There are thousands of car and truck accessories out there, but plenty of them aren’t worth buying.
The best accessories aren’t necessarily the flashiest. They’re the ones that make your vehicle more convenient, organized, protected, or prepared for problems on the road.
Here are 10 accessories we think are worth considering for almost any car or truck.
1. Portable Jump Starter
A dead battery can turn into a major headache, especially when nobody is around to give you a jump.
A portable lithium jump starter lets you jump-start your vehicle without another car. Many models also include USB charging ports and built-in flashlights.
Look for one that’s appropriately rated for your engine size and keep it charged.
2. Portable Tire Inflator
Low tire pressure can happen anywhere.
A compact 12-volt or cordless tire inflator lets you add air at home or on the side of the road instead of hunting for a gas-station air pump.
A model with an automatic shutoff makes it even easier—set the desired pressure and let the inflator do the rest.
3. Quality Phone Mount
If you use your phone for navigation, a solid phone mount is much better than having it sitting in a cup holder or your lap.
Look for something sturdy that keeps the screen visible without blocking your view of the road.
Magnetic, vent-mounted, windshield, and dashboard mounts are all available, so the best style depends on your vehicle.
4. Dash Camera
A dash cam continuously records what’s happening in front of your vehicle while you’re driving.
That footage can be useful after a crash or other incident where there’s disagreement about what happened.
Some models also offer rear cameras, parking modes, GPS information, and higher-resolution recording.
5. All-Weather Floor Mats
Mud, snow, water, gravel and whatever else is stuck to your boots can destroy a vehicle’s carpet over time.
All-weather floor mats are easier to remove and clean than carpet.
Vehicle-specific mats generally provide better coverage than universal mats, especially around the edges of the footwell.
6. Cargo Organizer
If your trunk or back seat is constantly full of loose tools, bottles, straps and random junk, a cargo organizer can make a surprisingly big difference.
They’re especially useful in trucks and SUVs where cargo tends to move around.
Collapsible organizers are nice because you can fold them away when you need the extra space.
7. Emergency Roadside Kit
Hopefully you’ll never need one, but it’s worth having.
A basic roadside kit can include things like a flashlight, reflective warning equipment, basic first-aid supplies, gloves and simple tools.
You can also build your own kit based on your vehicle and the conditions you normally drive in.
8. Seat Covers
Good seat covers can help protect your original interior from dirt, grease, spills, pets and everyday wear.
They’re particularly useful if you work in a dirty environment or regularly climb into your vehicle after working in the garage.
Just make sure any seat covers you buy are compatible with your vehicle’s seat-mounted airbags, if equipped.
9. USB Car Charger
Modern vehicles have more electronics than ever, and sometimes there simply aren’t enough charging ports.
A quality USB charger can add multiple charging connections using a 12-volt outlet.
If your devices support it, look for fast-charging USB-C capability.
10. Basic Recovery Gear
Truck and SUV owners who regularly deal with snow, mud, job sites, farms, or unpaved roads may benefit from carrying basic recovery equipment.
The exact equipment you need depends heavily on the vehicle and situation, so don’t assume every tow strap, recovery point, or piece of hardware is appropriate for every recovery.
Make sure any recovery equipment you use is properly rated and attached to manufacturer-approved recovery points.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to fill your vehicle with accessories just because they’re cheap or popular.
Start with things that solve actual problems.
For many drivers, a jump starter, tire inflator, phone mount, dash cam, and good floor mats would be an excellent starting point. From there, you can add accessories based on how you actually use your vehicle.
At Garage Gear Finds, that’s what we’re looking for: gear that’s useful—not just more stuff to throw in your truck.
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