Smoke Responsibly With The Best Car Ashtrays

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Last Updated: May 3, 2024, 1:29 p.m.

If you’re someone that likes to take a smoke break in your car or truck, then you know how messy it can get to clean ash from your car seats or floor. More importantly, you’re risking a fire hazard whenever you smoke in your vehicle without a place to tamp your cigarette. A car ashtray is the best thing you can own for safety and hygiene in your vehicle.

The right car ashtray helps you get rid of ash properly and stores it safely even on bumpy rides. It also helps to eliminate the cigarette smell that lingers in your car long after you’ve put out your cigarette. Here are our top five picks for the highest-rated car ashtrays of 2023. We picked these based on functionality, practicality, and ease of use to ensure you can make the best purchasing decision.

Best Car Ashtray Buying Guide

Smokers are often forced to find a convenient space to enjoy a quick puff without offending others. More often than not, this designated space ends up being their cars. So how do you turn your car into a smoke-friendly area? Invest in a car ashtray! Choosing the perfect one can be quite tough. We have compiled this buying guide to make your selection process easier.

Should I Get a Car Ashtray?

A car ashtray is a great option for smokers. It makes your car into a safe space for smoking and disposing of ash or cigarette stubs. Many of them also help eliminate odors when you’ve finished smoking.

What Are the Types of Car Ashtrays?

There are various types of car ashtrays. Below are some of the most popular ones we found. Smokeless ashtray This is the most popular type of car ashtray. It’s an ashtray that is designed to inhibit the amount of smoke that gets released into the air. They are equipped with carbon motorized filters that discard smoke that surrounds the ashtray. It’s perfect if you do not want the smell of smoke to linger in or around your car. Cigar car ashtray This type of ashtray is generally larger than the typical ashtray to accommodate the larger size of a cigar. It features the same designs as a traditional ashtray with the addition of larger slots. LED car ashtray This ashtray features a blue LED light when the lid is lifted and affords the user easy accessibility at any point in time. As the name implies, an LED car ashtray is an electronic device. They can have various power sources, depending on the design.

How Do I Choose the Right Ashtray For My Car?

The perfect car ashtray will enhance your smoking experience and simultaneously add a hint of style to your car’s interior. What are some of the qualities you should look out for when selecting your car ashtray? Material Car ashtrays are generally made with fireproof materials. The three main materials used in sculpting the interior space of car ashtrays are stainless steel, plastic, and durable aluminum. The exterior can be made with leather, steel, or thick high-end plastic to give it a stylish look. When selecting your ashtray, look for ones that are made with non-flammable materials that won’t put you or your car at risk. The last thing you want is the heat from your cigarette stubs melting your ashtray. Depending on your preferences, you can also get an ashtray that makes your car's interior look more sophisticated and classy or simple trays that are all about functionality. Size Generally, most car ashtrays will fit into your car's cup holder. You should also check the actual size of a car ashtray before buying one, as some can have larger bases and jostle around while driving. Ashtrays with wider mouths lead to less mess surrounding the ashtray. You won't need to empty an ashtray out as often if it is a good size. You don’t want to select an ashtray that is too light. A lighter ashtray may tip over and spill its content following any jolting motion in the car. Power-source and battery life Electronic car ashtrays can be powered in a variety of ways, with the three main sources being the car battery, portable batteries, and solar power. Ashtrays with light-emitting lids have to be powered to be of use. Depending on your preferences, you can choose an ashtray that plugs into your car or one that requires an external battery. Check the battery life of ashtrays that require batteries to ensure their longevity. Maintenance You will always need to dispose of the contents of your ashtray, so you need to select one that is very easy to clean. Select an ashtray with a lid that’s easy to open and a design that aids easy disposal. A difficult-to-open lid can lead to you using more pressure and spilling the ash all over yourself or your car. You definitely do not want that. Extra accessories They may cost more, but some ashtrays come with extra accessories to give you optimal comfort when you’re puffing or cleaning the ashtray. Most electronic ashtrays come with LED lights that ensure that you can use them in complete darkness or at any time of day. Some are glow in the dark as well. Others have removable metal liners in the interior of the ashtray to help remove stuck ash that may cause odors. Some car ashtrays are multipurpose and are large enough to be used as containers for small trash in different areas of your daily life. Most electronic ashtrays feature in-built lighters to help light up your stick whenever you want to.

Top Picks

Best Overall: Custom Accessories Car Ashtray
Modern Design: Takavu Car Ashtray
Best Style: Eing Car Ashtray
Simplest Design: Thikpo Car Ash Tray
Easiest To Clean: Ash Bucket Car Ashtray

Reviews

Best Overall

Custom Accessories Car Ashtray

Pros	Cons
Ergonomic design that makes it smokeless Prevents smoke from being in the car Will fit most cupholders Its discreet black color won’t stand out	It does not have a cover

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Modern Design

Takavu Car Ashtray

Pros	Cons
Two parts for easy cleaning Blue LED light that guides you in the dark Has a stainless steel barrier to put out cigarettes Stylish and modern	Comes at a higher price point than other options

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Best Style

Eing Car Ashtray

Pros	Cons
The ashtray is odorless and does not emit any smoke The battery is located on the lid and is easy to replace The LED light comes in handy at night Detachable and easy to clean	Does not come with an extra battery

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Simplest Design

Thikpo Car Ash Tray

Pros	Cons
Made of flame-resistant materials Lid made from durable stainless steel LED light makes it easy to use at night Fits conveniently in most car cupholders	The battery is not rechargeable

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Easiest to Clean

Ash Bucket Car Ashtray

Pros	Cons
Simple, easily cleaned design Eliminates odor Blends into most car interiors Added capacity for extra cigarettes	Not made from durable materials

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FAQs

Are some car ashtrays self-extinguishing?

Yes. You can purchase car ashtrays that you simply drop your cigarette into and the ashtray extinguishes the flame.

Can a car ashtray trap smoke inside?

Yes. Some ashtrays securely trap smoke and its smell in their space and it doesn’t get into the car’s interior.

Can car ashtrays only be used in vehicles?

No. Most of them are removable and can be used in homes, offices, or wherever you see it fit to smoke.