7 Best Car Air Fresheners of 2023: Reviews, Buying Guide and FAQs

by Joshua Thomas

Air fresheners provide an easy but effective way of rejuvenating the overall environment of the car with a pleasant fragrance.

But like anything else you buy for your car, you should never settle for anything less than the best car air freshener as not just any will give you that fantastic scent you desire.

Car air fresheners vary according to type, flavors, durability, and strength. While each individual will have his or her preferences, there are certain things you need to consider when shopping.

Here we help ensure what you buy will give you the best value for cash. We do this by explaining the factors to consider when shopping, and with our review of top 7 car air fresheners.

Editor's Recommendation: Top Car Air Fresheners of 2023

7 Best Car Air Fresheners of 2023
7 Best Car Air Fresheners of 2023

Summary of 7 Best Car Air Fresheners

IMAGE PRODUCT FEATURES
Moso Natural MB2580

1. Moso Natural MB2580 (Best Overall)

  • 100% natural odor absorber
  • Fragrance-free and non-toxic
  • Portable and reusable
  • Great value for cash
Purggo PGCAR02

2. Purggo PGCAR02 (Best Bamboo Air Freshener)

  • Natural bamboo air freshener
  • Allergen-free and non-toxic
  • Fragrance and chemical-free
  • Long-lasting
Bmbu Bamboo Charcoal Car Freshener

3. Bmbu 5864165051 (Best under $10)

  • More economical
  • Chemical-free
  • Super easy to use
  • No additives or fillers
Yankee Candle 1220877

4. Yankee Candle 1220877 (Best Budget)

  • More affordable air freshener
  • Hangs easily
  • Nice and strong scent
Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel Air Freshener

5. Ozium 804281 (Highly Efficient Smoke & Odor Eliminator)

  • Removes both smoke and bad odor
  • Easy scent level control
  • Can be placed anywhere
  • Relatively affordable
Febreze Vent-Clip Air Freshener

6. Febreze 926064302 (Top-Notch Vent Clip Air Freshener)

  • Easy air vent attachment
  • Nice scent
  • Decently priced for a 4-pack
Febreze 5864166082

7. Febreze 5864166082 (Great Value for Cash)

  • 4-pack provides good value for money
  • Exceptional fragrances
  • Suitable for asthmatics

1. Moso Natural MB2580 - Best Overall

Moso Natural MB2580
Moso Natural MB2580
  • Longevity: Last for 2 years
  • Fragrance: Natural Fragrance

We start our list with this great product from Moso that provides an all-natural way of getting rid of bad odors. If you are not fond of installing anything that releases a pleasant fragrance and instead prefers something that can suck the bad odor, this product is for you.

It has a more natural scent, which will not strike people that are allergic to strong fragrances. Thus, this product is ideal for cars, closets, and areas where your pets spend their time. It can cover an area up to 90 square feet and is quite long-lasting in performance.

It is quite safe and does not release any toxic odor. Instead, it prevents mildew and bacteria from generating, as it can also absorb excess moisture in the car.

This product lasts for 2 years and is reusable as you can easily carry it from one point to the other.

If you are looking for something with a sweet scent, this is not it as it only absorbs odor leaving no smell, but it is still highly effective in keeping the air in the car clean and fresh.

Pros

  • 100% natural odor absorber
  • Fragrance-free and non-toxic
  • Easily portable and reusable
  • Great value of money

Cons

  • Does not have any scent

2. Purggo PGCAR02 - Best Bamboo Air Freshener

Purggo PGCAR02
Purggo PGCAR02
  • Longevity: Last for 1 year
  • Fragrance: Natural Fragrance

This product from Purggo is also not designed to release any fragrance. It is instead just an air purifier that will be suitable even for pregnant women and babies as it does not release any scent in the environment.

Unlike many other air purifiers that have a short service life, this product will last up to 365 days. However, you cannot reuse it as the bamboo charcoal acts like a huge sponge and you will need to discard it after some time.

