Best Car Detailing Products

• Cost: Around $20
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 stars based on over 23,000 ratings
• What’s in the box: Surface activator, clarifying compound, UV-blocking clear coat, three sheets of waterproof sandpaper, three applicator cloths, and one vinyl glove
• UV protection
• Lifetime warranty

When it comes to auto detailing, foggy headlights are among the most notable parts of a car. The Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit was our top pick for the best headlight restoration kit due to the stellar results we saw.

You can see how the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit performed in each of our testing categories below:

Your headlights may not look brand new after one run-through with the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit, but your kit should at least remove yellowing and improve visibility. Making cloudy headlights look new again could require several passes through the instructions and plenty of elbow grease. Below are the pros and cons of the Sylvania Headlight Restoration Kit:

Results: The Sylvania kit did an excellent job tackling oxidation buildup on some heavily sun damaged headlights. For a single pass, it outperformed every competitor. We also like that Sylvania includes a sealant that helps protect against UV rays long-term.

Clarity of Instructions: In terms of improving clarity, Sylvania was hands down the most effective of the headlight restoration kits we tested. The instructions were simply laid out and the liquid compounds had Step One and Step Two written on the bottle, so figuring out the process was a breeze.

Value: The product utilizes wet sanding and calls for the sanding process to be done by hand, which can be more time-consuming than a drill-oriented kit. We also found that Sylvania isn’t as generous with materials as other manufacturers. The one downside is that you only get enough materials for one car, although Sylvania says the result should last the life of the vehicle.

Customers appreciate the simple application process and quick results. Negative reviews often mention poor customer service when reaching out to the manufacturer about the lifetime warranty.

• Cost: $0.38/fl. oz.
• Amazon review score: 4.5 out of 5.0 based on over 5,200 ratings
• Available sizes: 23.0 fl. oz. single bottle, 23.0 fl. oz. 6-pack
• Acts in under one minute
• Works on all OEM wheels and tires

If you’re looking to remove grime, make a wheel sparkle, or restore tire shine, Turtle Wax T-18 All Wheel & Tire Cleaner can deliver. It was the standout product in our wheel cleaner review for its ability to remove brake dust and other debris.

You can see how the Turtle Wax T-18 All Wheel & Tire Cleaner performed in each of our testing categories below:

Cleaning power aside, our team likes that the Turtle Wax spray is a dual-purpose cleaner for both tires and wheels, and it got bonus points from us for being biodegradable. Below are the pros and cons of the Turtle Wax T-18 All Wheel & Tire Cleaner:

Ease of Use: The Turtle Wax formula is also fast-acting, so you only need to wait about 30 seconds after application before scrubbing and rinsing.

Grime Penetration: Turtle Wax T-18 removed noticeably more caked-in dirt from the wheel than other competitors. It cuts through dirt easily, making it a great choice for a degreaser or tire dressing in a car wash kit.

Overall Shine: The Turtle Wax spray did an outstanding job of cleaning a dirty wheel that hadn’t been cleaned in years while leaving a great shine after cleaning.

Value: The one downside to the Turtle Wax is that other options are better suited for chrome wheels and custom paint jobs. But at under $15 a bottle, the Turtle Wax cleaner is still an impressive product.

Numerous reviews note the wheel cleaner’s value and its cleaning capabilities, but some say it causes car paint to deteriorate on custom paint jobs. Some customers say that while it removes grime and brake dust, it can also deteriorate custom paint jobs.

• Cost: Around $130
• Amazon review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 based on over 260 ratings
• Weight: 15.0 pounds
• Power: 120.0 Volts
• Tank capacity: 8.0 gallons
• Accessories: Extension wand, crevice nozzle, utility nozzles (two), accessory bag
• Power source: A/C outlet
• Wet or dry: Both

A vacuum is a must-have for interior detailing. It not only removes built-up debris but can also prepare upholstery for deeper cleaning. Our pick for a great car vacuum is the DeWalt DXV08S. Even though it comes in a large package, the DeWalt is surprisingly nimble and has plenty of suction power.

