In order to protect your car’s upholstery, not only are car windscreen covers available, but also car seat covers. These can slow down and even protect your sets against the usual wear and tear and spillages that become stains. People like to use them because when it comes to resell that car, the interior is tidier than it could’ve been, had those covers not been there.
Taxi drivers love to use them, simply because if a car came with fabric upholstery, covers that are easier to clean will make a huge difference to their maintenance shedules. Some are even machine washable, and that makes things very user friendly.
If you enjoy outdoor activities that involve bringing in a lot of the elements back into your car, seat covers are a great way to prevent a huge clean-up operation afterwards. This can include water sports activities, hiking, or even coming back into your car, sweaty-faced fresh from a morning run in the park. If you want a little more with your car seat cover, especially during the winter, heated car seat covers are an answer to that question.
Equally, our favourite seat covers are well-made and will stand the test of time against wear and tear caused by lifestyle and work activities and of course, the mess caused by our beloved dogs. With regards to interior protection against pets, check out our article dedicated to the best dog car seat protectors.
The best car seat covers 2024 at a glance:
- The best car seat cover: Town and Country Airbag Compatible Seat Cover – Buy on Amazon
- Editor’s pick: Totally Covers 2-Tone front and rear seat covers – Buy on Amazon
- The best front seat covers: Totally Covers 2-Tone Seat Covers – Buy on Amazon
- The best waterproof car seat cover: Walser Waterproof Car Seat Cover – Buy on Amazon
The best car seat covers 2024
The best car seat cover
They really are a universal fit, and even have access for an armrest in case you're using these covers in a van. Made from tough polyester, these seat covers wear very well. The only downside is that they aren't exactly stylish, though they are subtle. But whether you're covered in things you don't want to get all over your car seat, these will do the job perfectly well without breaking the bank.
Pros
- Waterproof and made from sturdy materials, ensuring they can survive anything from mud to water splashes
- They represent good value at under £30 each (for a standard spec cover)
- They're very subtle, which is what some may want in this market
Cons
- Design not very stylish compared to others
Editor's pick
We like these because not only do you get the customisable options, but you also get to choose from many different colours. They have foam padding and are machine-washable for easy care.
Pros
- Full set of front and rear seat covers included in this set
- Very wide range of colours available from green to pink, and even white
- Still allows access to armrests and airbags within the vehicle
Cons
- They don't represent as good value as the others at £230
The best front seat covers
Naturally, if the set above was available in a better-value two-seat set, this would win the award quite comfortably. It’s available in the same large colour range as above, and with its Universal or Semi-custom Fit options.
However, the Semi-custom Fit with this set also includes the option to select what you need for folding seat splits (60/40, 50/50, for example). They're also machine washable and are made from high quality materials to ensure longevity.
Pros
- Still allows access to armrests and airbags within your vehicle
- Many colours to choose from, and you can opt for one or two-tone
- Machine washable, albeit on a cold cycle
Cons
- This option only extends to covers for the two front seats
The best waterproof car seat cover
The Walser seat cover is made from neoprene, which is the same material used to make wetsuits. So, you're assured that it can take fresh splashes of the outside world and protect the original material on your car's seats. Handily, you also get pockets which can be used to store tools or perhaps your phone.
Pros
- Extra storage for your phone or other belongings, making them practical
- Made from neoprene, making them 100% waterproof
- Versions available for the back seat as well
Cons
- Only available in black, which limits choice of colours
The best car seat covers for design
Pros
- Very fancy tartan design, which adds a bit of character to your car's seats
- The covers are easily machine washable, which makes maintainence easier
- 3mm of foam built-in for a little bit of extra comfort
Cons
- They're not waterproof covers, which limits their appeal slightly
The best van seat covers
The hardy fabric is fully waterproof, cotton-backed polyester. The covers fit like a dream and maintain access to all the storage compartments.
Pros
- Perfect for keeping your van's seats clean if you're using it for messy duties
- Allows access to under the seats and the centre armrest
- Made from waterproof materials, which is useful if you're returning from water sports
Cons
- Not a great deal of colours available
The best leather van seat covers
They're waterproof, washable, and allow full access to underneath the seat and the armrest in the centre seat. There's even thin sponges ranging from 5-10mm within the covers to add a tad more comfort to the seats in question.
Pros
- Waterproof seat covers that are easy to clean after spillages
- 12-month guarantee included, which adds some reassurance
- Adds a slightly different atmosphere to your van's interior as well as protecting the seats
Cons
- They're not made from real leather, which is slightly disappointing considering the price point
The best car seat cover for dogs
It's available in either black or grey and allows access to the centre console/armrest in the back, as well as seatbelt access. You get four layers in total consisting of the cover, and it's also ideal if you need to place a child seat on top of the cover along with the family pet.
Pros
- Perfect for transporting dogs around in the back seats
- Easier to install than the others, thanks to flat design and strap restraints
- Fits a large, if not most rear seats of cars and other vehicles
Cons
- Not as protective as a full, purpose-built seat cover
FAQs and things to consider with car seat covers
What is the best fabric to cover car seats?
The top three are neoprene, polyester and canvas; all of those offer all the protective qualities you need when maintaining the shining condition of your car’s seats, thus protecting its resale value. It rather depends on how you intend to use your vehicle and subsequently, what purpose you want your car seat cover to do.
Some polyester ones in particular are waterproof, which is a big advantage to heavily used vehicles that are carrying around dogs or filthy items while on a job, such as paint, muddy shoes, and so on. For extra storage of such items, have a look at our guide on the best in-car organisation for your vehicle.
What are the disadvantages of car seat covers?
The main disadvantages are that they can lack styling. Seat covers are mostly functional and don’t enhance the design of your interior, making them look out-of-place or even slightly messy with a rough fit.
They can also, rather more importantly, cover up the essential components of your car seats if you’re not careful. Picking a cover that covers the seatbelts, armrests or other seat amenities does rather spoil the point of their usability. However, a lot of car and indeed van seat covers do have this in mind when they’re designed, making using them a lot easier.
Which colour is best for a car seat cover?
Unless you prefer otherwise, we’d always go black personally. It’s subtle, functional, widely available, and because it’s a car seat cover as opposed to the actual upholstery, it doesn’t matter if you get it dirty or not – because that’s what it’s designed to be there for.
However, some manufacturers offer different designs for seat covers, and these can look very nice and if you choose carefully, add a bit of character to your car’s interior while protecting it.
What is the most durable car seat material?
Anything waterproof is durable, much like a lot of car boot liners. They’re made from thick fabrics akin to waterproof coats and are designed to take a battering from whatever elements you’re bringing in. Whether it be water, mud, or any other kind of dirt, you can be assured that a cover made from waterproof fabric will keep it away from your upholstery.
Are car seat covers waterproof?
Usually, they’ll be labelled as such, but otherwise, car seat covers will be made from non-waterproof fabrics and false leather that simply keep the condition of your seats in good health and free of dust and bodily oils. Waterproof covers are designed for more heavy-duty purposes, whereas slim-fit types simply keep stains and wear at bay.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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