An extremely-durable, UV-reflective car cover that’s lightweight and easy to use.
A waterproof and breathable car cover with taped seams, tie-down straps, and a 10-year warranty.
A lightweight indoor car cover made from a high-quality stretchable material.
A multi-layer car cover with scratch-resistance.
A high-quality, inexpensive car cover designed for indoor storage.
Windproof, water-repellent, and UV-resistant car covers can keep your paint job protected. This helps preserve the appearance and resale value of your vehicle. But the best car cover will vary depending on the size of your car, local weather, and if you keep your car indoors or outside.
We’ll explain the ins and outs of car covers and recommend some of our favorite options for auto enthusiasts.
Our Review Standards
To select the car covers featured in this buyers guide, we consult our network of experts for their thoughts on vehicle covers. These experts have over 100 years of combined experience in aftermarket auto fields ranging from detailing to accessories to tires, and everything in-between. These experts helped us identify the qualities that would be most important to someone looking for a car cover and the standout brands in each category.
Our team then combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and cover-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.
We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as notable customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility. We did the research so you don’t have to.
Why You Can Trust Us
Since 2020, we have published over 200 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.
When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
Car Covers Buyers Guide
Car covers are seemingly simple by design, but this isn’t the case for all high-quality covers. A surprising amount of engineering and design goes into these products, making the process of figuring out what works best for you more complicated.
Below are a few factors that we believe are worth considering before you buy a new car cover.
Indoor Vs. Outdoor
Indoor covers are drastically different from outdoor covers. The features of each type of cover vary, as does the way the car cover should be used.
- Indoor: This type of car cover is meant to protect your vehicle from the hazards of the garage. While you may view your garage as a safe place to store your vehicle, the dust that’s typically found in a garage can ruin your car’s paint. Additionally, this type of cover should protect against any accidental bumps or dings when you pull out tools from your garage.
- Outdoor: Outdoor covers are meant to protect your vehicle from a wide variety of weather conditions. Whether rain, sun, sleet, or hail, this type of cover should be equipped to handle anything Mother Nature brings its way. Additionally, outdoor covers are typically UV-resistant and meant to withstand bird droppings and tree sap.
Weather Resistance
If you’re looking to purchase an outdoor cover, that cover will need to handle a variety of weather conditions.
- Sun: UV protection and heat-reflective material are a must if your car is sitting in the sun for an extended period of time.
- Dust/dirt: For those who live in windy areas with lots of dust, a custom-fit car cover ensures that dust and dirt won’t get to your vehicle.
- Rain: If you’re worried about rain, a water-resistant cover is the way to go. At the very least you may need a water-repellent material, but it’s also a good idea to research covers that have been treated for mildew.
- Snow/ice: Similar to rain, you will want a water-resistant cover to protect against snow and ice. There are car covers available on the market that are specifically designed for ice protection.
- Hail: Anything past light hail will require a hail storm-specific cover. This type of car cover is typically padded and will sometimes even be inflatable.
“People don’t realize [car covers] are not supposed to be waterproof,” according to Kyle Marker, a parts manager at Leith Lincoln in Raleigh, North Carolina. “[W]aterproof […] turns into mold.”
Marker added that some cheaper, low-quality car covers tend to be thicker, which retains moisture and can contribute to mold formation.
“They’ll keep moisture in and you want moisture to flow in and out,” he says. “That’s sort of the downside, people say ‘I want it to be waterproof.’ No, you don’t. You want there to be some transfer.”
When Should I Use A Car Cover?
When it comes to using a car cover, Marker says the best situation is when you store a vehicle outside and do not drive it daily.
“They’re not hard to put on,” Marker says. “You can put them on by yourself in five minutes. It’s extra time that most people don’t want to spend.”
