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Whether you’re preparing for a long vacation or protecting your vehicle from inclement weather, a high-quality car cover is just what you need. Window Gasket
Rena Behar is a freelance journalist and editor focusing on tech, travel, and gender. She has contributed to Travel + Leisure, TripSavvy, and more.
A relaxing travel experience is about being prepared, and that includes taking care of your at-home belongings before your departure. Whether you’re leaving your car in the airport’s long-term parking or your driveway, a good car cover will help make sure it’s still sitting pretty when you get back.
“A good car cover should be breathable, water-resistant yet non-abrasive, and UV-protected,” Tom Humble, founder and owner of E.C.D. Auto Design says. Whether you’re looking to protect your vehicle while on vacation or for long-term storage, look for covers with softer interiors to avoid scratching your finish, as well as the closest possible fit to your car’s exact make and model.
This cover provides moisture- and UV-protection while staying securely attached.
It may not be the most long-lasting option.
If you only plan to use a car cover when you travel or for short periods of time, you may not need to invest in an expensive option in order to get quality coverage. Mornyray’s cover provides protection against water, snow, and UV rays, with a multi-strap system and elastic hem that will help it stay in place, as well as fixed buckles so it won’t blow away. There are 20 sizes available, with options for sedans, SUVs, and hatchbacks, plus a few different color options and reflective stripes if you want to make sure you can easily spot your car in a crowd.
The Details: 20 sizes available | Polyester | Windproof strap attachments | Waterproof
This car cover is as close to custom as you can get, providing protection, a solid fit, and an easy-to-use design.
Wind protection straps are sold separately.
“Custom-fit covers that match your car's make, model, and year provide the best protection,” Humble says. As their name implies, CarCovers.com makes one thing, and they do it well. This is as close as you can get to a custom car cover without specifically commissioning one, since you choose your vehicle’s type, year, make, and model when ordering to get the perfect fit.
The Platinum Shield option is the most heavy-duty of the brand’s choices due to its urethane coating, which makes the cover extra weather-resistant. The polyester fabric is light but protective and soft on the interior, and the car cover also comes with a lifetime warranty, storage bag, and lock set so you can secure the cover onto your vehicle. CarCovers focuses on fit, breathability, and lack of abrasiveness, so you can be sure the vehicle underneath the cover is staying in peak condition. However, if you’re worried about wind, you’ll need to purchase a separate strap set to get that extra security.
The Details: Custom sizes | Polyester | Elastic hem attachments | Water-resistant
This super-thick cover still manages to avoid moisture buildup and keep your paint job unscathed.
The sizing isn’t as specific as some other covers.
If rain or snow is your main concern, Seal Skin has the best vehicle cover for you. The thick exterior and reinforced taped seams protect against rain, snow, and UV rays, while the soft interior keeps your paint job equally polished. In addition to the elastic hem, it also comes with straps to secure it against wind, and the fabric is still designed to be breathable to minimize moisture buildup. There are seven standard sizes available for purchase or you can submit your vehicle’s make and model to select a near-custom fit.
The Details: Seven standard sizes available | Polypropylene | Elastic hem and strap attachments | Waterproof
This soft cover easily fits over your vehicle to ward off external damage.
It’s not water- or UV-resistant.
If you’re storing your car in a garage or other indoor space but still want a little extra peace of mind and protection, opt for the Budge. It won’t protect against water or UV rays, but its nylon-polyester material will keep your paint job fresh and safe from dust and scratching indoors. It’s also breathable, so moisture won’t build up underneath the cover, and the elastic hem is easy to stretch over your vehicle. It comes in five sizes, ranging from cars up to 13.08 feet to vehicles up to 22 feet long, and three different colors (red, gray, and black), so you’ll be able to spot your car even in the most labyrinthine of garages.
The Details: Five sizes available | Nylon-polyester blend | Elastic hem attachments
The EzyShade is absolutely packed with useful features and heavy-duty protection.
The size chart is specific to make and model, so be sure to look carefully to select the right size for your vehicle.
If you want to make sure your car is extra-protected, EzyShade offers multiple heavy-duty, bond-pressed layers to keep out all the elements. The weatherproof material and reinforced stitching protect against water, wind, dust, UV rays, and more. There are three separate buckled straps to keep the cover on no matter how blustery the weather gets, and it’s reflective to avoid heat buildup and improve visibility at night.
The cover also comes with an antenna protection kit in case yours doesn’t collapse, and there are two grommet holes to lock the cover under your vehicle. If you need to access your vehicle with the cover on, you can even use the side door zipper. And when you are using the car, the cover stashes away nicely in an included storage bag. While it’s not quite a custom fit, the cover comes in 27 different sizes, so you can find the best possible match.
The Details: 27 sizes available | Aluminum and cotton | Buckled strap attachments | Waterproof
This cover is durable and adds an extra reflective aspect to keep things cool.
The covers run slightly small, so be sure to check all size guides before ordering.
Kayme’s car cover protects your vehicle with a multi-layer exterior and cotton-lined interior to protect it inside and out. On the outside, the waterproof aluminum keeps out moisture and reflects UV light and heat, keeping your car cool as well as dry. Straps at the front and rear also keep the cover down in the wind. The back panel zipper conveniently lets you into the car in case you left anything behind. There are fits designed for sedans, SUVs, station wagons, and hatchbacks of varying lengths, though you may need to go a size up to get a good fit; make sure you know your vehicle’s measurements and how they correspond to the sizing categories before you purchase.
The Details: 16 sizes available | Aluminum and cotton | Strap attachments | Water-resistant
To get the best protection from your car cover, it needs to fit snugly and securely. If you don’t want to invest in a close-to-custom model, you can still look up your car’s dimensions and choose a cover that comes as close to your vehicle’s size as possible.
The thing most likely to damage your car is adverse weather such as heavy rain, hail, and snow. To protect your vehicle, you’ll want your cover to be at least water-resistant if it’s going to be used outside. For extra protection, look for car covers that are thick enough to protect against heavy snow or hail and made with UV-protection for warmer months.
If you want to be able to access your vehicle without removing the entire cover, look for features like a side door or trunk zipper that will make this process easier. If you’re worried about theft, some covers have grommets that can hold a lock to add an extra security layer.
Just like when you're choosing protective clothing for a sunny vacation, you want a car cover that will hold up against UV rays and water damage. Humble suggests materials that are weather-resistant like polypropylene or a polyester blend.
Humble recommends avoiding a car cover if the car is already wet or the cover is dirty, as this may scratch the paint or trap potentially damaging moisture. “Car covers should be used whenever the vehicle is not used for extended periods," he says. "However, they should not be kept on indefinitely. Regular intervals of exposure to air and sun prevent moisture buildup.”
Car covers can be a good idea, since they offer valuable protection by shielding your car from elements like rain and snow. They can also keep your car from being harmed by things like bird droppings and dust. A well-fitting, high-quality cover can help maintain your vehicle's paint and finish, especially if you don't have access to covered parking.
For this story, Rena Behar dug through user reviews, product tests, roundups, and more to find the best car covers. She also surveyed multiple automotive professionals, including Tom Humble, founder and owner of E.C.D. Auto Design.
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