Best Window Tints: Block the Sun & Make Your Car More Stylish

The best automotive window tints for privacy and to keep the heat away

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PUBLISHED ON April 18, 2019

Whether it’s to upgrade your vehicle’s look or block light on hot days, the best window tint can completely transform your car or truck. Auto tints are applied to the glass surfaces of your vehicle, such as the windshield, rear glass, and side windows. The best auto tint has several advantages that will make driving not only more comfortable but also safer.

This window tint provides good heat reduction and has a 99% anti-UV rate. You can choose a shade up to 50%.

This scratch-resistant tint blocks 99% of UV rays and is non-reflective. It includes five tint shades, and the company provides thousands of tint patterns for 1990-2018 vehicles.

Written by Noelle Talmon

Published April 18, 2019

All of our reviews are based on market research, expert input, or practical experience with most products we include. This way, we offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

Benefits of Window Tints

• Keep your car cooler. During the summer or in hot climates, the interior of your car can get very hot. The best auto tint will keep the interior cooler.
• Block UV rays. Ultraviolet radiation from the sun can be very harmful to the human body. It can cause a number of health issues, such as skin cancer (melanoma), cataracts, and premature skin aging.
• Cut down glare. When you’re driving, the sun can be very bright, which can cause eye fatigue. The best window film for cars is particularly useful if you’re driving a long distance on a sunny day.
• Get more privacy. The best auto window tint will conceal items inside your vehicle, particularly things in the back seat. It’s also more difficult to see people inside a car with a window tint.
• Reduce fuel consumption. Since window tints keep your vehicle’s interior cooler, you’re less likely to crank up the air conditioner. This reduces the amount of fuel you use, saving you money.
• Keep your interior from fading. The best-quality window tint will prevent the hot sun from penetrating the glass and fading your front and back seats, dashboard, and other interior areas.
• Boost glass protection. The best window tint film has an adhesive layer that may prevent the glass from shattering if it is struck in an impact. This can help protect you and your passengers.

Types of Window Tints

Dyed Film

This type of tint includes a layer of dye between an adhesive layer and a polyester top coating. The tint appears flat and opaque from the outside and gives the driver and passenger good visibility. Dyed film is non-reflective, less expensive, and blocks glare. However, it provides the least amount of heat and UV protection. It can also deteriorate in high temperatures. Eventually, UV rays will turn the dye from black to a shade of purple.

Metallic or Metallized Film

Metallic tints have a metallic look and feature an adhesive layer, a layer that blocks UV rays, a metallic layer that reflects light, and a protective outer layer. This type of tint does not fade, is very durable, and is great at reducing heat and UV reduction. However, it can obstruct radio waves and other electronic signals, such as a cell phone signal, GPS, or TPMS.

Carbon Film

Carbon tints block UV rays and interior fading. They reflect as much as 40 percent of infrared light with their dark, matte finish. They do not fade over time, and they help reduce overall fuel consumption because they cool your vehicle enough to reduce the amount of air conditioning you need.

Ceramic Film

The best ceramic tint features ceramic particles that are non-conductive. It performs very well and is the newest type of tint on the market. It blocks up to 99 percent of UV rays, reduces glare more than other types of tint, and does not fade. It keeps your vehicle at the desired temperature and does not interfere with electronic signals; however, it’s more expensive than other types of tint.

Factory

Several car manufacturers offer you the option of having a factory tint. Windows are permanently tinted via a process known as «deep dipping.» While this darkens the glass, it is not the best car window tint for heat reduction or UV protection. Typically, factory-tinted windows have a VLT index of 15 to 26 percent. This can cool your car’s interior but won’t offer a lot of privacy or protect you completely from the sun.

Top Brands

Suntek

SunTek is headquartered in Martinsville, Va., and is under the Eastman umbrella. The parent company has more than 60 years of experience in film production and technology. One top product is the Suntek Window Films Carbon 18 Black 40 Inches by 100 Feet 1.5 Millimeter Non-Fade — CARBON 18 40X100.

