We independently evaluate all of our recommendations. If you click on links we provide, we may receive compensation. Shopping Travel & Lifestyle Products The 9 Best Car Air Fresheners You Can Buy Online Kick bad odors to the curb with innovative and refreshing scents. By Caitlin Castelaz Caitlin Castelaz Caitlin Castelaz has several years experience writing about the home. She is a former editor at BobVila.com, and has written for US News and World Report and House Digest. Real Simple's Editorial Guidelines Updated on September 09, 2024 Fact checked by Emily Estep Fact checked by Emily Estep Emily Estep is a plant biologist and journalist who has worked for a variety of online news and media outlets, writing about and editing topics that range from film and beauty to science and the automobile industry. Her plant biology degree has a focus on sustainable agriculture, and she’s an expert on growing your own food, environmental sciences, and all topics relating to houseplants. Our Fact-Checking Process In This Article View All In This Article Our Top Picks Reviews Final Verdict How to Shop FAQs Take Our Word for It Photo: Real Simple / Kristin Kempa As memorable as each soccer game or vacation trip may be, you don’t need to remember how they smelled. While cleaning your car is the best defense against odors, car air fresheners can further minimize any lingering smells, or give your call a new scent that you prefer. Choosing a car air freshener is partly a matter of personal preference, but there are many types of vent clips, sachets, sprays, and more to choose from. To find the best car air fresheners, we researched several options, taking into account factors like scent options, duration, price, and more. We also spoke to Anne Mauler, VP of Marketing at Soapy Joe’s Car Wash, and Ashley Kimble, a professional car detailer and Founder at ABC Detailing for tips on finding the right air freshener for your vehicle. Our Top Picks Best Overall: Drift Car Air Freshener at Amazon $13 Jump to Review Best Budget: Little Trees Black Ice Air Freshener at Amazon $10 Jump to Review Best Long-Lasting: Febreze Car Vent Clips at Amazon $27 Jump to Review Best Eco-Friendly: Grow Fragrance Car Freshener at Growfragrance.com Jump to Review Best Odor Absorber: Azuna Auto Air Freshener & Odor Eliminator Gel at Amazon $17 Jump to Review Best Vent Clip: Votivo Auto Vent Clip at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Sachets: Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Air Freshener Sachets at Amazon $20 Jump to Review Best Diffuser: Pura Car Smart Fragrance Diffuser at Amazon $35 Jump to Review Best Spray: Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener at Amazon $11 Jump to Review Best Overall Drift Car Air Freshener PHOTO: Amazon $13 at Amazon $13 at Target View on Drift.co What Stands Out It’s very easy to camouflage, and even when hidden away, the scent is still noticeable. What Could Be Improved Scents of the month are available for a limited time only. The beauty of the Drift air freshener is its sleek design that can easily blend into the interior of most cars. The warm wood air freshener clips, which are about the size of a credit card, snap onto the visor for a minimalist look. Drift also makes a nearly identical stone air freshener, and a round metal vent clip, should you desire. These natural materials may also appeal to those who want a little less plastic in their lives and in their cars. It’s not just what’s on the outside that counts, though. Each Drift air freshener can be refilled with one of many phthalate-free scent cartridges. Drift also smells more subtle than several popular car air fresheners (you may love the outdoorsy smell of Teak or the citrus-forward Grove). If you’re not sure which scent to choose, you can take Drift’s quiz in order to be matched with something that might suit your preferences. Alternatively, you can sign up for the company’s Scent of the Month package, which gives subscribers a limited-edition scent every month. The only downside, is that if you find a scent you really like, you won’t be able to buy that scent again—at least not for a while. Type: Visor | Scent: Teak, Grove, Amber, Scent of the Month | Duration: 30 days Best Budget Little Trees Black Ice Air Freshener PHOTO: Amazon $10 at Amazon $5 at Target $5 at Walmart What Stands Out Each tree delivers one month of fragrance, for incredible value. What Could Be Improved These hanging air fresheners aren’t very attractive, and can obstruct your view of traffic. Little Trees hanging air fresheners