Every year as summer approaches, we all scramble to find ways to keep our cars cooler. Whether that’s searching desperately for a shaded parking spot, keeping our windows cracked, or buying solar power fans, the list goes on and on as to what we’ll try in an attempt to lower the temperature inside our vehicle.
But one of the most popular methods for reducing your vehicle’s interior temperature is the sunshade. These products have been around for years and years and come in a multitude of different styles and configurations. But the question remains, “Do car sunshades really work?”
The short answer is yes. Car sunshades do work in reducing the overall temperature inside your vehicle. The traditional reflective models work by reflecting the sun’s solar rays and harmful UV rays while non-reflective shades absorb them. Some tests have shown a decrease in interior temperature of 30 degrees or more.
If you’d like to know more about how sunshades work and the different options available to you, keep reading to learn more. We’re going to take a closer look at sunshades so you can decide if buying one is right for you.
How do Sunshades Work?
When light from the sun makes its way into your vehicle, what isn’t reflected gets absorbed by the interior of your car. The bulk of the heat is absorbed by your dash and the seats. This causes your vehicle to heat up quickly, as once the light gets absorbed and turned into heat, there’s no way for it to escape.
Sunshades work by either reflecting or absorbing the majority of this light before it has a chance to make it to the interior of your vehicle. The type of sunshade you have will determine whether the light is reflected or absorbed.
Reflective sunshades, as the name implies, reflect the sun’s light back out of the vehicle the moment it enters through the windshield. Non-reflective sunshades work by absorbing the sun’s light after it passes through the windshield. Both sunshades will greatly reduce the interior temperature of your vehicle, but most will agree that reflective models work better.
Which Side of the Sunshade Faces Out?
Before you go out and buy your own sunshade, its best if you first know how to install one.
When using a traditional reflective sunshade, always install with the reflective side facing out and the black side facing the interior of the vehicle. The reflective foil side is what reflects the sunlight back outside the windshield before it has a chance to make it into your vehicle and turn into heat.
Some models, however, are not made of this bright reflective material and instead work by absorbing the sunlight after it makes its way through the windshield. However, these too are installed with the black side facing the interior of the vehicle.
Regardless of what type of sunshade you buy, always install with the black side facing inside unless there are instructions that say otherwise.
What Are Car Sunshades Made Out of?
The material sunshades are made from is largely dependent upon what type of sunshade it is. Most car sunshades are made from some form or combination of different materials including foam, polyester, mesh, and aluminum foil.
This combination of materials works to effectively block harmful UV rays from entering your vehicle and reduce the overall heat that would typically build up in your car otherwise.
How Effective are Car Sunshades?
Car sunshades can help reduce the overall temperature in your vehicle by 30° F, give or take, depending upon the outside temperature. This also varies depending on which type of sunshade you have and how well it fits in your windshield.
The better the sunshade fits, without any uncovered areas, the more light it will keep from entering your vehicle and turning into heat. This is why its crucial to get a well fitting sunshade. Most sunshades available online come in lots of different sizes to ensure a good fit regardless of what vehicle you have.
What are the Benefits of Using a Sunshade?
If you’ve ever stepped foot in a hot car on a summer day, you know just how uncomfortable it can be. Not to mention how long it can take to cool your vehicle down afterwards. Sunshades have a lot of benefits including effectively reduce the overall temperature of the interior of your vehicle. This in return, reduces the amount of time it takes to cool your vehicle down via AC.
Sunshades also help protect the interior of your car from harmful UV rays. Keeping a sunshade in your windshield can help keep your dash from splitting or cracking as well as preserve your leather seats. And because dashboards can reach temperatures of close to 200 degrees in the summer, and leather seats can dry out and lose their color, keeping a sunshade in place will go a long way towards keeping your vehicle’s interior in great shape.
Another thing to keep in mind is that if you have any electronics stored in your car, too much heat can lead to damage. We’ve all seen the message on our smart phone stating that its overheating. This can be avoided by reducing the heat in your vehicle via sunshade.
A quick recap on the benefits of sunshades:
- Reduce the overall interior temperature of your vehicle
- Reduces the amount of time required to cool your vehicle via air conditioning
- Protects dashboard from splitting or cracking
- Helps preserve leather seats
- Helps protect electronics in car from damage due to heat
What Types of Sunshades are Available?
