Best Car Accessories For Teens – Car and Driver

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Shopping for a teenage auto enthusiast or a first-time driver? Here are some fantastic gift ideas they'll love.

This article was updated with new products and information in October 2024.

Shopping for a teenager can be tough, especially when trying to find the perfect holiday gift. But don’t worry! Whether your teen is a budding car enthusiast, a tech lover, or just proud of their first set of wheels, we've rounded up some great gift ideas. From cutting-edge electronics to cool interior upgrades, these picks are sure to impress. Plus, we’ve included a few items focused on safety and preparedness—because keeping them safe on the road is just as important as fueling their passions.

Looking for more gift ideas for the car lovers in your life? Check out our holiday gift guide and our collection of car-related toys for kids.

The 2025 Cars Calendar is the perfect gift for a car-obsessed teen looking to stay organized. Featuring 12 months of stunning, full-color photographs of dream cars, it’s a year-round reminder of their devotion to all things speed. Each page has large writing blocks and highlights federal holidays, making it easy for them to keep track of important dates and events.

Trust us, if your teen gets a flat, you'll both be happy they have the Slime Flat Tire Puncture Emergency Kit. Having used this several times, it's nothing short of a miracle when facing a stressful flat tire scenario. In just 10 minutes, this all-in-one kit inflates and seals the tire with the push of a button—no tools or jacks required. While we also believe teens need to know how to change a tire, this is a fast solution to get them back on the road.

These Sonos Ace Headphones are ideal for your media-guzzling, car-obsessed teen. Perfect for listening to car podcasts, YouTube reviews, or playlists, these headphones nail the trifecta of function, style, and comfort for any car enthusiast! Plus, with 30 hours of battery life and fast charging, these babies stay running for long.

Didn’t you hear? Dashcams are a must-have these days! Give your teen the gift of safety and awareness with the G900 4K+2.5K Dashcam. Its crystal-clear 4K front and 2.5K rear cameras capture every detail, while seamless rearview streaming eliminates blind spots for better road visibility. Equipped with an impact-activated G Sensor and parking surveillance, this dashcam ensures the car is protected whether they’re driving or parked. We’ve tested and loved the Wolfbox line of cameras for their camera clarity and function, and one even won with another camera model for our top pick for best backup camera.

OK, OK, we know that windshield wipers aren’t the most exciting of gifts, but for car people, sometimes the least exciting is the most important. In the case of wipers, we recommend the Bosch Icons. We tested these in our best windshield wiper test , which performed flawlessly. While they don't feature rain-repellent coatings like some competitors, they excel in water removal and offer a secure locking clasp for quick, hassle-free installation. This is a great fit for teens because they provide excellent vision in heavy rainfall and are a good starter project to grow their budding car fixing skills.

Sorry to remind you of winter's existence, but it’s never too early to prepare—especially if your teen needs to clear snow off their car (and maybe yours, too). We loved the Eversprout SnowBuster in our ice scraper test, and it’s perfect for any teen rushing to get out the door in the morning. With its innovative wavy S design, this snow broom easily pushes and pulls snow away, making quick work of winter cleanups. Its clever extendable design and versatility make it a must-have for teens who care about keeping their car in top shape, or we guess, even a great gift for those who just care about being able to see out of their windows in the winter. Plus, anything that makes snow removal easier is a win at any age!

We loved the TuxMats in our floor mat testing. These floor mats offer maximum interior protection for any teen's car while looking really good. Unlike traditional rubber mats, the TuxMat uses a waterproof vinyl outer layer and covers the entire footwell, including floors and walls, making it the most comprehensive interior coverage we’ve seen.

They look sleek and provide robust protection against mess and spills—perfect for teens who play sports or simply like to snack in their cars.

These rechargeable LED cup holder lights can transform any ordinary water bottle into a jug of neon-green nuclear waste in a matter of seconds. The discs are charged via USB cable and have up to eight hours of battery life while emitting one of seven colors.

Ideal for kids who get hand-me-down cars, this affordable adapter can transform your music-listening experience. Simply charge it (or connect it to the car's power outlet), plug it into your aux port, and pair your phone. Not only is the adapter good for high-quality audio streaming, it can also be used for phone calls using its built-in microphone. Who needs a fancy, expensive, Bluetooth-enabled radio?