It is ideal for people with health concerns, allergic, asthma patients, stuffy nose patients, and many others. While it is the priciest among our car air fresheners review and might not remove very intense odors, it is still worth trying out.

Pros

  • Long-lasting
  • Allergen-free and non-toxic
  • Fragrance and chemical-free
  • Ideal for people with health concerns

Cons

  • A little expensive
  • Does not remove the very intense odor

3. Bmbu 5864165051 - Best under $10

Bmbu Bamboo Charcoal Car Freshener
Bmbu Bamboo Charcoal Car Freshener
  • Longevity: Last for 1 year
  • Fragrance: Natural Fragrance

If you want to buy something economical but still works exceptionally well, this product from Bmbu is an excellent purchase. It is a bamboo charcoal car freshener that only removes unwanted odors from the car without adding any unnecessary scents.

Also, it is not a fragrance bomb but just an ordinary air purifier that will suck all the allergens, moisture, and mildew from the air of your car.

The non-toxic, non-fragrant, and chemical-free formula of the product is helpful for sensitive individuals like those that have asthma or pregnant women. And it lasts for 365 days, which makes it quite durable.

If you are dealing with very pungent odors, this bamboo air freshener might not be very useful. But, for typical vehicle air freshening, it is still good enough.

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • High-quality bamboo with no fillers or additives
  • Chemical-free formulation
  • Economical

Cons

  • Not very effective on strong odors

4. Yankee Candle 1220877 - Best Budget

Yankee Candle 1220877
Yankee Candle 1220877
  • Longevity: Last for 4 weeks
  • Fragrance: Blend of Musk, Patchouli, Sage, and Mahogany cologne

For the motorists that like to have unique fragrances in their car, this product by Yankee is a perfect pick.

It is a gel-based car air freshener, and to use it you have to open the jar and allow the freshener to spread its mesmerizing fragrance in the car.

It kills all the bacteria and moisture in the car as well. And it is available in a blend of musk, patchouli, sage and mahogany.

The service life is limited as it lasts for just 4 weeks. But for all the weeks that it is in your car, you will enjoy the freshest air.

If you have allergies or are asthmatic, the strong scent of this product means it might not be ideal for you, but for everyone else, it is perfect.

Pros

  • Strong and relaxing fragrances
  • More economical
  • Hangs anywhere in the car
  • variety of scent options

Cons

  • Not suitable for people with allergies
  • Limited durability

5. Ozium 804281 - Highly Efficient Smoke & Odor Eliminator

Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel Air Freshener
Ozium Smoke & Odors Eliminator Gel Air Freshener
  • Longevity: Last for 4 weeks
  • Fragrance: Natural Fragrance

Here is another great model of gel-based air freshener, which is available in a pleasant natural scent. This simple product will eliminate both smoke and odor from the car.

It is available in jars that you can simply keep in the front board of the car or anywhere you want, and you only need to open the lid to use it.

The gel has a unique formula and consistently releases a pleasant scent to help remove all the bad smells from the car. Also, the gel will not melt even at the extreme temperatures.

This product has a fresh and long-lasting scent, and it also eliminates moisture, germs, and pungent smell from it. And it is designed to make it easy to control and adjust the scent level.

This car air freshener only lasts a few months, which does not seem very long for many users, but it is also more affordable.

Pros

  • Removes both smoke and bad odor
  • Relatively affordable
  • Can be placed anywhere
  • Easy scent level control

Cons

  • Not very long-lasting

6. Febreze 926064302 - Top-Notch Car Vent Clip Air Freshener

Febreze Vent-Clip Air Freshener
Febreze Vent-Clip Air Freshener
  • Fragrance: Natural Fragrance

If you are looking for something simplistic, then these tiny vent clip air fresheners from Febreze is something that you will be happy to buy.

This product is available in a pack of 4, which lasts for about a month and will ensure maximum coverage for the vehicle. These come with a clip at the back that you will use for hanging on a car's vent from where it releases the mesmerizing fragrance.

