Must-Have Car Accessories for 2025

Whether it’s safety and protection or comfort and convenience you’re looking to add to your ride, there’s no shortage of aftermarket accessories that can enhance your car’s functionality and personalize your space behind the wheel. 

For 2025, a few accessories are trending higher than the traditional vehicle accessories due to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) accessory expansion and the standardization of features like seat warmers and sunglass compartments. Today, we’ll look at some of the best aftermarket car accessories for 2025 and uncover a few of the discounts you receive as a AAA Member on the tools, technologies and “nice-to-have” add-ons that can help transform your driving experience. 

Top safety accessories for your car

Road-readiness is about more than good mechanical maintenance; it’s about being prepared for the unexpected. Here are a few of the most popular accessories people are using for added safety and peace of mind on the road:

• Dash cams – Interior-mounted cameras continue to be one of the most sought-after car accessories in 2025, providing dependable solutions for recording road incidents such as accidents, vandalism, or theft. Dash cams not only offer potential evidence that can be invaluable to insurance companies and law enforcement, but they also capture important audio clips. High-quality dashcams range in price, starting from $100 and going up to several hundred dollars, and they are available for both the front and rear of your vehicle. These cameras are usually powered by your car's electrical system via a 12V power outlet and store footage on a memory card, which can be easily removed and viewed on a computer. When the card is full, older recordings are typically overwritten to make space for new footage. In case of a sudden impact, a built-in G-sensor will automatically preserve the footage, ensuring it is not overwritten.

• Phone holders – Mobile phone holders are a must-have car accessory since cell phone usage reduces a driver’s attention by as much as 37%. Available in cupholder, dashboard or vent-mounted styles, phone holders (also called cradles) are designed to keep your phone securely in place while giving you easy, voice-command access to key features like calls and navigation. Most phone holders range from $20 to $70 and come with adjustable viewing angles so that you can keep your eyes on the road and drive in compliance with hands-free laws.

• Tile Mate – Never misplace your keys again with this tiny, Bluetooth-enabled device that attaches to your keys and sends a tracking signal to your phone when lost. Brand-agnostic, this device works with any smartphone thanks to free apps for both Android and iOS, and some even come equipped with an emergency alert feature. Tile mate comes with a one-year warranty and 30-day return policy and is fast and easy to set up. And with a price range that falls just below $30, this is one of the more affordable safety accessories you can buy for your daily travels.

• Phone battery chargers – Phone battery chargers for cars are another must-have safety accessory. The most popular charger on the market is the USB charger, known for compatibility with a wide range of devices and its utilization of a USB port that plugs directly into your car’s 12V accessory outlet. Another popular charger is the cable-free, wireless charger. Available in a variety of mounts, this charger works by transferring power to your phone via electromagnetic fields without the hassle of a cord. Finally, there are fast chargers. These adapters provide higher voltage and current to speed up charging but must be compatible with your phone to avoid potential damage.  

• Tire inflators – Available as handheld, battery-powered devices, tire inflators are a great accessory to keep in your car. Look for one with a light for darker working conditions and a digital gauge that will automatically shut off once your tire is inflated the proper pressure. Remember that batteries tend to drain quickly when stored in hot cars, so you’ll need to charge this type of portable tire inflator every few months, even if you don’t use it. 

Top car body and maintenance accessories 

• Bumper guards – A bumper guard serves as a shock absorber and helps protect your vehicle in the event of a crash. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, there are several types available in a wide range of prices. Most are composed of either plastic or fiberglass and are a valuable accessory that can save you a lot of money in the long run. 

• Car battery chargers – Both a protection accessory and a safety accessory, portable car battery chargers (i.e., portable jump starters) have been all the rage for several years now. They allow you to jump your battery on your own without assistance from another vehicle. Small and easy to use, these accessories fit comfortably in your trunk or glove box, but because many portable car battery chargers contain lithium-ion batteries that are prone to catch fire, they can’t deliver high amperage for very long; most deliver high amperage for somewhere between two and five seconds followed by a power cut, rather than 30 seconds of sustained amperage.

• Custom car paint – Paint is a perfect way to showcase your personality and make your vehicle truly stand out. Whether you’re looking for a bold metallic finish, a sleek matte coat or a custom gradient design, the possibilities are endless. High-quality custom paints not only enhance your car’s aesthetic appeal but also provide an additional layer of protection against weathering and wear. 

• Sunroof – Adding a sunroof to a car as an aftermarket accessory can enhance both the aesthetics and functionality of your vehicle. It allows natural light to flood the cabin, creating a more open and enjoyable driving experience, especially during scenic drives or pleasant weather. Adding a sunroof to a car as an aftermarket modification can cost anywhere from $400 to $3,500, depending on the type of sunroof. Basic pop-up sunroofs are the most affordable, ranging from $400 to $900, while more complex options like panoramic sunroofs can cost between $1,500 and $3,500 due to their size and installation complexity

Top car accessories for comfort

• Infotainment system – Many newer cars have infotainment systems built in, but if you have an older vehicle or prefer higher quality multimedia than your OEM system, an aftermarket infotainment system may do the trick. These car radios (or head units) often include features like touchscreens, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth connectivity and exceptional sound quality to add a new level of hands-free comfort to your commute.

• Heated seat covers – A cost-effective way to add warmth and comfort to your vehicle is with aftermarket heated seat covers. Designed to fit over your existing seats, this accessory is easy to install and plugs into your car’s 12V power port for a snug car cabin in colder months.  

• Powered car fans – If you’re looking to enhance your car’s air conditioning performance or drive a vehicle without AC, powered car fans are key comfort accessory. These popular, inexpensive set ups can be battery-powered, USB-powered or solar-powered and are available with different mounts to keep any area of the car cool and maintain air movement.  

Top car accessories for convenience

• Digital assistant – Similar to the smart speakers you might have in your home, hands-free voice-assistants are available as accessories for your car. Start by choosing a brand you might already be comfortable with (e.g., Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant) and decide if you want the device to double as Bluetooth speaker, dash cam or car charger. Since most people want easy-to-install accessories, the digital assistants that double as other devices tend to be most useful vs. those that require complete stereo replacement. 

• Bluetooth receiver – If you want to connect a non-Bluetooth device (such as an analog stereo system) to your phone so that you can stream your favorite music and podcasts while driving, you’ll need a Bluetooth receiver. This is the best accessory for turning any audio system wireless quickly. 

Shop your accessories wish list at the AAA Dollars Online Mall

Note: Many of the accessories mentioned above: most of these are considered modifications to your car, such as custom paint, after-market sunroofs, or bumper guards. Such modifications can have issues that void warranties, drain batteries or be of lower overall quality. With any purchase, do your research and ask for referrals before proceeding with something that might cost you too much money over the long haul.

No matter your driving goals—boosting safety, improving comfort, or adding a touch of personal flair—aftermarket car accessories offer endless possibilities for customizing your ride. From practical upgrades like dash cams and tire inflators to tech-savvy enhancements such as digital assistants and infotainment systems, 2025’s accessory trends put innovation and convenience in the driver’s seat. And with exclusive AAA Member discounts through trusted retailers like NAPA and the AAA Dollars Online Mall, upgrading your vehicle has never been more accessible—or more rewarding.