To Clip or to Hang, That Is the Question—The Great Car Freshener Debate

In the world of car fresheners, there are so many choices that it can be overwhelming to figure out which is the best solution for you. Of the many air freshening products available, car vent clips and hanging car fresheners are among the most common. They’re also the center of the following great car freshener debate. 

Which is better: vent clip or hanging car fresheners? Discover which of these good car fresheners is better suited to infusing your car’s interior with premium scents and creating a pleasant ambiance you can look forward to every time you get behind the wheel. (Need a TL:DR version? Skip the debate and buy a Drift car freshener.)

To Clip or to Hang: A Matter of Placement

Without being too obvious, one of the most significant differences between clipped and hanging car fresheners is their placement. As the name suggests, clip car fresheners clip to your car’s air vents, perching upon the vent blades to take advantage of their airflow. Hanging car fresheners are most commonly hung from the rearview mirror, but they can also hang from any other spot that offers adequate room, such as from the headliner-mounted grab handles. 

For a car freshener—and home scent diffusing solutions, for that matter—placement is key in determining its performance. While both car freshening products use passive methods to distribute their respective scents, you’re less likely to smell either one if it’s not centrally located. This dispersion effect is even more prevalent in larger vehicles, where car fresheners must work harder to provide adequate scent coverage. 

Vent Clip Car Fresheners 

A vent clip car freshener solves the problem of diffusing scents throughout your vehicle’s cabin by leveraging its own climate system. As the air passes through the vent clip, it picks up the scent within and carries it further into your car’s interior. Vent clip air fresheners come in a variety of styles and scents. 

For example, Drift’s Metal car freshener features a stylish body that integrates a sturdy clip to keep the car freshener upright. A built-in tab at the base of the freshener enables you to adjust the scent intensity to your liking. Unlike other vent clip car fresheners, the Metal car freshener uses a solid scent block, removing the threat of spilled oil or gel from the equation. 

Drift’s Metal car freshener is also vegan, safe for pets and children, and cruelty-free. The scent block itself is infused with essential and fragrance oil blends. The car freshener’s clean formula is free from phthalates, parabens, mineral oils, DEA, formaldehyde, petroleum, propylene, dichlorobenzene, and other harsh chemicals. 

Pros

• Steady scent release

• Discreet

• Long-lasting

• More effective at dispersing scent in larger vehicles 

Cons

• Gel or liquid can leak out

• Somewhat harder to install 

• Design can be clunky and feel cheap

Hanging Car Fresheners

A hanging car freshener allows you to express your creativity and personality. Available in multiple designs, styles, forms, and scents, these car fresheners feature materials like plastic, clay, cardboard, paper, or fabric. Examples of hanging car fresheners include clay animals, small bottles, or even a scent-infused cardboard cutout. 

Pros

• A wide variety of scents and designs

• Easy to use 

• Available in multiple price ranges

• Customizable 

Cons

• Can be difficult to impossible to replace the scent

• May be distracting or annoying

• Fragrance intensity can vary 

• Some designs can feel cheap or gimmicky

How to Choose Good Car Fresheners: Vent Clip vs. Hanging

Now that you’ve had time to review both sides of the argument, take a moment to approach the debate from a new perspective. Use the characteristics below to determine which car freshener best suits your personality and needs. Will you choose a hanging or a vent clip car freshener? 

Scent Strength

The intensity and longevity of a car freshener’s scent directly impact its effectiveness. Hanging car fresheners tend to be more potent when they’re first installed in your vehicle but can lose their intensity over time. Since air vent clip car fresheners rely on airflow, they tend to be more consistent regarding scent strength. 

Aesthetic Appearance

Due to the nature of their construction, hanging car fresheners tend to win the contest of aesthetics. Car owners can purchase hanging car fresheners in a variety of materials, designs, and styles, while vent clip fresheners tend to be plastic and simple in their form. However, Drift’s Metal car freshener is the exception, with its sleek and modern exterior. 

Budget 

Besides the initial cost of investing in a vent clip or hanging car freshener, car owners should consider the frequency and ease of renewing the scent. For example, some hanging car fresheners make it difficult or impossible to replace the scented material. In contrast, most vent clip car fresheners are disposable, although the Drift Metal car freshener features a replaceable scent block that streamlines the scent renewal process. 

Viable Alternatives: The Visor Car Freshener

If you don’t want something hanging from your rearview mirror and a vent clip sounds a bit too obvious, a visor-mounted car freshener can help you achieve the same results. Tucked out of sight, these car fresheners rely on passive scent diffusion to work but don’t clog up space on the air vents or within your line of sight. Visor-mounted car fresheners are easily serviced and maintain their freshness just as long as vent clip or hanging car fresheners. 

For example, Drift’s Wood and Stone car fresheners attach to the driver’s or passenger’s side visor using the provided visor clip. Simply place the scent block on the clip and then snug it into place on the appropriate visor. When you’re ready to replace the scent block, simply pull it off the clip and put another in its place. 

Like the Metal car freshener, the Wood and Stone car fresheners are made from sustainably sourced alder wood and organic stone infused with fragrance and essential oils. The scent blocks last up to 30 days and come in a variety of scents, including Pine, Teak, Amber, Cabana, Grove, and Open Air. These visor-mounted luxury car fresheners are also safe for pets and kids, cruelty-free, and vegan. 

Settle the Debate With Drift’s Signature Car Fresheners 

Drift simplifies the decision between a vent clip and hanging car freshener with two premium and effective car scent solutions: our signature vent clip and visor-mounted car fresheners. Explore the available scents to discover your favorite, or—better yet—join the Scent of the Month Club to receive a new exciting scent every month.