These vent-clip air fragrances will give you control over the volume of fragrance dispensed, which makes the scent more customizable.

For people with allergies, this will not be an appropriate product, but if you do not have any health issues, it should work well for you.

Pros

  • Available in a pack of 4
  • Decently priced
  • Great fragrances
  • Freshens up the environment

Cons

  • Not suitable for people with allergies

7. Febreze 5864166082 - Great Value for Cash

Febreze 5864166082
Febreze 5864166082
  • Longevity: Lasts up to 30 days
  • Fragrance: Original, Island Fresh Scent Fragrances

Some aromas will just light up your mornings. These Febreze car air fresheners are one such product, and they come with variable scents of island and garden fragrances to suit different tastes.

These air fresheners are also available in a pack of 4 to ensure you get the best value for your cash and have enough to cover the entire vehicle. They don't just mask the odor, but instead eliminate it entirely. And this is thanks to odor-clear technology.

They have an extremely mild fragrance that even people with breathing issues can enjoy with no problem. Using them is super easy as you just have to attach them to the car vent and voila!

Like many other similar types of car air fresheners, these will not last very long, but for their price, you still get good value for money.

Pros

  • Exceptional fragrances
  • Available in a pack of 4
  • Great price
  • Suitable for asthma patients as well

Cons

  • Not very durable

How to Buy the Best Car Air Freshener

How To Buy The Best Car Air Fresheners
How To Buy The Best Car Air Fresheners

1. Type of Car Air Fresheners

Car air fresheners come in different types, but the following are the most common ones.

Cardboard Air Fresheners : This type is one of the most popular with vehicle owners and it is just a simple cardboard with a pleasant fragrance. You can either hang it on something in your car or place it on the dashboard.

This one can last from 5-10 days to 3 weeks at most. People often hang it on the rear-view mirror, but you can place them anywhere you want.

Non-Hanging Cardboard Fresheners : Unlike the former category, these cannot be hung anywhere in the car. Instead, you have to place them somewhere like on the dashboard or glove compartment.

Plug-in Fresheners : These are a little different in their mechanism. They are oil-based air fresheners that come in small bottles.

These bottles require plugin into the cigarette socket, which heats the oil and diffuses it inside the car. After 10 to 15 minutes, you can inhale the sweet aroma from the oils.

Plug-in fresheners last longer than the cardboard ones, and you can refill them to continue enjoying the fantastic fragrance.

Electronic Ionizer Air Fresheners : The working mechanism of these air purifiers and deodorizers is the same as the oil-based ones. There is liquid inside that is released to the car's environment.

The compounds use electricity for ionization purpose. The negatively charged ions attract the positively charged molecules. When these molecules get in contact, the negatively charged molecules are immediately grounded.

This way, the contaminated air is converted to breathable air, thus resulting in a fresh and odor-free environment of the car.

Can : This is another popular method for freshening up the car. The can will contain a gel-like substance inside that creates the fragrance.

The lid on the can has several small holes from where the scent spreads into the environment. It can be manipulated by twisting the top and opening or closing the holes.

It is up to you to determine how many holes you want to open. But note that the number of open holes will determine the volume of fragrance released.

2. Size of the Car

Another crucial factor to consider while purchasing a car air freshener is the size of the car. If the vehicle is massive, you might have to install multiple air fresheners.

Other than that, the electric or oil-based fresheners are the best for the bigger cars because they can cover larger areas.

3. Eco-friendly

Well, you are using the air freshener to ensure that there are no contaminants in the air that you are breathing. But you still need to make sure that the air freshener is Eco-friendly.

Look at the ingredients used to make the product and their sourcing to determine whether it is Eco-friendly or not.

