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The holidays are coming up and when you have a car lover on your list, it’s extra hard. Sure, you know they want “car stuff”, but what are the best gifts for car lovers, specifically? We did most of the legwork for you and scoured the internet for some of the coolest car gifts around. Even better, a lot of these gifts work for anyone who has a car, not just car lovers. From ingenious gadgets to super-practical tools for the unexpected, here are the best gifts for car guys, car enthusiasts, and everyone in between.
Most car lovers are normally clean-freaks about their interior, and a nice hand-held car vacuum can really make a big difference. They’re so much smaller and more efficient than hauling a regular vacuum around your garage, and you can easily store them in the trunk or stowaway space for spot cleaning on the go. Not only will you keep their upholstery in new-car condition, but you’ll save your car lover a few handfuls of quarters and a lot of trips to the car wash. Pro-tip: most ‘car vacuums’ are just hand-held vacuum cleaners. This one from Black + Decker is well-reviewed and just over $50.
Got an adventurous car lover, avid camper, or road tripper? This inflatable back seat mattress is a dream come true. It’s especially good for people with sedans or smaller SUVs who may not have the trunk space for a full-size inflatable mattress. It also comes with a car-outlet pump and floor pad to boost up the non-seat end.
There are thousands of phone holders out there for hundreds of different models of phones. Buying a car phone holder for your car lover can be tough though, what type of phone do they have? Do they use a case? Will the phone holder you pick fit? Luckily, magnetic phone holders solve all those problems. Magnetic phone holders are some of the best car accessories out there. Most come with a strong adhesive magnet you put on your phone or phone case that fits any make, model, or case. Even better, they’re so darn cheap. These magnetic phone holders come in a two-pack for only $13. Magnetic phone holders make great stocking stuffers or small gifts for coworkers, friends, and family. You might even be tempted to keep one for yourself!
While we’re on cheap, good gifts for car lovers, let’s talk about these sunglasses clips. For under $10, they’re a great low-cost, high-use stocking stuffer for mom, dad, or any driver.
For the car enthusiast who has everything, this might be a good option. Hopefully, they’ll never have to use this car escape tool, but having one handy could be the difference between life and death. There are a number of different designs, but all have some version of two tools: a seatbelt cutter and a glass breaker. You can get a 3-pack for about $25.
Another practical gift for car enthusiasts is this portable jump charger. They’re definitely on the upper end of gifts for car lovers ($100-$200), but they’re guaranteed to come in handy time and time again. Chargers normally get about 40 starts per charge, and are far more efficient than storing long jumper cables. Plus, you don’t need to flag down another car. This charger from NOCO Boost is the most well-reviewed, but is more expensive than others (about $200). There are some solid options around $100 as well.
We all hate it: the dreaded TPS light. While low tires aren’t quite as bad as flats, they can be dangerous to drive on, especially on long-haul road trips. After all, the next gas station could be 60 miles away, and banking on working air machines is always a gamble. Enter cordless tire inflators. Cordless tire inflators are great gifts for car enthusiasts and won’t run you quite as much as a portable jump charger. Most run about $50-$100. This one is the best bang for your buck at $63 and 4.5 stars.
Looking for a handy car gadget you didn’t know exists? Check out this portable car step. It hooks onto your car’s door latch and lets you climb up to your roof easily and safely. The extra step can be super helpful when you’re tying down luggage, boards, or climbing on top of your roof for a better view of the stars.
Leaps in camera technology have made dash cams more popular than ever. Who knows when you might need objective footage of an accident or unexpected event on the road. Dash cams can also be helpful in the case of hit-and-runs when you can’t quite catch a fleeing car’s license plate quick enough. There are hundreds of dash cams on the market, from iPhone attachments to individual cameras that suction to your dash or windshield. Most basic cams run under $100, but you can get high-quality ones for $150-$200.
When else do you really use coins, other than to pay tolls and parking meters? This coin holder is a great gift for anyone whether they’re a car lover or not. If the person on your list lives in a big city or is a commuter, a coin holder can be a real organizational win. No more frantically sifting through a ziplock bag or scouring the floor for change.
Okay, so it may not be exactly for a car lover, but a backseat pet/dog mat is always helpful to have available. Not only does it keep your backseat clean of hair, drool, and other doggy byproducts, but it also helps keep your furry friend safer and more comfortable than riding shotgun. Check out this one for just under $40.
Check out Avail car sharing. Avail has tons of city-smart sedans and rugged SUVs ready for the road, usually for much less than traditional car rental. Even better, every trip is protected by Allstate insurance. Check out our selection of avail-able cars and see how much you can save!
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