The Best Car Window Sun Shades (Review) in 2020

Whether you are looking for the best car window shades for baby or want a general-purpose car window sun blocker, it is important to know what products are out there. To choose the right one for your needs, you also need to understand why these sun screens are among the best. In this section of the buying guide, we look at sun shades in more detail and consider what you should be looking for in-car side window shades. We also outline the key benefits of using a car window shade and answer some of the most frequently asked questions about car window shades.

What to Look For In A Car Window Shade

When looking for a car window shade it is important to consider why it is you are buying a sun shade for your vehicle. The main reason for its purchase will help determine which is the right shade for you. For example, if it is to keep your car cool while it is stationary, you might want to consider a full windshield car sunshade. However, this would be completely impractical if you want to stay cool while driving. Similarly, if you want to keep your front seat passenger cool, a sun shade designed specifically for rear side windows will again be of little use. As well as purpose, there are a number of other key things you should look for when buying a sun shade for your car. These include:

• Size

If the baby sun shade you choose is too small, then it will not provide adequate coverage. If it is too big, then it may be difficult, if not impossible, to install on your car window. Take note of the measurements of the shade, whether it can be overlapped with other shades, and if it is a stretchable shade, its maximum measurements.

• Fittings

Most sun shades either use suction cups or static to fit to your car window. A further group of shades fit over the exterior edge of the door and pull down over the window. There are positives and negatives to each type, however, static and exterior fitting sun shades are less likely to fall off your window or mark the glass. Static sun shades are also easier to reposition and can be overlapped with other static sunshades for improved coverage if needed. None of this is required with exterior fitted sun shades as the window is completely covered. However, it is vital with this type of fitting that you purchase the right size car window UV protection shade, otherwise it will not fit at all.

• UV protection

The higher the UV protection, the better the level of protection you are offering your passengers. A high level of UV protection is especially important for babies and young children as their skin is more delicate. Most of the best car window shades for baby and toddler aged children block at least 97% of harmful UV rays.

• Visibility

Most sun shades for cars are made from a mesh material that allows some degree of visibility. However, this degree of visibility differs between different manufacturers and styles. If you want to use a sun shade on the driver’s side door, then it is important that you choose one that does not impede your visibility at all.

• Windows

Do you want to be able to open your windows while you are on your journey? The answer to this definitely affects your choice of sun shades. Most do not allow you to roll down your window without affecting the coverage you get from the sun shade. The exception to this is exterior fitting sun shades. These fit over the edge of the door or window frame, meaning you can still roll down your window and allow air to circulate without compromising on your baby sun shade coverage.

• Storage

Unless you want to keep your sun shades on all the time, you will need to be able to store them. Ideally, you want to store them in your vehicle so that they are close to hand when you need them. The best sun shades use twist and fold technology to allow them to be stored in small spaces such as your central console or under or seat.

Benefits of Using Car Window Shades

There are many benefits to using car window shades. Firstly, a car window shade protects you and your passengers from harmful UV rays. While many car windscreens are treated to block both UVA and UVB, side windows are not and many only block UVB. This means that your passengers are at risk of the damaging effects of these rays, including skin cancers. Car sun shades are specifically designed to block at least 97% of UV rays and significantly reduce the risk to your passengers.

Car sun shades also help to cool the interior of your vehicle. This reduces the risk of seats, seat belts, and your steering wheel being too hot to touch and potentially causing burns or skin irritations. Once you are on the road your sun shades also provide a cooler and more comfortable journey and allow children especially to be able to more clearly see their screens, books, or other in-car entertainments.

Another benefit of car sun shades that is just as important is that they increase the longevity of your car’s interior. Continual exposure to the sun can cause damage to seats and other interior fabrics. Over time it can also damage electronic components in your car’s dash and central console.

Best Car Window Sun Shades FAQ:

Q: What is a car sun shade?

A: A car sun shade is a protective shield that attaches to the interior of your car’s window stopping the sun from reaching the interior. By doing this it reduces the interior temperature, prevents harmful UV rays from entering your vehicle, and prevents fading and damage to the vehicle’s interior.

Car sun shades are also known as heat shields, sun shield, car shades, and UV shields. Such shades or shields are created to fit on the windshield, front side windows, rear side windows, and rear window. However, only side windows can be covered whilst the car is in motion. If the driver’s side window has a sun shade, then it must not impede their field of vision.

Most sun shades are made of a mesh material that makes them lightweight, easy to install, and easy to remove and store. Sun shades attach to your windows using static, suction cups, or by fitting over the exterior edge of the door or window frame.

Q: What materials are car sun shades made of?

A: Most sun shades are made from dual layers of nylon mesh material. This provides high levels of protection from UV without affecting visibility. Sun shades that cling to your windows have a highly static material on their rear side. Some sun shades also have a metal wire sewn into the edging to increase its durability and to help it maintain its shape once it is unfolded and placed on the window.

Q: I have tinted windows, can I still use car window shades?

A: It is a good idea to still use a car window shade, even with tinted windows, especially with young children and babies. The effectiveness of the tint depends on how dark it is and whether it is designed to protect against UV rays. However, the type of tint you have may affect the type of sun shade you choose. If it is a factory window tint, then it should not be damaged by any type of car sun shade. However, if it is an after-factory modification you may want to avoid suction cups as they may damage the tint.

Our Top Pick

Our top pick is the Enovoe Car Window Shade. The shade is created from mesh fabric and blocks over 97% of harmful UV rays. The car sun shade protects from heat and sun glare; keeping your car cooler and reducing skin irritation. The dual-layer design provides excellent protection without compromising the driver's ability to see and drive safely. Rather than using suction cups, the shades use static to stick to the windows, making them easy to place and remove as required.  The shades come in a pack of four with each measuring 21 inches by 14 inches, making them ideal for the windows of larger cars, minivans, and SUVs.

Sources:

1. Windshield sun shades - Wikipedia
2. How to Cool a Hot Car as Quickly as Possible - wikiHow