Latest news with #carproducts
CNN
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
I'm flooring it to get these car deals added to my cart ahead of Amazon Prime Day
If a summer road trip is fast approaching on your calendar, Prime Day arrived just at the right time. Though the online retailer's sale event doesn't officially commence until Tuesday, there are loads of Amazon deals live right now on car products that can make your time on the road safer, cleaner and hopefully more enjoyable. No built-in GPS? I have just the car phone holder for you. Kids dropping crumbs in the backseat? Now is probably time to permanently stash a car vacuum. Keep scrolling to check out my favorite Prime Day deals for your car, which I'll be updating all week to account for any automotive discounts that come and go. Or hop over to our guides to some of the best outdoor sales and travel scores to see what my fellow CNN Underscored editors have uncovered. iOttie Easy One Touch Wireless 2 Dash/Windshield Mount This mount charges your phone and maintains a strong grip no matter its model or case. Of the dozen car phone holders I tested, it was the best for anyone looking for a mount to attach to their dashboard or our review Lammto Wireless CarPlay Screen Another tech upgrade for anyone with an older vehicle is this 9-inch screen that adds Apple CarPlay without an expensive or complicated install. I'm testing this model in my 2018 sedan now, and the early returns are promising. Insauto Foldable Windshield Sun Shade It's hard to overstate the importance of a sun shade during the summer. This listing has a dropdown menu of different car makes and models to find the perfect fit. Don't see your car? Try perusing this list of other sun shades on sale. Airmoto Portable Tire Inflator I don't drive anywhere without this mini air pump. It charges via USB-C and can be packed away in your glove box so it's ready when you need. It's a lifesaver whenever that tire pressure warning pops up on your our review Amazon Echo Auto (2nd Gen) I'm not much of an Alexa user, but I'm seriously considering adding Amazon's assistant to my car because the latest version of the Echo Auto is an absurd 73% off. It lets you play music, send messages and control your smart home — all hands-free. Anker USB-C Car Charger Having a dedicated car charger with a built-in cable is such a good idea because separate wires always seem to find their way outside your vehicle. This one is 26% off. MuMyer Dashboard Duck Jeep people know. I bet this li'l guy, now 50% off, would absolutely rip a jazz solo. Black+Decker Max Flex BDH2020FL Handheld Vacuum Nothing combines portability and cleaning power quite like my pick for best car vacuum, the Black+Decker Max Flex. Its expandable hose and lengthy attachments make reaching under seats and into crevices less of a back-breaking our review Hotor Car Trash Can While this discount is frequently available, that doesn't change the fact that the Hotor Car Trash Can is a must for keeping your car tidy. It clips onto the back of a seat to stay out of the our review AstroAI Foam Gun With Wash Mitt When I tested car washing kits, a foam cannon made a huge difference in breaking up caked on dirt before I actually started scrubbing. They're also just wicked fun to use. This one connects easily to a garden hose and is nearly half off. Mothers Premium Chenille Car Wash Mitt, 2-Pack Crusty old sponges out, scratch-free wash mitts in. This two-pack is an essential tool for washing your car at home. Yilanbon Car Wash Bucket Filter Drop this into the bottom of a bucket when washing your car and it'll trap dirt at the bottom so your sponge or mitt stays clean after you squeeze it out. Griot's Garage Microfiber Edgeless Utility Towels, 50-Pack This many towels might sound like overkill, but I rely on microfiber towels to clean more than just my car. Getting this set from a car washing and detailing brand I love is a smart bulk buy that'll pay off all over the house. Click over to Amazon and you will find thousands upon thousands of 'deals.' I've combed through many of them to find the best car-related sales. That's why this list is abbreviated and curated with only the discounts that are truly worth shopping. Even as Amazon has increased the number of days during Prime Day — and the number of times a Prime Day-like event occurs per year — this mid-July window is still when our tracking reveals the best prices. And that's what you'll see reflected in all our Prime Day coverage. My CNN Underscored colleagues and I only recommend products we would buy ourselves. Many of the choices I've included here are among the dozens of different automotive accessories I've personally tested in the past year. I spend a lot of time driving — hundreds of miles each month — and do my best to honestly present the pros and cons of every product I try out on the road. Rest assured, these are all items that have our stamp of approval.
