can also purchase a hardwire kit to connect to the car’s power supply, but professional installation is recommended.
Want to know more about this model? We've tested it – head to our Road Angel Halo Ultra review.
More Which?-tested dash cams to consider:
- Nextbase Piqo 1K – An affordable option that's easy to use. Available from Nextbase (£99.99).
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 and our winter tyre guide.
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 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 analysed over 160 insurance policies to find you the best.
Best accessories for keeping your car clean
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 (£3.95)
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.
- Best car scratch removers – Buff away minor scratches with ease.
- 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 and 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 Adapter
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 setup to tune into the correct radio frequency
This compact Bluetooth adapter 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: Comfy 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 1 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.