The best side by side accessories depend on what kind of SxS you run. A utility machine like a Polaris Ranger or Can-Am Defender wants a cargo rack, a headache rack, and lockable storage. A sport machine like a Polaris RZR or Can-Am Maverick wants a windshield, a spare mount, and fuel storage for range. A recreation or crossover machine like a Polaris General or Can-Am Commander sits between the two and takes a bit of both. Sorting by machine type beats a flat "top 10" list, because a Ranger owner hauling firewood and a RZR owner chasing dunes need almost opposite builds. Below are the carried picks we stock for each type, honest trade-offs, and where a third-party option fills a gap.
Start with the kind of side by side you run
"Side by side" covers three very different machines, and an accessory that suits one can be dead weight on another. Group them first, then shop the category, then confirm the specific part bolts to your exact model and year.
- Utility SxS (Polaris Ranger, Can-Am Defender, Kawasaki Mule, CFMOTO UForce): payload, protection, and organization. Cargo racks, headache racks, lockable storage.
- Sport SxS (Polaris RZR, Can-Am Maverick): weather, range, and terrain. Windshields, spare and fuel mounts, rock sliders.
- Recreation and crossover SxS (Polaris General, Can-Am Commander): a mix of both. Underbody protection, front bumpers, storage, and gun or tool racks.
If you searched "UTV accessories" instead, the same tree from that angle lives on our sibling hub, Best UTV Accessories. That is the master version of this guide; this one is written for the "side by side" and "SxS" vocabulary.
Utility SxS: haul, protect, organize
A utility side by side earns its keep in the bed. The three accessories that matter most are a way to secure and expand cargo, a headache rack to protect the cab and back window, and lockable storage so tools and valuables stop rattling around.
Cargo, entry to full rack. The workhorse pick is the Heavy Duty Rear Cargo Rack for Polaris Ranger (~$300), a raised aluminum tray with tie-down points behind the cab. The Adjustable Aluminum Rear Rack for Polaris Ranger (~$300) trades some load surface for a rack that slides to clear a raised bed, and the Aluminum Roof Rack for Polaris Ranger XP 1000 (~$240) moves light, bulky gear up top. For longer loads, the Flip-Out Tailgate Extender for Polaris Ranger XP 1000 (~$170) folds out on the Ranger and the Heavy-Duty Bed Extender for Can-Am Defender (~$200) does the same on the Defender.
Protection. A headache rack keeps a shifting load off the cab and back window and doubles as a spot for lights or antennas. The Headache Rack Assembly for Can-Am Defender (~$300) mounts against the cab without blocking the tilting bed. To turn the bed into weather-protected storage, the Soft Camper Bed Cover for Polaris Ranger (~$400) and the Soft Camper Bed Cover for Can-Am Defender (~$360) fold back when you need the open bed. We do not stock a winch line, so if recovery is your priority we will point you straight to a winch maker like Warn or KFI rather than sell you something we do not carry.
Storage. Lockable boxes keep tools and valuables out of the weather. The 21L Locking Bed Storage Box for Polaris Ranger (~$140) and the Locking Center Console Box for Polaris Ranger XP 1000 (~$160) both take a key, and the 20L Bed Storage Box for Polaris Ranger and General (~$120) is the open-access version for gear you grab all day.
Honest trade-off: a full aluminum rack adds height and weight, and it is a real spend. If you mostly strap down odd loads and want the dump bed to keep working, a rear rack or a tailgate extender does the job for less. Category hubs: cargo racks, headache racks, cargo storage.
Hunting a utility rig? Carried gun and tool racks bolt to the factory points. The Lock & Ride Gun Rack for Polaris Ranger and General (~$65) drops into the Lock & Ride slots with no drilling, the Ratcheting Gun and Tool Rack for Can-Am Defender (~$70) clamps a firearm or tool to the cage, and the Under Seat Gun and Tool Rack for Can-Am Defender (~$90) keeps a long gun out of sight. Category hub: gun mounts. For a full single-machine loadout, see the Polaris Ranger Hunting Accessories guide.
Sport SxS: weather, range, and terrain
A sport side by side gets ridden hard and far, so the priorities flip to comfort, range, and underbody protection.
