Best Car Air Freshener Buyer’s Guide
Longevity
Some car air fresheners can be more expensive, so it’s important to see how long your particular choice claims that it’ll last. Some last up to a month getting rid of bad smells and others may only last around two weeks. There are also some that you can reuse for up to two years while others are one use before you throw them away.
Odor Eliminating Capabilities
One of the main reasons people buy air fresheners is to give their vehicles or spaces a fresh scent. If you’re a smoker, then the stench of cigarette smoke for a non-smoker getting in your car can be very unpleasant. So an air freshener that get’s rid of nasty smoke odors is important. But, you want to get an air freshener that works to eliminate odors and prevent new odors from forming instead of one that just covers them. This can lead to healthier air quality.
Price
Usually, the air fresheners that are higher priced tend to last longer. So, you may pay more upfront, but this can actually be cheaper in the long run because it lasts longer. You should compare several different vendors and find the best price for your new air freshener while keeping in mind that cheaper isn’t always better.
Scent
The air freshener’s scent will largely depend on your personal preference. Some people like a more tropical or fruity scent, while others tend to lean toward masculine scents. Whichever scent you choose, it’s a good idea to get an air freshener will an intensity dial so you can control exactly how strong it is.
Types
Gone are the days of a simple hanging air freshener. While these types are still around, there are more to choose from today. You can choose the plug-in vent clip style air fresheners that clip securely to your car’s vents or cup holder. There are also sprays and bags of odor-neutralizing charcoals.
Here’s 12 of the Best Car Air Freshener on the Market Today
Bamboo Charcoal Car Deodorizer and Air Freshener Bag – Premium Air Freshener
I’ve put this at the top of my list purely down to the fact that its an effective car freshener and deodorizer with market leading eco-friendly qualities. Bamboo is one of the most sustainable materials in the world and has so many uses.
These bamboo charcoal air purifier bags are designed to filter and trap all those nasty smells that can build up in your car. It’ll also remove moisture and bacteria as well as get rid of cigarette smoke.
Pros
- Eco-friendly and made from a sustainable material
- Re-usable. Simply reactivate the charcoal scent absorbers by placing under the sun for a few hour. This will make the odor eliminators can work like new.
Cons
- None
1. HUMIXX Car Diffueser
Choose from orange, lime, or olive with these lasting natural perfume diffusers. They’re reusable, and when the scent goes away, you’re able to add your own to the bar. They’re specially designed to clip securely onto your car’s vent without damaging or scratching anything.
It is compatible with a variety of vents including round, vertical, or horizontal so you can use it in several vehicles quickly and easily. It has a very sleek and modern design, and it comes backed by a 180-day limited guarantee. You also get access to 24 hours a day, 7 days a week tech support.
Pros
- Contains very light and natural scents
- Able to reuse the bars again and again
Cons
- Scents may not last for very long
- Could be difficult to find refills
2. Little Trees U6P-60155 Black Ice Air Freshener
You get 24 Black Ice car air fresheners with each order. This air freshener has a masculine scent with a mix of lemon, sandalwood, and bergamont. There are also 34 different scents to choose from with this air freshener.
This product is made in the USA, and they’re very simple to use. You can leave them partway in the package for a lighter scent or remove them completely and hang them up for a full masculine scent. You can also customize your order and split the fragrances up.
Pros
- Has a strong scent that isn’t overpowering
- Very easy to use and customize
Cons
- Some may not have a scent that lasts over a few days
- Can leave a residue on your skin or clothing
3. Febreze Car Air Freshener
This product has odor cleaning technology so it removes the odor rather than masking it. It works to slowly clear away odors and it can last for up to 30 days under low conditions. It clips onto your car’s vent quickly and easily.
You also control the amount of fragrance that the car freshener releases with several easy to adjust intensity levels. They have a very light and airy scent that lingers around your car. You get four car fresheners in a single order, and this can eliminate odors for up to four months.
Pros
- Very easy to clip onto your car’s vent
- Works to eliminate odors rather than covering them up
Cons
- May take a while for them to start working
- Scent might not be strong enough
4. GerTong Vent Clip Aromatherapy Freshener
This whole car freshener vent clip comes with a durable stainless steel design with a secure lock to hold your scent disk in. It has a fun cloud design as well, and you can choose from several bright and bold disc colors.
You get 11 different pad colors, and all you have to do is add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to the pad for long-lasting scent. You can customize or color code them to suit your tastes. The longer clip holds this car freshener securely to your vehicle’s air vent.