7 Best Car Covers
- Best Overall: CarCovers.com Platinum Shield Car Cover
- Best Weather Protection: Seal Skin Supreme Car Cover
- Best Indoor Car Cover: Budge RSC-3
- Best Multi-Layer Cover: Motor Trend SafeKeeper
- Best Value: Budge Lite
- OxGord Executive Storm-Proof
- FH Group C502-L
#1 Best Overall: CarCovers.com Platinum Shield
The CarCovers.com Platinum Shield is one of the best-fitting car covers that we tested. All covers are model-specific and constructed of high-quality, UV-resistant material. We think this cover is unmatched when it comes to overall protection and ease of use.
The lightweight material is not only durable but safe on your car’s paint. The inner fleece layer is soft and breathable to protect paint and prevent mildew and moisture buildup. The outer layer is a light, reflective color, which helps with UV resistance and keeps your vehicle cooler.
Our Experience
| Overall | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Material | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
| Fit | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
| Ease Of Installation | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
We think this car cover excels in every important category: it’s made from a durable material, is easy to install, and fits like a glove (due in part to model-specific sizing).
- Cost: About $195
- Material: The CarCovers material is both stretchy and durable. It is not prone to tearing and the thick elastic band is well-stitched around the ends of this cover. The inner layer is soft. The silver reflective outer layer is UV-resistant.
- Fit: This cover fit our test car perfectly. The elastic hem is strong enough to keep the cover secure without the need for additional straps. However, CarCovers does also offer a strap to keep this cover secured in high winds.
- Ease of Installation: We had no problems fitting this cover over our test vehicle. With any car cover, using two people makes the job easier, but this is still not too hard to install with only one person.
What Customers Are Saying
The Platinum Shield car cover is not available on Amazon.com and does not have an Amazon review score. There are user reviews on the CarCovers.com website that are consistently high. Despite the lack of verified customer reviews, we feel confident recommending the Platinum Shield car cover, having tested it ourselves and compared it directly with several other leading options.
#2 Best Weather Protection: Seal Skin Supreme Car Cover
The Seal Skin Supreme Car Cover offers excellent weather protection. It is designed to be 100 percent waterproof and breathable. This is accomplished by utilizing as few openings as possible (no antenna hole or mirror sleeves) and using taped seams. The SEAL-TEC fabric design is specifically engineered to offer the best waterproofing.
This cover also comes with an impressive 10-year warranty against rips, tears, and breathability.
Our Experience
| Overall | 4.8 out of 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Material | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
| Fit | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
| Ease Of Installation | 4.5 out of 5.0 |
Like the Platinum Shield, we were impressed by the material quality of the Seal Skin Supreme cover. While this cover is better designed to repel water, it is less reflective and is not quite as easy to install because it requires using underneath straps.
- Cost: About $170
- Material: This material is extremely durable and tear-resistant. It’s hard to imagine this fabric ripping unless you were to intentionally take a knife to it. The inner lining is soft and the taped seams are completely waterproof.
- Fit: The Seal Skin cover fits somewhat loosely, but is secured by an understrap. Once tightened, this cover cannot blow away.
- Ease of Installation: The Seal Skin cover isn’t too difficult to install, but the understrap does mean you’ll have to get on your hands and knees to secure this cover. This makes it a little harder to install than the CarCovers.com Platinum Shield, but overall, installation doesn’t present much of a challenge.
What Customers Are Saying
SealSkin does not sell its car covers directly on Amazon. Some secondary sellers offer SealSkin covers through Amazon, though these aren’t well-reviewed. Typical Amazon complaints mention that the cover does not fit well. This is likely because SealSkin covers are model-specific. Those ordering from a secondary seller likely receive the wrong-size cover. Be sure to order directly from SealSkin to ensure proper fitment.
#3 Best Indoor Car Cover: Budge RSC-3
The Budge RSC-3 is our product testing team’s pick for the best indoor car cover available on the market. This car cover is extremely breathable, meaning the car cover will dry quickly to prevent the formation of mold or mildew. The high-quality car cover is designed for indoor use, but it can protect against airborne pollutants and also offers UV protection.
