Air fresheners keep the interior of your vehicle smelling great, masking stinky odors, such as those that come from food spills, pets, and smoke. When choosing an air freshener, you might have a hard time picking the perfect car fragrance. Some popular scents include pine, pumpkin, and new car smell, among others. In addition to the car scent, you also need to consider the delivery method, including hanging air fresheners, gels, and liquids.
After buying a car air freshener, change it when it expires for best results. Keep in mind that some delivery methods, such as devices that clip to a vehicle's air vent, allow you to refill them with small packets of the scent you desire.
In addition, be sure to not block your view of the vehicle when installing an air freshener. When shopping for the best air freshener for your vehicle, keep in mind our 10 best list below and use it to find the one that best fits your vehicle.
10. Little Trees – Black Ice - $10.59
A common car air freshener, Little Trees hanging car air fresheners come in a variety of scents. One such scent, Black Ice, has proven popular with users of the brand, mainly due to its musky yet masculine smell. This type of freshener usually hangs from a vehicle's mirror and can last up to seven weeks if used properly. On Amazon, they come in packs of multiples, so you can easily replace one when it expires.
Buy Little Trees in Black Ice or other fragrances on Amazon.
9. Air Spencer Squash Scent Air Freshener - $19.99
Mounting to the vehicle's dashboard, the Air Spencer CS-X3 Squash Scent Air Freshener lasts up to eight weeks. The refillable air freshener is made of a hard outer plastic cover with a sleek finish and is vented on the top to release the fragrance stored in the hard gel. The sticky pad underneath allows you to place it almost anywhere within your vehicle.
Buy the Air Spencer Squash Scent Air Freshener on Amazon.
8. Glade Paper Candles Hanging Car Freshener - $7.35
The Glade Paper Candles Hanging Car Air Freshener can hang anywhere in your car and comes in a wide variety of fragrances, including Lavender/Vanilla, Apple Cinnamon, and Hawaiian Breeze. While made for autos, the Glade Paper Candles Hanging Car and Home Air Freshener can also help freshen your home with its great smell.
Buy the Glade Paper Candles Hanging Car Air Freshener on Amazon
7. PURGGO Car Air Freshener - $19.99
Branded as the world's longest-lasting car air freshener, the PURGGO Car Air Freshener attaches to the back of your seat via the headrest. Able to last over 365 days, according to the manufacturer, the PURGGO Car Air Freshener uses bamboo charcoal to absorb odors as opposed to using a scent to cover smells up. Non-toxic and safe for pets and children, the PURGGO is natural and scent free.
Buy the PURGGO Car Air Freshener on Amazon.
6. PERK Visor Wrap - $4.99
Packing a powerful scent in a small device that wraps around your car visor, the PERK Visor Wrap gives you a discreet option when it comes to dealing with bad smells in your vehicle. The specially contoured clip grips the visor without falling off and does not block your view when using your visor while driving. Lasting up to 30 days, the PERK Visor Wrap is clean and will not leak or spill due to its StediScent layer design.
Buy the Perk Visor Wrap on Amazon.
5. Yankee Candle Car Jar - $2.99
Lasting from two to four weeks, the Yankee Candle Car Jar brings a variety of fragrances to your smelly car. A variety of scents are available - Strawberry Lemon Ice, Picnic in the Park, Pineapple Cilantro, just to name a few. The Yankee Candle Car Jar hangs from your rearview mirror, the scent emitting from the fragrance-infused paperboard as it fills your vehicle with its wonderful scent.
Buy a Yankee Candle Car Jar from yankeecandle.com.
4. Febreze Car Vent Clips - $3.49
From the makers of Febreze comes a variety of fresh scents that clip to your air vent. The small diffuser is refillable, allowing you to deodorize your car with different scents each time you replace the cartridge. Some of the great fragrances available include Linen & Sky, Happy Spring, and Gain Island Fresh.
Buy a Febreze Car Vent Clip from febreze.com website.
3. Refresh Your Car! Scented Gel Can- $5.81
The water-based gel of the Refresh Your Car! Scented Gel Can allows you to discretely mask odors in your vehicle. You can control when the scent is distributed by using the innovative pop-top lid. In addition to New Car scent, some other options include Cucumber Melon, Fresh Linen, and Pina Colada.
Buy a Refresh Your Car! Scented Gel Can on Amazon.com
2. KubeScent Car Air Freshener - $8.00
Featuring an all-natural Beachwood cap that diffuses the fragrance from within the attached bottle, the KubeScent Car Air Freshener lasts for a full 90 days before needing replacement, according to the manufacturer. Using a variety of fragrance oils for the best scents, the diffuser is spill-proof, allowing you to hang it on your mirror with confidence that it won't leak.
Buy a KubeScent Car Air Freshener on Amazon.
1. Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel - $8.95
This air freshener is formulated to eliminate odors in a vehicle, including the smell of smoke. Once in place, use the twist top to control the level of scent in your car. In addition to a gel, you can find spray versions of this effective air freshener. Made without harsh chemicals, Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel is specially designed to get rid of the smell of cigarette smoke and other strong odors.
Buy the Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel on Amazon.
In addition to masking odors, the wide variety of car air fresheners offers you options when picking a fragrance for your vehicle. Keep in mind that abnormal odors are sometimes signs of more pressing problems, and you should have your vehicle checked out if you detect an unknown odor in your car. If you have any questions about a particular odor, Ask a Mechanic to learn more about potential causes.
