While newer car models don’t typically come with cigarette lighters anymore, most still have the 12V socket that used to power them. That 12V socket serves as a potential source of power for all sorts of different car accessories, gizmos, and gadgets, but with as many different car accessories that are available now, sorting through all of the options can be an overwhelming experience!
In today’s blog post, I’ve handpicked some of the most useful car accessories on Amazon to share with you. These car accessories perform a variety of different functions, from keeping your car clean to keeping you warm, but they share one thing in common—they all plug into your car’s 12V outlet. Use this list to get inspired about how you can put your car’s 12V outlet to work! :-)
Related: 17 Brilliant Hacks That Will Make Cleaning Your Car A Breeze
11 Highly Useful Car Accessories To Put In Your Ride
1. Seat Warmer
Price: $52
Your car doesn’t have built-in seat warmers? No problem! This seat cover has your seat, well, covered. Just plug it into your car’s 12V outlet, and you’ll be feeling warm and toasty in no time. (Just make sure to unplug it when you reach your destination so it doesn’t drain your car’s battery.)
2. Car Vacuum
Price: $24
Clean up dust and crumbs in your car with ease using this handy car vacuum. Just plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter and vacuum up messes to your heart’s content.
3. Touch Screen Dash Cam
Price: $140
This dash cam fits over your existing rear view mirror and plugs right into your car’s 12V outlet. With dual cameras for a high definition view of what’s going on in front of and behind you (along with automatic collision recording), a dash cam like this could help you out in a big way if you were ever involved in a collision that wasn’t your fault.
4. Back Seat Air Mattress
Price: $33
This air mattress is designed to fit perfectly in the back seat of your car. You can use it for camping, long road trips, or whenever you need a comfy place to sleep. The air mattress comes with an air pump you can plug into your car’s cigarette lighter for easy inflation.
5. Electric Kettle
Price: $38
Can’t live without your coffee or tea while camping or on long drives? Now you don’t have to! Just plug this water kettle into your car’s cigarette lighter to power it, and set it in your car’s cup holder while it warms up. In no time you’ll have hot water for your favorite drinks!
6. Cup Holder Phone Mount
Price: $24
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This phone mount is one of my personal favorite car gizmos. It fits right in my cup holder (and even comes with optional extension pads that will help it stay put in roomier cup holders) and has a release button that makes it quick and easy to remove my phone when I’m getting out of the car. I also like the adjustable gooseneck stand—I can position it wherever I need it and it doesn’t move around on me.
7. Alexa-Enabled USB Charger
Price: $40
If you use Alexa at home, you’ll love having Alexa in your car with this Alexa-enabled USB charger. Not only can it play music, audiobooks, and more from your voice commands, but it also offers two high-speed USB charging ports so you can charge your devices while you drive.
8. Mini Fridge
Price: $50
This handy mini fridge can keep up to 6 cans of your favorite beverage cool on long drives. It also has a warmer function you can use to keep your lunch warm all day!
9. Air Purifier
Price: $25
A plug-in car air purifier like this one is a great way to keep your car smelling fresh. Whether you struggle with seasonal allergies or just want to get rid of the smell of last night’s fast food run, this little air ionizer is sure to help—reviewers even say that it helps eliminate the smell of cigarette smoke.
10. Bluetooth FM Transmitter
Price: $18
Enjoy your music via Bluetooth in any car with this handy plug-in FM transmitter. It also supports hands-free calling from your smartphone over the Bluetooth connection as well! And the unit offers two USB charging ports so you can charge your devices while you drive.
11. Charger Adapter
Price: $16
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Can’t decide what to plug in to your car’s outlet? With this handy charger adapter, you can choose to have more options! In addition to providing two 12V outlets, it also offers two quick-charge USB ports and one USB-C port too. In addition to handy on/off buttons for each of the 12V outlets, the adapter also has a display that monitors your car battery’s voltage and will warn you if it starts getting too low.
Do you have any favorite car accessories?
Thank you Jillee! My son and I like to take road trips but I’m always nervous about driving long distances without cameras. The touch screen dashcam seems like a product we would use often and makes me want to plan our next adventure!
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I have a plug that goes in the cigarette lighter that has a regular house outlet. Anything can be plugged in.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Most cars no longer come with cigarette lighters. Is there another plug in option?
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Actually, most cars do have them, they are just hidden and they aren’t called cigarette lighters anymore. Check inside your glove box or if you have a middle console, look inside. In addition, many of these accessories come with a USB cord and if your car doesn’t have the lighter it will have some USB ports.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I love every single thing on this list! Thank you! If Jillee recommends it, it’s probably a good product, that’s what I think.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.Don’t forget the “drop stop,” which is a product that has been out since Shark Tank first aired. Police departments use them. It blocks the space between your seat and the middle Consol so things like cell phones and keys don’t get lost. All of our cars are outfitted with them. They’re a nice safety feature for $20 and last many years without the need to replace them.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’ve had one of those coffee cups you plug in but to rewarm coffee that had cooled down took forever so I was interested in the plug-in water pot. Ehhhhh? It takes 45 minutes. I’ll pass.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.A lot of the newer cars have the seat warmer options. Our last trip the rental car had a built in place to charge phones. I’m glad you can use Alexa’s in cars. Our last one we couldn’t figure out the radio. My folks and I both have Alexa type devices. But, theirs is much smaller and would take up less room. Good information to know.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.I’m thinking The Bluetooth device might not be a bad idea for trips. This last trip there was no manual in them rental showing how the car radio worked. And some don’t have slots for cds anymore. I didn’t dare play my downloaded music for my folks. When. We’re traveling a great distance to see family sometimes there just aren’t decent stations which would be another good reason to get one.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.don’t most newer cars no longer come with a cigarette lighter? I know my 2008 Mercury Sable doesn’t have one. so things like the air mattress I would not be able to use.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.They might not come with the lighter feature but I can almost say for sure there is an outlet for it. Probably with a rubber cap over it… for charging your phone, or anything else with a plug charger. Like the air mattress…If not in the front area by the stereo then in the back if you have a center divider between the two front seats.
Please log in or create a free account to comment.If your console looks like this one your outlet is behind that round cover on the bottom right. That’s where it is in my 2008. https://www.motortrend.com/cars/mercury/sable/2008/#2008-mercury-sable-base-sedan-instrument-panel
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