Cars are a big part of our lives. We spend a lot of time in them, so it’s important to make them smell nice. However, it can all go wrong. Sometimes, cheaper car fresheners end up doing more harm than good. You have to be careful when it comes to what you choose. In this blog, I’ll be sharing some of my favorite car fresheners, along with some tips on how you can make sure they are the best air fresheners for your car.
What is a car air freshener?
A car air freshener is a product that releases a fragrance when it is exposed to air. There are many different types of car air fresheners. Some are designed to be placed in the car's ventilation system while others are designed to be placed near the car's interior. If you're looking for a car custom air freshener, here are some factors to consider when choosing a car air freshener:
- One that is designed to be placed in the car's ventilation system.
- One that is designed to be placed near the car's interior.
- With a fragrance that you like.
- One that has a long-lasting fragrance.
- One that has a fragrance that is not too strong.
The best car air fresheners
Many people are often looking for the best car air freshener to use in order to keep their car smelling fresh. There are many different types of car air fresheners on the market, but you should be careful to make sure that you are choosing the right one for your needs. In order to make the right decision, you must first think about what you want the car air freshener to do. You should also think about your budget. You should also consider the size of the car air refresher. Furthermore, you should think about the type of car you have. This will help you make the decision on which air freshener is best for you. The best car air fresheners on the market can be found online and in stores.
How to use a car air freshener?
I always like to put a car air freshener in my car because it smells really good. There are a lot of different types of car air fresheners:
- Some are made from natural ingredients like herbs, flowers, and essential oils, and are chemical-free.
- Others are also made from natural ingredients that are environmentally conscious.
- Some are made from essential oils that have antibacterial properties.
- Others also have essential oils that have anti-inflammatory properties.
- There are also car air fresheners that are made with essential oils that have anti-aging properties.
Car air fresheners come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors.
Conclusion
Choosing the best car air freshener for your needs is not always easy. There are so many options available that it can be hard to decide which one is right for you. In order to help you choose the best car air freshener for you, we have compiled a list of the best sellers on Amazon. This list includes a variety of different scents and fragrances that go into a custom air freshener that gives you a fresh-smelling car. Some of them are strong and others are mild. You should use this list as a guideline and then do your own research in order to find the best air freshener for your car.
Can we help? We've done the research for you and found the Best Car Air Freshener on Amazon. Every day, we read hundreds of reviews and try the highest-rated products on our list.
Best Car Air Freshener - Reviews
The Best
Product information
Introducing a set of three refill cartridges designed specifically for the CS-X3 Squash Car Air Freshener. This pack offers a convenient and cost-effective method to keep your car and air conditioner air-smelling fresh and clean. Instead of purchasing a new air freshener, you can simply use these refill cartridges to maintain the pleasant and invigorating aroma in your vehicle over time.
The design of these refill cartridges is user-friendly, featuring an adjustable spray lever. This clever feature allows for the style and intensity of the fragrance to be controlled according to personal preference. Whether you prefer a subtle hint of freshness or a more robust scent, the sliding lever offers the flexibility to adjust the aroma to your liking.
One of the key highlights of these refill cartridges lies in their longevity. Each cartridge is capable of keeping your car smelling great for up to four weeks. This ensures that your vehicle maintains a consistent and appealing scent, making your driving experience more enjoyable.
The scent offered by these refill cartridges is the iconic Squash scent. This unique aroma is refreshing and revitalizing, offering a perfect balance of sweetness and tanginess. The Squash scent is renowned for its ability to neutralize odors, leaving your car with a fresh and appealing aroma that lasts.
Finally, these refill cartridges uphold the high-quality standards associated with Japanese manufacturing. They are made in Japan, ensuring superior quality and performance. The craftsmanship and attention to detail in the production process make these refill cartridges a reliable choice for maintaining a pleasant ambiance in your car.

It's an unusual scent but nice. The scent can be adjusted by opening or closing all the doors and vents.

A bit expensive. A few long-time users said that the scent used to last longer.
Your Thoughts - Some people may find the scent a bit too overpowering at first. When the scent is worn the cartridges can be replaced.

