If you are unable to park your car in shade whilst the sun is beaming down, the interior will heat up and overtime the UV rays will cause damage. The damage mostly targets your dashboard and seats but it can be blocked by a windshield sun shade.
The best windshield sun shade is the A1 Shades Protector, which is available in 7 different sizes and uses a 230t nylon material for durability.
Many drivers underestimate the power of UV rays. It is only when they notice certain components are beginning to fade or crack will they will see the power of a windshield sun shade. They are cheap, easy to store and provide excellent protection.
Table of Contents
Best Car Windshield Shade
| Windshield Sun Shade | Material | Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| A1 Shades | Nylon | 7 |
| WeatherTech TechShade | Reflective & Foam | N/A |
| BDK Foldable | Double Bubble Foil | 1 |
| Pro Shade | Reflective Fabric | 3 |
| Ohuhu Auto | Reflective Fabric | 2 |
Unlike the other windows of a car that you can tint, the windshield is illegal to tint in the US. Plus, it may cause slight difficulty when trying to view far objects whilst driving at night. A simple windshield sun shade is all that is required and they take less than 30 seconds to assemble and dissemble.
Before purchasing a windshield sun shade, we highly advise that you take the right measurements beforehand. The majority are a universal fit but they usually range in different sizes for the best possible fit.
Many of our recommendations come with a size chart to help you with your measurements for the perfect fit. Below is a list of the best windshield sun shades that protect your dashboard and interior from the damaging effects of UV rays.
A1 Shades Windshield Sun Shade
The A1 Shades car windshield sun shade is constructed of a superior 230t nylon material, which is far better quality than many of the cheap alternatives. The nylon also ensures that its not hot to touch when you take it down, which is a great bonus.
A1 Shades have measured over 800 different windshields in order to produce the most universal sun shade possible. There are 7 different sizes and a size chart to ensure that you get the right size for your windshield.
Included with this sun shade is also a handy storage pouch, which you can store the folded nylon into easily. Overall, it is the best windshield sun shade you can buy and although slightly expensive, its definitely worthwhile paying the extra.
Check it OutWeatherTech Windshield Sun Shade
One of the best features of the WeatherTech sun shade is the fact that you can reverse it to have the foam side pointing towards the windshield. This will then absorb sunlight to pull the heat into the vehicle, which is great for those cold yet sunny mornings before the cars heating has time to heat up.
Overall, it is the highest quality windshield sun shade you can buy with the reflective material and foam backing. It is also a cover that you can use in both the winter and summer, which is the biggest benefit of the WeatherTech sun shade. They produce this sun shade for a variety of vehicles but you will need to shop around to find one suited to your specific vehicle.
Check it OutBDK Auto Windshield Sun Shade
Unlike the alternatives within this article, the BDK cover folds into an accordion style and is secured with a Velcro strap closure. The construction itself is a double bubble material, which is very durable and stitching is very high quality compared to other cheap alternatives that do not have a consistent seam.
Overall, the BDK windshield sun shade has a unique and fun design but the construction may not be as long lasting as the nylon alternatives.
Check it OutPro Shade SUNSHIELD UV Reflecting Fabric
For those that are looking for a cheap windshield protector, then the Pro Shade is ideal. It uses a UV reflecting fabric with high quality stitching that is easy to setup and fold down into the included pouch.
The Pro Shade windshield sun shade is available in 3 different sizes but again, we cannot stress the importance of taking your own measurements.
With many cheap sun shades, the quality may be an issue but not with this Pro Shade cover. For peace of mind, the brand even offer a no hassle money back guarantee and judging by the popularity, it is by far a top performer.
Overall, it is the best windshield sun shade for the money and will protect your interior from the damaging UV rays.
Check it OutOhuhu Auto Sun Shade Windshield Cover
The Ohuhu is available in two sizes and is installed by folding down the sun visors onto the windshield sun shade. In terms of the construction, it uses a reflective material that weighs just 0.35 LBS and comes with a 1 year replacement warranty.
With only two sizes, which include 63 x 33.86 inch and 65.7 x 36.4 inch, its vital that you take precise measurements. A slight overhang is better than the windshield sun shade being too small and this is a drawback of the Ohuhu cover.
Overall, it is a cheap car windshield sun shade that will do the job of blocking UV rays very well with the reflective fabric but the lack of sizes may be an issue.
