If you park your car outdoors, you know how unforgiving nature can be to your ride. You’re leaving it there, exposed to everything the natural world can throw its way, from dust and all sorts of debris to tree saps and bird droppings to piles of snow and scorching sunlight that can wreak havoc on your paint job. Simply put, parking your car outdoors can make an erstwhile nice car look not quite as nice, requiring more frequent car cleaning sessions.
Obviously, parking your car either indoors or in a covered area is the easiest way to solve that. If neither one is available, then a car cover that creates an immediate barrier between your vehicle and everything around it offers the next best option to protect your car from the elements.
The best car covers will, obviously, keep your car much cleaner when parking outdoors, all while protecting it from branches and all sorts of debris that can leave it with dents and scratches. They also shield it from harsh sunlight and heavy rain, continued exposure to which can cause fading, rusting, and other damage to your car’s exterior.
While designed to provide protection your parked car outdoors, the best car covers can also come in handy indoors. While it makes no sense to cover your car after you park it in the garage every night (you don’t need to protect from the tool chests that line the wall), it’s arguably the easiest way to keep dust and mildew from accumulating if you plan to leave your car at home for long periods, such as when you’re going away on a month-long holiday.
When shopping for the best car cover, it’s important to check on a few things. First is fit, since you want a car cover that’s neither too tight nor too loose, as the former can risk scratches while the latter can risk all sorts of undesirable items getting in. The easiest way to ensure this is to get a model-specific car cover, but if one isn’t available, you can do your measurements and choose one that’s as close to your specific dimensions as possible. If you have items like rooftop cargo boxes and other accessories, make sure you factor that in when choosing sizes, since they will obviously affect how well a cover will fit.
You also want to check on the car cover material, making sure it’s breathable, waterproof, and UV-resistant. The more durable the exterior shell, the better, too, although you also want to make sure it has soft lining to prevent any potential scratches on your car’s paint job. Additionally, you want car covers with facilities that let you secure it in place, whether it be tie-down straps, elastic hems, or something else, ensuring it can’t be easily taken off by a big gust of wind or some rowdy kids playing around wherever it is you’re parked.
These are the best car covers to protect your car from the elements.
Mornyray Waterproof Car Cover
Pros
- Very affordable
- Attaches securely to cars
- Protects against scratches and light rain
Cons
- Moisture seeps through during heavier rains
- Wears out within a year if used regularly
Exterior: Polyester
Interior: Polyester
Layers: 3
While it’s definitely not the best in the list, this three-layer car cover’s wallet-friendly price makes it a good choice for most people, especially if you don’t anticipate your car being subjected to more extreme outdoor conditions. It secures to your car using an elastic hem and built-in straps, a combo that handles wind very well, while reflective strips along the top side keep the car visible at night. The product page lists it as waterproof and it does a good job of handling rain, although some moisture does manage to seep through during heavier downpours, so it’s not the most watertight cover you’re going to find. Same with dust, as we do find some specks occasionally getting through. It does a great job of protecting against scratches, although it does wear out within six months to a year when used regularly, especially if you have harsher weather. Simply put, it should be good enough, but will likely require a replacement not too long down the line.
EzyShade All-Weather Car Cover
Pros
- Surprisingly good fit
- Solid waterproofing
- Built-in grommets for locking the car
- Zippered access to driver’s side door
Cons
- Not as durable as more expensive covers
Exterior: Polyethylene
Interior: Cotton
Layers: 7
We’ll admit, we didn’t expect this car cover to be that much better than the previous one. That was wrong, as this proved to be a lot better, especially considering the still rather affordable price. For instance, it gets seven layers instead of three, including a taffeta layer that provides padding and a cotton liner that’s so much gentler on the car. The waterproofing holds up in this one, as it managed to keep the car dry even in torrential downpours, all while reflecting much of the heat out during hotter days in the sun. We love all the little extras, such as the sturdy buckles, clasps, and straps that let you attach it securely to the car, built-in central grommets for running cable locks, a grommet for your car antenna, pockets at the side mirror, reflective strips at strategic sections, and easy-access zipper that makes it easy to open the driver’s side door without taking the whole thing off. We also appreciate the fact that they have a comprehensive chart that lists car makes and models, along with the corresponding car cover size that works for each.