Very Good
Product information
Introducing a versatile hanging car air freshener that is designed to bring a refreshing aroma into your surroundings. This innovative product is not limited to just your vehicle. Its handy design allows it to be conveniently hung, making it a perfect aromatic addition to various spaces. Whether you're on the road or at home, this air freshener ensures a pleasant environment.
What sets this air freshener apart is its long-lasting scent. It's crafted to release a consistent fragrance over an extended period, making the purchase a practical and economical choice. You can enjoy a fresh scent that lasts, enhancing the ambiance of your car or personal space, without the need for frequent replacements.
Not only is this air freshener perfect for your car, but it also adds a refreshing touch inside your office or house. Simply hang it in your preferred area and let the invigorating scent permeate through the space. It's an easy and effective way to keep your environment smelling great, whether you're working from your desk, relaxing at home, or driving around town.
However, to ensure the longevity and effectiveness of this air freshener, it's important to let it hang freely and avoid contact with any surfaces. This prevents potential damage or staining that could occur if the product comes in direct contact with surfaces. By allowing it to hang freely, you can ensure optimum fragrance diffusion and prolong the life of your air freshener.

Very nice scent and will go on for a long time before opening another tree. Good price for this great product. They are great for any vehicle and some users absolutely love it.

Some customers said that the scent didn't last long. The scent was not what some people imagined it to be.
Our Thoughts - We had no problem with our order. The scent was great and one tree went on giving that smell for weeks. However, sounds like this type of product seems to be losing its scent when the package is defective.

Very Good
Product information
Experience a rejuvenating burst of freshness that lasts up to 60 days with our spill-proof air freshener. This innovative product isn't just your average air freshener. It's designed to steadily emit a delightful aroma, transforming any space it's placed in. Whether you're on a long road trip or simply enjoying downtime at home, this air freshener guarantees a refreshing ambiance that lasts.
Our air freshener stands out due to its commitment to quality. We use organic and high-grade fragrance oils to create a scent that not only smells fantastic but is also free from harsh chemicals. The result is an air freshener that delivers an invigorating fragrance without compromising the quality of the air you breathe. It's a conscientious choice for those who want to enjoy a pleasant aroma in their surroundings while maintaining a healthy environment.
We believe in preserving our planet, which is why we've designed this air freshener with sustainability in mind. The canister that houses our air freshener is made from recyclable aluminum. This means once it's served its purpose, it can be recycled, reducing waste and helping to conserve natural resources. It's a small step towards minimizing our carbon footprint, but it's a step in the right direction.
But the eco-friendliness doesn't stop at the canister. Inside, you'll find a biodegradable fiber pad that holds the fragrance. This pad ensures the cool and steady release of the scent while being kind to the environment. Our air freshener isn't just multi-functional, serving as a great addition to your car, shop, office, or home; it's also a testament to the possibilities of sustainable design. Choose our air freshener, and you're choosing a refreshing scent, quality, and eco-friendly approach.

Great scent and continued for months. It's nice entering the car with this air freshener.

Some customers said that they didn't receive the complete package. There were some missing containers.
Our Thoughts - Seems like a small percentage of products go through without being checked. We were happy with our California Scents Air Freshener. It had a fresh scent that lasted for a long time.

Best Value
Product information
Introducing the globally recognized Little Trees air fresheners, a product that has earned its fame through consistent quality and performance. Known for their distinctive tree-like shape, these air fresheners have been enhancing environments with their pleasant scents across the globe. This iconic brand is synonymous with freshness and has become a trusted companion in vehicles, homes, and offices worldwide.
One of the defining features of Little Trees air fresheners is their long-lasting fragrance. Each Little Tree is infused with a scent designed to endure, providing a steady release of refreshing aroma over time. This enduring fragrance ensures that your spaces remain invigorated and pleasant, making every drive, workday, or moment at home more enjoyable.
The versatility of Little Trees air fresheners is another attribute that adds to their appeal. These air fresheners are not just for vehicles; they can be hung anywhere you desire a burst of freshness. Be it your car for those long drives, your home to welcome guests, or your office to create a conducive working environment, these air fresheners can transform any space with their refreshing scents.
Proudly made in the USA, Little Trees air fresheners uphold the highest standards of quality. The careful selection of ingredients, meticulous production process, and rigorous quality control measures all contribute to the superior performance of these air fresheners. When you choose Little Trees, you're choosing a product that combines tradition, innovation, and quality in each little tree-shaped freshener.

If you like the cinnamon smell, this is for you. Some customers didn't think it had a Caribbean Colada smell but they liked it anyway. Others think it's awesome and smells great. Easy to mount on the rearview mirror.

The scent doesn't last long. The shelf life is overdue.
Our Thoughts - It's a shame that this product doesn't have a higher percentage for performance. This is a very good brand but due to bad packaging and storage, a small percentage lose the scent after a while. However, the warehouse should smell nice!

