Best Leather Conditioners

Whether you’re looking for a leather conditioner that’s effective on aniline leather, nubuck leather, patina leather, or faux leather, our review team has you covered. We’ve thoroughly researched and reviewed the best leather conditioners with the goal of giving you the information and resources you need to make a wise purchasing decision.

Our team has previously reviewed the best car carpet cleaners, and we worked with several leather cleaning products during the testing process. Many leather cleaners and conditioner brands are available, which can make finding the best and worst products a bit challenging, but that’s what makes an article like this so valuable.

1. Best Formula: Leather Honey Leather Conditioner
2. Softest Conditioner: Bick 4 Leather Conditioner
3. Best Value: Meguiar’s G18616 Gold Class Leather Conditioner
4. Best Kit: Chemical Guys SPI 109 16 Leather Conditioner
5. Strongest Conditioner: Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP

Before you rush out to buy one of the best leather conditioners, it’s important to know your plan of action. We strongly recommend reading about some common factors, detailed below, that may determine which of the best leather conditioners is right for you.

Cleaners And Conditioners

There are two common leather care products for cars: cleaners and conditioners. A leather cleaner is meant to remove dust, dirt, and stains, while a leather conditioner keeps the leather supple and prevents cracking.

Kyle Marker, a parts manager at Leith Lincoln in Raleigh, stressed the importance of using leather conditioner when we interviewed him about car detailing tips.

“The most common mistake people make is they use a lot of cleaner, and then they don’t condition the leather. It dries out, it cracks, and they’re really unhappy. Always [use] a two-part solution. You should clean the leather if its dirty, and then condition the leather to add the plush back in.”

Every product we recommend in this article is a leather conditioner. If you need something to address spills or stains, look into a leather cleaner.

Types Of Leather

Some leather conditioners work on all types of leather, while some are narrower in scope. Below is a list of leathers you’re likely to encounter and what differentiates them.

• Aniline: This refers to the types of dyes used in manufacturing. It’s a treatment process used on Napa hides.
• Nubuck: This type of leather comes from the outer, or top-grain, layer of cowhide. It’s sanded down and buffed out before morphing into its final product.
• Patina: Leather patina is made from full-grain leather, but you can only consider leather patina if it has been well-worn through everyday use.
• Faux: Faux leather is one of many names to describe man-made leather. This type of leather is artificial or synthetic.
• Suede: Suede is a type of split leather made from the innermost layer of cowhide. Suede originates from turning leather upside down so the fuzzier side is face-up.

Application Process

How to apply the best leather conditioners is mostly a matter of personal preference, but some leather conditioners work best by using specific methods. While some manufacturers recommend using your hands and fingers to apply their leather conditioner, others suggest using a lint-free microfiber cloth. Additionally, some leather conditioners come in spray bottles meant for you to spray on a leather surface.

Before applying your leather conditioner on a surface, we recommend reading the fine print. Taking the time to fully understand the best methodology for applying leather conditioner is likely to prevent incorrect application.

To select the leather conditioners featured in this buyers guide, we consult our network of experts for their thoughts on leather care. 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 leather conditioner 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 leather-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.

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 buying guides.

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.

The Leather Honey Leather Conditioner features a non-toxic formula with water-repellent properties. It’s also worth noting that this leather conditioner isn’t made with silicone, solvents, or animal products. The rich formula is designed to protect new leather and rejuvenate old leather. For a full review of this product, check out our dedicated review page.

The manufacturer says in the product description that you should use a lint-free cloth to apply this leather conditioner and that it’s worth spot-testing because some leather colors may darken. The manufacturer also claims this product offers six months of protection on new and old leather. Additionally, this conditioner is fit to restore all colors and types of leather, excluding faux.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $20
• Non-toxic formula
• Restores all types and colors of leather
• Water-repellent

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 50,000 ratings

Many customers say this leather conditioner works super well on natural leather purses or handbags, while others believe it’s the best leather cleaner for saddles. Many reviewers note that the Leather Honey Leather affects more lotion-like products differently and doesn’t leave as much greasy residue behind. Some negative reviews say this conditioner leaves leather surfaces very sticky.

What Is It Good For?

The manufacturer claims the Leather Honey Leather is capable of restoring different types of leather on an array of products. Below are some leather items it’s said to be effective on:

• Car interiors
• Belts
• Shoes
• Gloves
• Bags
• Saddles

Since 1882, Bickmore has been providing high-quality leather care products, hence why our review team recognized the Bick 4 Leather Conditioner. This product is completely wax-free to ensure that leather pores won’t seal up, which keeps your leather soft and breathable. Additionally, unlike most other leather conditioners, the Bick 4 won’t darken your leather.