Pros
- Has a hypoallergenic stainless steel casing
- Comes with 11 different pads for essential oils
Cons
- Have to open it each time you add oils
- Scent can wear off relatively quickly
5. Chemical Guys New Car Smell Air Freshener and Odor Eliminator
This car freshener comes in three different sizes including 4, 16, and 128 ounces. It is specially formulated to have that new car scent, and it is a enzymatic cleaner. This means that it eliminates bad odors instead of masking them.
It is a stronger scent, so you may want to dilute it into two gallons of water before you spray it. You also only need one spray for a full-sized vehicle. Since you dilute this spray before you use it, a single bottle can last for several months.
Pros
- Get a lot of use out of a single bottle
- Can choose from three different sizes
Cons
- Scent may only last for three or four days
- Might stain lighter color upholstery
6. Moso Natural Air Purifying Bag
This easy to use car air purifier freshener helps to pull and odors out of the air and the surrounding upholstery quickly and easily. It is chemical and fragrance free, and it is also non-toxic. It also absorbs any excess moisture in your vehicle, and this helps to prevent mildew and mold growth.
A single bag can cover up to 90 square feet. You can reuse these bags for up to two years, and you simply have to lay them out in the sun for an hour one time a month. This will rejuvenate the charcoal.
Pros
- Single bag covers up to 90 square feet
- Car reuse it for up to two years
Cons
- Does not come with a scent
- Might take a few weeks before you notice a difference
7. Yankee Candle Car Jar Ultimate Hanging Air Freshener
This three pack of air fresheners can help transport you to a tropical paradise with scents like Bahama Breeze, Turquoise Sky, and Black Coconut. They’re very easy to use, and you can hang them from your rear view mirror.
You can get between two and four weeks of scent out of each freshener. They’re made in the USA and help to strict quality standards. They have a very pleasant scent that isn’t overpowering as well. The smaller design means that they’ll stay out of your way as you drive.
Pros
- Come with a very fresh and clean scent
- Scent can last between two and four weeks
Cons
- Product might not come properly sealed
- Scent may not be strong enough in certain vehicles
8. Yankee Candle Ultimate Hanging Odor Neutralizing Air Freshener
This car freshener has a very masculine scent. It comes with a unique blend of sage, mahogany cologne, musk, and patchouli. The smaller candle-shaped design is convenient, and it’ll stay out of your way as you drive.
You can use this car freshener for up to 30 days. It is also great for smaller spaces like closets or laundry rooms. This air freshener will work to neutralize odors, and it’ll stop new odors from forming instead of just covering up the unwanted odor. There is also an air vent clip you can buy with the same scent.
Pros
- Scent can last for up to 30 days
- Works to neutralize odors and stop new ones from forming
Cons
- Might not last the full 30 days
- May take a few days to notice the scent
9. Febreze Car Vent-clip Air Freshener
This freshener comes in a four count pack, a four count individually wrapped pack, and a 12 count pack. They have a sturdy clip that attaches straight to your car’s vents for a secure hold, and they’re compatible with several vent sizes.
A single freshener can last for up to 30 days. It also works to eliminate any lingering odors, so all you smell is the fresh, clean scent. You also get an easy to use intensity dial that lets you choose how strong you want the car freshener’s scent to be.
Pros
- Clips securely to several vent sizes and shapes
- Intensity dial lets you control how strong the scent is
Cons
- Scent may cling to your clothing
- May not last the full 30 days on full intensity
10. Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel
Ozium smoke and odors eliminator gel produces a long lasting consistent fragrance and provides odor elimination which removes unpleasant smells from inside your car. The gel sits inside a plastic tub which can sit on top of the dashboard with the lid off. The gel does not melt, even in high temperatures.
11. Febreze Car Air Freshener, Hawaiian Aloha
This car freshener vent clip has a fruity and tropical scent that can last up to 30 days with the low setting. You get a pack of six individually wrapped car fresheners with each order. It eliminates odors instead of masking them.
They are easy to use, and you press the clip into the back of the freshener until you hear it click. It’s ready to attach to the vent with the longer metal clips. You also get a scent dial, and this allows you to decide how strong you’d like the scent to be.
Pros
- Very easy to use and it hangs securely
- Intensity dial lets you choose how strong you want it
Cons
- May only last around two weeks
- May damage plastic or upholstery if the oil gets on them
These 10 car air freshener reviews and the short buyer’s guide should give you all of the tools you need to be able to compare and pick out your new car air freshener. You want to get a good value for your money, and like the scent that you pick out. So, take your time, do your research, and make an informed choice.