Motor Trend Car Cover
Pros
- Excellent waterproofing
- Breathable and well-ventilated
- Substantial build
Cons
- Heavy construction
Exterior: Polyester
Interior: Unspecific scratch-proof fabric
Layers: 4
This is quite the heavy car cover, so putting it on your car and taking it off can require quite a bit of work. It’s worth the trouble, though, as it is extremely waterproof, capably keeping any moisture and dust off the car, while offering excellent breathability and ventilation. With a compounded foam layer and a scratch-proof lining, it offers reliable protection from nicks and scuffs, while an elastic hem and underbody straps keep it secured to your car during windy days outside. There are also grommets you can use if you want to lock it in place. Fit is good, albeit a little loose, but not so much that it can case any issues when it comes to protection. As for durability, this feels pretty sturdy for a sub-$100 car cover, barely exhibiting any wear after six months of use. Based on extended reviews, it usually holds up for around two years or more before starting to show any signs of wear, so you won’t have to change it as frequently as cheaper options.
Platinum Shield Weatherproof Car Cover
Pros
- Double-stitched and stretchy for tear-resistance
- Solid waterproofing
- Lightweight build
Cons
- No side mirror pockets
- No prootection against impact
Exterior: Polyester
Interior: Fleece
Layers: 2
While definitely on the expensive end, Platinum Shield’s car cover is custom-sized for each make and model, making it one of the best-fitting car covers you’re going to find in the list. It’s also pretty lightweight, so you shouldn’t have any trouble putting it on or taking it off. This is only two layers, by the way, so it’s not as substantial as other covers in the list, although it is double-stitched and welded, which enables an impressive waterproofing function that capably keeps out moisture even during heavier rains. It’s quite stretchy, too, so it’s not prone to tearing, ensuring this can hold up for a longer time than cheaper covers. The UV-reflective exterior shell keeps things cool underneath, while a soft fleece keeps your paint job scratch-free the whole time. Both the front and rear of the hems have elastic for securing on the car, although they also include wind straps and cable locks you can use for a tighter hold during high winds.
Covercraft Custom 5-Layer Softback Car Cover
Pros
- Snug fit
- Delivers solid protection against the elements
- Wear- and fade-resistant
Cons
- Snug fit requires a thoroughly clean car before use
Exterior: woven PP/PE blend
Interior: Unspecified soft liner
Layers: 5
Covercraft makes custom-fitting car covers for specific car models, so it’s a great pick for those who want a snug fit. This one, in particular, is for a BMW Z4 models from ’09 to ’16, so pricing will vary based on the car model you’re buying for. Regardless of the model you get, it uses a five layer construction that consists of a UV-repelling outer layer, two strength layers for durability, a breathable water-repellent layer, and a soft liner that protects you paint job from scratches. It’s very effective for protecting the car, keeping out the elements the whole year round, so it’s very reliable as far as keeping your car in tip-top condition. What we love most about more expensive car covers is just how well they hold up over the years. While we’ve only had ours a few months, it shows absolutely zero signs of fading, wearing, or even losing shape, which is not the case with cheaper covers, leaving us very confident about stories from others who claim their Covercraft covers have lasted for years without fail. Other notable features include double overlapping stitched seams, hems sewn with urethane elastic, reinforced non-scratch grommets with backing, and dual mirror pockets.
CoverSeal Heavy Duty Outdoor Car Cover
Pros
- Unique weighted hem keeps rodents from entering underneath
- Withstands 40mph winds without any straps
- Feels durable and sturdy
Cons
- Limited size options means you won’t get a custom fit
- Thick and heavy
Exterior: Polyester
Interior: Polyester
Layers: 3
Ever had rats chew through your car’s wiring system? If that’s a potential threat in the area where you park your vehicle, then you’ll want to pick up this car cover, which features a weighted hem that’s designed to fall right on the floor to keep rodents from sneaking in underneath. How does it do that? Well, the hem has a sand-filled tube installed inside that weighs it down at all times, so you’ll need to deliberately lift it up if you want anything to get in from the bottom. Do note, the weighted hem does make this one of the heavier car covers in the list, making it a tad more difficult to put on and take off than other options in the market. On the upside, that same weight allows it to stay on in harsh winds up to 40 mph without any additional straps.
Aside from the unique hem, the rest of the cover is pretty standard. It uses a heavy-duty PVC-coated polyester shell that doesn’t just reflect 90 percent of sunlight, it also withstands temperatures up to 300 degrees Fahrenheit. The cover also does a great job of keeping out dust and moisture, even in times of heavier rain. Do note, the sizes are universal for different styles of cars (e.g. sport size, mid size), so you’re not likely to get an exact fit. It fits well, though, especially with the weighted apron keeping things in place.