This conditioner features an all-in-one formula designed to condition, clean, polish, and protect your leather. The formula featured in the cleaner also replenishes the natural oils found in leather. Also note that the Bick 4 Leather Conditioner won’t leave a sticky or gummy residue behind and is safe for all colors of leather.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $15
• Wax-free
• Doesn’t darken leather
• Safe for all colors of leather

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.7 out of 5 based on over 5,500 ratings

Many reviews say this conditioner is effective on leather jackets, leather shoes, and leather furniture, among several other products. One review mentions the effect of the Bick 4 on his leather upholstery and car seats. Many customers claim this conditioner leaves leather goods feeling supple and soft.

What Is It Good For?

The Bick 4 is a viable product for different types and shades of leather. Here are several products this leather conditioner works well on:

• Boots
• Jackets
• Bags
• Furniture and upholstery
• Car interiors
• Motorcycle seats

Meguiar’s G18616 Gold Class Leather Conditioner is our review team’s choice for Best Value leather conditioner due to its quality and affordability. Meguiar’s combines aloe and other moisturizing oils to maintain the original look and feel of your leather. Additionally, this leather conditioner moisturizes and protects a leather surface without leaving behind a buildup of residue or artificial gloss.

A unique aspect of Meguiar’s G18616 is that it offers UV protection to help prevent fading and delay the aging process. The manufacturer asserts in the product description that with regular use, Meguiar’s G18616 will condition and protect your leather for years to come. This conditioner conveniently comes in a spray bottle for easy application.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $10
• Spray bottle design
• UV protection
• No residue buildup

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 2,300 ratings

Individual reviews note that Meguiar’s G18616 is easy to apply with a microfiber cloth and leaves a nice luster while still being non-greasy. Others speak to this leather conditioner restoring their car’s leather seats and leather interior to new condition. Many users are impressed by this product’s ability to clean leather and remove dirt and grime. Some negative reviews claim Meguiar’s G18616 has a putrid scent.

What Is It Good For?

Unlike several of the products in this review, Meguiar’s G18616 Gold Class Leather Conditioner is designed for one specific type of leather and it’s specially built for car interiors and leather seats inside cars. Some customers say it also works well on the leather products below:

• Boots
• Purses
• Jackets
• Couches
• Motorcycle seats

Recognized by our review team as the Best Kit for leather conditioners, the Chemical Guys SPI 109 16 Leather Conditioner consists of a leather cleaner and conditioner. It’s PH-balanced for effective cleaning and preservation of the leather’s strength, durability, and appearance. The Chemical Guys product also separates dirt from the pores of the leather while replenishing Vitamin E.

Neither the leather cleaner nor the leather conditioner in this kit will leave soaps or suds, and they also won’t contribute to fiber deterioration. The Chemical Guys SPI_109_16 has a subtle leather scent to make your leather not only look brand new but also smell brand new.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $25
• PH-balanced leather cleaner
• Replenishes Vitamin E
• Won’t contribute to fiber deterioration

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on over 34,000 ratings

Many reviewers mention this leather conditioner as being excellent for detailing car interiors, while other users say they found this product when Lexol changed its formula, and now they won’t go back. This leather care kit is said to work incredibly well at cleaning a variety of items. Negative reviews sometimes mention a foul odor accompanying this product and the fact you’ll need a lint-free cloth for application.

What Is It Good For?

Chemical Guys’ SPI_109_16 leather cleaning and conditioning kit is incredibly versatile and works on a wide range of leather products, including:

• Car leather
• Jackets
• Boots
• Sofas
• Furniture

Obenauf’s Heavy Duty LP’s industrial-strength leather preservative was originally developed for waterproofing firefighters’ leather work boots, but it now serves additional purposes. This product is made with natural oils and Obenauf’s beeswax formula. Obenauf’s beeswax and propolis suspension formula protects against heat, water, and abrasions.

The beeswax and propolis suspension formula reinforces against scuffing and naturally waterproofs itself. Natural ingredients such as plant oil are gradually released into the fibers of your leather product for long-term lubrication. Obenauf’s has been lab and field-tested to resist manure acid, salt, and chemicals. The manufacturer notes that on nubuck leather, specifically, you need to use a soft-bristled brush.

Key Features

• Cost: Around $20
• Made from natural ingredients
• Long-term lubrication
• Beeswax/propolis suspension formula

What Customers Are Saying

Amazon Review Score: 4.8 out of 5 based on over 9,100 ratings

Individual reviews note that this leather conditioner works wonders on old leather surfaces, giving them a high-quality, new-leather shine. Others, meanwhile, sing the praises of this product for what it did for their leather boots. Many reviewers are impressed by the conditioner’s ability to work on various types of leather. However, one reviewer recommends that others not use this product on suede.

What Is It Good For?

This leather conditioner is safe to use and said to be effective on most leather products. In addition to leather seats, you can use it on:

• Work boots
• Saddlebags
• Chaps
• Belts
• Holsters
• Sheathes
• Baseball gloves

To get your leather interior looking like new, a leather conditioner should be an essential part of your arsenal. Our favorites are sure to help, whether for an overall great shine with the Leather Honey conditioner or for a soft, plush look with the Bick 4 conditioner, you are in good hands with any of these choices.

*Data accurate at time of publication.