MotoShield Pro

MotoShield Pro is based in Commerce, Calif., and focuses on using nano-coating protection for your car inside and out with an easy-to-clean, ultra-smooth surface. One popular product is the MotoShield Pro PreCut Ceramic Tint Film All Windows Any Shade.

3M began as a small-scale mining venture in Northern Minnesota over a century ago in 1902. The company operates in 70 countries and produces more than 60,000 products. One popular auto window tint is the 3M 1080 G12 GLOSS BLACK 5 Feet by 7 feet (35 Square Feet) Car Wrap Vinyl Film.

LEXEN

LEXEN is based in Catonsville, Md., and is a Formula One/LLumar-authorized window tint dealer. One of its top products is the LEXEN 2 Ply Premium Carbon 20 Inches by 100 Feet Roll Window Tint Film.

Gila Window Film is manufactured by CPFilms Inc., a subsidiary of Eastman Chemical Company in Martinsville, Va., which has over 60 years of experience in film production. One popular product is the Gila 550001807 Heat Shield 5% VLT Automotive Window Tint DIY Heat Control Glare Control Privacy 2 Feet by 6.5 Feet (24 Inches by 78 Inches).

Window Tint Pricing

• Under $25: There are several window tints on the market in this price range, but they sometimes cover just a couple of windows and not the whole car. A few may be applied with static cling instead of adhesive.
• $25-50: Some of the best window tints fall into this category. You can get a decent-quality product for this price, and they typically come in larger square footage.
• Over $50: Window tints can cost upwards of several hundred dollars. More expensive products tend to be more pliable and easier to use with curved surfaces. They also are more resistant to bubbling and peeling.

Key Features

Pre-Cut Versus Rolled

Pre-cut films are cut precisely to match the dimensions of your windows. Conversely, you must cut rolled tints yourself to make a proper fit. Pre-cut films are typically more expensive compared to the DIY version. If you are proficient at measuring, consider a rolled tint to save some money.

VLT Levels

The shade measures how much light can pass through a tint. The best types of window tint typically come in various shades of black and are rated by the percentage of visible light transmission (VLT) that enters the vehicle. Tints with a lower VLT percentage are darker, while tints with a higher VLT percentage are lighter. For example, a VLT with 50 percent means that 50 percent of the light will come into the vehicle. The best window tint percentage is up to you.

Is Car Window Tinting a Good Idea?

There are benefits to window tinting, but know the regulations where you live so you can do it legally.

Window tinting refers to the process of applying a thin laminate film to a vehicle’s glass in order to darken it. The reasons people choose to tint the windows of an automobile vary. These might include privacy or security; protection from UV rays including UVA, the ones responsible for causing skin cancer; and reducing solar gain (interior heat) and thus incrementally improving fuel economy; and cutting down on glare from the sun. Of course, there are purely aesthetic reasons as well for applying car window tint. It doesn’t hurt that some people think that tinted car windows look cool, like celeb-style sunglasses for your car.

A Car Window Tint Can Reduce UV Radiation

While the standard glass used in car windows can block some UV radiation, a car window tint of good quality from a reputable manufacturer —if applied correctly—can help increase protection from ultraviolet radiation. It can also help preserve the interior of your car, including the upholstery, carpeting, and dashboard, which can fade over time by exposure to sunlight.

The amount of light that a window tint allows into the interior varies greatly, and affects how well you can see out. Every state has its own regulations and laws pertaining to the level of darkness it allows for automotive window tints. The volume of light that can pass through your window is referred to as variable light transmission, or VLT. Each state has different regulations concerning VLT percentage, so it’s a good idea to check local laws concerning what you’re allowed to do.