There are 3 main types of sunshades available today. They are standard, collapsible, and retractable. All three variations will essentially do the same thing, but they do have their differences.
Standard Sunshades
Standard sunshades are the most common. These are the ones that fold out like an accordion and are usually pretty cheap. Most of the time these can be picked up for around $10 bucks or so. They get the job done but can be cumbersome when trying to put them in place or remove them prior to driving.
Pros:
- Budget Friendly
- Available at Most Stores That Carry Automotive Products
- Work Well
Cons:
- Cumbersome to Install
- Not Aesthetically Pleasing
Recommendation:
Big Ant Sunshade
The Big Ant Sunshade is one of the best standard sunshades available. It is a bit pricier than those you can pick up at your local dollar store but its well worth it.
Its equipped with the standard reflective face that we’re all used to seeing but it also has a double layer bubble material on the backside which enhances its ability to keep your vehicle cool. Its a universal fit which means it will fit most vehicles but its always best to measure just to be sure.
The best thing about this sunshade is that it has suction cups on it that keep it secure to your windshield. This means no more coming out to your vehicle on a hot, summer day only to see that your sunshade has slid out from behind your visors, providing you no benefit whatsoever.
Definitely check out the Big Ant Sunshade if you want a great traditional style sunshade at a great price.
Collapsible Sunshades
Collapsible sunshades are a step above the standard models. Most of them come in a small storage bag that makes keeping them in your car less of a hassle. They fold up quickly and look better than the accordion style. They also stay in place better than standard sunshades and they’re a bit more attractive.
Pros:
- Easy to Install
- Folds Away Quickly & Easily into Small Travel Bag
- Looks Nice
Cons:
- More Expensive
- Not All are Universal Fit
Recommendation:
A1 Shades Collapsible Sunshade
If you’re looking for the best fitting sunshade in its class that offers excellent protection from the suns blazing heat, look no further than A1 Shades Collapsible Sunshade, available on Amazon.
This collapsible model is great for all vehicles regardless of make or model because its available in 7 different sizes. When ordering, there is an easy to read chart that shows you exactly what size you need for your specific vehicle. Now you wont have to worry about ordering something and then having to exchange it for a different size.
The A1 Shade also features a unique 2-piece support structure in the center of the shade which helps keep it upright in your windshield while also allowing it to be folded up quickly and easily. All in all, the A1 Sunshade is a great buy for anyone looking for a good looking sunshade at an affordable price.
Retractable Sunshades
Retractable sunshades are the least cumbersome to deal with once they’re installed. Most have two brackets that are installed on both sides of the windshield via suction cups. Once the brackets are in place you attach the sunshade to the bracket on the passenger side. Next, you slide the sunshade across the length of the windshield and attach it to the second bracket. That’s it, you’re done. When you’re ready to drive simply unhook it from the drivers side bracket and it automatically retracts to the other side. This is by far the most convenient option available but they’re typically a bit pricier.
Pros:
- One Hand Operation
- Can be Trimmed for Perfect Fit
Cons:
- Most Expensive Option
- Initial Setup is Longer Than Other Options
Recommendation:
SEINECA Retractable Sunshade
SEINECA Retractable Sunshades are by far the most convenient way of getting your sunshade in place when needed and getting it out of the way when you’re ready to drive. They offer one hand operation which makes using their sunshade less of a hassle. And because of the way they attach to the installation brackets, you never have to worry about it falling down.
They’re super simple to set up and use and they offer a custom fit. You simply measure your vehicles windshield height, and trim the sunshade down using a pair of scissors prior to installation. This ensures that no sunlight is making it into your vehicle due to an improper fit.
What I find unique about the SEINECA Sunshade is that it automatically retracts once its released from the driver side mounting bracket. This is a really cool feature that definitely speeds up the traditional process of removing your sunshade from the window and folding it up before you can drive. Definitely check out the SEINECA Sunshade if you want a super convenient option that offers a custom fit for maximum effectiveness.
In Conclusion
Choosing a sunshade really comes down to personal preference. As shown above, each one has its pros and cons but essentially, they all function the same. I hope this article has helped shed some light on just how well sunshades work in keeping your car cooler during the summer heat. Thanks for reading!