Teenagers and video games—a classic combination, right? Well, here's something that takes it up a notch. The Logitech Driving Force provides an exhilarating gaming experience, helping to pave the way for your teenager's dream of becoming a race-car driver.

The system—compatible with PS4, PS5, PCs, and Macs—immerses players in a realistic driving simulation, complete with precision steering and pressure-sensitive pedals. The racing wheel even offers feedback to replicate the genuine feel of being behind the wheel of a real car. Trust us; this is bound to be a hit with your teenager and their friends.

Interior LED lights seem to be all the rage these days, and this kit from Govee is one of the top-rated choices on Amazon. By using the Govee Home app, you can unlock up to 16 million different colors and even utilize Music mode—where the colors bounce to the beat of your tunes. Simply install with adhesive strips, plug into the 12V socket, and you're good to go.

Keep all of your vehicle's important documents organized with this handy holder that fits right in your glovebox. With clear pockets galore, you can fit and display insurance cards, registration, and other important info without embarrassingly having to dig through paperwork.

For those who are already nearly professional in the car-detailing department, consider this foam cannon from Chemical Guys which, when coupled with a pressure washer, can quickly coat a car with foamy soap. As a bonus, foam cannons are all the rage on YouTube car detailing videos, so it could help your young driver become a viral sensation.

No trunk is complete without a set of jumper cables or an emergency jump pack like this great piece from Noco. The Noco GB40 Boost Plus is capable of jump-starting engines as large as 6.0 liters in displacement and can also be used to charge smart devices in an emergency.

While you should never let a phone distract you from driving, a well-placed phone holder can make it much easier to play music or operate the navigation app from behind the wheel. There are hundreds of mounts to choose from, but we picked this CHGeek model because it doubles as a wireless charger.

We wouldn't be surprised if your car-obsessed teen is also a total neat freak about his or her car. A lot of Car and Driver editors are too. We'd recommend starting them out with this package of car detailing essentials from Meguiar's, which includes everything they need to shine up their ride.

Anyone teen who travels a lot needs to have everything on hand at all times, and this rugged seatback organizer from Carhartt more than holds its own. It offers plenty of room for tools, laptops, cell phones, and more. It's even got MOLLE straps for hanging extra gear and a hook for attaching your favorite cap or hat. It affixes to any seat back on any vehicle. Made of sturdy nylon duck canvas, it comes in basic black or Carhartt Brown for that classic Carhartt style.

Let's be honest, who hasn't gone through an intense aesthetic phase during their teen years? Embrace that journey alongside your teenager and encourage them to express their unique style even through their car seats.

The Toaddmos line of car seat covers offers such an array of patterns, you'll be sure to find something that will resonate with your teenager. Each set includes covers for two bucket seats and is easy to install thanks to its universal fit and elastic backing, allowing for a seamless pullover installation.

With both a regular household plug and a 12-volt adapter, this handy little mini fridge is a great item that can be used on the desk or in their car to keep beverages and snacks cool during road trips or during all-night study sessions.

If you've ever lost something in the abyss between your front seats and the center console—and who hasn't—you've likely thought, "Why doesn't someone do something about this?" The folks at Drop Stop have. The Seat Gap Filler's name says exactly what it does. This inventive product promises to prevent many future hand contortions—as well as the occasional skinned knuckle—due to lost change, pens, phones, keys, or anything else prone to falling into the no man's land between the seat and center console. Ideal for teenagers since, ya know, teenagers.

Drew Dorian is a lifelong car enthusiast who has also held a wide variety of consumer-focused positions throughout his career, ranging from financial counselor to auto salesperson. He has dreamed of becoming a Car and Driver editor since he was 11 years old—a dream that was realized when he joined the staff in April 2016. He’s a born-and-raised Michigander and learned to drive on a 1988 Pontiac Grand Am. His automotive interests run the gamut from convertibles and camper vans to sports cars and luxury SUVs.

Collin Morgan is a Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where the former Rust Belt mechanic and gadget enthusiast presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors.

Katherine Keeler is Associate Testing Editor at Hearst Autos. By day she evaluates tools for your enjoyment; by night, she Frankensteins her ever-changing fleet of rustbucket oddities back to repair. Her dream is to open a roadside attraction where the public can view, drive, and learn repairs at her emporium of curious cars.

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