CNN
25-06-2025
- Automotive
- CNN
The 17 best car products our editors won't drive without
Editor-loved car products quick picks So you don't lose your phone under your seat: Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler A tool you hopefully never have to use: Sinsen Car Safety Hammer Set So your car doesn't fill up with garbage: Hotor Car Trash Can Our favorite phone mount: ESR Qi2 Car Mount Charger So you can stop paying for air at the gas station: AstroAI Portable Tire Inflator Whether you're a daily commuter, a weekend road tripper or even just a passenger princess, the right car products can make your ride a whole lot smoother. Our editors have tested dozens of gadgets and accessories over the years, so we asked them to share the products they think are actually worth buying. From durable phone holders for keeping your GPS in view to essentials for your emergency car kit, we've got tried-and-true picks to cover every corner of your car. And if you're in deep-cleaning mode, don't miss our full guide to the best car cleaning products. Swigzy Extra-Wide Car Cup Holder Expander If some of your favorite reusable water bottles are too big for your car's cup holder, then you need this gadget. This cup holder expander allows me to keep my wide, 40-ounce water bottles (from brands like Hydro Flask and Owala) within arm's reach, whether I'm driving or being a passenger princess. It fits right into your existing cup holder, and it's surprisingly secure and easy to install. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor Drop Stop Car Seat Gap Filler This product is a life changer when juggling a toddler's snack demands while navigating city traffic. No more distracted digging around for loose animal crackers or, worse, my cell phone, when everything goes flying out of the center console. — Marc Wiesyk, director, data analytics Read our review Drive Auto Car Trunk Organizer Before we got this organizer, the trunk of our car was so messy that it was impossible to find anything in there. It easily fits car cleaning supplies, emergency tools, hiking shoes, grocery bags and more. And since it comes with straps to tie it down, it always stays in place (even on bumpy rides). — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor Hotor Car Trash Can Garbage piles up so quickly in the car, especially when you have a long commute or go on a road trip. This small trash can hooks onto the headrest so that you have a dedicated place to put all of your straw wrappers, used napkins and more. It definitely saves my husband and me from having constant fights about the car being messy. The same small garbage bags that I use in my bathroom trash can fit in here, so I don't need to add anything else to my Subscribe & Save order. — Amina Lake Patel, home and gifts editor Read our review WeatherTech Cargo Trunk Liner I was gifted the WeatherTech Cargo Liner a few years back, and it remains my most useful car accessory. It fits into my trunk seamlessly and has protected my interior while moving to Texas and Northern California and taking countless road trips with an overstuffed trunk. Most recently, it saved me from the never-ending task of cleaning up sand after testing beach wagons and beach umbrellas. I just pulled it out of the trunk, gave it a rinse and placed it back inside. WeatherTech offers this liner for multiple makes and models, so you can find one to fit your vehicle exactly. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer Armor All Car Cleaning Wipes If you have a dark interior, you'd be surprised at just how dirty it can get. I've been using these wipes for 20+ years, and they're an affordable way to keep your car clean. They easily and quickly wipe away all kinds of dirt and grime. I also appreciate that they don't leave my hands feeling sticky or gross. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor Smell House Paper Wrapped Anywhere Freshener After moving and a few trips to the beach, I felt like my car needed a refresh. This Smell House Anywhere Freshener in the scent Paper Wrapped does the trick. It's a powerful fragrance that actually smells good, unlike other air fresheners that emit an artificial scent. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer The Thrifty Handmade Daisy Vent Clip The majority of my time spent in the car is stuck in traffic, so I like to decorate it with things that make me happy. This handmade vent clip never fails to put a smile on my face. Plus, it's not just for show. Put a few drops of essential oil on it and you'll make your car smell great. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor Cleanwaste The Original Wag Bag Toilet Kit, 12-Pack I sometimes go backpacking and camping where you aren't allowed to dig cat holes, so I've gotten very familiar with using Wag Bags. And while I haven't had to use one in this context yet, I always keep one or two in my car just in case of an emergency. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor Sinsen Car Safety Hammer Set When I got my first car 20 years ago, the first thing my parents put in it was one of these. Thankfully, I haven't had to use it yet, but it makes me feel better knowing it's there. I keep it within arm's reach in case of an emergency. It's affordable and should be in everyone's car. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor Rightline Gear Moki Ascent Car Door Step If you load gear on top of your car on any sort of regular basis, this door step is a game changer. I'm often climbing on top of my car, whether I'm strapping up a kayak, rooftop tent or crash pads for climbing. Every time I need to get up there, I break out this little gadget and it makes accessing the roof so much easier. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor AstroAI Portable Tire Inflator If you're like me and get anxious when your tire pressure drops while you're away from home, a portable air compressor can come in clutch. Skip paying to add air to your tires at a gas station and keep this easy-to-use machine in your trunk. It pays for itself after just a few uses. Bonus: It's also great for bikes, lawn mowers, balloons and more. — Lindsey Smith, newsletter editor Rhino USA Folding Survival Shovel With Pick During the warm months, I love to drive on dirt roads and do a little offroading, but if there's one rule to offroading, it's that you need to be able to rescue yourself if you get stuck. I have more gear to help me do that, but one tool I think everyone should keep in their car is a foldable shovel. I have this one from Rhino USA, and I really like it because it folds up into a tiny bag that's easy to stash. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor ESR Qi2 Car Mount Charger I don't have GPS or Apple CarPlay in my car, so my phone is my only method of navigation. After testing 14 car phone holders, this one emerged as the best because it mounted my handheld in the perfect position, kept it charged and even actively cooled it with a built-in fan. If you have an iPhone 16, this identical, slightly pricier model has updated firmware optimized for the newer phone. — Joe Bloss, associate testing writer Read our review Saucemoto Dip Clip As a self-proclaimed 'sauce queen,' I consider my sauce holders a can't-drive-without car essential. No matter the origin of the sauce, the adjustable sizing ensures your ranch, honey mustard or sweet and sour sauce has a safe, accessible home in your car, ensuring many miles of delicious, drivable delights. –– Hayley Kinne, senior manager, business development Ogland Furry Steering Wheel Cover My car's name is Steven, and he has a very specific style. This furry steering wheel cover from Amazon has to be one of my favorite accessories. It's worn over time but still has a fuzzy feel I love holding onto. And yes, it's easy to drive with. The texture might not work for everyone, but we must make sacrifices for fashion. — Gareen Puglia, associate testing writer TeeTurtle The Original Reversible Penguin Plushmate I love this adorable stuffed penguin because it can help me process my emotions while driving. If I'm having a good day and I'm driving to a hike, he's happy. But if I'm stuck in traffic and it's raining, he's sad. Is it life-changing? No. But it brings me joy whenever I hop into my car. — Kai Burkhardt, outdoors, sustainability and pet editor CNN Underscored has a team of skilled writers and editors who have many years of experience testing, researching and recommending products, and they ensure each article is carefully edited and products are properly vetted. We talk to top experts when applicable to make certain we are testing each product accurately, recommending only the best products and considering the pros and cons of each item. For this article, our editorial intern Chelsea Collier asked fellow CNN Underscored staffers to share the car essentials they love driving with.