Check it OutWindshield Sun Shade Buying Guide
Your car is a big investment, so it’s important to protect it from the elements with tools like a windshield sun shade. A sun shade blocks the sun, preventing your car from getting hot and sustaining sun damage while it’s parked outside.
When your car sits in the sun for too long, not only is it dangerous for you as a driver or passenger, but it can even cause damage to the interior of your car, such as melting or discoloration. Not everyone is lucky enough to be able to own a carport canopy to hide their car away from the sun but a high quality sun shade will be able to provide just as much protection.
There are many factors to consider to make sure you get the best bang for your buck. Here are some tips for buying a windshield sun shade.
Dimensions
The first thing to consider when shopping for a sun shade is the size of the product. You’ll need the sun shade to cover your entire dashboard, but you don’t want it to be too big. Before you go shopping, you’ll need to get the dimensions of your dashboard.
If they aren’t already listed in your owner’s manual, you can easily measure it with a tape measure. Windshield sun shades come in a variety of different sizes, but you may need to do a bit of searching to find one that fits your car.
Some brands do make sun shields that are custom made for your car’s size, so if you’re struggling to find an option that’s a good fit, this might be the way to go. If you drive multiple cars, there are also options that are designed to fit different sizes and shapes of dashboards.
The downside to these is that they may let more light and heat in than other shades, but you only need to buy one for multiple cars.
Material
Another important consideration to make when shopping for a sun shade is the material of the product. Sun shades need to be durable to protect against the sunlight and heat. They should also be resistant to tears and peeling.
The material should feel thick and be reinforced with a metallic surface to reflect the sunlight back out away from the car. Many sun shades are made with nylon, which is a good base material to look for when shopping.
Folding Design
Since you won’t always be using your sun shade, it’s important that it folds up efficiently so you can store it in your trunk or back seat. Some sun shades roll, while others fold up in quarters or in an accordion style.
There are pros and cons to each – rolling and accordion folds save space in your car, but take longer to fold. Quarter folds are easier, but then your sun shade takes up more space when it’s not in use.
When looking at the folds, there are two major things to consider. The first is how easy it is to fold up – can you fold up the shade quickly or does it take several minutes to do? You may want to test this in the store before making a purchase.
The second is how large it is when it’s folded up. You’ll want to be able to easily store the sun shade away, but this may be difficult if it is too big. You can measure the dimensions of your truck or the back seat of your car to get an idea of whether or not the sun shade will fit. You’ll also need to be able to unfold it quickly when you want to use it again.
UV Protection
It’s not enough for the shade to just reflect the light and heat away from the car, it should also have UV ray protection. This is very important for keeping your car (and the people in it) from damage due to the sun’s powerful rays. Not every sun shield comes with UV protection, so it’s important to check this when making your final purchase.
Weight
The weight of the sun shield is another thing that’s helpful to consider when doing your shopping. A heavy sun shield can be difficult to move around and fold up, particularly if you don’t have much arm strength.
However, if the shield is too light, it may not provide the durability or sun protection that you’re looking for. The weight of the sun shield is usually listed in the product specs, so you can easily check this before making your final purchase.
Attachment Design
Many sun shades attach to the car, and you’ll want to examine the attachment mechanism to make sure it’s easy to use. Some sun shades are designed to sit in the windshield without any additional attachments, while others have small clips to hold the shade in place.
Some shields also pull up and down for use if you’re sitting in the car. There are plenty of good options on the market for all of these types, but you’ll want to test them out to see which one you prefer before making a purchase.
Color
While it’s not the most important thing to take into account, you may want to consider the color of the sun shade you’ll be purchasing, particularly if your car is a bright or unique color. Some sun shades come with designs or patterns on the outside, and you’ll want to consider whether or not you’d like to have that on the outside of your car. Some people enjoy a fun pattern or design, while others would prefer to have a simple neutral color.
Conclusion
Overall, you’ll need a windshield sun shade that’s durable and keeps out the heat when your car is parked outside for long periods of time. During the winter you may opt for a winter windshield cover for snow and ice as this is a problem for that season. However, with the likes of the WeatherTech windshield cover, you will have the benefits of using it all year round.
Another top tip is to ensure that you do not leave the cover on the floor or somewhere that it may pick up debris. If the debris clings to the sun shade, it will then scratch your windshield and you will need to use a glass polish kit to rectify the problem.
