Is it normal to remember how good a stranger's car smelled nearly a year after taking an Uber ride in New York City? Until I had the experience myself, I would have argued that it was somewhat abnormal and that the thought wouldn't cross the mind of anyone without "beauty editor" in their job title. I, however, am a beauty editor who spends countless hours in the company of fragrances in all forms, from reed diffusers to soy wax candles. Car fragrances set themselves apart from others, as they provide an olfactory experience wherever you and your vehicle go.
To help you find the best car fragrance for your preferences, I've rounded up 10 car fragrances from six popular beauty brands, including Diptyque and Glasshouse Fragrances, based on endless five-star reviews from the customers and my go-tos. Be forewarned—once you slip one of these around the rearview mirror or into the vent, there's a good chance you'll refuse to settle for less. I'm still 100% thinking about my Uber driver's Jo Malone Peony & Blush car fragrance.
Key Notes: black currant foliage, blooming roses. Diptyque is known for its luxurious fragrances in every space, including your car. If you're as obsessed with its best-selling scent Baies as I am, this car fragrance diffuser is the stuff of dreams. It smells exactly like the brand's beloved candle and room fragrance. "I love the Baies scent and am now so happy to have it in my car. It is very discreet and smells so good; so far it seems to be lasting very well. It isn't overpowering and smells just like the candle. Definitely worth the price tag! Highly recommend this for any car." — Nordstrom customer
Key Notes: red apple, peony, suede. This is, by far, my favorite scent by Jo Malone, and I couldn't be more excited that it's offered as a fragrance refill for the car diffuser. Described by the brand as "offering continuous scent in a smart and stylish design," this smooth floral fragrance will help transport you anywhere you'd like to go. "An amazing scent—so fresh and vibrant, the scent works perfectly in my car and I won't hesitate to buy more when it does eventually wear out." — Nordstrom customer
Key Notes: pineapple, coconut, frankincense, caramel, vanilla. The candle version of this fragrance is a staple in my home, so why wouldn't I want to take it on the road with me in the form of a long-lasting diffuser? This luxury refillable car diffuser looks sleek and elegant clipped onto the vent. Think of it like car jewelry. "This fragrance smells like you could eat it. I love caramel and this scent is exactly that. The fragrance is strong and long-lasting—which I love." — Glasshouse Fragrances customer
Key Notes: Italian sweet orange, Italian lemon, petitgrain, cardamom, musk. This opulent car fragrance refill by Acqua di Parma fills your space with the woody and green scent of Blu Mediterraneo Arancia di Capri for up to three months. It's an altogether relaxed and energetic fragrance that evokes the beauty and vivid olfactory notes of Capri, Italy. "Lovely scent! I feel like I am in Portofino!" — Nordstrom customer
Key Notes: sandalwood, black pepper, amber, exotic woods, moss, cardamom. Bright florals and pepper are perhaps one of the most underrated fragrance combinations. DedCool's Madonna Lilly is my go-to for a scent that falls in that category. Floral and spicy, it makes for a uniquely complex, bold fragrance that would upgrade any car space. "It's so easy for scented products to go overboard and become overpowering, but Madonna Lilly and frankly all other DedCool scents are somehow subtle yet powerful. You get hit with the right amount of scent at the right time." — DedCool customer
Key Notes: coastal eucalyptus (Big Sur After Rain), electricity and panic grass (Concrete After Lightning), lavender flowers and vetiver grass (Wild Brooklyn Lavender), cedar and oak ash (Portable Fireplace), saffron leather and white violet ('85 Diesel). I've recently fallen in love with Brooklyn-based brand D.S. & Durga's unique and immersive scents. It's no wonder, as its Roadtrip Hits Auto Fragrance Set with five fragrance cards that include two of my favorites: Big Sur After Rain and Wild Brooklyn Lavender. "Long-lasting, mood-lifting fragrances. This is our second purchase of the D.S. & Durga car fragrances. They pack a lot of punch, last a long time, and make our car smell delightful. It's a pleasure to be in there!" — D.S. & Durga customer
Key Notes: bergamot, cassis, vanilla, amber. This air freshener by DedCool delivers a creamy, vanilla-heavy scent reminiscent of a coming-of-age story. It can be used anywhere you'd like, including the car, closet, and drawers, to freshen up your space. Fingers crossed that soon we'll see this one as a long-lasting car diffuser! "This air freshener not only looks super cool in my car, but it lasts a long time. It doesn't give me a headache or smell overwhelming. People come into my car and say that my car smells good, and it's been over a month!" — Sephora customer
Key Notes: squeezed orange, spicy bark, green leaves. This elegant and sophisticated car diffuser by Diptyque can be attached to your car's ventilation to diffuser a vibrant and juicy citrus scent for months on end. While I'm normally more partial to florals, this is one citrus fragrance I would love to experience in my car year-round. "I'm just obsessed with Diptyque, so when the car diffuser came available how could I not? It's a great scent and really fills the car with such a gorgeous scent. Highly recommend this product for a bougie luxury treat, and I do feel like they last a good while to make it worth it." — Nordstrom customer
Key Notes: freesia, thyme, lavender, moss, musk, patchouli. Here's another great car fragrance find from Glasshouse Fragrances. Lost in Amalfi creates an instant ambiance with a bright blend of freesia, lime, and moss to create the olfactory impressions of crystal-clear water and zesty limoncello. Plus, the sleek diffuser adds an elegant touch to your vehicle. "I bought four of these, one for each family member. We all have different vehicles with quite different air vents and the diffusers fit everyone's. The scent is beautiful and such a treat when you get in your car and it smells so fresh and pretty." — Glasshouse Fragrances customer
Key Notes: orange, lemon, petitgran, neroli, patchouli, vetiver. My newfound adoration for citrus car fragrances doesn't end with Diptyque's Orange Blossom. Acqua di Parma's Luce di Colonia is one of my favorites in the car and at home. It smells like a drive through an Italian orange grove without ever having to book a plane ticket to get there. "Love this diffuser! It reminds me of Gritti Palace in Venice, Italy. Long-lasting and scent stays strong all along. Bought them for gifts also!" — Acqua di Parma customer
