The 8 Best Car Covers to Protect Your Vehicle

It's hard to keep your car looking as new as when you first purchased it. Whether the color is starting to lose its vibrance or the paint is beginning to chip, we've all experienced a car losing its original shine. Fortunately, a tool like a car cover can help you maintain your car's original look and feel. Priced from $37 to over $600, there are various price points for car covers, so much so that you're sure to find something within your budget.
If you’re on the fence about whether investing in a car cover is the right move, wondering about the benefits, and curious about the best car covers to check out, read on.
What are car covers?
Car covers are a material that you fit over a car to protect it from damage — like UV rays or dirt. They can come in a variety of different sizes. For example, some car covers fit SUVs and pick-up trucks, while others fit over compact cars.
It’s important to look at the sizing, so you know what type of car cover to get that will snugly fit over your vehicle. Car covers typically have multiple layers. The first is meant to defend against damage and includes a stiff synthetic fiber. The innermost layer is normally made of softer material to protect your car’s paint.
What are the benefits of using a car cover?
Car covers offer some significant advantages for drivers. Here are a few to consider as you decide on the best car cover for you:
- Helps maintain paint – Over time, UV rays and severe weather can wear away your car’s paint. A car cover can be a barrier against occurrences like these which can keep your car’s paint from peeling or fading. Also, the car cover’s interior soft layer will further help to protect your paint from damage. [Text Wrapping Break]
- Keeps your car clean – You likely don’t have the time to wash your car daily. Car covers allow you to keep your car clean in between washes. Doing this can protect against bird droppings, dirt, and grime. [Text Wrapping Break]
- Protect against theft – The extra time it would take for a thief to take the covering off your car can likely be a deterrent for stealing it. [Text Wrapping Break]
- Prevent damage – A good car covering can protect your vehicle from dings and dents, especially during extreme weather events like thunderstorms that can cause debris and hail.
Overall, car covers are also a great way to protect your car against winter weather and rust, common occurrences that can damage your vehicle. They can keep your car looking fresh, especially if you don’t have a garage to store your automobile. [Text Wrapping Break][Text Wrapping Break]The best car covers for 2022 – AutoZone
Best Car Covers
If you’re considering purchasing a car cover, we wanted to help you jumpstart your research. Below is a collection of recommendations of our best car covers:
Budge Car Cover TRB-2x
Whether you’re looking to protect your car outside or in your garage, the Budge Car Cover TRB-2X is a great option. It comes with 100% waterproof protection in three layers, and the polypropylene film not only guards against UV rays but also allows for condensation to escape, protecting your vehicle from moisture. Lastly, the inner layer is outfitted with a soft material so as not to damage your car’s paint. With a rating of 4.4 out of five, users were impressed with the ease of use and overall fit.
ProElite Light Duty Indoor/Shot-Term Outdoor Car Cover
Are you looking for an affordable car cover that doesn’t sacrifice quality? The ProElite Light Duty Indoor/Short-Term Outdoor Car Cover is a great option to consider. The lightweight cover can protect against dust and dirt and ward off moisture. It also comes with an elastic hem, making it easier to fit your car. If you know you need a car cover for light weather or short-term outdoor use, this car cover can hold up nicely. With a 4.4 out of 5 rating, customers were happy with the price and snug fit.
ProElite Extreme-Duty Outdoor Waterproof Car Cover
Depending on where you live, you sometimes need a heavy-duty cover to protect your car. The ProElite Extreme-Duty Outdoor car cover can protect your vehicle from sun, snow, and rain. It offers a balance: lightweight enough to provide breathability, but it still offers protection against many types of weather patterns. It comes with a multiple polypropylene layers and microporous film, which allows it to be water-resistant and protect against UV rays. Customers gave this product a 4.5 out of 5 rating overall and were happy with its sturdiness and material quality.
ProElite Moderate Duty Outdoor Extended Cab Truck Cover
Whether you’re using your pick-up truck for leisure or work, you’ll want to protect it to keep the elements or thieves from targeting it. The ProElite Moderate Duty Outdoor Extended Cab Truck Cover is ideal for accomplishing this. The material allows it to seal the car from moisture while also being breathable. It comes with a full elastic hem and a secure fit. Customers who selected this car cover for their pick-up truck were happy with its durability and secure fit, allowing it to remain fitted in intense weather.
Budge Car Cover TRB-3
Are you looking for an additional car cover option for your truck? The Budge Car Cover TRB-3 is another choice to add to your research list. Much like Budge’s other products, this one comes with a 100% waterproof covering, three layers that ensure UV protection, and a secure and form-fitting cover. It’s also breathable. This car covering has a 4.4 out of 5.0 rating, and customers were satisfied with its longevity and fit.
Budge Car Cover TD-9
The Budge Car Cover TD-9 is a great choice for your car covering needs if you live in a windy area. This car cover has built-in grommets that allow you to tie down the cover to ward against wind easily. The car cover’s three layers make it easier to protect against dust, dirt, tree sap, and other additional environmental pollutants. It’s water-resistant and includes a storage bag and antenna patch. With a 4.7 out of 5 rating, customers were satisfied with the value and durability.
Budge Car Cover VRB-3
While most car covers offer some protection against water, some are more effective against precipitation than others. This car cover is 100% waterproof in both indoor and outdoor settings. It also seeks to stay in place with elastic hems and built-in grommets. If you’re in an area that gets a lot of rain and snow, the Budge Car Cover VRB-3 is worth a look. Customers were happy with the product’s elastic hem’s fit effectiveness, and performance during intense weather.
ProElite Light Duty Indoor/Short Term Outdoor Car Cover
This is another excellent product for those who want protection for their cars but also want to stay within budget. The car cover is breathable, with the interior car cover being soft enough not to damage your car. This car cover also includes an elastic hem and a straight fit. Customers gave this product a 4.4 out of 5 rating, and were impressed with the cover’s price point and fit.
Do you need help protecting your car from the elements? Take a look at our inventory and buy your next car cover at AutoZone.
FAQ/People Also Ask
Which type of car cover is best?
The best car cover can adequately protect your vehicle against elements like snow, dirt, rain, and intense weather patterns.
Do car covers damage your car?
Most car covers come with an inner layer that includes soft material. This material is meant not to damage your car’s paint.
Why shouldn’t you use a car cover?
Sometimes moisture can get caught in a car cover and expose it to condensation. So, you want to be sure to find a car cover that fits your car snugly to prevent this.
What are the pros and cons of a car cover?
Car covers can protect your car from the elements, but they can also cause moisture to get trapped if the covering is not appropriately sealed.
How do I choose an outdoor car cover?
Find a car cover that’s water-resistant, multi-layered, and has built-in grommets and an elastic fit to fit it around your vehicle securely.
Can you put a car cover on a wet car?
No. A car cover will prevent the vehicle from adequately drying, which can cause water spots or mold growth.