Best Car Covers: Protecting Your Vehicle from the Elements
When protecting your car is paramount, these covers can help keep your car clean and shiny.
Our Top Picks
- MotorTrend SafeKeeper All-Weather Car Cover
- Armor All Heavy-Duty Premium All-Weather Car Cover
- Covercraft Custom Fit WeatherShield HP Series
- EzyShade 10-Layer Car Cover
- MORNYRAY Waterproof Car Cover
If you enjoy having a shiny and spotless car, your worst enemies are dust, debris, bird droppings, and the sun's UV rays. All of these can affect your car's exterior, either temporarily or permanently. Sure, you could wash it every day and wax it on the weekends, but who has time for that? If only there were a way to shield it from nature's elements. Well, how about an actual cover? It only takes a minute to put on and take off, and it will potentially save you hours by reducing the need for constant washing and detailing. Below are five of the best car covers that all do a great job of protecting your car, along with some tips to keep in mind before you buy to help you decide which cover can fit your car best.
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MotorTrend SafeKeeper All-Weather Car Cover
That's right, we not only write excellent automotive-related articles but also put our name on some great car covers. This all-weather cover will fit any vehicle up to 228 inches long, including sedans, SUVs, and even some small pickup trucks. Its multilayered structure will keep your vehicle safe from potentially harmful weather elements, such as sun, snow, rain, and dust, while also protecting it from minor scratches.
It's durable enough to stand the test of time but also breathable, so you won't have to worry about moisture buildup. Its elastic hems and secure straps make it easy to put on and take off, and its compact storage bag won't take up too much trunk space.
Key specs:
- Dimensions/coverage: 228 x 80 x 69 inches
- Color: Black
- Weight: 14.92 pounds
- What makes it special: Its universal fit covers a wide range of vehicle types.
Armor All Heavy-Duty Premium All-Weather Car Cover
This car cover is designed to provide heavy-duty protection against all the elements, from common ones such as sun, rain, and dust to less typical hazards such as bird droppings and tree sap. It's specifically made for sedans, and you can use the size chart in the product link to determine whether it fits your car.
You won't have to worry about the cover scratching your car's paint job, as it comes with a soft cotton protective layer underneath. Another major strong point is the high wind protection system, which consists of six points of security that will keep the cover tight on your car even in strong winds.
Key specs:
- Dimensions/coverage: 228 x 60 x 50 inches
- Color: Gray
- Weight: 8.62 pounds
- What makes it special: It's particularly effective if you live in an area with constant strong winds.
Covercraft Custom Fit WeatherShield HP Series
A universal car cover will do a good job of protecting your car from the elements. If you're looking for maximum protection, however, a custom-fit car cover is the way to go. Having the exact shape of your vehicle can help cover all areas equally, preventing issues such as moisture buildup. And you don't have to worry about scratching your paint job from hugging your car too tightly, as the special water and UV-resistant fabric is also very soft on the inside.
Although it's not 100 percent waterproof, it will keep most rainwater from reaching your vehicle while also ensuring that any condensation or moisture will be eliminated quickly. This makes it a great choice as an indoor cover.
Key specs:
- Dimensions/coverage: Make and model specific
- Colors: Black, blue, gray, red, taupe
- Weight: 9 pounds
- What makes it special: Keeps moisture and condensation away, which is great if you keep your car stored indoors.
EzyShade 10-Layer Car Cover
If you live in an area with frequent bad weather and are looking for a thick heavy-duty cover to protect your vehicle, this may be the best choice. Its multilayered structure will provide maximum protection against rain, sun, snow, dust, and everything else nature may throw at you. It comes in a wide variety of sizes, and you can choose the one that best fits your vehicle with the help of the easy-to-understand size chart.
Being so thick not only protects your car from natural events but also helps prevent accidental scratches. Another useful feature is the easy-access zipper that lets you get to the driver-side door without having to remove the entire cover. You can start your car in a snowstorm and then go out to clear the snow, for instance.
Key specs:
- Dimensions/coverage: Make and model specific
- Colors: Black, reflective
- Weight: 5.95 pounds
- What makes it special: Provides excellent all-weather protection
MORNYRAY Waterproof Car Cover
This universal car cover provides excellent all-weather protection for sedans. It's made from high-quality polyester that protects your car while also being very lightweight and easy to handle. It's fully waterproof, and its UV-resistant layer will protect your car's paint job even if you park it in the sun every day.
It's also very wind-resistant, due to its elasticized hem and fixed buckles. Most other car covers make the vehicle difficult to see at night, but this one has four reflective strips that can help other drivers notice it, which can be very useful if you regularly park your car on a public road.
Key specs:
- Dimensions/coverage: 194 to 206 inches
- Colors: Black, silver, blue, orange, purple
- Weight: 3.63 pounds
- What makes it special: Reflective covers make it easy to spot at night.
Tips on Choosing the Best Car Cover for You
As you may have noticed, car covers have slightly different purposes and specializations. Here are the four main factors to consider when choosing one:
- Fit: The tighter the cover, the better it protects your car.
- Material: Depending on your local climate, choose the right balance between breathability and all-weather protection.
- Specific protection: Being fully waterproof is important if your area gets lots of rain, and a thick layer is great for protecting against hail and ice. An extra UV layer is recommended if you live in an area with lots of sun.
- Ease of use: Last but not least, if you're going to take it off and put it on every day, make sure it's easy to use.
Disclosure: MotorTrend may earn a commission if you purchase a product through one of our affiliate links.
