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Rik Paul Contributor
Rik is equal parts geek, gearhead, and driving enthusiast. He’s been reviewing cars, auto electronics, and car accessories for over 25 years, and he’s held staff positions with Motor Trend, Consumer Reports’ autos team, and Wirecutter, the NY Times Company’s product-review website. Rik has also written DIY auto-repair manuals for Haynes. And he likes nothing better than to be exploring new places in a great vehicle.
By Rik Paul
Rik Paul Contributor
Rik is equal parts geek, gearhead, and driving enthusiast. He’s been reviewing cars, auto electronics, and car accessories for over 25 years, and he’s held staff positions with Motor Trend, Consumer Reports’ autos team, and Wirecutter, the NY Times Company’s product-review website. Rik has also written DIY auto-repair manuals for Haynes. And he likes nothing better than to be exploring new places in a great vehicle.
Contributor
Michael Venn Contributor
Michael is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and founded the production company Venn Creative Media in 2018 which focuses primarily on clients in the automotive community. Michael is a writer, director, producer, cinematographer and award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films have been screened on television, streaming platforms and film festivals nationwide. He was nominated for a Boston/New England regional Emmy and won the New Hampshire Filmmaker of the Year award in 2017. He is on Instagram @venncreativemedia.
Reviewed By
Michael Venn
Michael Venn Contributor
Michael is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and founded the production company Venn Creative Media in 2018 which focuses primarily on clients in the automotive community. Michael is a writer, director, producer, cinematographer and award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films have been screened on television, streaming platforms and film festivals nationwide. He was nominated for a Boston/New England regional Emmy and won the New Hampshire Filmmaker of the Year award in 2017. He is on Instagram @venncreativemedia.
Contributor
Updated: Jan 5, 2024, 6:52pm
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Sunny days mean outdoor fun and, usually, good driving conditions. But that giant orb in the sky can sometimes be more foe than friend. It can create glare for the driver and passengers. Its UV radiation will gradually deteriorate interior materials, and it can still do all the usual unpleasant things, like contribute to skin aging and skin cancer. And it can heat up your vehicle like a greenhouse, sometimes beyond what your A/C system can battle. That’s where window tints come in.
Tinting your car’s windows helps reduce all of those problems while adding a dash of privacy and style to your automotive sanctuary. Window tint film is relatively inexpensive and, with a little patience and attention to detail, easy to apply yourself. You can buy precut kits for specific vehicles, which minimize both the installation time and learning curve. You can also buy the film as a roll, which is less expensive and gives you more wiggle room in case of user application error, and longer rolls let you do multiple vehicles.
There are multiple tint shades and materials available that let you tailor the look and environment you want (see FAQs). But be sure to check your state’s laws before buying so you get the right stuff for your needs. And if your state doesn’t allow window tints, check out our article on How To Remove Window Tint: An Easy Process To Save You Money.
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- Best Window Tints For 2024
- MotoShield Pro Premium Precut Ceramic Kit
- MotoShield Pro Premium Ceramic Roll
- Lexen Max 2Ply Carbon
- RockRose 20% VLT Car Tint
- Gila Heat Shield Basic
- What are the different types of tint films? What type of window tint should I get?
