If you’ve recently bought a car, you may find that the seats are quite uncomfortable as-is.
Long commutes in an uncomfortable seat is a perfect recipe for aches and pains.
Fortunately, you don’t have to stick with the stock. There are plenty of accessories available that you can use to upgrade your car seat arrangement.
We’re here today to provide you with a list of the top ten must-have car seat accessories.
10 Car Seat Accessories For Comfort & Fun During Long Commutes
1. Seat Cushion
Are you someone who spends a lot of hours on the road? Do you get out of your car and notice that you’re suffering from lower back or hip pain? If so, you’ll want to invest in a high-quality car seat cushion. Car seat cushions can help prevent poor posture, thereby reducing the likelihood of pain after long hours of driving.
Car seat cushions also act as a shock absorber, reducing spinal movement while on the road. Unfortunately, many car seats don’t come with much lumbar support when they leave the factory. Car seat cushions help reduce that problem.
The best car seat cushions provide back support, designed to hold up for hours no matter your weight or how much pressure you place onto it. Additionally, the best cushions are also breathable – you should not find that your back is dripping in sweat after long hours of using a seat cushion.
Lastly, you may also want to look for a cushion with an ergonomic design, so that it supports your entire spine and shoulders, not just your lower back. These cushions will prevent you from slumping over and will put you in a comfortable position, no matter if you’re driving or riding in a vehicle.
2. Seat Massager
Another way to make your travel more comfortable is by purchasing a car seat massager. Massagers are an upgrade over cushions, especially for those who suffer from significant:
- Backaches
- Neck pain
- Headaches
Massagers will keep blood flowing to your muscles so that you do not tighten or cramp up while on your drive. When looking for a car seat massager, we recommend that you find one that has varying massage modes. Not only should you be able to choose different vibration methods, but you should also be able to choose from varying intensities as well.
You should also try to find a massager that offers heat function. Applying heat while massaging can help relieve your lower back pain while also lowering your stress levels. Lastly, you’ll also want to try to purchase a car seat massager that’s portable.
Some massagers come with adapters that allow you to take the chair from your car into your office, and vice versa. The best car seat massagers allow you to bring the chair with you, wherever you are.
3. Seat Travel Tray
If you’re someone who travels with children, a car seat travel tray is a must-have accessory. Car seat travel trays can keep your children occupied for hours while in the car. Considering that children are 12 times more distracting in a car than talking on a cell phone, this should be something that you consider strongly.
There are numerous ways to attach car seat travel trays to your seat. Some trays will attach to the back of the drivers and passenger’s seats. These trays are best for older children who perhaps are no longer in a car seat and have a bit more flexibility in their range of motion. Other travel trays attach directly to the car seat, sitting across the arms.
The best car seat travel trays are waterproof.
They also have walls of some sort, which helps reduce spills when on the road. You can also look for travel trays that have pockets so that all of your children’s toys are readily accessible. Lastly, you’ll want to make sure that the trays are easily removable. You don’t want them to get in the way should you have to get your child out of the car in a hurry.
4. Heated Seat Cover
Today’s luxury cars allow you to both cool and heat your seat with the mere push of a button on your center console. What happens if you drive an outdated car, or don’t have the money to upgrade to these features? You won’t have to invest a lot of money to rewire the seats in your car. Instead, you can purchase a heated car seat cover to achieve the same effect.
Heated car seat covers can be particularly useful in the winter months. They could also be beneficial by providing increased circulation when driving. Much like massages, this could help reduce muscle tightness and could reduce pain as a result.
Much like massaging car seats, the best heated car seat covers are portable. They come with both 12V and 24V adapters. You can plug them into your car’s cigarette lighter, and then switch the adapter and use it in your home or office. If you’re looking to maximize your heated car seat cover, look for something that you can take with you wherever you go.
5. Seat Covers
If your upholstery is beginning to wear down, or you’d like to prevent it from doing so, you’ll need to look into buying car seat covers. Car seat covers slip over the seat to protect the original material. These covers could also be useful for those with children, even if you’re using a car seat. The covers will prevent your car seat from liquid spills.
It’s much cheaper to buy a cover than it is to have to reupholster the car seat.
Car seat covers also allow you to change the appearance of your car. For instance, imagine you purchase a used vehicle but don’t love how the interior looks. Maybe you want leather upholstery instead of microfiber. You can make these changes easily thanks to car seat covers. Car seat covers are an affordable way to upgrade both the comfort levels and appearance of your vehicle.
