The windshield sun shade has a dual purpose: On warm days, keeping the interior of your parked-outside car cool so you don’t suffer when you get back in, and also protecting against the damaging effects of ultra-violet (UV) rays. Also, we’ve all seen badly discolored, cracked and dried-up plastic dash pads. UV dries out auto interior materials, including leather, vinyl and other plastics, fabrics and carpets. That’s aesthetic, but it also causes materials to evaporate and release volatile organic compounds (VOCs). A phenomenon known as “new car smell” is similar, in that, according to Chemical & Engineering News, it represents the off-gassing of VOCs from adhesives and sealants. The sun shade is a low-tech product that will combat both of these phenomena. Usually costing $20 or less, it’s a simple rectangle of fabric, or a combination of fabric and plastics (cardboard seems passé) that unfolds to fit across your windshield and block the sun’s rays. Some of the products include a warning: Not to be used while driving!
Do windshield sunshades work? Indeed they do. In this video test, a car that heated up to 120 Fahrenheit on a sunny day saw its interior temperature drop to 92 degrees after a $20 sun shade was installed. Here are five good sun shade choices.
Best Deal: EcoNour Windshield Car Sun Shade
Why We Picked It:
EcoNour’s sun shade is a simple two-piece that folds up quickly into the included carrying case, and in use can (the company claims) reduce interior temperatures by as much as 40 degrees Fahrenheit. There are five sizes, ranging from 59” by 29” to 69” by 35”. Folded, it should fit into a door pocket or under the seats. The product is rectangular with, on either side, circles of high-density 230T (a polyester taffeta used for lining clothes, umbrellas and bags) supported with wire to hold it in place.
Pros:
- More sophisticated than the old accordion cardboard shades
- Folds into a compact, storable shape
Cons:
- Thin in construction, and may not be as durable or provide as much protection as other shades
- Are you good at origami? The folding is a bit tricky
Most Convenient to Use: Ontel Brella Shield Car Windshield Sun Shade
Why We Picked It:
The novelty here is that, instead of simply unfolding, the Ontel Brella opens like is namesake, the umbrella. It’s very simple to use: just pop it open and fit it in place. After use, click the latch and the Brella shrinks back down into a size (less than one square foot) that will actually fit into the glovebox. The idea is catching on: Other products of this type are made by Aikesi, JASVIC and Bosi.
Pros:
- Convenient, if you get the hang of it
- Lightweight, only 1.21 pounds
Cons:
- There’s only one size, 48.5″ wide by 34.5″ high. The company says it “should fit most vehicles,” but that’s dubious. One SUV owner said it would fit if “I rip out my navigation and rear-view mirror.”
- May interfere with phone mounts or windshield toll transponders such as E-ZPass.
Best for Protection: McButy Car Windshield Sunshade
Why We Picked It:
McButy’s sunshade costs a little more but it promises greater protection. It’s 0.12 inches thick and made of five layers: a reflective aluminum foil, two layers of honeycomb bubble insulation, a second type of insulating layer, and then another outer layer of foil. It uses stronger-than-usual dovetail-type suction cups to ensure a good fit with the windshield. Like other sunshades, it folds for easy storage when not in use.
Pros:
- Consumers have seen a 20 to 25-degree Fahrenheit temperature reduction
- High percentage of windshield coverage
- Money-back guarantee
Cons:
- One size (57” by 27.5”) is designed for larger vehicles and may not fit smaller cars
- Some consumers report problems folding these sunshades. No directions included
Best for Driving: Sailead Polarized Sun Visor Sunshade Extender: Best for Driving
Why We Picked It:
This product is quite different, designed to reduce the sun’s glare when you’re actually driving. The sun visors on many cars (the Mazda Miata, for instance) are too small to make much of a difference, but Sailead makes a sun shade that straps with Velcro onto the existing visor and increases sun blockage (all UVA and UVB light rays with wavelengths up to 400 nanometers) 10 inches down and (via a sliding extender) 10 inches to the right. What the company claims is “NASA polarizing technology” filters out reflected light and glare the same way sunglasses do.
Pros:
- Weighs just 8.8 ounces
- Great for heading into strong sunrise situations
- Can be used for driver or light-sensitive passenger, or both
Cons:
- Visor doesn’t completely retract into its sleeve
- Doesn’t fit every car
- Fingerprints build up
Bestselling Sunshades on Amazon
- Protects Your Car Interiors: We know that the sun heat can be exhausting to you as well as to your car. EcoNour Car Sun Shade for Windshield is effective against harmful UV rays from damaging your car's interior accessories. It is super durable and convenient to use.
