10 Car Accessories That Are Quite Useful & 10 That Are A Waste Of Money
We spend a lot of time in our cars so it makes sense we want them to be as comfortable and safe to drive as possible. There are many accessories out there, some that can save your life, some that simplify your drive, and some that are just awful, outdated, or even illegal. That's why we have compiled a list of 10 car accessories that are quite useful and 10 that are a waste of money, to help you weave through the many products and find the ones that help!
1. Dash Cam
Dash cams have become increasingly popular for their usefulness during accidents. It’s an easy way to have all the evidence you need at the click of a button. Hard to argue against video proof!
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2. Phone Mount
Having a good phone mount is super helpful when driving. It allows you to keep your hands on the wheel but still have easy access to your GPS, phone calls, and anything other communication features you may need.
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3. Backup Camera
Some cars have them preinstalled, but either way backup cameras are super helpful. The ability to see everything behind you is a nice safety feature to have when in a parking lot or a tight space.
Photo by Badgernet on Wikimedia Commons
4. Portable Jump Starter
Everyone should have a portable jump starter for emergencies. If your car’s battery dies the entire car wont start. These devices are easy to use and will save you when you need it most.
Photo by Tony Webster on Wikimedia Commons
5. Car Tools
It is important to have a basic set of car tools to help you with common problems. Things like a tire pressure gauge, wrench, pliers, and screwdrivers, can be super useful if anything goes wrong. Better to be safe and prepared than sorry!
Photo by Mitakada on Wikimedia Commons
6. Multi-Port Car Charger
With all the devices everyone has these days, having a multi-port charger is a simple accessory that everyone will use. Devices die all the time, the ability for everyone in the car to charge their phones at once is quite helpful for long drives.
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7. Trunk Organizer
Trunk organizers are a great accessory for families who often bring a lot of items with them on their drives. You’ll find it keeps your car a lot cleaner and better organized for easy access to the things you need.
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8. Blind Spot Mirrors
Many people struggle with parking, and checking their blind spots. That’s why simple blind spot mirrors are so helpful in providing an improved view of everything behind you. Just stick them onto your side mirrors and you'll have a much easier and safer time parking.
9. Seat Covers and Floor Mats
Families may want to look into seat covers or floor mats to help keep the car clean. It's the perfect accessory for young kids making a mess in the back seat. Nobody wants to have to clean all the crumbs and liquid that can get in between the seats!
Photo by Gmail56789 on Wikimedia Commons
10. Bluetooth Receiver
While most cars have built-in Bluetooth, if it doesn’t, a Bluetooth receiver is a useful add-on. It will allow you to listen to your music and make phones hands free. Safety is always a priority!
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1. Fuzzy Dice
Avoid fuzzy dice at all costs. They were cool in the 50s but just look tacky these days. The original purpose was to symbolize you’ve had sex in the car. They’re also an annoying distraction, constantly swinging back and forth as you drive.
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2. Spinners
The cool factor for spinning hubcaps has long passed. They serve no real purpose other than to show off to the other cars on the road. They can also be quite dangerous if anything touches or falls into the wheels at any point.
Photo by JOHN LLOYD on Wikimedia Commons
3. Car Eyelashes
Some may think car eyelashes are cute, but to everyone else it’s a bit much. It looks as if you want to be in the movie “Cars”. Often times these stick-on lashes fall off or peel and end up ruining the overall look of the car.
Photo by Brittani Burns on Unsplash
4. LED Under Lights
LED under lights can look good and futuristic, but are often done way over-the-top. Many countries have banned LED under lights entirely due to its confusion caused with emergency vehicles. Not worth the cost unless you get it done right.
Photo by Sam Pearce-Warrilow on Unsplash
5. Massive Rear Spoilers
Spoilers have been shown to improve the performance of sports cars. However, these unnecessarily large spoilers just look dumb and serve no real purpose. It’s one of those “look at me” attention grabbing car modifications.
Photo by RG72 on Wikimedia Commons
6. Stick-On Hood Vents
The whole purpose of stick-on vents is to make other drivers think your car is super fast. It’s an ego modification, that doesn’t look nearly as good as those few people think.
Photo by Sicnag on Wikimedia Commons
7. Large Exhaust Pipes
Avoid oversized exhaust pipes. While they may increase the volume of your ride and make it sound like a race car, you’re going to bug everyone in the neighborhood when you drive by.
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8. Fake Bullet Holes
Fake bullet may be the dumbest car accessory there is. Some people want to look tough, but in reality people see these stickers and laugh. It is also a good way to ruin your cars paint job.
Photo by stephenhanafin on Wikimedia Commons
9. Debadging or Ghost Badges
Some people want to make their car look incognito, and rip off all of its badges. Some will even replace their badges with brands like Ferrari to make people think it’s a nicer car. Either way you’re not fooling anyone. It’s quite obvious what the car really is!
Photo by JD Weiher on Unsplash
10. Heavily Tinted Windows
While a lightly tinted window can be quite useful, the full tint is way over the top and illegal in many places. It limits your visibility making your drive more dangerous just so you can look cool while you crash.