have been enjoyed by generations of drivers. Their popularity is in no doubt partly due to their low cost, but also the wide variety of available fragrances. Little Trees air fresheners last for up to 30 days, but you have to use them correctly. While it’s not uncommon to unwrap the cardboard trees before hanging them, it’s better to take them out slowly. A good rule of thumb is to slide the tree out of the plastic one notch (or branch) per week. This allows the air freshener to last longer without overwhelming you all at once. We should note, however, that in a handful of states, it’s illegal to hang items from the rearview mirror. In some cases, going against the law could result in a traffic stop. So if you’re free and clear to fly these air fresheners, go for it. If not, you can still stow a Little Tree in the console—down low where it can’t block your view of traffic—for a budget boost of fragrance. Type: Hanging | Scent: Black Ice, Royal Pine, True North, Bayside Breeze, and more | Duration: 30 days Best Long-Lasting Febreze Car Vent Clips PHOTO: Amazon $27 at Amazon $6 at Target View on Walmart What Stands Out Distributes scent evenly throughout the car. What Could Be Improved The clips are not compatible with all styles of air vents. Febreze Car Vent Clips are one of the most popular car air fresheners available, both for how easy they are to install, and their strong, long-lasting scent. You can prolong the life of these car air fresheners by dialing the intensity down to the lowest level, allowing the scent to steadily circulate throughout your car for at least 40 days. While drivers who love strong and long-lasting scents will find this pick satisfactory, sensitive buyers may find the smell of these car air fresheners to be a little overpowering. Febreze offers many scents, including their popular Unstopables line, as well as crossover products with Downy, Gain, Old Spice, and other fragrances. The vent clips are sold either singly, or in two-, three-, or four-packs. These clips are compatible with most cars and trucks, but some vent styles may not allow it to clip on. We recommend checking to see if these clips will be compatible with your own car before purchasing it in bulk. Type: Vent clip | Scent: Linen and Sky, Platinum Ice, Laundry Fresh, and more | Duration: 40 days Best Eco-Friendly Grow Fragrance Car Freshener PHOTO: Grow Fragrance View on Growfragrance.com View on Theorganicbunny.com View on Livehealthillie.com What Stands Out It contains natural ingredients and is a favorite for those with sensitivities to fragrance. What Could Be Improved The scent doesn’t last long. Grow Fragrance is a USDA-certified Biobased label that offers eco-friendly car fresheners that are non-toxic, made from plant-based ingredients, and hypoallergenic. Its fresheners are also free from phthalates, parabens, petroleum and synthetic petrochemicals. The brand also doesn’t test on animals, and they donate 1% of every sale to the nonprofit 1% For the Planet. While the brand and its products are certainly eco-conscious, the car air freshener does struggle a bit in terms of scent. The actual scents like Woodland Sage, Blondewood, and Bamboo offer a fresh fragrance for any car, but it doesn’t last very long. Should you go for this pick, expect to replace these air fresheners every week or two for continuous fragrance. Type: Hanging | Scent: Woodland Sage, Blondewood, Bamboo, Pomelo, and more | Duration: 7-14 days Best Odor Absorber Azuna Auto Air Freshener & Odor Eliminator Gel PHOTO: Amazon $17 at Amazon View on Azunafresh.com What Stands Out It keeps a car smelling cleaner without adding a lot of fragrance. What Could Be Improved It only comes in one scent. The Azuna Auto Odor Eliminator is different from other car air fresheners, as it works by eliminating odors rather than dispersing a strong scent throughout the car. For those who prefer a clean-smelling car, rather than one that has a particular scent, this is certainly a good option. To use Azuna, remove the sticker seal from the plastic case, open the lid, then remove the inner seal and replace the lid. The thick gel within the pod will slowly disperse tea tree oil to freshen your car interior for up to 90 days. The only major downside with Azuna’s car air freshener is that it’s only available in one scent. This especially becomes a problem if you don’t enjoy the smell of tea tree oil. However, because this product is designed to work even when hidden under a seat or console, it’s possible to place it out of the way where its scent may be