This indoor car cover consists of a soft inner liner, soft stretch outer layer, and full elastic hem. As the car cover isn’t designed for outdoor use, it is unsurprisingly not waterproof, but it will hide any dings and dents from view. The cover is made from nylon and polyester material, meaning it is lightweight and can easily be stowed away even if you have limited storage space.
Our Experience
| Overall | 4.8 out of 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Material | 4.5 out of 5.0 |
| Fit | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
| Ease Of Installation | 5.0 out of 5.0 |
The Budge RSC-3 has everything you could ask for from an indoor car cover. The material is high-quality and durable, the cover fits well, and it’s easy to install and remove.
- Cost: About $155
- Material: While other car covers we tested seemed like they had a high propensity to rip or tear, the material of this car cover was great to work with. The stretchy material meant we didn’t have to worry about tearing holes in the cover, and the cover felt like it was well-made.
- Fit: Many car covers we tested featured an elastic hem for the front and rear of the vehicle, but not the sides. As this cover had an elastic hem around the entirety of it, it meant that the car cover snugly fit onto our test vehicle. Fitting this cover to the car was so easy that it drew comparisons from our testing team to putting a fitted bed sheet on a mattress.
- Ease of Installation: Sometimes less is more. While many car covers come with straps or buckles to tie down your cover to the vehicle, this cover didn’t. We found that the elasticized hem meant this car cover fit our test vehicle well but it didn’t require us to be on our hands and knees connecting buckles underneath the car. It did include a cord to tie underneath the car, however, we didn’t find it made much of a difference as the cover was already secured properly.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 400 ratings
Reviews speak to the car cover’s dust-proof material, while others note the stretchy fabric allowing for a snug fitment on the vehicle. Many reviewers sing the praises of the soft fleece on the inside of the car liner and how they don’t have to worry about scratching or damaging their car’s paint when using this quality car cover.
#4 Best Multi-Layer Cover: Motor Trend SafeKeeper
Built to handle any weather conditions, the Motor Trend SafeKeeper is our product testing team’s choice for the Best Multi-Layer Cover in 2023. This six-layer car cover consists of an outer breathable film, outer ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), waterproof sealant layer, particle filter film layer, enhanced polyethylene (PE) compound foam comfort layer, and an inner scratch-proof fleece lining.
Providing heat and cold resistance, the breathable woven polyester also prevents moisture build-up. The exterior layer of this car cover is well-made and durable, it even includes reflective safety strips. This car cover is 100 percent waterproof and it offers protection from UV rays. Additionally, it includes wind-resistant safety straps to ensure a snug fit over your vehicle.
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material | 5 |
| Fit | 4.5 |
| Ease of Installation | 5 |
Although the number of layers that make up a car cover wasn’t part of our testing criteria, it should be noted that the Motor Trend SafeKeeper is one of only two multi-layer covers that we tested. The multi-layer design certainly gives this car cover a leg up on the competition.
- Cost: About $80
- Material: Unlike the other car covers that our team tested, this was the only cover with multiple materials. In terms of the layers that you can visibly see, the interior and exterior layers, we had no qualms. The interior layer was soft and ensured no damage would come to the car’s paint while the exterior layer was thick, durable, and seemed to be built to withstand anything Mother Nature might throw its way.
- Fit: This car cover fit snugly over our test vehicle, and the wind-resistant safety straps ensured the car cover wouldn’t blow off when we left the car unattended. The front hood of the car fit especially well, but we would’ve liked to see mirror pockets included in the design for the cover to receive a perfect score in this testing category.
- Ease of Installation: This car cover was arguably the easiest to use of the covers that our team tested. The wind-resistant safety straps were already buckled, meaning our team members didn’t need to crawl under the underside of the car to secure the cover. We simply tightened the straps and the car cover was good to go.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.4 out of 5 based on over 2,400 ratings
Reviews mention the warranty that comes with the SafeKeeper cover, and others state the Motor Trend SafeKeeper is as good as any custom-fit car cover available on the market. Quite a few reviewers recognize the three buckles as very helpful and easy to fasten, while others note how heavy-duty the car cover is.