- Superior Sun Protection: EcoNour's Sun Shield for Car offers outstanding automotive interior sun protection. Thanks to the high-quality, durable 240T sun blocker screen protector material, your car's interior temperature will stay at an optimum level!
- Easy to Use and Fold: Unlike other car windshield sunshades, our Car Window Shade Front Windshield is extremely versatile in nature. You can pop up the sunshades, install them, fold them back and store the sunshades inside the storage pouch with ease!
- Fits perfectly to most sedans and Mid Size SUVs. Find your vehicle in the size chart.
- Premium Quality 210T reflective polyester material blocks heat & sun. Keeps your vehicle cool and protects against damage caused by hot sunlight.
- Storage bag included. You can easily stash the sunshade in the storage bag or store long term.
- Exceptional Heat Reduction and Sun Blocking: EcoNour Foldable Windshield Sun Shade is designed specially in a way to keep your car's interiors cool and comfy. It also prevents fading and cracking your dashboards by effectively blocking out the UV rays and sun’s heat inside your vehicle’s interiors, seats, dashboards, and other electronic devices.
- Impeccable Coverage: EcoNour’s Car Sun Shade for Windshield features a two-piece identical rectangular sunshade (28 x 31 inches) that will fully encompass your vehicle’s visor windshield. It can also be installed either vertically or horizontally for a perfect fitting. Please refer to the size chart.
- Astonishing Quality, Ultimately durable: EcoNour’s Sun Shade for Car Windshield is made out of a premium, long-lasting, enduring, UV reflective, reinforced 240T Polyester which uses heat reduction technology to block a maximum amount of heat and UV rays from penetrating inside your car’s interiors.
- SIZE & FITMENT- Jumbo Size: 66" Width x 27" Height. Universally made for most personal vehicles and fits the windshield using the rear-view mirror as support. The tapered edges allow for a more snug fit.
- COMFORTABLE COOL INTERIOR - On a typical sunny day, avoid the extra heat and keep your interior cool with our top quality Windshield Sunshade Protector. Reduces interior car temperatures by 30-50 degrees. Blocks damaging UV rays; Keeps car cooler on sunny days
- GREAT FOR CAR VAN TRUCK SUV - Increases the lifespan of your vehicle's dash surface, radio, LCD Screen, GPS Devices and other electronics. Unique design with a lightweight, reinforced frame simplifies application and re-positioning
- GREAT GIFT for Your Car: The car sun shade for windshield adopts a stable umbrella stand, convenient and can effectively reduce the temperature in the car. Best summer gift for you and your family.
- Suitable for Most Vehicles: Large size(56×31inch) is suitable for SUVs,vans,trucks, small size(51×29inch) is suitable for most family cars. It is strongly recommended that you measure the car windshield before ordering to make sure this umbrella fit your car.
- Only Takes a Few Seconds: Car windshield sun shade for is easily to pop out and folds back in seconds, which is different from other traditional automobile windshield sunshades products.
- ✔️ PREMIUM PROTECTION FOR CAR INTERIOR - Stop sun and heat damage to your car’s interior in its tracks! With the premium quality A1 car sun shade for windshields you can effectively protect your car from harmful UV rays easily and conveniently. Available in 7 sizes, ideal for any car, SUV, or truck - with a referable sizing chart (Images 2-4) - you can keep your vehicle cool and protected no matter the weather!
- ✔️ ULTIMATE SUN UV RAY BLOCKING MATERIAL - Professionally designed and tested by the A1 ASE certified master technician, this sun shield for car offers superior automotive interior protection thanks to the highly durable and reflective nylon 210T sun blocker screen protector material. Easily keep your car cool and comfortable when parked while preventing UV damage to the interior.
- ✔️ PROVIDES A CUSTOMIZED FIT - Providing the perfect fit to any shape or size of front windshield, the A1 car window shade comes in 7 unique sizes, equipped with two support structures that offer optimal reinforcement and adjustable sizing. With a sleek overlapping design and sizing measuring 46-64 inches x 26-29 inches, this medium size front window car shade allows for a seamless fit for every time!
- ★ Effectively blocks hot sun & heat: On hot days where your car is sitting baking under the scorching sun, it quickly transforms from your favorite urban transport to a giant portable oven, and this brings problems for you and your car. Autoamerics 1-Piece Windshield Sun Shade effectively solves these problems by blocking the scorching hot UV rays and heat.