- Methodology
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Maybe You're Interested In Car Window Tints Available On Amazon
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THIS IS AN ADVERTIsem*nT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisem*nt, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
1
Veharvim Polarized Sun Visor
Warranty
12-month warranty
Polarization efficiency
≥95%
Other features
polycarbonate construction, Anti-scratch coating, Hook and loop windshield visor extender
2
TOYOCO Window Tint Film
Color
- 5%vlt
UV protection
Yes
Other features
Keeps car interiors cool, Strengthened glass, Scratch proof
3
Mega Auto Market – CFLM-01
Color
- 20% vlt
Tint range
- 5% to 35%
Other features
Long-life adhesive, 20 ft x 20 ft Roll, Fade and scratch resistant
Best Window Tints For 2024
- MotoShield Pro Premium Precut Ceramic Kit: Best Overall
- MotoShield Pro Premium Ceramic Roll: Best Roll Tint
- Lexen Max 2Ply Carbon: Best Pre-Cut Carbon Film
- RockRose 20% VLT Car Tint: Best Ceramic Film On A Roll
- Gila Heat Shield Basic: Best Budget Buy
Best Overall
MotoShield Pro Premium Precut Ceramic Kit
Material
Ceramic nanoparticles
Brand
MotoShield
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV and infrared radiation
Best Overall
MotoShield Pro Premium Precut Ceramic Kit
Material
Ceramic nanoparticles
Brand
MotoShield
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV and infrared radiation
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Roll Tint
MotoShield Pro Premium Ceramic Roll
Material
Nano Ceramic
Brand
MotoShield
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV and infrared radiation
Best Roll Tint
MotoShield Pro Premium Ceramic Roll
Material
Nano Ceramic
Brand
MotoShield
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV and infrared radiation
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Ceramic Film On A Roll
RockRose 20% VLT Car Tint
Material
Ceramic
Brand
RockRose
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV and 84% of infrared radiation
Best Ceramic Film On A Roll
RockRose 20% VLT Car Tint
Material
Ceramic
Brand
RockRose
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV and 84% of infrared radiation
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
Best Budget Buy
Gila Heat Shield Basic
Material
Dyed
Brand
Gila
UV Protection
Blocks 99% of UV rays
Why We Picked It
Pros & Cons
What are the different types of tint films? What type of window tint should I get?
All window tint films reduce the amount of visible light coming into a vehicle, which helps reduce glare and provides more privacy. All of the ones we recommend are claimed to block up to 99% of UV radiation, which helps protect your skin and reduces the potential for fading and damage to interior materials.
The most economical tints use layers of dyes, which have an adhesive layer on the bottom, a tinted layer in the middle and a polyester coating on the surface for protection. They look good and don’t cost much, but they fade more quickly and can take on a purplish cast over time.
Metalized films use tiny metallic particles within the tinting layer to reflect more sunlight, which helps reduce the amount of heat entering the vehicle and better resists fading. This type has fallen out of favor with many drivers, though, because of reports that the metallic particles can interfere with electronic signals of phones, portable GPS navigators and other in-car consumer electronics.
For many drivers, a better alternative is a carbon window tint, which replaces the metal, which can play havoc with digital signals, with particles with tiny bits of carbon. This has similar heat-reflective properties but without the chance of electronic interference. It also has a matte-like finish that many people like, and it holds up better than basic dyed films.
The most expensive type is ceramic film, which uses nano-sized ceramic particles instead of carbon or metal. It blocks more infrared radiation and heat from entering the car than carbon films, and it’s very durable and long-lasting. Unfortunately, it’s also the most expensive.
Methodology
Most vehicle owners reading this will be looking to tint their windows themselves instead of going to a specialized shop. For that reason, we prioritize tinting products that most D-I-Y’ers can apply. Although this also encompasses professional-grade tinting supplies, we’ve included some budget and easy-install items installers at a shop might not use as they don’t come in bulk. Our picks are drawn from our own experiences within window tinting but also from evaluations from end users and other critics. Our selections also reflect a broad spectrum of tinting needs.
We evaluate all window tinting films and products on these weighted metrics:
- Quality and durability of materials (35%)
- Price (20%)
- Ease of installation: (25%)
- Quantity to Price Ratio (10%)
- Tinting range (5%)
- Warranty/Return Policy (5%)
Looking For Car Accessories?
Match your car to your style with varied car accessories like seat covers, floor mats and more. Get competitive pricing from top brands here.
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THIS IS AN ADVERTIsem*nT AND NOT EDITORIAL CONTENT. Please note that we do receive compensation for any products you buy or sign up to via this advertisem*nt, and that compensation impacts the ranking and placement of any offers listed herein. We do not present information about every offer available. The information and savings numbers depicted above are for demonstration purposes only, and your results may vary.
On Amazon
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Do the Tint Numbers Mean?
All window tints have a VLT (visible light transmission) percentage number that can range from 5 to 70. The lower the number, the less visible light enters the vehicle. A film with a VLT percentage of 70, for example, is a lighter shade that blocks only 30% of the outside light, allowing 70% into the vehicle.