#5 Best Value: Budge Lite
The Budge Lite is an affordable option for those looking to protect their vehicle without spending hundreds of dollars. This car cover is lightweight and is made from a single layer of spun-bond polypropylene. The indoor car cover is also fully breathable and features an elasticized hem and built-in grommets.
The elasticized hem guarantees the car cover won’t fly off in the wind and ensures a snug fit. The sewn-in grommets act as additional reinforcement against the wind, and using a cable to secure the cover with the grommets can act as a theft deterrent. The seams are double-stitched for increased durability, and non-abrasive materials ensure that no damage will be caused to the car’s paintwork.
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material | 3.5 |
| Fit | 4 |
| Ease of Installation | 4.5 |
Price wasn’t one of our testing criteria, but it would be unwise to overlook the cost of a product. This car cover offers quality indoor protection at an affordable price. It should also be noted that the manufacturer mentions that the cover is somewhat UV-resistant.
- Cost: About $25
- Material: This car cover received the lowest material score out of all of the covers that we tested. The material felt brittle and delicate, which isn’t ideal for a car cover. Our team members felt that they had to coax the material around the edges of our testing vehicle.
- Fit: The fit of the car cover was what we expected. It fit reasonably well, but it didn’t cover much of the wheels of the testing vehicle. Sewn-in grommets and a cable that was included in the packaging ensured the cover wouldn’t blow off in the wind.
- Ease of Installation: Engulfing our test vehicle with this car cover was easy. But due to the delicate nature of the material, we felt that we had to exercise caution while installing or removing this car cover.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on over 10,000 ratings
One reviewer notes that it fits their 2019 Toyota Avalon perfectly, while another appreciates the grommets that are included which can be used for tie-downs. Many reviewers rave over the elastic hem, as it gives the car cover a snug fit over their vehicles. The majority of negative reviews seem to be attributed to customer misuse, as even though this car cover is meant solely for indoor use, many customers complain about its outdoor use.
#6 OxGord Executive Storm-Proof
The OxGord Executive Storm-Proof is an outdoor car cover that’s adept to handle a variety of weather conditions. This semi-custom car cover not only offers UV light protection but is also 100 percent waterproof. Featuring reinforced seams for added durability, the car cover is also highly breathable to ensure mold and mildew don’t form.
This multi-layer car cover features seven layers, five of which are layers of spunbond polypropylene. The remaining two layers consist of one layer of micro-porous film and a soft layer of cotton. Additionally, elastic hems are included on the front and rear of the vehicle, making the fit notably better than it would’ve been without the inclusion of elastic hems.
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 4 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material | 4.5 |
| Fit | 3.5 |
| Ease of Installation | 4 |
The OxGord Executive Storm-Proof is a great option for those looking to purchase a car cover to protect their vehicle against the elements. Most car covers only feature a single layer, but this seven-layer car cover shows why multi-layer car covers are so sought after.
- Cost: About $35
- Material: Our product testing team was quite impressed with this car cover. While some car covers are lightweight and leave you wondering how they could protect against adverse weather conditions, this cover leaves nothing to the imagination. The cover is thick, durable, and has an interior layer that is extremely soft.
- Fit: Comparisons to a tarp being thrown over a car came to mind for our testing team when taking a step back to scrutinize the fit of this car cover. While this car cover did cover most of the wheels’ surface area, it felt oversized on the whole. Several of our team members had concerns about this cover flying off in the wind because of its bagginess.
