Not every car accessory has to solve a problem. Some are just there to make you smile when you get in, or to make a passenger say "wait, what is that?" This is a round-up of the stranger things we stock, what each one does, and the small print worth knowing before you buy.
Everything here is a small, inexpensive add-on. Nothing needs tools or wiring, and most of it makes a good gift for someone who's hard to buy for.
A record player that runs on your air vent
The record player vent diffuser clips onto a vent, and the airflow spins the little disc. There's no motor and no battery, so it turns when your fan is on and stops when it's off. It's also an air freshener, with a solid fragrance block that can't spill.
A duck that nods at every bump
The nodding duck mirror charm hangs from the rearview mirror and swings with the car. It's purely decorative. Keep it short enough that it doesn't block your view of the road, and be aware that some countries restrict anything hanging from the mirror.
A shark that serves your tissues
The shark tissue box holder takes a standard tissue pack and dispenses it through the shark's mouth. It sits on the console or straps to a headrest, and it's surprisingly practical with children in the back.
A headrest cover that startles the car behind
The creepy face headrest cover slips over a headrest and puts a face where a passenger's head would be. It's a joke gift that works best on a rear headrest. Keep it off the driver's seat so it doesn't get in the way.
A skull on the dashboard
The skull interior ornament is a small dashboard decoration for anyone who prefers their car a bit darker. Fix it somewhere it won't slide into the windscreen's line of sight.
Space in the car
Two projectors turn a parked car into a planetarium:
- The astronaut galaxy projector throws a rotating nebula and starfield across the roof. It has a built-in battery and doubles as a bedroom night light.
- The UFO galaxy projection light is a flying saucer that spreads slowly rotating colour across the ceiling from a USB port.
Both are for a parked car. Projected light while driving is distracting and may be illegal where you live.
Lights that talk to other drivers
The rear window LED smiley shows faces in the back window from a remote, and the neon heart window light glows in a side window. They're fun, but they're visible from outside the car, and many countries and US states restrict lights that other drivers can see, especially coloured or flashing ones. Treat them as show pieces for a parked car unless you've checked your local rules. Our guide on whether interior LED lights are legal covers the general principles.
Quick answers
Which of these makes the best gift?
The ones people don't buy for themselves: the record player diffuser, the duck mirror charm and the shark tissue holder. They're inexpensive, need nothing to fit, and get a reaction.
Do any of them need wiring?
No. They clip on, hang, sit on the dash or plug into a USB port. The astronaut projector has a built-in 1200 mAh battery, and the window lights run on batteries (three AA for the smiley, four included with the heart).
Are the lights legal to use while driving?
It depends where you live. Interior projectors and anything visible from outside the car are safest used when parked. Check your local rules before using any of them on the road.
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