In addition to blocking UVA radiation, a window tint can provide a couple of safety and security benefits. In an accident, automotive window tint film can actually help hold shattered glass in place or reduce the amount of shattered glass. Darkened windows may also hide or obscure articles left in your car, which may deter a thief. (But be sure to roll down your darkened windows if you’re stopped by a police officer. Not being able to see in will put them on the defensive, and neither you nor they want that.)

The amount of window tint that’s legal differs from state to state

While most car window tints are dark films, there are clear and transparent versions such as 3M’s Crystalline Series. According to 3M, its clear car window covering is actually a form of nanotechnology consisting of 200 layers of optical film stacked into a coating thinner than a Post-it note. The maker claims the Crystalline Series rejects up to 60 percent of solar energy and 97 percent of heat-producing infrared rays—although 3M doesn’t cite minimum protection levels. The company also says that the clear «tint» blocks up to 99 percent of UV radiation (again, without citing a minimum level) and provides an SPF factor of 1000.

Generally, you can’t tint an entire windshield, but a tint bar that runs across the top of the windshield is allowed in some states. In California, for example, a tinted bar up to five inches is allowed at the top of a windshield. In Illinois and Alabama, a window-tint bar of six inches is allowed. In Michigan, any amount of tint is allowed on the rear side windows and rear window.

Do You Really Want to Do It Yourself?

The process of applying window tint can take between one to four hours, sometimes more, and can get expensive. A basic car window tint can be done for $100, while a high-quality job can range up to $800.

It’s possible to do it yourself to save the cost of labor, but there are some issues to consider before you decide to apply a car window tint yourself versus allowing a professional to handle it. The most obvious positive to taking the DIY route is that it’s cheaper. If you’re handy, patient, and have a clean area in which to work (such as a garage with little to no dust), applying window tint isn’t especially hard. Then again, an experienced professional can generally do a better job while saving you time. The work often comes with a guarantee or warranty, and they can make sure the tint is legal, helping you avoid a citation.

Now you know the basics. The choice to tint or not to tint is up to you.

Window Tinting Laws by State in the US

The automotive window tinting industry is one that has EXPLODED over the last few years, and for good reason. Right there next to awesome vinyl wraps, stylish rims and a sound system that shakes the world, tinted windows is in fact one of the most popular upgrades for your vehicle. Whether it is for medical reasons, to provide comfort from the hot sun or simply cosmetic it is important to make sure that your window tint is legal according to your specific states guidelines.

At Windowtintlaws.us it is our aim to not only provide you with up to date window tint laws by state, but we also want to help you pick the right tint brand, learn the benefits of tinting your windows, find a reputable window tint shop near you and even teach you how to DIY your window tint if you are feeling ambitious.

Tinting your windows is one of those awesome car upgrades that can actually make a positive difference not only for your comfort level while driving but can even provide many health benefits like protecting you from the suns UV rays and keeping you cool. Window tint is also widely used as a deterrent to potential thieves as it is difficult to see into your car with darker tinted windows.

While window tint offers many benefits, there are a few things that you must keep in mind. One issue is the fact that it may be difficult to see through your windows if your tint is too dark. Checkout our window tint percentages page to preview what certain percentage tint will look like.

Below you will see a brief overview of the different car window tinting laws and regulations by state. If you don’t understand what the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) percentages mean it can basically be summed up like this. The VLT % is basically telling you the percentage of light that will be allowed to pass through the window film. The lower the percentage the DARKER the tint. The higher the percentage the lighter the tint.

The information provided on this website is generic STATE window tint law information. Your specific district, county or city may have its own restrictions, exemptions or regulations. To be on the safe side you should verify any information you find on the internet yourself with your local DMV or other law enforcement authorities before tinting your car windows to avoid any potential headaches.

Car Window Tinting Laws By State:

Simply click the name of the state that you would like more tint laws information for and you will be taken to a full guide for the rules and regulations specific to that state. If you notice any incorrect data please let us know via our contact page.

Additionally, if you would like to learn more about auto window tinting be sure to take a look at the rest of the articles provided on this website.