We yearn for sunny days, but when the sun finally comes out, we go to great lengths to protect ourselves from its rays. This is especially true in cars, but a pair of sunglasses and a sun visor can only go so far. This is where the car sunshade comes in, especially if you’re travelling with young children in the back. Not only can they be used on the side windows to keep your children cool, but windscreen shades can be used to keep your car cool and limit the sun’s rays getting through your crystal clear windscreen when your car is parked up.
There are hundreds of different car sun shades available. Although it’s a relatively inexpensive product, it’s easy to get the wrong one. In fact, we’d take price out of the equation and instead consider the level of UV protection, how much of the window it covers and the ease of use. We’ve sifted through hundreds of car sun shades, so you don’t have to be, ahem, blinded by the range of options.
It might not be such an important consideration as something like windscreen wipers and a car sunshade will help to block out the sun, but there’s more to it than that. Many people believe that privacy glass protects occupants from harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays, but it doesn’t. The clue is in the name: privacy glass is designed for privacy. It is possible to source tinted windows that block UV rays, but this is a more expensive solution than fitting a sun shade.
The advantage of a sunshade is that it is guaranteed to block UV rays, but it can be removed when the sun stops shining. It is also good at cooling the cabin, which means your car’s air conditioning or climate control won’t have to work so hard, so you’ll use less fuel. It adds some darkness to the rear seats, which will be music to your ears if you want a baby to drift off to sleep.
The best car sunshades at a glance:
Editor’s choice: Goosky Car Window Sunshades – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best pull-down shade: Munchki Window Shade – Buy now from Amazon UK
Best all-weather windscreen shade: FREESOO Sunshade – Buy now from Amazon UK
The best car sunshades
Most popular sun shade
Rrp: $9.99
Rrp: $9.99
Pros
- Two-pack
- Allows the window to open for ventilation
Cons
- Some found that extra securing was required for a good fit
Editor's choice
Pros
- Can be used with the window down
- Prevents insects from getting in
Cons
- Reduces rear window visibility
Best pull-down shade
Pros
- Easy to fit and remove
- Heat protection indication
Cons
- Doesn't cover the entire window
Best dual-layered shade
Rrp: $20.00
Rrp: $20.00
Pros
- Easy to attach to the window
- Dual transparency
Cons
- Can't be used when the window is down
Best all-weather windscreen protection
Pros
- Year-round use
- Thick, multi-layer protection
Cons
- Not so easy to store
Best value windscreen shade
Pros
- Choice of sizes
- Easy to store
Cons
- No bag for storage
How to buy the right car sunshade and how to use it
There are two basic types of car shade. One uses a stretchable material to cover the entire top half of the door, while the other uses suction pads to stick to the window. We’d favour the net design for its uniform protection and the ability to use it with the window up or down. Although it’s a small point, we also prefer a solution that doesn’t leave marks on the glass when not in use.
To use, you simply slide the door shade over the top of the door frame. After this, you pull the shade over the window before following the instructions for fixing it to the car.
Fixing a sun shade with suction pads is even easier. You simply remove the shade from its packaging, before using the suction pads to fix it to the screen. We’d recommend removing any grease from the glass using a cleaner and a microfibre cloth before use as this will prevent the screen from falling off.
What to consider when choosing a car sunshade
Don’t favour a fancy design over function. It’s essential that a sun shade stops harmful UV rays from entering a cabin, so make sure that the product is fit for purpose. Protection first, a colourful design second.
Also make sure that the sun shade can be used on your car. Although the stretchable shades fit most cars, they’re not suitable for vehicles with sliding rear doors. You could also find that they’re not stretchable enough for large saloons and people carriers. If this is the case, you’ll need a car shade with suction pads.
Ryan Gilmore is the Deputy Autos and Tools Editor for Parkers and CAR, specialising in car cleaning and hand tools. With an MA in Automotive Journalism, when he’s not testing buckets he can be found looking at old Porsches.
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