In this article: We'll list out 10 great categories of car enthusiast gifts for the holidays to help you find a unique, budget friendly present for your car loving friends or family.
Choosing the perfect gift for car lovers and enthusiasts gets more complicated every year. If you have a friend or loved one who is a car nut like us, you've come to the right spot. We've compiled a list of the best gifts for the year. We look around for the kinds of gifts we would want to get ourselves, and find the neatest, highest-quality and most awesome things any car enthusiast would love to get. And we update them throughout the year, every year to keep them fresh.
We found ten categories of ideas that are sure to cover the bases for all your gift-giving challenges. Some of these gifts make great stocking stuffers, secret Santa gifts, or quick and easy presents for anyone you know. Some are a little more pricy while others are great for budget gift giving. No matter what the preference, budget, gender – you'll find something for everyone here.
Best Gifts for Car Lovers and Enthusiasts
So, you’ve managed to swap your factory head unit and/or speakers out for some slick upgrades, but the bass is lacking and the mids sound muddy. Getting a powerful amp installed that works with your system is key to getting the full richness and original tones from your system. There are literally hundreds of options that can work, but to get the most out of your brand-new head unit, you will want an amplifier with high-tech specs. Keep in mind that many amplifier ratings for power are measured at 14.4 volts. In most cases, you will need to add an additional car battery or modify the charging system to get maximum power from an amp.
Tire Pressure Gauges
Tire pressure is a safety issue. Every car owner should have at least one pressure gauge – one that lives in the trunk or glovebox and one for the garage.
Analog Tire pressure gauges have a circular dial that’s swept by a needle. They don’t need a battery so they’re always ready to use. One advantage of digital gauges is the ability to switch between different units of pressure, (which might be useful on an imported vehicle.)
Tire pressure gauges come with or without a hose. Those with no hose fit straight onto the top of the valve. A hose gives more flexibility in where to put the display or readout. Readout accuracy depends in part on the increments displayed. Some gauges read to 0.5psi while others go to 0.1. Gauge accuracy is also indicated by conformance to the ANSI B40.1 standard.
Also look for a pressure lock/release button. This holds the gauge at the reading until you’ve had a chance to look at it.
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AstroAI GL-0911A Digital Tire Gauge
This stainless-steel digital tire gauge is a great and affordable gift. Everyone should check their tire pressure regularly, especially as the weather gets colder towards the end of the year. And the AstroAI Digital Tire Gauge makes it simple and easy to ensure proper pressure at all times. It's durable and accurate to within 2 percent and will measure up to 230 ft/lbs. This gauge makes for an affordable gift for any car owner.
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JACO JSP-004 ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge
This is considered the “Best of the Best” analog tire pressure gauges. It's trusted by mechanics, professional drivers, and tire installers because of the high-quality design and razor-sharp accuracy. It'll measure up to 60 ft/lbs. It's the perfect gift for serious car enthusiasts that want precision, accuracy and portability.
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JACO JSP-004 ElitePro Tire Pressure Gauge
This is considered the “Best of the Best” analog tire pressure gauges. It's trusted by mechanics, professional drivers, and tire installers because of the high-quality design and razor-sharp accuracy. It'll measure up to 60 ft/lbs. It's the perfect gift for serious car enthusiasts that want precision, accuracy and portability.
Jump Starters
This is one of those car-related products that may not seem like an impressive gift until the person goes to start their car in a torrential rainstorm, are late to work, only to discover a dead battery. It’s during those unexpected (worst) times that of these battery boosters is a lifesaver and you'll earn endless thanks.
A jump box is a portable battery you use to kick your car's engine into life. Most also include ports for charging cellphones as well as some kind of flashlight. A jump box is a great gift for a new driver or someone who travels on their own a lot. Even if they never need to use it, just having it in the car provides peace-of-mind, (for driver and anxious parents/spouse alike!)
Jump boxes are specified in terms of capacity and peak amps. Capacity (the amount of energy stored,) is indicated in Amp-hours (Ah) or sometimes milliamp-hours. More capacity means more engine starts or devices charged.
