With hundreds of tints on the market, I think you'll agree with me when I say:
It's damn hard to find a good one.
Luckily for you, I've made a pick of 5 tints that really are worth the money they cost.
I've even made a cool comparison between them to help you buy the perfect one for your needs and budget.
Another key thing to consider is whether the tint you want is legal in your state or not.
Have a look at our window tinting percentages page to check that before you buy any tint.
Automotive Tint Comparison Chart
Last update on 2018-11-16 at 11:45 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Best Car Window Tint Film Reviews
1. Motoshield Pro Nano Ceramic
This very serious nano ceramic window tint is only for those that demand exclusively the best products.
This isn't by any means an "inexpensive" tint, but it is the kind of window film you would install on car that isn't "inexpensive" either.
It performs better than 3M's or SunTek's best films by far.
- Visible light transmittance: 35% glare reduction: 55% shading coefficient: .53
- Ir rejection: 99% total solar energy rejection 60% (TSER 60%)
- Most expensive choice available
Check our how it compares with its direct competitor in the high-end of tints...
2. SolarKing Nano Ceramic
However, it is meant to block UV rays and to protect from heat.
This is the best option available at a very reduced price (for ceramic film) if what you want is the UV protection, heat reduction and just a little bit of shade effect.
If you want a much higher darkening effect then #1 is what you are looking for (in ceramic film) or #3 if limo black effect is what you need.
- 90% IR (infra-red rejection); 48% solar energy rejection; anti-glare
- High visibility, great throughput of visible light.
- Fully enable wireless signals throughput, including GPS, cell phone, FM signals.
- Glass breakage protection.
- Only available on 70% VLT
3. Gila Heat Shield
Update: This used to be a great tint. Sadly, quality has consistently been dropping over the last months and it's NO longer recommended. I haven't yet found a good dyed tint worth making this top 5 to replace Gila. If you know one that's top of the class, please leave a comment below. Cheers!
This is probably the best dyed film for the price.
They also have films specially meant for curve windows (like rear windows) which will make the tinting process easier
- Two Year Limited Waranty, deep dyed technology for the longest color retention.
- Keeps the vehicles interior cooler.
- Rejects up to 78 percent glare.
- Glass breakage protection.
- Available in 35%, 20% and 5% VLT.
- The lowest percentages aren't legal in many states. For further infromation on this regard check our list of window tinting percentages per state.
The performance is the highest in dyed films at a extremely low price which will make tinting the whole car a very inexpensive procedure.
If you want to tint your windows yourself, check the video at the bottom of this page to see a step-by-step example done by a professional.
Lexen film comes pre-cut for your car so you don’t have to worry about anything but sticking it to the glass and enjoying a nice dyed tint.
This is by far the most convenient film from our list.
Installing window tint by yourself isn't tremendously hard, but when you have the pieces already cut, it gets so much easier and faster that is almost a matter of a few minutes.
- Model specific kit: Specify the Year, Make, Model, Body Type of vehicle
- Keeps the vehicles interior cooler.
- Non-Reflective Dyed Film w/ Anti-Scratch
- Glass breakage protection.
- Shades of 50%, 35%, 15%, 5%(Limo) tints
- Installer friendly film, scratch resistant, 99% of UV Block
- There are some cars for which Lexen doesn't have the measures for the windows, although not many.
5. Black Magic
Closing this best 5 list, we find Black Magic films.
We usually do not recommend metalized films because it interferes with signals like radio, GPS, phone and etc, but we thought we should include black magic as it is the best metallic film on the market.
- Available in 2.5%, 5%, 20%, 35% VLT
- Great heat reduction.
- High resistance film.
- Glass breakage protection.
- Interferences with radio and other signals.
- Made in China.
Benefits of Tinting your Windows
- It will help keeping the car’s inside cooler. Big deal if you live in places where summer sunlight feels like fire.
- Block harmful UV rays (one of the causing factors of premature skin aging, cataracts, and skin cancers)
- Reduce inside’s brightness and glare, reducing eye fatigue. If you drive long miles, this is vital.
- Give you more privacy, specially on the backseat area.
- Cool looks.
- Increased glass resistance to shattering (the adhesive layer will keep the glass pieces together)
You probably already had in your mind some of those advantages and maybe you didn’t know some of the others.
What is the best tint film material?
There are three main types of window tint, each one of them with its advantages and disadvantages, being some of the latter something to really consider before deciding what to install on your car.
- Dyed film
- Metallic film
- CERAMIC FILM
Ceramic film somewhat recent in the film industry.
It is the highest performing film.
It is not dyed and contains no metal particles, but rather ceramic particles that are non-conductive.
It comes in different looks depending on the manufacturer.
- It provides with temperature isolation both ways, keeping the temperature of the car’s inside as desired.
- It blocks up to 99% of UV radiation.
- Reduces glare the most.
- It does not fade over time.
- It does not cause interference with electronic signals.
- The most expensive option from all three.
How to install window tint
The best window tint won’t look like the best if it is installed the wrong way.
But don’t worry! It really isn’t that hard.
You just need the right tools and someone to show you the step by step method.
In the following video, Ralph Van Pelt from FlexFilm shows in great detail how to install window tint.
Additionally, if your car already has some old window tint that you want to get rid of before you install your brand new window tint, you can check this guide on how to remove window tint from car windows.
Got Questions? Leave a comment below! I read every single one of them and try to answer in as much detail as I can 🙂
Cheers!
Hello friend!
Im looking into putting a tint to my car apart from the one that came with it. I am trying to understand which to use. I am looking for something that does not affect my visibility at night but keeps full privacy for me. I have seen tints that are like mirrored but I am unsure as what to pick. If you can help me I would appreciate it!
Thanks in advance!
Thanks for this review man really matters, especially to me cause I’m planning to install a tint to my car window.
Have you actually tested these out yourself? Gila heat shield is pathetic! !
Go for named brands like Llumar 3m Madico Johnson and Global.Even Garware will be ok
Hey Vinay, yes these 5 in particular I’ve installed in a few occasions. Agreed Gila is absolute shite lately (there’s an update on its review) I haven’t done too many jobs on tints for the last 8 months so I’m to find some good replacements. Will update the list soon tho.