Protect Your Investment and Your Cargo—The Best Tonneau Covers You Can Buy

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This article was updated in March 2024 with new products and information.

Pickup trucks and their owners are responsible for one of the most robust segments of the automotive aftermarket. You can make your truck uniquely yours with things like lift kits, wheels, and bed accessories. As fun, as it may be to make a pickup truck look cool, we should all remember that first and foremost they are work vehicles. Tonneau covers are one of those accessories, that serve a purpose and in many cases can also improve the look of your truck.

The market is flooded with myriad tonneau options, offering a range of types, brands, styles, and sizes tailored to various truck models. Which one should you buy? The primary use of your truck dictates the most fitting tonneau cover choice, catering to needs such as security to simply enhancing a truck's aesthetic appeal with a sleek, polished look.

The term "tonneau cover" originated in the world of open-top roadsters, where "tonneau" described a vehicle's open rear compartment. In modern pickup trucks, bed covers play a crucial role in shielding the truck bed and its contents from weather elements and debris. They also provide security by keeping large valuables locked away from prying eyes.

There is an urban myth that a tonneau cover will improve a truck's fuel efficiency by minimizing aerodynamic drag, though this claim remains subject to debate. What else do you need to know about pickup truck bed covers?

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What To Consider When Buying A Tonneau Cover

Tonneau covers are not cheap, nor should they be. They're not just for looks; they're intended to be another line of protection for your truck bed and cargo, so choose wisely. Here are some thoughts to consider when shopping for a tonneau cover.

How will you be using your truck?

Is your truck primarily used for work? Commuting? Hauling the family? Off-roading? Knowing how you plan to use your truck is the first step in choosing the type of cover that best suits your needs.

What types of tonneau covers are there?

There are several different styles of tonneau covers, and within each style, you can often choose between a soft-style vinyl or leather tarp or a hard-style cover made of something like aluminum or plastic. Some of the different types are roll-up, folding, retractable, snap-on, hinged, and there's even a style with a built-in toolbox.

How much does a tonneau cover cost?

The price of tonneau covers varies widely from a couple hundred bucks up to several thousand. For this reason, it's important to keep in mind your specific needs. There's no need to spend more than is necessary to get the cover that will get the job done.

We've compiled a list of some of the best tonneau covers on the market, including several different types, in a range of price points. It's important to remember that tonneau covers are generally made for specific models. We've simply selected examples below, but if you're shopping online for a cover for your truck, be sure to enter your year, make, and model so that you get one that fits your truck as intended.

The Best Tonneau Covers

Folding Tonneau Covers

Folding covers are perhaps the most common type of tonneau cover, whether they feature two, three, or even four panels. They are more expensive than their soft counterparts but not as expensive as retractable or paint-matched hard-shell coverings. The good ones are typically composed of hard-composite plastic with a metal frame and hinges, but they come in less expensive fabric or vinyl versions too.

BAKFlip MX4

The BAK MX4 offers both the sleek look of a low-profile design and the robust protection of aluminum slats to safeguard your valuables. This cover is finished with a black textured powder coating to resist scratches and UV harm. Additionally, its rotational locking system allows for bed access from various angles.

SFX Tri-Fold

Gator's SFX is a simple no-nonsense folding cover. It's one of the most affordable options on our list and made from a tear-resistant vinyl with weather seals, a Speed Klamp system for easy operation, and bows that help support weight in inclement weather.

Stance Tri-Fold

What sets Lomax's folding cover apart from the competition is how flush it sits with the bed. The cover, which sits about half an inch over the height of the bed, is made from aluminum and coated in black urethane. It uses a cord system for releasing the latches, making it that much easier to fold away.

EFX Tri-Fold

A step up from Gator's SFX, the EFX offers an added layer of security with its black powder-coated scratch- and UV- resistant rigid aluminum panels. Its panel arrangement allows you to carry your payload with the cover two-thirds of the way open, making it more flexible for tricky loads.

Roll-up Tonneau Covers

Roll-up tonneau covers allow you to choose how much of the truck bed is exposed. They're excellent for carting objects of unusual shapes, and for providing quick access to only a portion of the bed for modest loads, such as bags of groceries. When you need the entire bed to pick up your annual Christmas tree or assist a friend with a move, look for roll-ups with removable crossbeam supports.

Lo-Pro Roll-Up

Truxedo's roll-up tonneau cover is made from tear-resistant, leather-grained vinyl and can be installed with no tools pretty easily. The LoPro model sits a bit lower than some of its competitors for a more seamless look, and it features a quick-release system that can give you access to the bed in just seconds.

If you aren't a fan of this model from Truxedo, we encourage you to try its Duece, Pro X15, Sentry, Sentry CT, and TruXport covers.

Revolver X4s

The Revolver X4s from BAK is, in essence, the best of both worlds. It provides the look of a soft leather or vinyl cover with the security of aluminum slats to keep your valuables safe. It also has rotational locking rails which allow access to the bed from any angle.

Hinged Hard Tonneau Covers

A hinged tonneau cover, which functions as a lid for your pickup truck's bed, is supported by hinges close to the cab and is secured in place by struts. They're excellent for protecting your bed finish and lowering aerodynamic drag. The quality ones are composed of hard-shell composite material. You might find them made of soft fabric with an internal frame, but from our point of view, you might as well step up to a hard-shell cover if you're going to spend for a hinged one.

Eagle SE

If you're looking for an OEM look and feel from your tonneau cover, the Eagle SE from Patriot may fit the bill. This cover feels like a piece of factory equipment with its fiberglass construction, painted finish, push-button lock, and carpeted headliner. It also has lift-assist hinges, making it easy to access the bed of your truck.

SE

The SE from UnderCover is durable thanks to its sturdy ABS composite structure and distinctive x-frame. It will integrate nicely with most truck models and colors, thanks to its straightforward matte-black finish.

Retractable Covers