Peak amps (A) indicates how much electrical current can be delivered and relates to size of engine started. 500A is enough for most engines but you'll need more for engines larger than 5 liters. You should also know that diesel engines need more amps to start, (500A will turn over a 3 liter diesel.) Starting in very low temperatures also needs more peak amps.
Here’s a few great options for jump starters, but you can also find more on our Best Portable Jump Starter list.
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DBPOWER DJS50 800A 18000mAh Portable Car Jump Starter
The compact design and impressive power of the portable starter from DBPOWER make it one of the most sought-after gifts each year. With the capacity to provide 800 A of power to start your car, it'll get you out of those tough situations when you left your lights on or played your stereo a little too long. It can also charge your cell phone or laptop. The DBPOWER jump starter is a great gift for any driver.
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Audew Epower-155 Upgraded Car Jump Starter
This is a sleek and attractive battery jump starter from Audrew. It puts out an impressive 2,000 A peak to start even the largest engines, features a multifunction light, and can rapid charge cell phones. It has an 20,000 mAh capacity, so you can count on it to start your vehicle, time and time again. The booster is only about nine inches long and weights just over 3 lbs which makes it perfect for drivers of small cars, too.
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DEWALT DXAEJ14 Digital Portable Power Station
DEWALT is one of the most trusted names in portable power accessories. The DXAEJ14 features a peak of 1,400 A that's guaranteed to start almost any vehicle. Plus, the jump starter doubles as a powerful radio and can charge your cell phone or laptop. It's easily recharged using a standard electrical cord.
Detailing Kits
Real car enthusiasts like nothing more than getting to work with a wash mitt and a big bucket of suds. That’s why it’s hard to go wrong with a gift set of car cleaning essentials. There’s a host to choose from: we’ve picked three that will appeal to the most ardent gearhead.
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MEGUIAR'S G55032SP Complete Car Care Kit
This is a total kit to get anyone started correctly washing and waxing their vehicle. It includes Meguiar's legendary car wash, wax, and scratch remover, along with interior and exterior detailing sprays. This is a great gift for any car lover to keep their car spotless all year long.
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Chemical Guys HOL148 16-Piece Arsenal Builder Wash Kit
Chemical Guys put this kit together to provide all the essential tools and products anyone needs to wash, wax, and detail any vehicle. They even include the Torq Blaster washing system that makes cleaning a car much less of a chore. The kit includes microfiber towels, a wash mitt, and some of the very best products Chemical Guys makes. This is a great gift for the true car lover.
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Adam's Essentials Complete Car Detailing Kit
When you need the best of everything for you perfect detailing gift, look no further than Adam's. This essential kit includes everything to wash, wax, and detail any vehicle like a pro. It even includes clay for deep cleaning neglected paint and all the proper polishes and waxes any car lover could ever need to keep their ride in showroom shape.
Emergency Roadside Kit
There probably isn't a worse feeling than having your car break down on you. And when the problem is something simple you can fix; you need to have the proper tools on hand. An emergency roadside kit makes a great gift for any driver, and it's a great way to show your love.
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Car and Driver Roadside Emergency Kit
Car and Driver makes this 30-piece emergency kit that's perfect for the daily driver. It includes high-quality jumper cables and a selection of pliers and sockets commonly needed when making roadside repairs. It comes in a blow-molded plastic case that is compact enough for even the tiniest trunk. Don't leave a loved one out in the cold because of a dead battery or some other simple problem. This is a great gift for anyone.
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Swiss Safe SFAK-Road1 2-in-1 First Aid Kit
Sometimes, roadside emergencies are more serious than a dead battery or a flat tire. Swiss Safe built this emergency kit to cover as many possible scenarios as they could. The double-sided case includes jumper cables, sockets, and other essential tools for making repairs. The other side of the case is a comprehensive first aid kit with bandages, a rain poncho, and an emergency blanket. The case is compact enough to fit behind the seat of a standard cab pickup. You can show your love with this great gift that will come in handy for any driver.
