More often than not, some of our favorite buys are small, how-didn’t-I-know-about-this products that solve an everyday problem. That’s what we’re highlighting in our Little Lifesavers series: cheap, simple purchases that you’ll use on the daily. Hit “Add to Cart” and thank us later!
➥ Problem: Most air fresheners are too strong for my tastes — plus, I always forget to replace them once they’ve run their course.
➥ Solution: Drift is an air freshener subscription service that combines a minimal design with everchanging scents to keep your vehicle smelling its best.
Anyone who has taken a road trip with a pet knows how quickly the car will start to smell funky. It doesn't matter how much you love your pooch or how adorable they are. Just one burst of the zoomies outside is enough to have them stinkin’ it up—and that’s not exactly ideal when you're in a car with them... especially for extended periods of time.
So, after being bombarded by Instagram ads from Drift, a direct-to-consumer air freshener company, I decided to order some to see if it would help me mask the musk of my dog.
I’ve never been much of an air freshener guy. The only time I’ve really used one was when it was given to me after my car was detailed. They’re ugly, they get in the way, and their scents can be overwhelming.
Drift is a different take on the car air freshener. In case you’re unfamiliar, the brand is a subscription box service that sends you a new air freshener every month or so (depending on how frequently you want one). At under $10 a month, it’s a relatively inexpensive convenience.
Drift is available in three different forms. There’s a wood air freshener about the size of a credit card that comes from sustainably sourced tree farms in the United States. There’s also a metal version similar in build and size but comes in a stone-wash color. Drift also sells a metal square (and mini) freshener that clips to your air conditioning vent.
Drift uses cruelty-free fragrances and essential oils without GMOs or harsh, toxic chemicals.
I tried the wood and mini-metal model. Although I preferred the look of the wood freshener more, the metal freshener’s scent lasted 2 weeks longer — totaling about a month of use before needing replacing. I also liked that the wood freshener magnetically clips to my visor and stays out of the way. I use my air conditioner vents to mount my smartphone, so I’d prefer to keep my additional vents free from obstructions.
Drift is also available on Amazon as a single product (non-subscription).
Shop Drift on Amazon, Too
You can choose between six staple scent options: teak, pine, grove, amber, cabana, and open air. There is also an additional limited-edition scent of the month that changes every 30 days. The Amber scent has notes of lavender and fresh rain, Grove smells of citrus, the Cabana is coconutty and salty, Teak is a masculine fragrance with hints of cedar and amber, and Pine reminded me of Christmas.
The scent of the month I tried was coffee — which made me crave a cup every time I got in my car. The Teak and Pine scents were definitely my favorites but may be too intense for some. The scents are strongest for the first couple of days of use, but they mellow out over time.
I appreciate that Drift uses GMO-free (and cruelty-free) fragrances and essential oils without using any harsh, toxic chemicals. Overall, they’re nice-looking, good-smelling, and relatively inexpensive air fresheners that appear at your doorstep like magic to keep your car smelling clean.
Brandon Carte is a writer and editor with over a decade of experience covering technology, gadgets and appliances. His reporting has been featured on Best Products, Top Ten Revies, Good Housekeeping and USA Today. When he's not researching washing machines or testing robot vacuums, you can find him at concerts, swimming laps, or at the movies. He thinks smartphones are too big, prefers MP3s to Spotify and misses his iPhone’s headphone jack.
