The 10 Best Car Window Tints for Heat Reduction – 2021 (Review & Guide)

best car window tint

Are you trying to figure out how you can keep your car interior a comfortable temperature and not have to crank the air conditioning or your windows? We’ve done a lot of work to narrow down your options and make it simpler for you to determine the best car window tint for heat reduction.

MotoShield Pro Premium Professional 2mil Ceramic Window Tint Film for Auto | Reduce Infrared Heat & Block UV by 99% – 70% VLT (20″ in x 10′ ft Roll)

What We Like

  • Versatile for use in homes and commercial buildings
  • Uses nanotechnology for efficiency 
  • Eco-friendly 
  • Color-stable tint and will not fade 

What We Don’t like

  • It can be complicated to install if you don’t have the skills 
  • It is expensive 

Summary: MotoShield Pro Premium Professional 2mil Ceramic Window Tint Film distinguishes from most others in several ways. For example, the tint is rolled and utilizes nanotechnology to effectively trap heat. 

The ceramic tint has exceptional 50% solar energy rejection to keep the inside of the vehicle cool, and it is all thanks to the nano-ceramic particles that do such an excellent job. The air conditioner is not used as much, thereby reducing your overall expenses. 

But more exceptional is the tint’s ability to block up to 99% of the harmful UV rays from your vehicle. No doubt the film is a bit expensive but for a good reason. It uses non-conductive nano-ceramic particles for efficiency. 

PROTINT WINDOWS 50% Shade Color 24 Inches by 10 Feet Window Tint Film Roll, for Privacy and Heat Reduction

What We Like

  • You can use the tint in many applications 
  • Budget-friendly 
  • It does not fade over time

What We Don’t like

  • It is a film roll and can be quite difficult to install 

Summary: With an anti-UV rate of 99%, your car’s inside is safe from the harmful sun’s rays. PROTINT WINDOWS effectively cuts the amount of sunlight that pours in the vehicle or building during the summer. Its great heat reduction quality helps keep the interior cool and everyone comfortable through the summer heat. 

One of the most likable qualities is being able to pick the ideal visual light transmission rate. How much visibility do you want between 5% and 50%? The good thing is that the visual light rate does not affect the tint’s UV blocking capability. 

The tint is also not reflective. 

LEXEN 2PLY 20″ x 10′ Premium Carbon Window Tint Film Roll (35% Medium Shade)

What We Like

  • It does not have a reflective glare 
  • Great visibility 
  • Shade choice between 5 and 50%
  • Reduces internal heat by up to 40%

What We Don’t like

  • It may not last as much as ceramic 

Summary: LEXEN Premium Carbon Window Tint Film Roll comes with a brake light pattern and a yellow squeegee as a package. But what makes it the best car window tint for heat reduction is its scratch resistance and durability. 

The tint is easy to install and comes with enough material to cover most of the vehicle windows. It is not a carbon tint film roll and will not obstruct other road users with reflective glare. The tint will also not interfere with the radio or cell signal in the vehicle. 

Mkbrother 2PLY 20% VLT 30″ in x 20′ Ft (30in x 240in) Heat & UV Block Professional Window Tint Adhesive Film Auto Car

What We Like

  • Budget-friendly tint 
  • Minimizes glare and fading of the vehicle interior 
  • Installation is effortless 
  • Great visual effects on any time of the day

What We Don’t like

  • It may not last as long as the nano-ceramics 
  • Installation tools are not part of the package 

Summary: Mkbrother Professional Window Tint has a UV rejection of 99% to keep the occupants and the vehicle interior safe from the harmful rays. To give credit where it’s due, the tint has a standout appeal and looks so good on the vehicle. 

The product is formulated using the traditional method of blending adhesive and dyes to reduce costs. It is non-metalized. It will not affect the cell and radio signal. 

Install the tint from the interior for the best results. 

Gila Heat Shield Plus 20% VLT Automotive Window Tint DIY Extra Heat Control Glare Control 2ft x 6.5ft (24in x 78in)

What We Like

  • Durable tint 
  • Prevents fading of the interiors 
  • Easy to install 

What We Don’t like

  • Tint application tool sold separately 

Summary: The 20% limo black color of Gila Heat Shield Plus 20% VLT Automotive Window Tint gives the vehicle the executive look of a limousine. But apart from the looks, the tint has superior heat rejection qualities of 44% to keep the interior cool. The metalized and two-layered construction does a good job in keeping the heat away. 

The tint blocks up to 80% of the light to give you the privacy you need. It significantly reduces glare to help you see better and drive safer. But what about durability?

The tint utilizes a deep-dyed technology for scratch resistance and durability. Its special adhesive technology makes it a DIY kind of installation. 

PROTINT WINDOWS 5% Shade Color 24 Inches by 10 Feet Window Tint Film Roll, for Privacy and Heat Reduction

What We Like

  • It can be used for many applications 
  • Improved heat reduction 
  • Durable 
  • It does not change color over time

What We Don’t like

  • You may need an extra roll for the learning curve 

Summary: PROTINT WINDOWS 5% Shade Window Tint allows a visible light transmission choice of 5-50%. You choose your privacy level, and you can enjoy the wonders of nature, such as pigeons playing right next to the living room window. 

The tint does not fade or scratch and remains in the same good condition for long. It protects your interior from the UV rays, and your upholstery remains in good condition, as it should. 

Well, installation is not an uphill task as long as you follow the provided instructions. 

An application squeegee is part of the package. 