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DEWALT DWMT72165 Mechanics Tools Kit and Socket Set
This is a great gift idea for any driver. DeWalt has put together a kit of the most often needed tools for roadside repairs, and it's all packaged in an easy-to-carry case. This kit lacks some items, like emergency signs and pliers, but it does include all of the sockets, ratchets, and other basic tools anyone needs to remove and replace common parts on vehicles with either SAE or metric bolts and nuts.
Phone Cradles & Holders
A phone cradle is necessary for safe, distraction-free driving. While there are thousands of cradles on the market, many of them are plain junk. The ones listed here are among the best, most reliable, and easy to use cradles you'll ever find, and they make a wonderful gift for any driver who needs to use their phone in the car, and let's be honest, who doesn't these days? Be sure to also take a look at our list of Best Wireless Charging Phone Mounts for a comprehensive list.
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Car and Driver Roadside Emergency Kit
Car and Driver makes this 30-piece emergency kit that's perfect for the daily driver. It includes high-quality jumper cables and a selection of pliers and sockets commonly needed when making roadside repairs. It comes in a blow-molded plastic case that is compact enough for even the tiniest trunk. Don't leave a loved one out in the cold because of a dead battery or some other simple problem. This is a great gift for anyone.
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Mpow Car Phone Mount
The Mpow cradle is one of the best because of the excellent design of the suction cup. It'll securely latch on to just about any surface and holds even the largest phones securely. The telescopic arm and multiple-direction flexibility mean this mount works on even the most difficult to place dashes and windshields. It makes a wonderful, affordable gift any driver would be happy to have.
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TOPGO ROAU-SJZJ Cup Holder Phone Mount
Many drivers don't like to have their phone on the dash. For those drivers, TopGo came out with this upgraded version of the classic cup holder cradle. It simply slides into any cup holder to securely hold phones and other devices. It's more portable than dash or windshield mounts and can even be useful for holding a phone for rear seat passengers to watch videos or play games.
Bling for Drivers
Some drivers just simply have every tool they'll ever need. Don't get discouraged trying to find the perfect gift, any car enthusiast would love to get a little bling for themselves. These gift ideas are a great way to show your favorite driver how much you care about them.
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Silicone Rings – Tire Tread Design
Anyone who works on cars can tell you how dangerous metal rings can be. From scratching paint to getting fingers stuck in small spaces, metal rings are a bad idea for people to wear when working on cars. These silicone rings are the perfect solution and a great temporary solution for a wedding ring. They are lightweight and stretchy, and the tire tread design looks tough on any finger.
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Optix 55 Night Driving Glasses
It's been known for decades that yellow-tinted polarized glasses can greatly improve a driver's ability to see at night. The Optix 55 lenses look good on men or women. This is a great way to show your appreciation for your favorite driver, and night driving glasses are simply something everyone wants.
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Pratt & Hart Driving Gloves
Driving gloves aren't just for speed demons, gangsters, and British car enthusiasts. In fact, a good pair of driving gloves are something even the minivan driver in your life will love. The Pratt & Hart gloves are durable, affordable and they have numerous sizes and colors for both men and women. They improve control of the steering wheel and shifter and protect hands from cold steering wheels, icy windshields, and sizzling hot shifters.
Bling for Your Ride
These gifts are perfect for that driver who wants to customize everything about their car. With so many cars being so similar in style these days, fun little gadgets to bling out a ride are a great way to let drivers set their car apart from the crowd.
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Fangfei Custom Logo Wireless LED Car Door Step Lights
These battery-operated courtesy lights can take advantage of any image to produce a well-lighted image on the ground when the door is opened. You can get the logo for your car, an image you make up yourself, even a photograph of someone you love to display. Plus, courtesy lights increase safety when getting in and out of a vehicle. They’re easy to use, easy to install and add a great custom look to any vehicle.
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LEADSTAR Silicone License Plate Frame
We all know one of those drivers that has a colossal stereo that makes the license plate slap around like it’s a part of the band. This silicone sleeve prevents rattles and protects the plate from damage without obscuring stickers so it's 50-state legal. The black silicone ring looks tidy too. This is a great gift for anyone who wants to stop the rattle and keep their plate safe, whether their stereo be large or small.