At the other extreme, a VLT of 5 is very dark, allowing in only 5% of the light, which is why it’s often used in limos. (Standard sunglasses have a VLT of 15-25.) In most states, the front side windows are limited to a tint of 30% to 50% VLT. The website, tinting-laws.com, has a good visual simulation of the different VLT percentages.
Is it Legal to Tint My Vehicle’s Windows?
Yes, but every state has its own laws about window tinting, and you should check your state’s regs on this AAA site before buying. No states let you tint your whole windshield, but most allow you to tint a five- or six-inch strip along the top (or down to the windshield’s so-called AS1 line). The laws for the side windows and the rear window vary.
Police also sometimes use tinted windows for a pretext stop. The driver is pulled over for a possible minor violation (tinted windows, an air freshener hanging from the mirror, a tail lamp out) in hopes of finding a larger violation.
Keep in mind that if you’re applying a tint over factory-tinted windows, the total light transmission of both will be measured. We’ve read comments from users who bought a tint that matched their state’s limits and still failed their car’s inspection, possibly for this reason. In addition to the AAA website above, windowtintlaws.us provides a good explanation of each state’s laws, as well as some helpful articles about tinting (but be ready to sift through the ads).
Can I Install Window Tint Myself?
Generally, window tints aren’t tricky to install, but they do require a few tools, a clean environment, and an ample amount of patience. The easiest type to install is a precut kit, which has been trimmed to fit your specific car model. With a roll of film, you need to measure the windows and cut the film to the right size yourself.
Once cut, most products are installed by spraying the inside of a window with a soap-and-water solution, positioning the film on the window, and smoothing it out with a squeegee. While many products come with a squeegee, it helps to have a good basic installation kit, which you can get for under $20.
Before attempting the installation, we recommend you read over the instructions that many companies provide on their websites. There are also many installation videos available, either on company websites or YouTube.
Compound curved glass, such as rear windows that curve in both directions, can be the biggest challenge for first-timers. Some companies advise you to shrink the film with a heat gun to get it to fit well, and there are a number of good YouTube videos, such as this one, that show you how to do it. A good heat gun costs about $30, or $50 as part of an installation kit. Other companies recommend installing it in horizontal strips, even though this can leave visible seams in the tint.
What’s the Best Window Tint to Reduce Heat?
Both metalized and ceramic tints will greatly help with heat, but ceramic tints are better. In ceramic tint film, the materials that are used to repel heat are nano-sized carbon particles. As a nonmetal, Carbon won’t cause any trouble with your radio or cellphone reception the way a metalized film might, and Carbon film blocks about 50% of the sun’s heat. These tint films also have a reputation for being a little more durable than other types.
How Long do Window Tints Last?
It depends on the type of film. According to Gila Film Products, the dyes and pigments used in basic dyed window-tint film will gradually break down from UV radiation. Presuming correct installation and proper maintenance, the company estimates they will last three to four years before beginning to fade. But this depends a lot on the environment you drive in and how much direct sun the car gets.
Films that reflect more sunlight, such as those with carbon or ceramic particles, will last longer, often five to 10 years.
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Rik PaulContributor
Rik is equal parts geek, gearhead, and driving enthusiast. He’s been reviewing cars, auto electronics, and car accessories for over 25 years, and he’s held staff positions with Motor Trend, Consumer Reports’ autos team, and Wirecutter, the NY Times Company’s product-review website. Rik has also written DIY auto-repair manuals for Haynes. And he likes nothing better than to be exploring new places in a great vehicle.
Michael VennContributor
Michael is a lifelong automotive enthusiast and founded the production company Venn Creative Media in 2018 which focuses primarily on clients in the automotive community. Michael is a writer, director, producer, cinematographer and award-winning documentary filmmaker. His films have been screened on television, streaming platforms and film festivals nationwide. He was nominated for a Boston/New England regional Emmy and won the New Hampshire Filmmaker of the Year award in 2017. He is on Instagram @venncreativemedia.