- ★ Innovative & improved 1-piece design: Our premium sunshades are available in 4 different sizes and protect your dashboard, steering wheel, and seats from overheat. Due to its special cut at the top, our exclusive design sunshade fully adapts to any size or type rearview mirror. Medium / Universal Fit: L = 61" (155cm), W = 32" (81.3cm), Ring Diameter = 28.5" (72.4cm) - fits perfectly to most standard cars, Sedans, Mid-Size SUVs and Trucks with regular-sized windshields.
- ★ High-quality appearance: Autoamerics Shades are premium quality with improved high-density UV reflective material, reinforced with high-strength ductile wire and the latest heat reduction technology. Our sunshades are among the most innovative and effective sunshade solutions available on the market today!
- √ PREMIUM MATERIAL - Windshield Sun shade - Reflective aluminum foil combine with thicken 5-layer bubble material make the cooling effect is more significant,100% reflected sunlight.
- √ KEEP VEHICLE COOL - Car Window Shade - 5-layer super reflective insulation:1.Aluminum foil reflective insulation 2.Honeycomb bubble insulation 3.Insulating insulation 4.Honeycomb bubble insulation 5.Aluminum foil reflective insulation,keep the temperature at 25-35℃,and the fuel consumption saving air conditioning, helps keep car interior cool during hot & sunny weather.
- √ EASY TO USE AND STORE - Car Sun Shields - Folding design, Sunshade is quick and easy to install and uninstall,can be reused.Storing the sun block with nylon button,and 2 pieces of 2.2inch dovetail type environmental protection suction cup,more solid.
- Exceptional Sun Heat Reduction: EcoNour Accordion Car Shade front windshield is designed specially in a way to keep your car's interiors cool and comfy. It also prevents fading and cracking your dashboards by effectively blocking out the UV rays
- Maintains Pristine and Cool Car Interiors: Ever opened your door to a blast of hot air in your face? Our Accordion-type car shield for sun is made of reflective aluminum foil that protects you from the sun's heat and harmful UV rays effectively.
- Easy to Install and Remove: Unlike other windshield sunshades, our automotive window sunshades are easy to install. Place the sunshade and lower the overhead sun visor for an extra support. You can also fold the dashboard sun visor with ease!
- KEEP VEHICLE COOL - Reflective material deflects sunlight and heat- reduce automobile internal humidity, insulation performance is good, effectively reduce the temperature inside the car, the fuel consumption saving air conditioning, helps keep car interior cool during hot & sunny weather
- PREMIUM MATERIAL - Reflective aluminum foil combine with double layer bubble material make the cooling effect is more significant , Frost and snow prevention Dust-proof
- UV PROTECTOR - Perfect for interior protection while blocking the harmful UV rays from damaging your upholstery. Protect the car instrument desk, steering wheel and chairs, etc. Not aging metamorphism by sunlight
Methodology
Forbes Wheels based its evaluation of automotive sun visors on the ratings of critics, existing tests, and the manufacturers’ fact sheets, as well as the many online reviews from hands-on users of the products.
FAQs (frequently asked questions)
What if I just want a novelty sunshade with eye-popping graphics?
Have no fear, the marketplace will accommodate you, the imagery extending from cute dogs and cats to The Golden Girls, Star Trek, The Office, and even Vincent Van Gogh. The neat pictures will not further protect your car, however. Some buyers have said novelty sunshades aren’t long-life sunshades.
There’s more than one type of sun shade?
Yes, reflective and non-reflective versions. The reflective type reflects the sun’s light back out, and the non-reflective absorbs sunlight. According to CompleteCarComfort.com, “Both sunshades will greatly reduce the interior temperature of your vehicle, but most will agree that reflective models work better.”
What about skin cancer?
This is another great reason to reduce your exposure to UV light, and why a beefed-up sun visor makes some sense. According to the Centers for Disease Control, skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the U.S., and one in five Americans will be diagnosed with a form of it. Prolonged contact with UV rays is a big risk factor. Shorter-wavelength UVB light causes most sunburns, but it won’t come through a window. Longer-wavelength UVA rays will come through, and it’s the major risk factor while driving.
And these sun visors really do work, right?
Indeed, it’s a simple solution with big benefits. Tests show the interior temperature can be reduced by 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Americans who live in the Southeast and the western states enjoy vehicles that don’t rust, but they also see heavy depredation caused by the sun, in the form of discoloration, dried-up rubber seals, dash pads (which can reach 200 degrees Fahrenheit on hot summer days) cracked into relief maps and splitting leather seats. These sun shades won’t help window seals, but they’re very effective against dash cracks and seat disintegration.
Won’t the sun wear out the sunshade, too?
No sunshade lasts forever, you big spender. But then, no sunshade (in this evaluation) costs more than $30.