less noticeable. Type: Odor eliminator | Scent: Natural, with a hint of lemon | Duration: 60–90 days Best Vent Clip Votivo Auto Vent Clip PHOTO: Amazon $20 at Amazon View on Votivo.com What Stands Out These fragrances are made without harsh chemicals. What Could Be Improved The scent may be too faint for some. These vent clips from Votivo represent a good faith effort at creating less harsh fragrances, as each clip is paraben-, phthalate-, and formaldehyde-free. The round vent clips are also one of the less noticeable types of car air fresheners, and take up a minimal amount of space. When in use, they deliver a subtle dose of fragrance, dispersing it throughout the vehicle as you drive. Although, since the scent isn’t particularly strong, it may not be noticeable for some. If you find yourself in a similar situation, you can dial the clip to the highest level to release more scent. However, understand that doing so may reduce the duration of the air freshener. Despite this drawback, the vent clips are available in a variety of unique scents, including Pink Mimosa, Clean Crisp White, Red Currant, Honeysuckle, Champaca, and more. You can also buy these individually, or in bulk to save on cost. Type: Vent clip | Scent: Pink Mimosa, Clean Crisp White, Red Currant, etc. | Duration: 30 days Best Sachets Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Air Freshener Sachets PHOTO: Amazon $20 at Amazon What Stands Out The product contains essential oils and is made without phthalates. What Could Be Improved A hanger or sticky backing could provide different options for how to display the sachet. Mrs. Meyer’s Clean Day Scent Sachets are available in a limited range of scents, which will be familiar to any fans of the brand’s line of household cleaning products. Made with essential oils, the car air fresheners deliver long-lasting freshness for up to 60 days. We also love that the sachets and its packaging are made with recycled materials. To use this product, simply open the envelope, then remove the sachet from its wrapper and return it to the envelope. Although the sachets can’t be hung or mounted, they can be placed under a seat or console where they can do their work out of sight. Alternatively, they can be placed in a cup holder, console or mesh seat pocket if you desire. Since they’re sold in packs, you can pop one in the car and save a couple for elsewhere in your home or work life. Type: Sachet | Scent: Lemon verbena, lavender, geranium, and honeysuckle | Duration: 60 days Best Diffuser Pura Car Smart Fragrance Diffuser PHOTO: Amazon $35 at Amazon $35 at Nordstrom $35 at Target What Stands Out You can control the intensity of the scent via an app. What Could Be Improved Since it needs to be connected to a power source, it takes up space in your middle console. The Pura Car diffuser is a smart air freshener that contains a motion detector that turns the device on or off when the car is in motion or parked, respectively. The Pura also connects to smartphones via an app, allowing you to control it from your connected device for extra convenience. Within the app, you can see how much fragrance is left in each cartridge, and dial back the intensity to make the product last longer. Note that the Pura Car must be connected to your car’s power source in order to work, so buyers should be ready to make room for it in their vehicle’s center console. But if you have plenty of space for this device, know that you can choose from more than 40 delightful fragrances, and refill each cartridge as needed. Among the scents, you’ll find several options that are collaborations with home brands like Homesick, Apotheke, Guy Fox, and Anthropologie. If you’re not sure which scent to buy, you can order a scent sample book to help you choose. Type: Diffuser | Scent: Car Wash, Road Trip, Volcano, Honeycrisp Oakwood, and more | Duration: 30 days Best Spray Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener PHOTO: Amazon $11 at Amazon $11 at Walmart View on Autozone.com What Stands Out The product’s fragrance smells exactly like a new car. What Could Be Improved The nozzle can leak. A bottle of Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener is cheaper than a new car, that’s for certain. Although there may be some who prefer a flowery or fresh scent, if you’re really nostalgic for the first day you brought a car, you’ll find this air freshener gets close to copying that specific smell. Just note that your car will smell like an indeterminate assortment of chemicals—which is the whole point. As with most