Auto air fresheners are designed to scent the interior of your vehicle, masking bad odors. Consumers have a wide variety of products and car scents to choose from. Besides choosing which car fragrance to buy, it is important to consider the delivery method, lifespan, as well as the look and feel of the interior of your car in general and the dashboard in particular.

When choosing the best air freshener for your vehicle, be sure to consider key questions like: does it block your view, does it clutter the dashboard, does it diffuse the scent evenly throughout the vehicle, and which is the longest-lasting car air freshener?

Scented cardboard is the first type of car air freshener. It was invented by Canadian-born chemist Julius Sämann in 1952 in upstate New York. The idea came about when a milk truck driver complained to him about the smell of spilled milk. Sämann filed a patent for paper impregnated with “odor-destroying, air-perfuming substances.” He designed the product in a tree shape.

Vent Clip Air Freshener

Scented cardboard is considered one of the cheapest air fresheners for cars due to its short lifespan and inexpensive manufacturing process. Although it is offered in a wide assortment of shapes and fragrances, it is common to hang such products on the rearview mirror, cluttering the front view inside the car.

Vent Clip Air Fresheners are as common as scented cardboards. The clip is attached to a housing with capsules of scented gel or liquid. As the name implies, this product is clipped onto the air vent and spreads scent in the direction the air blows when the AC system is turned on. Just like the cardboard product, vent clips are easy to fit; however, most products have a limited lifespan of 30 days or less.

Gel Containers are another product type designed to scent your vehicle. Most products are offered in a resealable container with an adjustable lid to adjust the intensity of the smell. These are made to fit into a cup holder. This is probably the least common type of air freshener due to placement constraints in the vehicle.

Visor Wrap is a scented material that attaches to the car visor. Often, it is made with cardboard, felt, or wood. It provides a semi-discreet option that does not block the front view. However, its ability to diffuse scent across the vehicle is quite limited, and it has a short lifespan, lasting up to 30 days.

Sprays are the oldest and quickest form of scenting a vehicle. These are similar to the air fresheners used at home. They are considered car perfumes. It is easy to spray and target a specific area like carpets or seating; however, the scent lasts for a short duration.

Cabin Filter Freshener: Cabin air filters are essential in providing clean, breathable air inside the vehicle. They filter pollution, pollen, dust, and mold before entering the vehicle. It is recommended to replace the cabin air filter once or twice a year to ensure clean, breathable air.

In 2020 PUREFLOW^® invented and introduced the first cabin filter air freshener element. It is made with an advanced slow-release technology to ensure long-lasting aroma for up to 90 days, which makes it one of the longest lasting car air freshener. As the air blows through the cabin air filter, the air freshener element defuses a balanced scent through the cold and warmer months. PUREFLOW's air fresheners are also crafted with a unique composite containing natural and recycled ingredients.

PUREFLOW’s patented Air Freshener is designed to perfectly ﬁt on the cabin air ﬁlter’s pleats. It snaps directly onto the cabin air ﬁlter. As soon as you turn-on your car’s cooling or heating system, the air freshener starts diffusing a balanced, natural scent. Out of sight, it evenly distributes fresh, purer scented air throughout the whole vehicle.