Windshields. The real decision is glass versus polycarbonate and folding versus fixed. For the Polaris RZR, the Vented Glass Windshield with 2 Wipers for Polaris RZR XP 1000 (~$400) uses glass that stays clear for years and takes a wiper, while the Half Windshield for Polaris RZR Pro XP (~$150) is the cheaper airflow option. For the Can-Am Maverick, the Tinted Half Windshield for Can-Am Maverick X3 (~$110) blocks wind and dust without a full enclosure. Glass costs more and weighs more, and it is the pick if you ride in weather often. If you want the lightest, cheapest option and do not mind giving up long-term clarity, a 1/4" polycarbonate windshield from a maker like Rough Country is far lighter and takes an impact better, but even hard-coated poly scratches and hazes faster than glass over years, and you should not run a wiper on it. We do not carry that one, so the link goes straight to Rough Country. The full glass-versus-poly and folding-versus-fixed breakdown is its own guide: Best UTV Windshield.
Range: spare and fuel. A flat or an empty tank ends a sport day fast. The Spare Tire Carrier Mount for Polaris RZR XP 1000 (~$125) holds a full-size spare, and the Spare Tire Mount for Can-Am Maverick X3 (~$190) does the same on the Maverick. For fuel, RotoPax is the standard we stock: the RotoPax 2 Gallon Gasoline Pack (~$110) is USA-made, sealed, and stackable, and it pairs with a RotoPax Mounting Plate for Polaris RZR (~$35) or a standard pack mount. There are matching 1, 3, and 4 gallon packs, plus diesel and water versions, on the same mounting system.
Terrain: rock sliders. Sport machines drag their bellies on rock. The Nerf Bars Rock Sliders for Can-Am Maverick X3 (~$210) use steel tube and double as a step, and the Steel Nerf Bars Rock Sliders for Polaris RZR XP 1000 (~$100) guard the RZR's rockers. These are machine-specific by design, because the mounting points and length have to match the chassis exactly. Category hubs: windshields, spare tire mounts, fuel storage, rock sliders.
One cheap upgrade that fits almost any sport machine is a set of clamp-on mirrors, so you can see who is behind you on a tight two-track. The Kemimoto Break-Away Side Mirrors for Polaris RZR (~$30) clamp to round roll bars and fold back on contact, and the Kemimoto Ball-Pivot Rear View Mirror (~$40) adds a wide center view. These are universal clamp-ons, not bolt-on structural parts, so they can vibrate on rough terrain and need the occasional re-tighten, but they are a cheap, machine-agnostic visibility upgrade.
Recreation and crossover SxS: a bit of both
A recreation or crossover machine splits the difference: enough bed and utility for work, enough suspension for play. The Polaris General is the deeper catalog here. The Can-Am Commander is thinner, so we lean on the parts we can confirm and cite the maker for anything we cannot.
Polaris General. Underbody and front-end protection lead: the Rock Sliders Nerf Bars for Polaris General 1000 and XP 1000 (~$220) guard the rockers and the Front Upper Bumper for Polaris General 1000 and XP 1000 (~$190) takes the hit up front. For hauling and hunting, the Lock & Ride Gun Rack for Polaris Ranger and General (~$65) and the 20L Bed Storage Box for Polaris Ranger and General (~$120) both fit the General, and the 1680D Seat Covers for Polaris General 1000 and XP 1000 (~$100) protect the seats. Add-ons like the Rear Roof Speaker Pods for Polaris General 1000 and XP 1000 (~$160) round out a rec build.
Can-Am Commander. The confirmed carried parts are front-end protection and a cover: the Front Bumper for Can-Am Commander 2021-2026 (~$200), the Front Corner Bumper for Can-Am Commander (~$150), and a 2-Seat UTV Cover with Side Zipper for Can-Am Commander (~$90). Several Commander storage boxes are still coming into stock, so for a rack or box build we cannot confirm for your exact year, we would point you to Can-Am's own accessory catalog rather than sell you a part that may not fit.
Cross-shopping by machine
Every pick above is fitment-first: the part only helps if it bolts to your side by side. Jump to your machine's hub to see every accessory that fits it: Polaris Ranger, Polaris RZR, Polaris General, Can-Am Defender, Can-Am Maverick, Kawasaki Mule, and CFMOTO UForce.