MKBROTHER 5% VLT 36″ in x 20′ Ft (36in x 240in) Heat & UV Block Professional Window Tint Adhesive Film Auto Car

What We Like

  • Will not affect radio and cell signal 
  • Easy installation 
  • Effective glare reduction 
  • Versatile tint 

What We Don’t like

  • You may need a heat gun to install on rounded windows
  • The roll may come with wrinkles 

Summary: MKBROTHER Professional Window Tint is non-metalized and blocks up to 99% of UV. Its heat rejection capability is 50%, and everyone can ride in comfort. It has a great level of privacy even with the lights on. 

The peel and stick installation method is not difficult to hack and does not take you a lot of time. On the other hand, the use of dye and adhesives manufacturing processes makes the tint one of the most economical while being effective at the same time. 

Black Magic 5044827 Premium Metalized Coating Tint Film, 5% VLT – Limo Tint, 24-Inches x 78-Inches

What We Like

  • Durable and inexpensive 
  • Easy to apply 
  • Limo dark tint for that executive look 

What We Don’t like

  • Interferes with cell and radio signals

Summary: Black Magic Premium Metalized Coating Tint has good heat reflective capability to keep the cabin cool and comfortable. The material is scratch and fade resistant to serve for longer. 

The metalized coating tint also protects the interior equipment and accessories from UV damage. Unlike most of its rivals, the product is easy to install. You need to press on to install.

The tint does not use your typical adhesive to cling on. Instead, it uses static. This keeps everything clean and simple. 

The metalized tint is also removable and reusable whenever necessary. This option comes in handy when reselling the vehicle. 

Gila XLB242 Xtreme Limo Black 2.5% VLT Automotive Window Tint DIY Glare Control UV Blocking 24in x 78in (2ft x 6.5ft)

What We Like

  • Reduces glare
  • Inexpensive 
  • It has an attractive and private limo effect 
  • Scratch-resistant 

What We Don’t like

  • You may need to check for wrinkles 

Summary: Gila XLB242 Xtreme Limo Black has enough tint material to cover windows on both sides. But what makes it the best car window tint for heat reduction is the 97.5% light blocking and the 42% heat rejection capability. The visible light transmission is 2.5% to give the private limo effect. 

You don’t need professional tint installation because the adhesive film is not a hassle to install. The only problem may be around the curves, but that is not too much of a challenge if you follow the instructions, and of course, use an extra pair of hands. 

4 Types of Car Window Tints 

Carbon Film: Carbon film window tint keeps the vehicle cooler by blocking out ultraviolet rays from the sun. It is characteristically black with a hint of a matte finish. But is it effective in blocking heat?

Carbon film prevents up to 40% of the infrared light from making its way to your car’s interior. This keeps the cabin cool without using so much air conditioning during the hot months. And unlike dyed film, carbon does not fade over time. 

It will not also affect your radio and cell phone signals. Unfortunately, carbon film has a higher price tag than dyed and metallic films.

Metallic Film: Metallic film utilizes a thin metallic layer to create a shade to block UV rays. It is quite effective in blocking heat and direct sunlight. 

Metallic film strengthens the windows. It makes them harder to damage through breaking and scratching. Unfortunately, it interferes with cell and radio signals. 

Dyed Film: Dyed film is the most inexpensive type created by bonding an adhesive, polyester, and dye. And since their price tag is low, the tints are quite popular. 

The tint film effectively blocks heat and UV rays from inside the vehicle cabin to ensure a comfortable and safe ride. 

Dyed film has decent anti-glare properties to enhance your visibility on the road. Their only possible shortcoming is that they tend to change color and form bubbles as they get old. 

Ceramic Film: Ceramic film is the latest technology in the market and the most effective. The ceramic film boasts up to 50% of heat and 99% UV light blocking capability. It is the big gun in the car window tint industry.

The nano ceramic particles make your windows stronger and prevent glare for a better driving experience. You need big bucks to install one of these bad boys, though. 

5 Key Things To Consider When Buying Window Tint for Heat Reduction

  1. Visible Light Transmission: VLT quantifies the amount of light that makes it inside the vehicle cabin. The lower percentage, the darker the inside of the vehicle. 5% is currently the lowest VLT, and it means that only a small portion of the light will penetrate the car windows.

Low VLT of about 5% is common with limos for privacy. The 50% VLT tinted windows are common with most vehicles, and they only block half the light outside from the car interior. No doubt the 5% is ideal for privacy, but it can make it quite an uphill task to drive at night. 

If privacy is your concern, around 30% VLT is good. It will also be easy to drive at night. 

2. Pre-cut and Rolled: pre-cut window films mean that you have to send precise measurements to the seller to get the right fit. However, the pre-cut films are a bit more expensive because they include the price of cutting. The rolled window films are cheaper than the pre-cut, but you have to make sure you get enough material to cover all windows. 

3. UV Protection: if you didn’t know, UV is the one thing that makes your seats, dashboard, and anything inside the vehicle look prematurely old and rugged. UV is also not good for your skin.

The solution to possible UV damage and injury is to pick a window film with the best UV protection. So far, ceramic car window tint has the best protection at 99%. The protection is lower in the carbon and dyed tints. 

4. Durability: The tint’s durability depends on several factors such as brand, materials, and price. Of course, the cheapest window tints will not last long. 

On the other hand, nano-ceramics is a more durable material than carbon, metalized, and dye. But it is also more expensive. Like every other product, there are different car window tint brands, with each having more goodwill than the other.

Choose a popular brand with a reputation for quality and are known for standing by their goods. 

5. Heat Dispersion: sure, UV protection and visible light transmission are important variables when choosing a suitable car window tint. However, they may not reduce the heat that penetrates the car window.

What you should be looking at is total solar energy rejection or the TSER. You get TSER by combining visible light transmission with UV protection. Ideally, the TSER percentage should be higher if your goal is to reduce the heat that makes it inside the vehicle. 

Simply, the higher the TSER, the better it is for the occupants. 

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