You can see how the DeWalt DXV08S performed in each of our testing categories below:

This style of vacuum is popular for cleaning vehicles and is often used by professional detailers. It should be noted that this car vacuum is too big to comfortably store in your vehicle and will need its special place in a closet or workshop to lay its hose while off the job. Below are the pros and cons of the DeWalt DXV08S:

Suction Power: Corded vacuums typically have the greatest suction strength, so this vacuum can easily pick up anything in your vehicle, though you will need an extension cord to reach every area of your car.

Maneuverability: The DeWalt has wheels so it can easily move around your car. The hose is long enough to reach across the seats, and there are extension nozzles and wands that can help you reach floor mats and under the seats. The size of the vacuum prevents you from easily picking it up, though, with the long hose and nozzle, this isn’t necessary.

Ease of Maintenance: Debris collects in the can, but the DeWalt includes a bag that can be attached, which is easily removed and discarded when full. Overall, this vacuum is easy to maintain. It even comes with an accessories bag to help store the extra hoses and attachments.

Versatility: The vacuum was able to pick up glitter, chip crumbs, and pet hair with ease. The high suction power makes it an effective vacuum for any car spill, including wet spills.

Though not often reviewed on Amazon, the DeWalt DXV08S comes highly recommended. Happy customers praise the vacuum’s high-quality design and performance. Some critical reviews report parts malfunctioning or the vacuum not having as much power as advertised.

• Cost: Around $60
• Amazon review score: 4.2 out of 5.0 based on over 100 ratings
• Paste-style wax
• Single-step application process
• More value per ounce than similar products

Another essential item in any collection of automotive cleaning products is car wax. Our pick is the P21S 12700W Carnauba Wax because of its long-lasting properties and how it works on most vehicle surfaces.

You can see how the P21S 12700W Carnauba Wax performed in each of our testing categories below:

P21S Carnauba Wax has been around for quite some time and remains one of the best car waxes. While this product has a higher price per ounce than others, a dab of P21S goes a long way, making the overall cost comparable to other waxes in the long run. Below are the pros and cons of the P21S 12700W Carnauba Wax:

Protection: The wax must be soft to spread easily, but once applied, it looks great and provides durable protection.

Longevity: We applied this car wax in the summer, but it may be more difficult to apply when it’s colder outside. This could affect longevity depending on how well you apply it, but overall, we found that the wax, if applied correctly, should be long-lasting.

Ease of Application: We found the P21S Carnauba Wax extremely easy to apply. A minimal amount is needed to cover a large area, the wax spreads extremely smoothly, and the wide-mouthed container simplifies the application process.

Many users like the easy application process and say the results are worth the higher price point. However, some customers report struggling to remove the wax and seeing an unpleasant residue.

• Cost: $0.30/fl. oz.
• Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 7,100 ratings
• Available in 48.0-oz. or 1.0-gal. containers
• 1.0 oz. of soap per gallon of water
• Soap and wax combination

Above, we highlighted the importance of reliable car wax. Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax is a quality product that’s soap and wax in one. It was our Best Two-In-One pick for car wash soaps because of its performance and formula.

You can see how the Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax performed in each of our testing categories below:

If you want the durability of car wax without paying for a professional detailer, Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax may be perfect for your needs. Although it takes extra time and effort to properly wash with this soap, the result is worthwhile for any motor enthusiast. Below are the pros and cons of Meguiar’s Ultimate Wash & Wax:

Foaming Ability: The soap was very foamy, but not without effort. The wax soap sat in the bottom of the bucket in a clump and required extra stirring to create foam.

Results: You only need 1 ounce of the soap per gallon of water. We even did a 2-to-1 ratio of water to soap and discovered it still performed well. Our only complaint is that the citrus scent doesn’t entirely mask the chemical smell of the soap, but that’s a relatively minor inconvenience.

Water Spot and Streak Resistance: We also like that it’s a pH-neutral formula, meaning it lacks acidity that would damage car paint. Our review team also discovered the Meguiar’s didn’t leave any water spots or streaks on our test car.

Positive reviews often highlight the product’s powerful formula and the quality of the finish after a wash. Some negative reviews say the waxing side of the formula isn’t as impressive.