Cars are not all about appearance and speedーtheir cleanliness is significant too. Unpleasant odors may be caused by sweating, eating food inside, or even the smell of your groceries. It stinks whenever this happens, both literally and figuratively, which is why car air fresheners are so popular.
Everyone loves a fresh car scent, and you can choose from a wide selection of car fragrances which may seem overwhelming. Thankfully, we've compiled a list of the top 10 products you can buy online as well as a buying guide to help you decide which is the best car air freshener for you.
Quick List - Top Car Air Fresheners
FYD
Air Purifying Bag That Absorbs Odor-Causing Bacteria
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
Table of Contents
For more information, read through our buying guide below.
There are many types of car air fresheners, and choosing just one can be challenging. There are several factors to consider to find the best air freshener for you, such as the car size or if you prefer to use an organic product.
When it comes to convenience, hanging cardboards are your best bet. This is a traditional type of freshener, commonly hung on the rearview mirror or the passenger handles. Deemed to be an environmental-friendly type of freshener, it is also cheaper and comes with a selection of refreshing scents.
The only drawback is that hanging cardboard scents don't last long compared to other fresheners. They have an estimated lifespan of 5 to 8 weeks, depending on factors such as available ventilation and humidity.
One of the most common fresheners you will find online is the can air freshener. This consists of a scented gel inside and tiny holes on the lids. With this type of car air freshener, you can adjust the hole larger or smaller to control the strength of the scent.
Slightly similar to hanging cardboard, this is also easier to use and available at a friendly price. You can place it anywhere in the car or simply put it where there is more airflow for a stronger scent.
An oil wick-style freshener comes with a glass or plastic bottle loaded with scented oil. This type of air freshener is usually clipped to the aircon’s vent. The air coming from the aircon will then spread the scent throughout the car, making this a perfect product for larger cars that requires more space to cover.
If quick elimination of foul odor is your goal, check out aerosol fresheners. This works like your favorite room freshener spray, so you'll know that it is an excellent product for eliminating almost all odors.
Although this is highly effective, its scent is not that long-lasting, unlike oil-based fresheners. To use this effectively, spray directly to where the smell is coming from. This fights bad smell, so it is a must to choose a product with a milder scent to avoid headaches or that nauseous feeling.
Aroma diffusers contain a blend of water and oils, releasing a mist that can improve car smell and relieve stress from a long day of work. This is commonly plugged into the cigarette lighter or USB port, while there is also another style that you can simply put in the cupholder.
Good thing is that there is a huge variety of essential oils available in the market. Do note that constant diffusion is not good for closed spaces like your car. Limit the usage of this or opt to buy a product that releases a smaller volume of mist.
For those who prefer natural products, consider buying a charcoal purifying bag. Infused with charcoal, this is a natural deodorizer, absorbing unpleasant smells and pollutant particles.
This is the perfect alternative for those who are sensitive to strong smells as this does not have a specific scent contrary to other types of air fresheners while still removing awful car scents and purifying the air. There's no wonder at all why charcoal became a popular detoxifying ingredient found in different home products.
Another critical factor to consider when purchasing a freshener is the scent. You might like citrus or flower scent, but one of your family members you ride with often may be allergic to it. To avoid this, choose a scent that everyone likes. Better yet, opt to use a car air freshener with a scent that can help in car sickness, like mint, lavender, and fruits.
Others also prefer the new car scent, which emulates the clean and fresh scent of a new car. Meanwhile, if you opt to buy an aroma diffuser, consider buying essential oils that can make a great impact on your health, such as lavender, tea tree, and chamomile.
Choosing a freshener with harmful chemicals can affect the lung condition. Always check the ingredients label first to prevent this situation. The best option is to select a natural or organically made freshener like charcoal bags or those infused with essential oils.
This is also a healthier alternative, especially if you find yourself riding often with families, friends, or even pets. In this way, your car will smell refreshing without you having to worry about possible health risks.
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Blue Water DU2 Dual USB Port Car Air Humidifier | ![]() | Improves Air Quality While Charging Your Gadgets | |
2 | FYD Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag Deodorizer | ![]() | Air Purifying Bag That Absorbs Odor-Causing Bacteria | |
3 | Ambi Pur Car Vent Clip |Sky Breeze | ![]() | Comes With a Scent Intensity Dial and Eliminates Tough Odors | |
4 | Blade Organic Air Freshener |Coffee Scent | ![]() | Start Your Day Right With This Coffee Scented Freshener | |
5 | Air Spencer Air Freshener |Marine Squash | ![]() | Can Freshener With Absorbents and Hints of Jasmine and Vanilla | |
6 | Little Trees Car Air Freshener |Black Ice | ![]() | World-Famous Car Freshener Brand | |
7 | Glade Sport Car Freshener |New Car | ![]() | Enhance Car Interior With This Freshener's Sleek Design | |
8 | Rivers Hanging Diffuser |Marine Squash Scent | ![]() | Hanging Diffuser With A Sweet and Soothing Aroma of Marine Squash | |
9 | Meguiar's Whole Car Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator Mist |New Car Scent | ![]() | Permanently Remove Bad Smell In Just 3 Easy Steps | |
10 | Vastar Car Air Freshener | ![]() | Purify Air Naturally With Bamboo Charcoal |
This plugin car humidifier from Blue Water is an excellent car accessory that improves air quality and eliminates unpleasant odor. It's also a great companion on long road trips as it can charge up to two of your gadgets through its built-in USB Ports.
