What You Need to Know

Some car accessories solve problems you didn’t even realize you had, until you try them and wonder how you ever drove without them. These aren’t the obvious picks like phone mounts or air fresheners. These are the clever, slightly unexpected finds that make every drive better.

Here are 10 car accessories trending on Amazon right now that people are calling “why didn’t I buy this sooner” purchases.

That narrow gap between your seat and center console is a black hole for phones, keys, french fries, and anything else that slips out of your pocket. A seat gap filler is a padded strip that wedges into the gap and blocks everything from falling into the abyss.

Most come in a 2-pack for under $15 and are universal fit. Some even have a small slot on top for cards or coins. It’s one of those products that costs almost nothing but eliminates a daily annoyance.

You probably already have a phone mount, but magnetic mounts have gotten noticeably better. The latest versions use N52 neodymium magnets that hold your phone rock-solid on bumpy roads, and the mounting plates are thin enough to work through most cases, including MagSafe-compatible ones that need no plate at all.

Dashboard mounts keep your line of sight up where it should be. Vent mounts are more discreet. Either way, the one-hand attach-and-detach is hard to beat.

Full-size vacuums can’t get into car crevices, and gas station vacuums cost $2 a pop. A cordless handheld car vacuum ($25–$45) lives in your trunk and handles crumbs, dirt, pet hair, and everything else that accumulates between detailing sessions.

Look for one with a HEPA filter and multiple attachments, the crevice tool is essential for getting between and under seats.