Buy on Walmart

MOSO NATURAL: The Original Air Purifying Bag 200g (4 Pack) for Cars, Closets, Bathrooms, - Walmart Link

Yankee Candle Gel Car Jar Ultimate Hanging Odor Neutralizing Air Freshener MidSummer's - Walmart Link

Little Trees Car Air Freshener | Vent Wrap Provides Long-Lasting Scent, Invisibly Fresh! - Walmart Link

Febreze Car Air Freshener, Set of 5 Clips, Linen & Skyup to 150 Days (Packaging May Vary) - Walmart Link

LITTLE TREES Car Air Freshener I Hanging Tree Provides Long Lasting Scent for Auto or - Walmart Link

Savage Cologne Inspired Natural Car Air Freshener for Men - Car Scent Deodorizer with - Walmart Link

Meguiar's G181302 Whole Car Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator Mist, Black Chrome Scent, 2 oz - Walmart Link

Armor All Car Air Freshener and Purifier - Odor Eliminator (19456), 3-Pack - Walmart Link

Febreze Car Air Fresheners, Unstopables Fresh & Paradise Scents, Odor Eliminator for - Walmart Link

Yankee Candle Ultimate CAR JAR-ULT V3 HH BC VC P2, 3-Pack, 3 Count - Walmart Link

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 8 Ounce (Pack of 3) - Walmart Link

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes, Two 16.7 lb Bags - Walmart Link

Bosch Automotive 6021C HEPA Cabin Air Filter for Ford Explorer, Flex, Police Interceptor - Walmart Link

Buy on eBay

MOSO NATURAL: The Original Air Purifying Bag 200g (4 Pack) for Cars, Closets, Bathrooms, - eBay Link

Yankee Candle Gel Car Jar Ultimate Hanging Odor Neutralizing Air Freshener MidSummer's - eBay Link

Little Trees Car Air Freshener | Vent Wrap Provides Long-Lasting Scent, Invisibly Fresh! - eBay Link

Febreze Car Air Freshener, Set of 5 Clips, Linen & Skyup to 150 Days (Packaging May Vary) - eBay Link

LITTLE TREES Car Air Freshener I Hanging Tree Provides Long Lasting Scent for Auto or - eBay Link

Savage Cologne Inspired Natural Car Air Freshener for Men - Car Scent Deodorizer with - eBay Link

Meguiar's G181302 Whole Car Air Re-Fresher Odor Eliminator Mist, Black Chrome Scent, 2 oz - eBay Link

Armor All Car Air Freshener and Purifier - Odor Eliminator (19456), 3-Pack - eBay Link

Febreze Car Air Fresheners, Unstopables Fresh & Paradise Scents, Odor Eliminator for - eBay Link

Yankee Candle Ultimate CAR JAR-ULT V3 HH BC VC P2, 3-Pack, 3 Count - eBay Link

Arm & Hammer Pure Baking Soda, 8 Ounce (Pack of 3) - eBay Link

Kingsford Original Charcoal Briquettes, Two 16.7 lb Bags - eBay Link

Bosch Automotive 6021C HEPA Cabin Air Filter for Ford Explorer, Flex, Police Interceptor - eBay Link

Conclusion for Car Air Freshener Buyers

Conclusion for Car Air Freshener Buyers
Conclusion for Car Air Freshener Buyers

Car air fresheners help create a more conducive vehicle interior by eliminating bad odors, which, in turn, makes driving a comfortable and more pleasant experience.

But, with the many car air freshener out there, finding that perfect one for your vehicle can be a little overwhelming and confusing.

However, all it takes is to consider the type, your vehicle size and also the Eco-friendliness of the product. And with our review for recommendations, finding the best car air freshener for your vehicle should now be more effortless.

About Joshua Thomas

Joshua Thomas just simply loves cars and willing to work on them whenever there's chance... sometimes for free.

He started CarCareTotal back in 2017 from the advices of total strangers who witnessed his amazing skills in car repairs here and there.

His goal with this creation is to help car owners better learn how to maintain and repair their cars; as such, the site would cover alot of areas: troubleshooting, product recommendations, tips & tricks.

Joshua received Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at San Diego State University.

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