This mini humidifier also makes the best car perfume as you can customize its scent by adding your favorite relaxing essential oil. It can hold up to a total of 50ml water, which can last for up to 2 hours. This also fits any car size as it features an adjustable bracket, which all-in-all makes it a great steal at its price!
You'll find that most car air fresheners simply mask foul odors with sweet and strong scents instead of directly addressing the source of the problem, which is why you need these bamboo charcoal air purifying bags. They absorb odor-causing bacteria and any floating and polluted air particles.
FYD's charcoal deodorizer bag uses premium and activated bamboo charcoal with larger surface areas in order to absorb unwanted particles more efficiently and in greater quantities. They also come in beautifully-designed crafted bags that will surely leave your space cleaner and fresher.
Ambi Pur Car Vent Clip is easy-to-use and can be relied upon to freshen up your car for the entire day. This is a great product for people who aren't fond of strong scents since this car air freshener features an adjustable scent intensity dial. It is ergonomically designed and comes in lightweight and compact packaging.
You can easily pull up the dial to increase fragrance intensity or pull it down to decrease intensity. This product might look small but don't underestimate its power to remove tough odors. It can provide freshness for up to 90 days which makes it a great contender among other car freshener brands.
If you're a big fan of coffee scents, you might find that this variant from Blade was made for you! You can now enjoy the aroma of brewed coffee while driving to work with this natural freshener that's loaded with quality fragrance oils. It's also made from all organic material to prioritize your health and well-being.
This car air freshener's rich and delicious aroma of coffee lasts for 60 days and comes in a non-spill formula that you'll surely appreciate. It efficiently eliminates bad odors and is very easy to use. Make sure to let it stand upright in order to maximize the strength of its scent in your car!
If you're on the lookout for a refreshing scent that will effectively fight odor, this car freshener brand, Air Spencer won't let you down. It has a unique aroma from a blend of sweet scents such as jasmine and vanilla which helps fight foul smells in your car.
Its absorbents are excellent in absorbing water and oil. As a result of this, Air Spencer has a long-lasting fragrance, reminding you of sea breeze, soda, and warm winds. You'll love that this car scent will keep your space smelling fresh for up to 10 weeks, and saves you money on having to replace it regularly.
This list would not be complete without this car freshener brand. Little Trees is well-known for offering high-quality and strong fresheners aesthetically shaped in evergreen trees. If you're looking for a masculine car fragrance best for you, the black ice scent is a great combination of sandalwood, bergamot, and lemon.
The brand boasts of its specialized propriety technologies, which is why its quality fragrances are long-lasting. You can easily control the strength of the scent depending on how much product you take out of its bag, so you can easily adjust it according to your preferences.
Are you missing that "new car" scent? No worries, because this car air freshener will transport you back in time and remind you of the day you just bought home your brand new car. Its unique and refreshing fragrance is long-lasting, and can effectively fight tough odors for up to 75 days.
This car vent clip freshener takes pride in its stylish look, blending perfectly with your car's interior. If you're very particular with how the intensity of the scent of your car, you'll appreciate its advanced design which allows you to adjust the scent intensity level, definitely making it worth a bang for your buck!
If you're looking for a relaxing and refreshing car fragrance, you'll love this hanging diffuser which comes in an aesthetically pleasing bottle that you can hang from your rear-view mirror. This car air freshener from Rivers combines the sweet and soothing aroma of marine squash, carefully made with 100% essential oils.
To use this, remove the plastic and let the oil diffuse into the wooden lid. You can turn the bottle upside down for the oil to fill into the lid. It's easy to use and also acts as a decorative tool to add a modern touch to your car's interior. This exceptional product will not only fight unpleasant odors but will also uplift your mind and body.
If you want to permanently remove that foul smell your car has been harboring for the last few months, a great product to consider is this odor eliminator mist from Meguiar's. It is a no-frills product made for one-time use and is guaranteed to remove all unpleasant odors, even in the smallest and hardest-to-reach corners of your car.
Before using it, turn your aircon on high and press the recirculate button. You can then activate the Re-fresher, close the doors, and leave it for 10-15 minutes before airing it out for another 10-15 minutes. Within only 20-30 minutes, your car will smell just like it was the day you bought it!
You'll be glad to know that the intensity of the fragrance can be controlled by simply rotating it. This diffuser acts as long-lasting aromatherapy in your car with botanically extracted scents. It comes with a net weight of 50 grams, so you know that you're getting your money's worth.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Car air freshener prices may often vary, especially depending on the kind that you're getting. It can cost as cheap as P35, especially for hanging cardboards, up to P900 for mists and aroma diffusers.
A useful hack to keep your car's air freshener last longer is by keeping it in a cool and dry place and not using too much at the same time. You can also choose fresheners that have a longer scent lifespan, or ones you can easily refill such as diffusers.
Car air fresheners that are made from chemical compounds may have hazardous effects on your health and may cause nausea, headache, asthma, or even skin allergies. This is why it is recommended to pick fragrances that are derived from natural products instead.
Besides keeping your car clean, other car-care products are needed to maintain that new car shine. Here are some links that can help you choose the best essentials for your car.
Author: Bettina Tan
Re-Editor: Andi Sanchez
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
No. 1: Blue Water|DU2 Dual USB Port Car Air Humidifier
No. 2: FYD|Bamboo Charcoal Air Purifying Bag Deodorizer
No. 3: Ambi Pur|Car Vent Clip |Sky Breeze
No. 4: Blade|Organic Air Freshener |Coffee Scent
No. 5: Air Spencer|Air Freshener |Marine Squash
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
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