6. Seat Mirrors
We’ve already detailed how children cause distractions for parents when they are in the car. Parents are often worried about having to check on their children. They may turn around to take a quick peek. However, when doing so, they’re taking their eyes off the road and putting all passengers in the car in jeopardy.
If this sounds familiar, you’ll want to consider purchasing a car seat mirror. These mirrors work for both rear and front-facing car seats. If you have a rear-facing seat, the mirror will attach to the car seat so that you can see your baby when looking in the rear-view mirror. If you have a front-facing car seat, the mirror will attach just below your rear-view mirror so that you have a direct look at your child.
The best baby car seat mirrors are crash-proof, which means they won’t shatter if you’re involved in an accident. They are also curved, instead of flat. A curved mirror provides you with a better look at your children. Lastly, you’ll want to buy a mirror made of glass, not plastic. Plastic mirrors can smudge easily, obstructing your vision. It’s much easier for you to keep a glass mirror clean.
7. Dog Car Seat Cover
If you have a pet that you love to take with you in the car, you’ll want to purchase a dog seat cover. These covers are rather affordable and will protect your seats from your pet’s sharp nails, fur, and dander. They are also useful if your dog is wet or muddy when getting in the car.
Because dog seat covers are removable, you should have no problem taking it out of the car and putting it straight into the washing machine.
The best dog car seat covers will protect the entire backseat, including the floor. These covers attach to the headrest on the drivers and passenger seats. They then drop down, providing a “wall,” before covering the back seat and extending upward to the back windshield. These covers are also useful if your dog tends to get excited and climb into the front seat.
The best dog car seat covers are made of heavy-duty materials and are waterproof. Look for those that provide access to reliable securing mechanisms, like silicone straps. Some manufacturers also include a dog seatbelt with the cover as well, a bonus that can go a long way toward keeping your pet safe.
8. Car Seat Organizer
Is your car always a mess? Are you tired of the clutter and seeing things strewn across your back seat? If so, you’ll want to consider buying a car seat organizer.
The Best Car seat organizers attach to the headrests of the drivers and passenger seats. They contain numerous pockets that you can use to store things for your children. The best car seat organizers also come with a slot for you to put a tablet so that your children can watch their favorite shows or movies when you are on the road.
One of the things you need to be mindful of when purchasing a car seat organizer is the size of the equipment. You’ll want to make sure that you choose a car seat organizer that fits your car. You’ll also want to consider who will use the organizer the most.
For instance, some organizers are geared toward children, while others to adults. An adult organizer, for example, likely wouldn’t have a slot for a tablet.
9. Car Seat Travel Cart
Trying to take your child out of the car and put them into a stroller can be annoying and time-consuming. Instead of fussing with this process, you should instead consider buying a travel cart. With this travel cart, you’ll no longer need to worry about carrying your car seat or trying to unfold a stroller.
Travel carts have long handles and a basic set of wheels. You can take your child’s car seat out of the car and attach it to the travel cart. Then, you can wheel your child around wherever you need to go.
These carts are much more convenient than strollers. Look for ones that you can fold and unfold easily, as they will allow you to grab and go quickly. Furthermore, some of the best car seat travel carts come with baskets or other similar devices for storage. We also recommend looking for a car seat travel cart with an extended handle, which will make it easier for you to pull your child behind you.
You’ll find that these travel carts are not only convenient for when in the car, but when you are going through an airport as well.
10. Seat Adapter
The last item on our list of the top ten must-have car seat accessories is a car seat adapter. If you would prefer to use a stroller instead of a travel cart, then you’ll need to buy an adapter. Car seat adapters allow you to click your car set into your stroller easily.
If you already have a “travel system” stroller, you probably won’t need to buy an adapter. But, if you purchased a traditional stroller, you can place the car seat into it with the use of an adapter. Adapters prove to be much more convenient than having to worry about taking your child out of the car seat and buckling them into the stroller.
These adapters could also be useful if your child is sleeping. You won’t have to wake your child trying to take them out of the stroller. Instead, your child will remain sleeping soundly because you are moving then entire car seat.
Final Thoughts
No matter if you’re looking to make your ride more comfortable, preserve your interior, or keep your car organized, there’s likely an accessory available on the market today that will help you do so.
With our list of the top ten must-have car seat accessories, we’re confident that you can find a product that best suits your vehicular needs, allowing you to stay both comfortable and safe while on the road.