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The best car sun shade for babies is the Kinder Fluff Car Window Shade, according to experts and What to Expect staff. When choosing a car sun shade, experts and parents say the most important factors to consider are safety, UV protection and ease of use.
Whether or not your baby is bothered by the sun, you should still add a car shade to your cart. According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, more than 50 percent of harmful UVA rays, which contribute to both skin cancer and premature aging, can penetrate glass. Additionally, the American Pediatrics Academy (AAP) suggests that babies under 6 months old be kept out of direct sunlight. Car sun shades can potentially shield babies from these damaging solar rays.
They can also make your little one more comfortable in their seat by keeping them cool (especially on hot days) and preventing any annoying sun glare in their eyes. For parents who don’t want to spend the extra money and time to get their car windows tinted, car sun shades can be a great temporary option. And while pulling the canopy down on an infant car seat is an option for keeping the sun away, sun shades still allow curious babies to look out the window and are just as effective with convertible car seats (which don’t have canopies).
In short, getting a car sun shade for baby is a fairly inexpensive item that’s easy to use and might keep them more comfortable on the way to daycare, during a road trip or while running errands.How we chose the best car sun shades for babies
Before you select any random car sun shade, there are a few things to keep in mind. You want to find one that fits your lifestyle and is easy to use — this should be a convenience item, not something that winds up being tedious and difficult. And, because it’s meant to protect your child from the sun, there are also some safety elements to consider.
We spoke to Holly Choi, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor (CPST-I) at Safer Seats and co-owner of Safe Beginnings First Aid, who explained what to look for and avoid in a car sun shade. She explains that car sun shades are known as an “aftermarket” item; they are not subject to rigorous safety tests and, as a result, can potentially become a projectile in a car crash.
“During everyday driving, these types of sun shades are typically perceived to be low-risk,” says Choi. “However, during a crash, G-forces are introduced, leading to something seemingly harmless to become a potentially dangerous projectile.”
Given her guidance, we considered each product based on the following criteria:UV protection: To keep potentially harmful UV rays from reaching your baby, your sun shade should feature UVA protection and ideally, specifically state how much light they block. Although windows block out UVB rays — which are those that cause skin to burn — UVA rays can penetrate glass, including the side and rear windows of your car. All of the baby sun shades on this list explicitly offer UVA protection, and we prioritized those that state how much of those rays they block, ideally over 97 percent. Keep in mind, however, that sun shades won’t last forever — over time, the sun beating down on them will wear them out and they won’t be as effective. If you’re unsure of how long a used sun shade has been in a car, you’re better off getting a new one.Safety: To ensure baby’s safety, you should avoid shades that have suction cups, clips or metal bars, all of which can be unstable and could cause injury during a crash. Instead, you may choose to look for a softer material, like a mesh “window sock” or a cling shade, both of which lack hard metals or plastic. We prioritized baby sun shades that feature the latter. Ease of use: You want a sun shade that’s easy to get on and take off, especially if you have to remove it to open the window. You also want a sun shade that stays on, rather than constantly fall off. All of the sun shades featured received overwhelmingly positive reviews for their ease of use.Size: Most car sun shades are not one size fits all — what works for a small sedan, for example, probably won’t work for a large SUV. When selecting the best car sun shade for babies, we tried to include a variety of sizes. To help with your search, measure your own windows to make sure that the shade will fit before buying.
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Type of shade: Static cling
The Kinder Fluff Sun Shade is an overall great pick for a car sun shade because it’s versatile, affordable and portable. With more than 18,500 five-star reviews on Amazon, parents love that it works on both cars and airplanes for greater use. Plus, it’s proven to block over 99 percent of UVA and UVB rays, and is made of a super fine mesh that makes it tough for sun rays to get through. But it’s still semi-transparent enough that babies and toddlers can look through the window and see what’s going on outside.
These sun shades are also super easy to install: You simply press them to the window and they’ll stick on their own. (Keep in mind that any dust on the window or the shade can affect how well they stick, so keep both clean.) For those skeptical about how long this can last, there are plenty of reviews swearing that these have stuck on car windows for months at a time. Because they come in a pack of four, you can use them on more than one car or you can even layer them for extra shade. When not in use, they twist and fold into a more compact size and come with a carry bag, making it great for road trips or plane travel.
Some reviewers note, however, that because the shade is a universal size, it can either feel too small or too big, depending on the size of your car.
Type of shade: Static cling
Static cling car sun shades are probably the easiest to install and use: You just press them onto the window and, voila! These Enovoe Car Window Shades are made of a very fine mesh that clings to the window without any hard parts like suction cups or clips. They block 97 percent of UVA rays for almost maximum sun protection, and while they are semi-transparent, they can also be layered for extra shade if you need it.
Reviewers rave about how easy these are to use and install, with many noting that they adhere to the window really well but are also easy to reposition if necessary. Although they have a “universal fit,” some reviewers say that the shades are not large enough for SUV windows (but they can be layered for a better fit). Overall, though, these are inexpensive with great reviews, and are a convenient and simple option.
