The best car accessories that you need for your car in 2024
If you are a brand new driver and have recently got your first car, you might be looking to purchase some car accessories to enhance your driving experience even further. Luckily, we have created the best car accessories for new drivers list to make those endeavours as simple as possible.
Car accessories fall under a very large umbrella, and some may even consider some of the items in this guide full-on modifications. But rest assured, every accessory we have chosen is easy to install and will vastly improve your experience of owning and driving your car as a new driver. if you are looking for some of the best modifications you can make to your car as a new driver, we have an article for that.
Best car accessories for new drivers – top picks
If you don’t have time to read the full article, we have outlined all of the accessories you will find in this article right here. If you only wish to take a quick glance at the best accessories for your car as a new driver.
- Dash cam & Reverse camera – ORSKEY dash cam
- Car head unit – Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB Mechafree 6.8”
- Seat gap fillers – Givifive Car Seat Gap Filler Set of 2
- Car bin – Kitbest Car Bin, Car Trash Can with Lid 60 pcs Trash Bags
- Tyre inflator / Compressor – Oasser Tyre Inflator Air Compressor
- First aid kit – AA Ultimate First Aid Kit
- Window de-icing kit – AA Winter Car Kit Fast Acting De-icer
Dash cam and Reverse Camera
We’ve kind of lumped together two accessories in one category here, that’s because a lot of dash cams now come with a rear camera accessory that can be hooked into your head unit to make a reverse camera. Dash cams and reverse cameras make driving safer, not only while reversing, but at all times. The dash cam will cover you from multiple angles, reporting and recording everything you do, and unfortunately, if you do get into an accident, it’ll be easy to see who is at fault.
A reversing camera helps you make those tricky reverse maneuvers easily, providing a second set of eyes on the situation to prevent it from, well, going backwards, so to speak.
If you are interested in a dash cam or reverse camera, we have outlined our favourites, we also have a dedicated best dash cam article for you to browse.
- ORSKEY dash cam – an easy-to-install dash cam and reverse camera that just sticks right to your windscreen. You can wire the reverse camera into your car’s head unit too to use as reverse camera.
Android Auto or Apple Car Play head unit
An upgraded head unit is pivotal if you spend a lot of time in the car using a map app. This is especially true if you are a brand-new driver, and your car is a little older. An LCD head unit is also a fantastic way of modernizing your older car.
A new head unit can do so much more than display navigation, it can seamlessly hook into your car’s sound system to give Bluetooth functionality to your car, if you have an Apple Car Play or Android Auto unit, it can mirror your phone and communicate with it for advanced functionality. This can really improve your experience as a new driver, as who doesn’t love driving around with the music blaring?
Here you can find our favourite Apple Car Play and Android Auto head units. Bear in mind, that you will have to check whether or not these are compatible with your car. Most of them are universal if you have a double dinn slot, but you’ll have to buy an additional bit of trim for your dash to help it integrate into your dashboard seamlessly. Alternatively, you can just buy a unit that sticks to your windscreen or dashboard.
- Pioneer SPH-DA160DAB Mechafree 6.8” – Is a double din Apple Car Play unit that connects to your car via the installed wiring harness in your dashboard, you may need to purchase a bracket or adapters to get it to work properly depending on your car.
- Pioneer SPH-DA230DAB 2-Din 7″ – An Android Auto unit which is double din, similar to the choice above. This one is a little pricier but installs in the same fashion.
- AotuLink 9 Inch Wireless Carplay & Android Auto, 2024 Portable Car Stereo – This is both an Apple Car Play and Android Auto unit that sticks to your windscreen to avoid the fuss of having to install a unit into your dashboard. Its also the most affordable pick.
Car Seat Gap Fillers
Car seat gap fillers are becoming increasingly popular lately for their simple yet simple frustration-saving function. If you are a new driver, you might have figured out that dropping loose change down the side of your seat is the same as spending it, it’s gone forever. That’s exactly what the seat gap fillers aim to address.
Just slide one of these filers between the seat and your lower centre console and watch you be able to recover dropped items with ease. There are a few fillers to suit your style. of course, there are also different colours. It’s really up to you on this one. Just make sure to check that they are compatible with your car.
- Givifive Car Seat Gap Filler Set of 2 – Set of 2 foam seat gap fillers that stop you from losing things down the sides of your seats, these are more rigid than other options and come in black.
- Lusso Gear Car Seat Gap Organiser 2 Pack – Set of 2 seat gap organisers, now, not only will you not lose things down the sides of your seats, you can use that space to organise your personal items.
Car Bin
As a new drivers, your first car will be your pride and joy, you’ll eat in it, probably sleep in it, and head off on many of adventures in it. It’s hard enough to keep your car clean without having a mini car bin to hold your rubbish in a tidy and hygenic way, it’s a wonder why all cars aren’t equipped with a bin in the first place.
