7 Practical, Yet Slightly Funny Car Accessories You Can Order Online

Every year, people come up with more and more unusual devices for their cars. Whether some of them are actually useful can be up for debate. But once a tool ends up in your hands, you get to decide how useful it is to you.

That is exactly what this list is about: some decidedly unconventional—and occasionally downright funny—car accessories that might turn out to be surprisingly handy.

1. Portable Car Oven

You could argue about the usefulness of a portable car oven for quite a while. Then again, what could be better than having a hot meal or a warm drink when you're on the road, especially in winter?

2. Inflatable Car Mattress

Most vehicles offer some way to fold or recline the seats. But if that's not quite enough—or the seats simply aren't comfortable enough—an inflatable mattress can turn the back of your vehicle into a much more accommodating place to rest.

3. Paint Thickness Gauge

This unusual little gadget can quickly measure the thickness of a vehicle's paint right on the spot. That's particularly useful when shopping for a used car. A quick check can help reveal whether a body panel has been repainted or repaired, giving you another clue about the vehicle's history.

4. LED Message Display

Ever wanted to say something to the driver behind you? Maybe a simple "Thanks" after they let you merge?

An LED scrolling message display can do the job. It's a quirky way to communicate with other drivers without rolling down the window or reaching for your phone.

5. Reflective Tape

Want to make your car look a little more unusual? Reflective tape can certainly help.

The strips are barely noticeable in daylight, but they can become surprisingly bright when illuminated at night. Just keep in mind that exterior lighting and reflective materials must comply with local laws, so check your state's regulations before covering your car in them.

6. Portable Shower

A shower is a familiar feature in many RVs and travel trailers. Unfortunately, buying or towing an RV isn't exactly practical—or affordable—for everyone. And an RV isn't always the most convenient way to travel in the first place.

Still, there are situations when having access to a shower would be incredibly useful. That's where a portable shower designed for use with a regular passenger vehicle can come in handy.

7. 12-Volt Power Splitter

Modern drivers have more and more accessories that need power from a vehicle's 12-volt outlet. But what happens when you need to run several devices and your car has only one outlet?

Simple: use a 12-volt power splitter.

It turns one outlet into several, allowing you to power multiple compatible accessories at the same time. It's not exactly the most exciting gadget on this list, but it can be remarkably useful on a long road trip.