Type of shade: Window “sock”
One downside to many types of car sun shades is that they keep you from using the window. That’s not the case with ShadeSox, which stretch to fit over the entire window, outside and inside. The biggest advantage of them is that you can still roll the window down when they’re on without affecting how well they work.
We also like that they don’t have any hard parts, like suction cups, and are made of a soft, fine mesh that keeps the sun out. They’re easy to use, with a universal fit that is meant to make them appropriate for any car, and they’re breathable. While reviewers rave about how easy these are to use and how well they work, some do note that the universal fit doesn’t feel so universal: Some have said that if they seem too big, they have a baggy look that makes them a bit unattractive. Also note that since these are on the outside of the window as well, they are more prone to getting dirty faster, although they are easy to clean and dry.
Type of shade: Magnetic
These Munchkin Brica sun shades adhere to the window thanks to five magnets, which attach to a metal car frame alongside the inside of the door. There are two advantages to this: One is that it gives it a sturdy feel when it’s on, and the other is that it allows the window to be rolled down even when these are in use. Reviewers also love how easy these are to put on and take off, as well as adjust to get the right fit.
Tika Fender, Art Director with What to Expect, uses the Munchkin Brica Stretch to Fit Shade and found it to be the best by far over other shades she tried. “I love that I can reshape it to the windows in my SUV,” she says, noting that she can still roll her windows down without removing them. “This one's just the best because it attaches to the frame of the door with the magnets.” She adds that she doubled up the shades to get extra shade.
However, note that because these require magnetic force to work, they are not compatible with cars that do not have magnetic frames. Additionally, the inclusion of magnets means that they do have some harder parts on them, unlike a window sock or a static cling type of sun shade. That being said, the magnets are shut in the door of the car and won’t come loose while driving.
Type of shade: Retractable
Looking for more versatility with your car sun shades? Try the Munchkin Brica Sun Safety Car Window Roller Shade. This retractable sun shade allows you to have the shade up or down depending on your preference, and all you have to do is push one button to move it. They have a dual attachment system that gives them a more customized fit: You can opt for adjustable swivel window clips, the suction cup method, or both.
Another unique feature is a button that turns white when the car is too hot. Although it’s not necessary, it might give some parents peace of mind. What’s more is that parents find these shades to be sturdy and fit most cars comfortably (although some do note that they seemed a little small for larger windows). Keep in mind that between the bar these retract into and the suction cups (which are optional for installation), these do have hard items that parents may want to avoid having in their car in case of a crash. And while these do say they have UVA/UVB protection, it’s not clear exactly how much they offer.
Type of shade: Windshield shade
Dimensions: Available in XS to XXL
If you’re more concerned with how hot your car is rather than shading your baby while you’re driving, try getting a windshield sun shade like this Magnelex option. This option sits on the windshield when you aren’t driving to shade the car from the sun, keeping at least some heat from getting inside. Although it obviously can’t be used to shade your little one while you’re driving, it can help regulate the car’s temperature. Some parents note that it keeps their car cool enough so they can enter immediately with their baby instead of having to wait for it to cool down.
This Magnelex option is easy to install and comes with a steering wheel cover that keeps the steering wheel from overheating. It folds when it’s not in use and comes with a carry bag so that you can easily stow it under a seat when you’re driving. It also comes in several different sizes so that you can find the best fit for your car instead of relying on a universal fit. Note that some users said it’s still quite large after folding it up, so you might want to make sure you have enough space in your car.
We spoke to Holly Choi, a Certified Child Passenger Safety Technician-Instructor (CPST-I) at Safer Seats and co-owner of Safe Beginnings First Aid to understand what car sun shades are safe to use.
We also spoke to Tika Fender, Art Director, and mom to a 5-month-old, who has experience using car sun shades.
Car sun shades are an easy and versatile way to shade your baby from the sun while driving. They stick to your window in a variety of ways, are easy to install or remove, and are a temporary, inexpensive option. Tinting your car windows is another option, depending on your state’s rules and regulations, but is expensive and permanent.
In general, yes, car sun shades are safe to use for babies.
Car sun shades are aftermarket products and are not regulated or tested during crash conditions. If you want to keep them as safe as possible, opt for mesh shades that don’t include any hard pieces like suction cups.
Not sure whether the item qualifies for this criteria? Choi says to ask yourself: “If I were to bump this against my own head, would it hurt?” If the answer is yes, the safest bet is to keep it out of the backseat.
“It’s important for parents to know that just because a product is sold in stores, it does not guarantee the product is 100 percent safe,” she adds.
Other ways to use a car sun shade safely is by making sure it’s properly and securely installed and that it fits your window correctly.
Car sun shades are not an essential item for your little one, but they offer a lot of benefits. Mainly, they keep your baby more comfortable and cool in the car and can shade from harmful UVA rays that could otherwise reach their skin through the glass.
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