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The Best Windshield Sun Shades To Keep Your Car Cool While Away
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Have you ever experienced walking back to the car that you’ve parked in an open parking lot, only to be greeted by a wave of immense heat? That’s a trick question because it’s likely happened to just about every car owner. Parking in the heat is unavoidable, especially if you can’t find any space to park in the shade. This will leave your car quite hot when you come back, but there are ways to combat this.
With windshield sun shades, you can minimize the amount of heat that builds up in your vehicle. It’ll still be quite hot, but the heat won’t be nearly as bad, and your seats won’t be impossible to sit on, either. These long-lasting windshield sun shades of 2023 are a must-have for any car or vehicle.
Windshield Sun Shade Buyer’s Guide
Cars can get very, very hot inside without protection. This guide will cover all there is to know about windshield sun shades.
What Is a Windshield Sun Shade
Windshield sun shades are devices that you place on the inner side of the windshield. They are used to deflect or absorb the heat and light that comes from the sun’s rays. While light can come from all of the windows in your car, the front windshield is the largest and most accessible place for the heat to enter your car. Windshield sun shades block this heat and light to a certain degree.
Why You Should Consider Getting a Windshield Sun Shade
It keeps your car cool (relatively)
Have you ever tried entering a car in the middle of the day? It’s not a fun experience — the seat feels like they’re about to cook your skin, the air turns the car into a sauna, and until the AC really kicks in, you’ll be bathing in heat and sweat. It’s never fun to get into a car that doesn’t already have the AC running, and unless your vehicle is one of those fancy models that can do just that, you’re basically out of luck — that is, without a windshield sun shade.While windshield sun shades can’t protect your car from all the heat that builds up inside your vehicle, they can mitigate the heat to a certain degree. So although your car may still feel extremely uncomfortable to get into even with the shades up, it’s at least somewhat cooler than having no shade at all.
It keeps your interior and various items safe
In recent decades, the sun has become excruciatingly hot, and not just for us humans. Even your car's interior isn’t safe from the sun’s deadly heat, with many materials vulnerable to heat damage over time. It may not be apparent at first, but the more you leave your car in the heat, the more damaged your interior can become. And that’s not even mentioning the various plastics that can melt under the heat in a matter of minutes.With a windshield sun shade, you can protect your interior leather and plastic by deflecting the heat from the front. Heat and light can still enter from the sides of your car, which is important to keep in mind when you have items that can melt inside, but other than that, you’re doing the interior of your vehicle a huge favor.
Tips When Using a Windshield Sun Shade
Make it a habit to use the shades often
Using the shades every time you leave the car can feel like a hassle, but a few minutes spent can make a huge difference. Even if you don’t care about the heat yourself, you can ensure that the things inside your car stay undamaged from the heat, and this alone is reason enough to use the shade if you’re leaving the car for more than a couple of minutes.
Keep plastics and other items away from the heat
Certain single-use plastics and other materials have a low tolerance to heat, and sun shades can protect them from melting. However, if the heat or light can reach the items from the side or rear windows, you either want to store the item inside a storage box or move it to an area away from direct sunlight.
Top Picks
Best Overall:
Econour Car Windshield Sun Shade
For Large Cars:
Magnelex Windshield Sun Shade
Solid Choice:
Kinder Fluff Windshield Sun Shade
Best Umbrella:
Helloleiboo Car Windshield Sun Shade
No, they are not. Some windshield sun shades may be designed to work with most cars (such as the umbrella-type shade), but most shades come in multiple sizes. You’ll need to pick a shade in a size that’s compatible with your vehicle if you want a snug fit.
When should I put up my windshield sun shades?
It’s generally a good idea to put up your windshield sun shades if you think you’re going to be away from your vehicle for more than a few minutes, and it’s the middle of the day.
Do windshield sun shades protect my car’s interior?
The sun can be hazardous to many items inside your car, which is why having sunshades installed can keep those items safe.