Very Good
Product information
Step into the luxurious aroma of a brand-new car with LITTLE TREES air fresheners. This scent, reminiscent of pristine leather and fresh polish, brings back that wonderful feeling of a new vehicle. It's a rich fragrance that can transform any space, be it your car, home, or office, into an inviting and comfortable environment. There's something undeniably appealing about the smell of a new car, and with LITTLE TREES, you can experience it anytime, anywhere.
LITTLE TREES is the pioneer in the car air freshener industry, bringing freshness both at home and on the move. Our products are designed to keep your environment smelling great, whether you're hitting the open road or relaxing at home. With their convenient design, these car air fresheners can easily be hung in any desired location, instantly enhancing the atmosphere with their refreshing scents.
Our air fresheners stand out due to our specialized proprietary technologies. These technologies, combined with exceptional fragrances, allow us to deliver high-quality results that last. We meticulously select each fragrance for its unique character and longevity, ensuring that our air fresheners provide a consistent, pleasing aroma that endures over time.
Whether you need to freshen up your laundry room, garage, bathroom, or any area plagued by pet odors, LITTLE TREES air fresheners are an excellent solution. What's more, our product range is incredibly diverse, featuring a wide array of fragrances and styles. This variety makes it easy for you to find a scent and style you'll absolutely love, allowing you to personalize your spaces according to your preferences.
LITTLE TREES air fresheners are proudly made in the USA, adhering to rigorous testing and high-quality standards. This ensures a premium fragrance experience crafted from only the finest ingredients. Moreover, the CAR FRESHENER CORPORATION is committed to creating the best air fresheners for both consumers and the environment. All our fragrances meet or exceed the International Fragrance Association guidelines and our stringent internal safety standards. Choose LITTLE TREES for a refreshing, reliable, and responsible fragrance solution.

Good value and has a great smell. Smells more like Bubble Yum rather than a new car.

A small percentage of users mentioned that the scent didn't last long. Didn't smell like it should. They must have received an old product.
Our Thoughts - This one is an old favorite. The issue with this product is that once the package is damaged the scent leaks out.

Very Good
Product information
Experience the ultimate solution to lingering car odors with our captivating air freshener. Designed to counteract trapped car odors, this air freshener doesn't merely mask unpleasant smells - it eliminates them. Its irresistible scent permeates your vehicle, replacing unwanted odors with a refreshing and pleasant aroma. It's an effective way to keep your car smelling great, regardless of what odors it may have been subjected to.
Our air freshener offers more than just odor elimination. It also brings vacation vibes right into your car with its fruity, beachy scent of Paradise. This fragrance is reminiscent of sun-soaked beaches, tropical fruits, and carefree holidays. Each whiff is an escape to an island paradise, making every drive feel like a mini-vacation. Imagine being greeted by this delightful aroma every time you step into your car - it's an instant mood booster!
Installing our air freshener is a breeze. All it takes is a simple click to activate the liquid product. Once activated, you simply clip it onto your car's vent. The easy installation process means you can start enjoying the refreshing scent right away. It's a quick and convenient way to upgrade your driving experience.
The air freshener also comes with an adjustable scent intensity feature. This allows you to control the fragrance output from low to high, depending on your preference. If you prefer a subtle hint of paradise, set it to low. If you want to fully embrace your bold side, crank it up to high. It's all about personalizing your scent experience.
Finally, our air freshener promises to deliver a consistent scent for up to 40 days (on low setting). It works in harmony with your car's airflow, ensuring an even distribution of the fragrance. This means that every corner of your car will be filled with the enchanting scent of paradise. Even on long journeys, the fresh and invigorating aroma remains constant, enhancing your driving experience.

Great brand delivering a great product with a nice scent. Allows adjustment of scent intensity. Easy to attach to outlet air vents.

A small percentage of customers mentioned that the scent was not fresh. Weird fruit smell or sun tan oil.
Our Thoughts - This is a good brand name, smells great, and the scents are very good. The quality control needs improvement or they are sitting in a warehouse for months and the scent deteriorates.

Good
Product information
Experience a fresh approach to combating unwanted smells with Odor Clear Technology. This innovative technology doesn't merely mask odors; it cleans them away. Its action goes beyond superficially covering up unpleasant scents. Instead, it actively works to neutralize and remove these odors, leaving your car smelling genuinely fresh and clean.
Introducing Febreze CAR, a product that takes the application of Odor Clear Technology to a new level. Not only does it clean away odors, but it also releases a light, fresh scent slowly. This ensures a continuous refreshing experience for up to 150 days under ambient conditions. With Febreze CAR, your vehicle remains in a pleasant environment for an extended period, making every journey more enjoyable.
Febreze CAR is designed for easy attachment to the car vent. Once installed, it allows you to control the level of fragrance intensity. You can select how much freshness is released from the car vent into your car, customizing the scent to suit your preference. This feature puts you in control, enabling you to create the perfect ambiance for your drives.
The Linen and Sky scent offered by Febreze CAR is a breath of fresh air. It combines the crispness of clean linen with the open, airy scent of a clear sky. This fragrance is both soothing and invigorating, creating an atmosphere of calm and freshness. With Febreze CAR's Linen and Sky scent, every drive feels like a tranquil journey through open fields under a bright, blue sky.