sprays, the smell may be overpowering at first, but wears off after a few days—you won’t need more than a few sprays. Just be careful when operating the bottle, as it can be prone to leaks around the nozzle. To avoid any accidental spills, we recommend storing the bottle outside of your car when you’re not using it. Type: Spray | Scent: New car smell | Duration: 5–7 days Final Verdict The Drift Wood Car Air Freshener is our pick for the best car air freshener for people who enjoy playful scents, but also want something that looks sleek and doesn’t distract while driving. For an eco-friendly pick that’s better for those prone to allergies, we recommend looking into the Grow Fragrance Car Freshener. How to Shop for Car Air Fresheners Like a Pro Type There are several types of car air fresheners, each with their own benefits and drawbacks. Odor absorbers work in the background, but may not be a good option if you want a stronger scent. Sprays make an immediate impact, but the smell quickly dissipates and needs to be refreshed frequently. Vent clips last a long time, but the wrong scent could be overpowering as air circulates throughout your vehicle. However, if you don’t want to break the bank, hanging car air fresheners like Little Trees are certainly economical, but they may obstruct your vision somewhat during driving, and may even mark you for a traffic violation in some states. The best car air freshener may be a matter of both personal preference and budget. For Kimble, vent clips are her personal preference due to their ability to blend into the interior of your car, and they distribute easily using your vehicle’s airflow. “They tend to provide a consistent level of fragrance without being overpowering,” she adds. Scent Our list contains options that have very strong fragrances and those with more subtle or natural scents. “Scent is a matter of personal preference, and at the end of the day, we find that most customers return to what's familiar to them,” Mauler shares. Go for what you think smells good, just don’t rely too heavily on your car air freshener to get your car smelling clean. “Air fresheners work best when they're not trying to mask odors but rather, enhance the smell of a clean interior,” Mauler advises. That being said, our experts recommend that you keep your car clean by washing it at home or at a car wash, vacuuming mats, and wiping down surfaces as needed—let the car air freshener be the cherry on top. Duration Different types of car air fresheners are fragrant for different amounts of time. Vent clips and hanging air fresheners may be good for up to a month, while sprays can last as little as a few hours. There are ways to make each one last a little longer, though. Most vent clips have a dial on the side that controls the intensity of the fragrance. To make the scent last longer, it’s recommended that you dial it down to release less scent over time. If you’re using hanging air fresheners, unwrap these slowly to expose only a little scent at a time. You can also try to revive air fresheners that are already spent. “Some air fresheners, like vent clips and gel packs, can be refreshed with a few drops of essential oil when their scent begins to fade,” Kimble says. Questions You Might Ask How long do car air fresheners last? The answer to this question depends on which type of air freshener you choose. Spray fresheners may last just for a few hours, while an odor absorber can last for months. In general, though, expect to replace vent clips, diffuser cartridges, or hanging air fresheners about once a month. How can you make your car smell like new? “New car smell” is hard to replicate because it’s the result of off-gassing VOCs, not cleanliness. However, keeping your car clean does help it smell newer because it reduces mold and allergens. If you really want to recapture that scent though, we recommend checking out the Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener, our Best Spray pick. Take Our Word for It This article was written by Caitlin Castelaz, a cleaning and organizing writer for Real Simple. To find the best car air fresheners, she researched dozens of options, and evaluated them according to multiple factors including scent, price, duration, appearance, ingredients, and average customer ratings. She also spoke to Anne Mauler, VP of Marketing at Soapy Joe’s Car Wash, and Ashley Kimble, a professional car detailer and Founder at ABC Detailing, to gain insights from their professional experience. The Best Air Fresheners for Ridding Unwanted Odors Once and for All