mybest
Car accessoriesHelping You Find the Best
mybest
Car accessoriesHelping You Find the Best
  • 10 Best Car Air Fresheners UK 2024 | Little Trees, Yankee Candle and More 1
  • 10 Best Car Air Fresheners UK 2024 | Little Trees, Yankee Candle and More 2
  • 10 Best Car Air Fresheners UK 2024 | Little Trees, Yankee Candle and More 3
  • 10 Best Car Air Fresheners UK 2024 | Little Trees, Yankee Candle and More 4
  • 10 Best Car Air Fresheners UK 2024 | Little Trees, Yankee Candle and More 5

10 Best Car Air Fresheners UK 2024 | Little Trees, Yankee Candle and More

An air freshener might be low on the list of important components of a car, but that doesn’t mean it can’t have a transformative effect on how much you enjoy your time in there. While winding the windows down works to some degree, it won't banish those odours in the long run, especially if you're a smoker or a dog owner. 

 

To help you determine which in-car air freshener fits your needs, we’ve put together a buying guide to steer you through the choices. We've also ranked the best air vent, plug-in and hanging fresheners available on Amazon, eBay, Tesco and Asda. From perfume deodorisers to luxury Yankee candles, we’re sure to have something for every ride. 

Last updated 21/03/2024

Quick List - Top Car Air Fresheners

1

Jelly Belly

3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener
3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener

A Fun, Fruity Option With Just the Right Strength

2

California Car Scents

Coronado Cherry Air Freshener
Coronado Cherry Air Freshener

A Strong Freshener That's Both Organic and Completely Recyclable

3

Febreze

Car Air Freshener Odour Eliminator
Car Air Freshener Odour Eliminator

Clear Out the Bad Odours and Replace Them With a Fresh Fragrance

4

Little Trees

New Car Fragrance
New Car Fragrance

An Affordable, Familiar Way to Get That Classic 'New Car' Smell

5

Sex Wax

Mr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents
Mr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents

An Alternative Choice for Surfers and Camper Van Drivers

mybest Editing Team
Guide
mybest UK
mybest Editing Team

A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.

mybest Editing Team's Profile
…Continue reading

Table of Contents

How to Choose a Car Air Freshener in the UK

Key Points to Consider
  1. Consider the Different Styles Available
  2. Opt for Deodorising Fresheners to Banish Smoke and Pet Smells
  3. Check the Duration of the Fragrance
1

Hanging, Sprays and Cans Are Great for Cost and Ease of Use While Plug-Ins or Vent Clips Give a Strong Scent Boost

Hanging, Sprays and Cans Are Great for Cost and Ease of Use While Plug-Ins or Vent Clips Give a Strong Scent Boost

Mirror Hanging Fresheners Suit Those Wanting a Cheap, Hassle-Free Solution

You’ve no doubt seen these a thousand times: your Grandad has the classic green tree, and most other people you know have something that looks and smells similar. These old school classics work just as you would expect, and are placed on the rear-view mirror.


This is the cheapest option and the most likely to come in a multipack, so you know that you'll be getting your money's worth. However, their scent doesn’t usually have a very long lifespan, so you will have to change them out for a fresh one fairly often. 

Vent Clip-Ons Allow You to Adjust the Intensity but Only Work When the Fan Is On

This style simply clips onto the air vent in your car. The best vent fresheners have a dial that allows you to control the width of the ventilation slots in the device, which in turn controls the intensity of the smell


These also tend to have a longer-lasting scent than mirror hanging options. The downside is that you usually need to have the ventilation system on in the car when you want to use it.

Go for Gel-Filled Cans for the Longest-Lasting Fragrance Possible

This style is very straightforward – simply open the seal on the lid of the can and pop it somewhere in your car where it won’t rattle about. Similar to home fresheners, these cans contain a gel that should gently blanket any odours in your car.


Cans have a long-lasting scent, often sticking around for one to two months. You must place them carefully and somewhere where they’re unlikely to fall over, though, because if the gel bleeds out it could risk damaging or staining certain plastics or fabrics in your car. 

Plug-Ins and Sprays Are Great If You Want to Refresh Your Car as and When You Like

This style will plug into the lighter port in your car and use the power to slowly heat the oil inside the glass, thus diffusing your chosen scent. Their X-factor is that you can use them for a boost of fragrance without wastage – once the odour you're trying to banish has faded, you can take them out until your car next requires a freshen up. 


Plug-in fresheners also generally have a much stronger scent than the other options, and while this can be a good thing for many people, others may find them to be overpowering.


Spray-style car air fresheners also let you have a boost of fragrance as and when you need without wastage. They're a quick way to solve any odour problem but may leave small droplet stains.

2

Opt for Deodorising Fresheners If You Want to Banish Smoke or Pet Smells as Well as Adding a Nice Scent

Opt for Deodorising Fresheners If You Want to Banish Smoke or Pet Smells as Well as Adding a Nice Scent

If you’re a smoker, pet owner or frequent fast-food muncher, then we’d recommend not only looking for a pleasant smell, but also one that actively works to deodorise and remove any stubborn smells rather than just covering them up. 