Good product, it delivers a nice smelling scent. Fresh scent like sheets drying in the breeze.

Some buyers said that the scent doesn't last the time advertised.
Our Thoughts - We thought this was an old product, the scent was not fresh. Being a fan of a trusted brand for many years, this could have been a bad batch.

FAQs
What fresheners do hotels use to smell good?
Hotels utilize a variety of methods and products to keep their premises smelling fresh and inviting. One such method is the use of nebulizing diffusers, which disperse scents evenly throughout a space. Each hotel often has a signature scent, some of which are designed by scent air companies, adding a unique touch to the ambiance.
Popular scents used in hotels often include clean, refreshing notes like green bamboo. These scents are favored because they convey a sense of safety and security. Other favored scents include sandalwood, vanilla, cedar, lemon blossom, citrus, neroli, leather, and white tea, all aimed at creating a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere.
Certain high-end hotels, such as those managed by Ian Schrager, opt for more unique fragrances, such as Le Labo Thé Noir 29, a scent that combines black tea and fig. This unisex fragrance creates an intriguing and sophisticated aroma that is appealing to a wide range of guests.
In addition to diffusers, some hotels use products like Fabreze Fabric Refresher & Odor Eliminator to combat harsh stains that leave unpleasant odors. Other establishments may use Metazene, a vaporous odor neutralizer that eliminates bad odors at the molecular level.
Hotel scents aren't just limited to the premises itself. Many hotels offer room sprays, candles, and diffusers for sale so guests can bring a piece of their stay home with them. This not only keeps the memory of their stay alive but also makes their own home, and shop smell like a luxury hotel.
Why do car dealerships smell so good?
Car dealerships often have a distinctive and appealing smell that many attribute to the "new car" scent. This aroma is not accidental but a result of several tactics employed by the dealerships first order to create an inviting atmosphere for prospective buyers.
One of the main reasons car dealerships smell so good is due to their usage of specific fresheners and cleaning products. According to Car and Driver, dealerships often use fresheners to enhance the scent of both new and used cars1. Products like Ozium are favored as they not only provide a pleasant scent but also eliminate bad smells.
Another factor contributing to the appealing scent in car dealerships is the detailing process. As stated on Quora, dealers often detail used cars, employing ionizers and perfumes to make the interior smell new. This process involves deep-cleaning the vehicle, which helps remove any lingering odors from previous use.
Interestingly, the characteristic "new car" smell is a result of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) evaporating into the air. These VOCs come from adhesives, sealants, and a mix of other materials used in the car's construction. While these compounds can give off an odor that many people find appealing, it's important to note that prolonged exposure can potentially be harmful.
Lastly, car dealerships also use scent marketing strategies. Scents like vanilla, mahogany, leather, and hints of soft violet are used to evoke feelings of trust, dependability, elegance, and luxury. These carefully chosen fragrances contribute to the overall sensory experience of visiting a car dealership, making it a more enjoyable and memorable one.
How to make my car interior smell like new?
Restoring the new car smell to your vehicle's interior involves a combination of thorough cleaning and the use of specific products. Here are some steps and tips based on sources from the web:
Deep Cleaning: The first step to getting your car smelling like new is to give it a thorough clean. Remove all trash, food wrappers, and any other items that might be contributing to unwanted odors.
Upholstery Cleaning: Use a quality car upholstery spray cleaner, such as Involve Your Senses, to remove stains and odors. Additionally, you can also use products like Intra Clean. Spray it on a clean microfiber cloth and work it over every plastic or metal interior.
Air Vents and Cabin Filter: Clean all your windows, and air vents regularly as they can harbor dust and dirt that contribute to bad smells. Also, consider swapping out the cabin filter.
Baking Soda: If you own a dog sprinkle baking soda around your vehicle's mats and carpets. Let it sit overnight and vacuum it up the next day. Baking soda is known for its odor-absorbing properties.
Air Fresheners and Dryer Sheets: Use an air freshener or dryer sheets for a quick fix. They can mask unpleasant smells and provide a burst of fragrance.
Regular Maintenance: Keep the interior of your car really clean. Dirty interiors make for dirty smells. A clean, deodorized interior makes room for that new car smell.
Remember, the key to maintaining that new car smell is regular cleaning and maintenance. By following these steps, you can keep your car smelling fresh and inviting.
Looking for additional car essentials? Check out our other articles.