- Ease of Installation: Covering our testing vehicle with this car cover was relatively easy in relation to the other car covers that we tested. You may need an extra set of hands, as the cover is heavier than most of the others that we tested.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on approximately 4,700 ratings
Specific customer reviews point to the high-quality material of the universal car cover and the soft underside of the cover, meaning that the car’s paint isn’t scratched. Many reviewers note the car cover’s ability to handle extreme weather conditions. Negative reviews mention that the car cover will almost melt onto the car in very hot temperatures, leaving behind irreparable damage to the car’s paint.
#7 FH Group C502-L
Designed for outdoor use, the FH Group C502-L rounds out our product testing team’s top five picks for the best car covers on the market. This outdoor car cover is fully waterproof, UV-resistant, and can shield your car from airborne pollutants. The cover is made from breathable polyester material, meaning the car will air out and dry before mold has a chance to form.
The car cover’s polyester material is treated with a special silver coating for increased durability. The inner lining of this cover is soft and scratch-resistant, which means you won’t need to worry about damaging your car’s exterior when enveloping your car with the cover. Additionally, it should be noted that this car cover is heat-reflective.
Our Experience
| Overall Rating | 3.8 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Material | 4 |
| Fit | 3.5 |
| Ease of Installation | 4 |
The FH Group C502-L will undoubtedly be a reliable outdoor cover to protect your vehicle from the elements. Our product testing team firmly believes that this car cover will perform as advertised.
- Cost: About $35
- Material: This cover’s material is durable and high-quality. While there’s only one layer of material, that one layer seems fully equipped to handle any potential adverse weather conditions.
- Fit: The fit of the car cover on our test vehicle was average. Our product testing team found that no matter how much you tweak, adjust, or reposition this cover, it simply won’t cover the bottom half of your car very well. The front of the vehicle cover does fit well.
- Ease of Installation: The process of getting this car cover wrapped around the exterior of our test vehicle and then later removed was standard compared to the rest of the car covers we tested.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 3.9 out of 5 based on over 400 ratings
Reviews note that the car cover is easy to install and remove, and it protects cars from tree sap. Many reviewers sing the praises of this water-resistant car cover offering solid weather protection. Negative reviews complain that the cover is ill-fitting and looks like a storage bag rather than a car cover.
Other Car Covers We Recommend
Need more options to consider? We haven’t yet tested the car covers below, but based on our research think these would also offer top-notch paint protection.
Covercraft WeatherShield HP
The WeatherShield HP is a high-grade custom-fit car cover. The breathable fabric allows moisture to escape while providing lightweight outdoor protection from UV rays and bird droppings. It is available in five different colors and even includes a four-year warranty.
Coverking Satin Stretch
The Coverking Satin Stretch is soft on your paint job while being durable enough to guard against scratches. It has double stitching with waxed threads which help keep water out. This contour car cover is designed for indoor use and is custom fit to your vehicle.
CoverMaster Gold Shield
This five-layer cover is fully waterproof. The innermost layer is built from soft fleece to be gentle on your paint, while the outer Polypropylene layers guard against rain and snow. This heavy-duty cover comes in truck sizes and is fit specifically for your vehicle.
How Do I Install A Car Cover?
Using a car cover is a pretty straightforward process. Most manufacturers designate one side as the “front” of the cover, typically with a marking or label, which fits over the vehicle’s front bumper. From there, you pull the rest of the cover across the vehicle and smooth out any bunched areas.
How Do I Clean A Car Cover?
Many car cover manufacturers make their products machine washable, although you should always consult the owner’s manual for the best way to clean your purchase. It’s common for car covers to be sold with a storage bag as well/ Those bags are meant to help keep the cover from collecting dust and debris when not in use.
Bottom Line: Car Covers
After making sure the size and fit of the car cover work for your vehicle, the next thing you should consider is placement. Will your car be outside or staying in a garage? If it’s the latter, UV protection may not be as important. But if you are storing the vehicle outside and you live in a colder climate, a cover durable enough for harsh winters might be the appropriate choice.
The point is that for preserving a vehicle that is either valuable or you don’t drive daily, car covers can be a critical part of your protective arsenal.
Car Covers: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.