Another factor to consider is how sensitive your nose is. People vary from having two to six million olfactory sensors, which is why some of us can pick up other people’s smelly feet before others. If this sounds familiar, look for a scent that is a bit more neutral, such as a simple floral or fresh fragrance or a classic ‘new car smell’. 


Banish unwanted smells from your car with car diffusers and essential oils too.

3

Cans and Vent Clips Can Last for Months but Hanging Fresheners Let You Change Things Up Regularly

Cans and Vent Clips Can Last for Months but Hanging Fresheners Let You Change Things Up Regularly

The duration can vary greatly from product to product and is often defined by the level of quality, but it's worth noting if you'd prefer something you can stick in the car and not have to think about for a while. On the other hand, you might like to change up the scent often as you would with home fragrances. 


Gel-filled cans tend to last the longest with a lifespan of 1 to 2 months, followed by vent clip-ons which, depending on how much air you blow out, can last up to 30 days. Mirror hanging and plug-ins, meanwhile, typically last 7 to 14 days. The difference here is that you will be able to refill the plug-in fresheners, whereas you'll need to replace a mirror hanging type each time. 

Was the Buying Guide helpful?

10 Best Car Air Fresheners in the UK

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.
Popularity
Products
Image
Click to purchase
Key features
1

Jelly Belly

3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener

Jelly Belly  3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener 1

A Fun, Fruity Option With Just the Right Strength

2

California Car Scents

Coronado Cherry Air Freshener

California Car Scents Coronado Cherry Air Freshener 1

A Strong Freshener That's Both Organic and Completely Recyclable

3

Febreze

Car Air Freshener Odour Eliminator

Febreze Car Air Freshener Odour Eliminator 1

Clear Out the Bad Odours and Replace Them With a Fresh Fragrance

4

Little Trees

New Car Fragrance

Little Trees New Car Fragrance  1

An Affordable, Familiar Way to Get That Classic 'New Car' Smell

5

Sex Wax

Mr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents

Sex Wax Mr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents 1

An Alternative Choice for Surfers and Camper Van Drivers

6

Yankee Candle

Smart Scent Vent Clip

Yankee Candle Smart Scent Vent Clip 1

Perfect for Fans of Yankee's World Renowned Candles

7

Bliss

Creed Car Air Freshener

Bliss Creed Car Air Freshener 1

A Classy Perfume Diffuser With a Rich, Woody Aroma

8

Dirtbusters

Vehicle Odour Eliminator

Dirtbusters Vehicle Odour Eliminator 1

For Those Looking to Banish Smoke, Pet or Other Smells

9

Qrity

Car Aroma Diffuser

Qrity Car Aroma Diffuser 1

A Plug-In Diffuser You Can Fill With Your Own Essential Oils

10

Diptyque

Car Diffuser With Baies Insert

Diptyque Car Diffuser With Baies Insert 1

If You Want a Touch of Luxury, Look No Further

If you don't see the product you're looking for, you can request that it be listed.
No.1

Jelly Belly
3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener

3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£2.75
Low
Reference price
£2.75
Low

A Fun, Fruity Option With Just the Right Strength

The modern classic that has rightly, or wrongly, knocked the Little Trees of their perch is surely the Jelly Bean from Jelly Belly. We've plumped for blueberry scent, but there are up to 12 different fragrances to choose from tutti frutti to mojito. 


As well as the big, cover-everything scent, we also love the bold, pop art design. You get around 21 days out of it, which actually comes out as better value than some vent clip-on designs. Plus, you'll be able to pick up a few different scents, always keeping your car odour fresh and interesting. 

Was this Ranking helpful?
No.2

California Car Scents
Coronado Cherry Air Freshener

Coronado Cherry Air Freshener 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£3.48
Low Mid
Reference price
£3.48
Low Mid

A Strong Freshener That's Both Organic and Completely Recyclable

This one is for the eco-friendly folk, because not only are the oils used completely organic, but the packaging is 100% recyclable too. It also has a long-lasting (60 days) fruity fragrance that you can control the intensity of, thanks to the adjustable lid. 


With a massive 4.5 out of 5 on Amazon, you know the company are doing something right. It's certainly a powerful smell, so it might not be for everyone, but if that's what you're looking for you'll certainly find it here.

No.3

Febreze
Car Air Freshener Odour Eliminator

Reference price
£10.49
Mid

Clear Out the Bad Odours and Replace Them With a Fresh Fragrance

Designed to clear away tough, lingering odours and leave behind only a light and fresh scent, it's hard to argue with one of the nation's favourite cleaning manufacturers. This set comes with everything you'll need to get started, and from there you can simply buy the refills at a lower cost each time to top up. 


Lasting for 30 days, cotton fresh is described by the company as a pure, invigorating breath of fresh air that will feel like the cool mist of a waterfall. We don't quite know if that's the case, but it'll certainly smell a lot better than the McDonald's wrappers you've got in the footwell.  