The table below maps each machine type to its top three accessory priorities and the carried anchor product we stock for each.
| Machine type | Priority | Anchor product we stock | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utility SxS | Haul cargo | Heavy Duty Rear Cargo Rack for Polaris Ranger | ~$300 |
| Utility SxS | Protect the cab | Headache Rack Assembly for Can-Am Defender | ~$300 |
| Utility SxS | Lock up gear | 21L Locking Bed Storage Box for Polaris Ranger | ~$140 |
| Sport SxS | Block weather | Vented Glass Windshield with 2 Wipers for Polaris RZR XP 1000 | ~$400 |
| Sport SxS | Extend range | RotoPax 2 Gallon Gasoline Pack | ~$110 |
| Sport SxS | Guard the belly | Nerf Bars Rock Sliders for Can-Am Maverick X3 | ~$210 |
| Recreation / crossover | Protect the underbody | Rock Sliders Nerf Bars for Polaris General 1000 & XP 1000 | ~$220 |
| Recreation / crossover | Carry a rifle | Lock & Ride Gun Rack for Polaris Ranger & General | ~$65 |
| Recreation / crossover | Front-end protection | Front Bumper for Can-Am Commander | ~$200 |
Frequently asked questions
What are the best side by side accessories for hunting?
For a hunting side by side, prioritize three things: a secure gun mount, a way to haul, and visibility. A gun mount like the Lock & Ride Gun Rack for Polaris Ranger and General keeps a rifle accessible and drops into the factory slots with no drilling. A cargo rack paired with a spare tire mount carries gear and a backup wheel. Add a set of clamp-on mirrors so you can watch a hunting partner following behind on tight two-tracks. For a full single-machine loadout, see our Polaris Ranger Hunting Accessories guide.
Are side by side and UTV accessories the same thing?
Yes. "Side by side," "SxS," and "UTV" all describe the same class of machine: a multi-passenger, side-seated off-road vehicle with a bed, like a Polaris Ranger or Can-Am Defender. The terms are used interchangeably, so a "UTV cargo rack" and a "side by side cargo rack" are the same part. We use "side by side" here because that is what many riders search, but every product fits the same way regardless of which word you use.
What accessories should I buy first for a new side by side?
Start with whatever matches how you use the machine, not a generic checklist. A utility SxS owner should buy cargo security first, a rear rack or bed box, because it makes room for spare mounts, fuel mounts, and tool mounts later. A sport SxS owner usually wants a windshield first for weather and dust. A recreation or crossover owner often starts with underbody protection or a front bumper. Buy the one accessory that solves your most common frustration, then build out from there.
Should side by side accessories be machine-specific or universal?
Buy machine-specific for anything structural, like racks, windshields, and rock sliders that bolt to the frame or bed, because a purpose-built part fits without drilling and carries a proper load rating. Save universal options for the small stuff: tie-down straps, roll-bar tool clamps, soft storage, and clamp-on mirrors. A universal bar you have to force into place gives up the fit and strength that makes an accessory worth installing.
Do these accessories fit any brand of side by side?
Most structural parts are model-specific, but our carried lines span every major brand. Kemimoto hard parts cover Polaris, Can-Am, Kawasaki, and CFMOTO, and RotoPax fuel packs mount to almost any machine with the right plate. The best way to confirm fit is to start from your machine's hub page, which lists only the accessories that bolt to it.
From MaxtOffroad
The mistake we see most from new side by side owners is buying accessories for the brand instead of the job. A Ranger owner and a RZR owner ask us for "the best accessories" and want opposite lists. So we sort by machine type: the Heavy Duty Rear Cargo Rack for Polaris Ranger (~$300) anchors a utility build with a raised aluminum tray and tie-down points, while a sport RZR is better served starting with a windshield and a RotoPax 2 Gallon Gasoline Pack (~$110) for range. The reason we stock machine-specific parts instead of one universal bar is that a purpose-built rack matches the bed geometry and the factory mounting points, so it carries a real load rating without drilling, and it leaves room to add a spare or fuel mount later.
