Enhance your drive with a simple addition that cools your car by tens of degrees—comfort and innovation go hand in hand.
Car shades are available for both your windshield and your windows, and many of them are simple to install and remove as you need, not to mention affordable. Some are made of reflective material to repel sunlight from entering through your windows, others are breathable mesh that won’t disrupt your visibility out of the windows and many are easily foldable store them when needed without fuss. If you don’t already have a sun shade or two in your car, and you’re tired of burning yourself on an overheated steering wheel or seat, then here are some of the best options on Amazon to keep your car cool.
1. A 4-pack of window shades designed to block 97% of UV rays
Don't forget about your backseat — whether you're driving around friends, children or pets, your passengers deserve a cool car, too. These 21-by-14-inch window shades come in a four-pack and have a lightweight, dual-layer design with mesh on one side and a static cling on the other. They couldn't be easier to install or remove, according to reviewers — just stick the static cling side of each shade to your window and press it down to make sure it stays in place, and peel it off to remove.
2. An umbrella-style foldable windshield shade
If some of the other shades' folding mechanisms seem a little complicated, this one is even easier by comparison: Able to fit into a compact sleeve when it's not in use, this windshield shade can be opened and shut like an umbrella to fit your windshield (the handle leans against the dash once it's in place). It's 57 by 33 inches, has an anti-scratch edge and is available in four colors.
3. A reflective two-piece windshield shade
Made of two foldable pieces, this windshield shade by EzyShade is designed with reflective technology meant to reduce heat by 82% and leave your car 15% cooler than alternative brands. They come in three sizes and every purchase includes a non-slip sticky dashboard mat for your phone or other small items you want to keep within easy reach on your dashboard.
4. A reflective, foldable windshield shade with a bonus steering wheel shade
This Magnelex windshield shade is made of a reflective polyester material, which reflects away light and blocks out heat and UV rays. It also comes with a steering wheel sunshade to keep your steering wheel cool and protected. The sunshade is foldable and can fit inside the provided pouch for easy storage when it's not in use. It's available in six sizes, and while there is a size chart provided in the images on Amazon, many reviewers advise measuring your windshield yourself to make sure you get the proper size for your car.
5. A 2-pack of mesh window shades with larger size options
If you have bigger side windows and need a larger shade to cover them, this two-pack from PEMOTech comes in three sizes, up to an XXL measuring 31.5 by 47.2 inches. The shades are made of double-layer mesh and have a stretchy, pouch-like design that's open on one end, so they fit on the windows by just sliding over the top of the open car door. They're suitable for many different types of windows, from curved to rectangular. Just make sure you don't use them on sliding car doors, since they're not made to fit those, or when it rains, since the pouch-like design means that part of the shade is on the outside of your car.
6. A 4-pack of window shades with two visibility options
Window shades tend to be darker and offer less visibility to drivers, which makes this kinder Fluff four-pack so remarkable: It contains two semi-transparent shades that are darker for the backseat, and two transparent shades so putting them on a front side window doesn't prevent you from being able to see out them as you drive. They're available in three sizes, have a twist and fold closure and have a UPF rating of 50+, meaning they're adept at blocking out most harmful UV rays.
7. An accordion-style windshield shade with fun personality
Who says your windshield shade has to be a boring black or silver? This BDK windshield shade comes in 10 fun patterns, from tropical leaves to pastel flowers and more — plus, it's reversible. It's 58-by-28 inches and has a foldable accordion design with a Velcro closure. The brand claims it can reduce the interior temperature of your car by 30 to 50 degrees, and it's super easy to install: Just flip down your visors to keep the shade in place.
8. A curtain-style kids' window shade
Another fun kids' option, this window shade is made for steel-framed door windows and has a curtain design, so little ones in the backseat can close it for protection but slide it open when they want to peek outside. It's 27-by-19 inches, claims to block 95% of UV rays and comes in 17 patterns.
9. A two-pack of fun kids' window shades with UPF 50+ protection
This Caramaz kids' window shade two-pack has a UPF 50+ rating and can be installed simply by sticking it to a cleaned window and rubbing out any air bubbles. It comes in eight fun kids' designs and includes a pouch to store the shades after you take them down. The shades are each 20-by-12 inches, so don't forget to measure your rear windows before ordering to ensure they'll fit.
10. A reflective windshield shade with over 73,000 5-star ratings
If you liked the concept of the other single-panel, foldable and reflective windshield shade mentioned earlier on this list but couldn't find it in the right size, this Econour windshield shade has a range of nine sizes, from XS to 5XL, to cover your entire windshield. (The medium size is also available in a two-pack.) It's similarly made of a durable, reflective polyester material and comes with a storage pouch to easily stow it away when not in use. The quality of the shade has impressed many reviewers so far, and the product has a 4.3-star average rating across over 100,000 reviews.