No.4

Little Trees
New Car Fragrance

New Car Fragrance  1
Source:amazon.co.uk
New Car Fragrance  2
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£5.69
Low Mid

An Affordable, Familiar Way to Get That Classic 'New Car' Smell

Little Trees air fresheners are somewhat of a right of passage for new drivers – if you haven't bought or been given one of these for your wheels, can you even drive? They've come a long way from the alpine scent though, now providing over 30 different fragrances. 


We've gone with 'new car scent' because as people who love driving know, there really is nothing like it. Furthermore, for just over a fiver you'll get up to 6 months of fresh-smelling journeys. Talk about value for money! 

No.5

Sex Wax
Mr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents

Mr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£9.00
Mid
Reference price
£9.00
Mid

An Alternative Choice for Surfers and Camper Van Drivers

The number one choice of the counterculture for as long as they've been around, Mr Zog's Sex Wax air fresheners are sure to be a hit with camper van drivers up and down the country, or anyone looking for something cooler than your average


Known for their big, powerful, and strong scents, these are not for the faint-hearted, but luckily with this assorted multipack, you have the choice to explore and find your preferred fragrance. Hang loose guys. 

No.6

Yankee Candle
Smart Scent Vent Clip

Smart Scent Vent Clip 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£9.99
Mid
Reference price
£9.99
Mid

Perfect for Fans of Yankee's World Renowned Candles

The world-renowned manufacturers have taken a leap into the travel scent industry with a range of car air fresheners. They have a series of hanging 'car jars', but we've opted for the vent clip-ons as they have a stronger, longer-lasting scent.


Midsummers night is an exciting mix of musk, patchouli, sage, and mahogany cologne, but other scents are available. The only downside is that the company claims that to get the best from it, the temperature should be about 21 degrees, though you'll probably have the car heater on anyway during the winter!

No.7

Bliss
Creed Car Air Freshener

Creed Car Air Freshener 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£12.99
Mid
Reference price
£12.99
Mid

A Classy Perfume Diffuser With a Rich, Woody Aroma

This stylish oil diffuser has been crafted from natural wood. It's based on the classic unisex fragrance Creed, which has notes of pineapple, musk, bergamot and vanilla all blended to create a woody aroma. 


If you're fed up of floral scents or looking for something a little classier, it's certainly a good option. You can also refill it with either the same scent or another of your choosing, however, it is rather small so you might need to remember to top up fairly often. 

No.8

Dirtbusters
Vehicle Odour Eliminator

Vehicle Odour Eliminator 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£10.95
Mid
Reference price
£10.95
Mid

For Those Looking to Banish Smoke, Pet or Other Smells

This interior odour eliminator was designed specifically to eliminate odours at source, and not just cover them up with a fragrance. The product can be sprayed onto car carpets, upholstery or used as an air freshener then left to get to work banishing cigarette smoke or that wet dog smell.


Moreover, once it removes bad odours, it continually reactivates to deodorise bad smell with its odour lock system, leaving a wild fig and cassis fragrance reminiscent of Mediterranean warmth. The only downside is that it requires some time to fully dry.

No.9

Qrity
Car Aroma Diffuser

Car Aroma Diffuser 1
Source:amazon.co.uk
Reference price
£13.99
High Mid
Reference price
£13.99
High Mid

A Plug-In Diffuser You Can Fill With Your Own Essential Oils

This essential oil air diffuser is sure to leave your car smelling charming and attractive no matter which water soluble essential oil you decide to use. Furthermore, its 2-hour automatic shut-off prevents potential harm from running without water. 


As we mentioned, these plug-in styles of air fresheners can be a little strong for some people, so it may be worth sticking to purely natural oil, or avoiding if you're sensitive to smell. Also, it's rather big, so may not be ideal if you're driving a manual where the port is close to the gear stick. 

No.10

Diptyque
Car Diffuser With Baies Insert

Reference price
£79.00
High

If You Want a Touch of Luxury, Look No Further

Here is an air diffuser for those who are looking for something a little more luxurious than your average. Diptyque, the French-based high-end brand, have duly provided. They're known for their fantastic fragrances, and they've simply transferred these sumptuous smells from perfume bottle to car. 


This particular scent, Baies, is a floral and fruity smell that will no doubt leave you feeling like you've just left the glorious-smelling perfume aisle at House of Fraser instead of your car. The downside is it's going to cost, but you'll get up to 3 months use out of it first! 

Written and researched by Lewis Clark

Top 5 Car Air Fresheners

No. 1: Jelly Belly 3D Jelly Bean Air Freshener

No. 2: California Car ScentsCoronado Cherry Air Freshener

No. 3: FebrezeCar Air Freshener Odour Eliminator

No. 4: Little TreesNew Car Fragrance

No. 5: Sex WaxMr Zogs Sex Wax Assorted Scents

View Full Ranking
The descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.

Most Viewed
Featured Rankings Similar to Car accessories

Reversing Cameras

10 Best

New Arrivals
Featured Rankings Similar to Car accessories

Search by category

mybest

We connect users with the best tried and true products,
tested by our in-house guides and backed by expert insight.

Copyright mybest All Rights Reserved.