We have outlined a few car bins in a couple of styles to suit your taste. A lot of these items double up as storage too, if you’re looking for some extra space to keep your loose change or sunglasses.
- Kitbest Car Bin, Car Trash Can with Lid 60 pcs Trash Bags – Car bin that comes with mounting accessories and 60 bin bags to stop the inside of your bin from getting sticky.
- iHMeiju Car Trash Can with Lid – Smaller bin that fits into a cup holder, ideal if you only really carry 2 passengers, but may get overloaded by a small family on a trip to Greggs.
Tyer inflator / Compressor
A compressor is used to mainly inflate tyres when they have gone flat, or you get a slow puncture. As a new driver, especially when driving an older car, you should pay carful attention to the condition of your tyres and how well inflated they are. A compressor can also be used to blow up things like footballs on a day out, wouldn’t want to be stranded in a field without a footy to play with. Which makes them convenient for pleasure in addition to safety.
Some compressors come equipped as part of different gadgets, but they tend to get a little pricy. We have included one like that, just in case you fancy a more versatile machine.
- Oasser Tyre Inflator Air Compressor – Equipped with a flashlight and auto-stop technology, you’ll never pop a football again. Can be used on mains electricity and 12v car charger.
- VacLife Car Tyre Inflator – Simple, equipped with a pressure gauge and very portable.
- Woowind LP1 Tyre Inflator – up to 150 PSI, and it is rechargeable meaning you don’t have to be tethered to your car to inflate things.
Car First Aid Kit
You hope you never need them, but it’s better to have and not need than to need and not have. A car first aid kit is essential to keeping you and your passengers safe, as a new driver, it is best to exercise responsibility and get yourself a first aid kit. It might not even be driving-related that you need to use one, maybe one of your passengers has a splinter or a cut that needs addressing. A first aid kit is one of the most pivotal safety accessories you can buy for your car.
We’ve provided a list of first aid kits that vary in size and can be added to and topped up as and when you use items in your kit. With that being said, you’re not a doctor just because you have a first aid kit in the car. Please call the emergency services if you are in an accident.
- AA Ultimate First Aid Kit – A medium sized first aid kit provided by the AA, probably everything you will ever need in a mild incident.
- Lewis-Plast First Aid Kit Bag 220 Piece – A larger kit designed to have multiple dressings for any situation, if this kit does not contain what you need, probably time to ring an ambulance.
Window De-icing kit
When in winter, or 9/12 months in the UK, as a new driver, you are going to need something to clear your windscreen of ice and mist. Seeing is an essential part of driving, and if your car is an older one, which it is likely to be if it is your first, then it takes a while to get things melted. With a de-icing kit, you can be on your way in no time, especially during those unforgiving winter mornings. Remember, never pour hot water onto a frozen window.
We have selected a few kits of varying sizes so you can find one that suits your needs. Generally, all de-icing material is safe to use on your car windscreen, just don’t drink it, no matter how sweet it tastes.
- AA Winter Car Kit Fast Acting De-icer – AA is at it again with the car kits, this kit contains 2 bottles of de-icer co you can dive in de-icer akimbo for the fastest de-icing experience.
- CarPlan, 4 Piece Winter Essentials Gift Pack – This pack from CarPlan offers a scraper, sponge, and 2 forms of De-icer.
Do you have to have these car accessories?
Legally speaking, you don’t need to have any car accessories. However, they do improve the quality of your driveing experience in a big way. Even something as simole as De-icer can get you up and going on your way up to 10 minutes faster than just letting your car heat up by itself, that’s 10 minutes longer in bed that you can have on those could winter mornings. Car accessories are meant to improve your quality of life when driving and that’s exactly what they do.
We reccomoned the above car accessories very strongly and think that every car should be armed with at least 2 of them. In fact, it would be a pretty safe bbet to say that most cars are. So whilst not legally required, car accessories play a big role in the enjoyment of using our cars as beginner or new drivers.
FAQs
You can’t go wrong with a first aid kit and an emergency seatbelt cutter that doubles as a windscreen glass breaker. These items take up very little space and they are much better to have and not need than to need and not have.
In the UK, it is not required for you to have a triangle warning sign in your car, but some europian countries do require it. If you are planning to take a trip, then it’s a good idea to get one anyway, to help other drivers see you if you break down.
No, car accessories are more like things you buy for your car that usually go inside the car. Car mods are usually items that improve the car’s look, performance or handling.
In Conclusion
Car accessories are essential to enjoying your ride and staying safe on the roads, that’s why we opted to bring you our take on the best car accessories for new drivers. It’s important to carry with you everything you need to keep you and your passengers safe on the road. Or just improve your driving experience by allowing you to listen to music, or stream films on your phone when stopped for a break. That’s why from De-icer to dash cams, we have you covered at Cars for Beginners.
