12 Must-Have Cool Car Gadgets Designed To Upgrade Your Ride

Do you know someone who always seems to have new cool car gadgets every time you see them? These cutting-edge pieces typically offer an element of convenience, increase safety, or express a personal style. Whatever they do, the best car gadgets make the drive more enjoyable by enhancing your car’s existing features, regardless of what make and model you drive. 

If you’re looking for a new contraption to add to your ride or just want to impress your friends with some fancy technology, check out our list of a dozen must-have cool car gadgets. Most of these gizmos require minimal investment but maximize your rate of return. Drift’s signature car air fresheners are no exception.  

12 Must-Have Cool Car Gadgets 

Add some spice to your driving life with these 12 must-have cool car gadgets. No matter how many of these tech pieces you purchase, be sure to add Drift premium car fresheners to your vehicle for the ultimate driving experience. 

1. Dash Camera 

If you’ve seen a few dash camera (dash cam) videos, you already know the value of this relatively affordable gadget. Dash cams typically capture the road ahead to document what’s happening in real time. Installing a dash camera in your car doesn’t take a lot of technical know-how, and it’s often well worth sharing videos of your adventures behind the wheel. 

2. Interior LED Lights 

Dome and map lights in vehicles are somewhat outdated with the advent of smartphones — and their backlit screens. However, interior LED lights can turn a night cruise into a glow-filled excursion. Most of these lights mount beneath the dash or seats to light the floorboards and set the mood. 

3. Premium Drift Car Freshener 

Drift’s Wood, Stone, and Metal car fresheners are made from sustainable materials infused with essential and fragrance oil blends. The sustainably sourced alder wood, organic stone, and alloy metal are free from harsh chemicals like formaldehyde, parabens, phthalates, and dichlorobenzene. Drift luxury car fresheners are also pet- and kid-friendly, vegan, GMO-free, and cruelty-free. 

Using your new Drift car freshener is easy. Simply order an artfully crafted scent of your choosing — like Pine, Teak, Amber, Cabana, Grove, or Open Air — and place the scent block on your chosen material (Wood, Stone, or Metal). Then, place the upscale car freshener in your vehicle and enjoy your chosen scent for up to 30 days. 

4. Rearview Mirror Camera 

Luxury vehicles integrate a camera into the rearview mirror, allowing drivers to see a live feed of what’s behind them without having to adjust the mirror. Rearview mirror cameras enable retrofitting an older vehicle with this technology for a better viewing experience. Consider adding a rearview mirror camera to your car for greater confidence while backing up. 

5. Portable Car Battery Jump Starter

Many of the cool car gadgets on our list are upgrades designed to elevate your ride. However, a portable car battery jump starter is a safety must-have, especially if you don’t have friends or relatives nearby to help you out in the event you need a jump. These portable jump starters juice up your battery so you can be on your way — without having to wait or ask for help. 

6. LED Cupholder Lights 

Your average cupholder is just that — until you add a pop of color. Available in a variety of colors and with various logos or designs, LED cupholder lights make it easy to find your drink in the dark. Plus, you can synchronize them with your interior LED lights for a custom experience. 

7. Heated Seat Cushion 

Higher-priced trims often incorporate heated seats as standard equipment. However, a heated seat cushion can retrofit your vehicle for maximum comfort while driving, especially during the cold months. Depending on the model you purchase, you can use this cool car gadget in your home, too. 

8. Emergency Escape Tool

How would you break your car window or cut the seatbelt if you ever got trapped in your vehicle? The emergency escape tool covers both situations, incorporating a window breaker and seatbelt cutter in one handy solution. Whether you only take short trips or spend hours at a time behind the wheel, the emergency escape tool is one piece of valuable — and cool — car technology. 

9. Portable Air Compressor

Bringing the solution to a potential problem with you — like a portable car battery jump starter — makes it easier to get back on the road. The same concept applies to the portable air compressor, which makes quick work of flat tires, at least until you’re able to find the nearest tire repair shop. If you go offroad a lot, portable air compressors also make it easier to change your tire pressure to fit the conditions and then air up again to normal pressures for the ride home. 

10. Cupholder Trash Can

If you’re someone who stuffs their trash into the side door pockets, check out a cupholder trash can. Conveniently shaped to fit into a cupholder, these portable trash cans catch any garbage for an easy cleanup. 

11. Heated Car Blanket

Cool car gadgets like a heated car blanket can be a lifesaver in an emergency situation. A heated blanket keeps you warm if you get stranded, potentially prolonging your life until help arrives. 

12. Portable Car Vacuum

Although high-end minivans have built-in vacuums, a portable unit can make quick work of spills or crumbs from messy takeout meals. Most portable car vacuums work off a small battery unit that can easily be recharged via USB. They’re also the perfect gift for a friend who considers eating in their car sacrilegious. 

Modernize Your Ride With Drift Signature Car Fresheners 

Drift makes it easy to keep up with the trends with our exclusive car fresheners. Take our Scent Quiz to find out which premium scent best suits your tastes and style. Join our Scent of the Month Club to receive deluxe indulgent fragrances for your car every month of the year.