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Valleycomfy Crystal Diamond Steering Wheel Cover
Nothing says bling like a sparkle-encrusted steering wheel cover. Available in numerous colors to match any interior, these covers are as nice to handle as they are to look at. A crystal covered steering wheel cover is sure to make any car stand out from the crowd.
Car Organizers
How many of you have junk just tossed around in your trunk and center console? Yeah, me too. But the solution couldn't be easier. A car organizer makes a great gift for drivers that need to be able to securely store things like a laptop, paperwork, and all sorts of other items.
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Drive Auto Products Car Cargo Trunk Organizer
This is an affordable, durable, and convenient solution for messy trunks. The Auto Products organizer features large compartments and a lightweight material that makes it easy to remove from the car when it's time to get organized.
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DURABLEZ Trunk Organizer with Covering Net
Sometimes, drivers need a storage solution that prevents objects from getting loose in the trunk. On top of looking tough, this organizer from DURABLEZ includes a cargo net that keeps things from tumbling out. It's a great option for trucks and off-road SUVs.
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FORTEM Car Trunk Organizer, Foldable Cover
When it comes to durability, the FORTEM organizer ranks among the very best. It'll hold all sorts of awkward, heavy objects securely. End the struggle of searching for where to put things when driving and gift someone this organizer that enhances the trunk of any car.
Clothing
Working on cars is dirty work. Whether the task is exterior detailing, or it's time to change out that noisy pinion gear in the rear axle, every job comes with its own mess. Just like having the right tool to fix a problem is important, having the right clothing matters, also. If you've got a gear head on your list, these are some great gift options.
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Under Armour Stellar Work Boots
The Stellar boots are available for both men and women. They are good looking, work boots designed to be resistant to chemicals and staining and provide excellent traction on slippery and oily surfaces. Under Armour builds tough products meant for serious abuse, and these work boots are no different. Buy these for anyone who needs a sturdy, strong, and automotive-appropriate shoe.
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Ironclad General Utility Work Gloves
A good pair of mechanics gloves are one of the very best gifts. Everyone who works on cars needs these gloves. They fit tight, provide excellent grip, and help to protect fingers and knuckles from cuts. They are all-day comfortable and machine-washable.
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Dickies Men's No-Scratch Leather Mechanic Belt
A belt is really necessary when working on cars, but the downside is that belt buckles often end up causing scratches on paint. This buckle-less belt is the ultimate solution. Because it has no metal buckle, fenders won't get scratched. Whether your favorite car nut likes to detail or they are more interested in tuning, a leather belt that won't damage the car is an essential and much-appreciated gift.
Tech Gadgets
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Anker A1231 PowerCore Slim 10,000 PD Portable Charger
How many times have you gotten in the car and set off on a journey only to realize your phone is dead? If you are like most people, this happens more often than you want to think about. The solution is this affordable portable charger from Anker. The PowerCore 10000 has a huge 10,000 mAh capacity despite its ultra-compact design. It can quick charge compatible devices and recharges via USB. This is an essential bit of gear for any driver that needs a charging solution for their car.
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WeBoost Drive Sleek
Internet access is improving all the time, but in many parts of the country, signals can be weak and unreliable. The weBoost Drive Sleek boosts 4G signals from any of the national carriers, helping to provide faster data speeds and more reliable calls in internet-lacking areas. This is a great gift for those road-warriors in your life.
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Datong Technology F8
If your loved one drives a car that is newer than 2008 and has a compatible OBD2 port, the Datong Technology F8 heads-up display is a great tool. This thing lets drivers monitor dozens of different data points through the OBD2 port. Plus, it looks space-age and cool on the dash. This is a perfect gift for drivers that always want to know more about what their car is doing while they drive.
Gift-Giving for Car Enthusiast's Couldn't be Easier
The ideas we put out for you today are great options for gifts. Any car enthusiast will be happy getting anything on this list. From detailing supplies, to trick gadgets, to kits to keep drivers safe, finding the perfect gift is easier when you know the best products on the market. Our site is a great way to get the best information about the top technology. If you want to know more about any of these products, please take a look at our “best of” lists where we explain the features and functions of top-notch car audio products.
