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Best Tonneau Covers
Truck Bed Cover Reviews
How To Choose A Tonneau Cover
Best Truck Bed Covers: Bottom Line
Best Truck Bed Tonneau Covers
The best truck bed tonneau covers in 2023 are the GatorTrax, Gator SFX Tri-Fold, UnderCover SE, Gator Recoil, and the BAKFlip G2.
Written and Tested By:Aidan Pounder Writer – Motor1 Review Team
Aidan Pounder is a Motor1.com product tester who has written reviews spanning from car insurance to rooftop cargo boxes. He regularly traveled both cross-country and internationally for cycling throughout his youth, having been awarded multiple state titles and podiuming at national championships across several different disciplines of the sport. He spent his more formative years under the hood of a car making sure he could get to his next bike race and knows the best way to secure all of your gear out on the road. His reviews have appeared in major automotive digital publications such as HotCars and Motor1. Aidan brings road trip know-how and a touch of DIY spirit to our team. If he’s not burning through the clutch on his 2003 Ford Focus Zx3, you’ll find him keeping up with the latest happenings in the world of European football.
The best tonneau cover in 2023 is the GatorTrax tonneau cover. The GatorTrax is reliably built, operates smoothly, is easy to use, and can lock in any position.
The Gator SFX Tri-Fold is an excellent hard-folding tonneau cover, offering a weather-resistant design, a rigid, lightweight frame, and tool-free installation.
Those who want a one-piece tonneau cover should consider the UnderCover SE One-Piece tonneau cover.
Tonneau covers, also known as truck bed covers, are a must-have accessory for some truck owners because of the added protection, security, and utility they provide. In this guide, we’ll explain the different types of truck bed covers available on the market. In addition, we’ll provide our top picks for each type of truck bed cover.
Best Tonneau Covers
The best truck bed covers protect your truck bed from bad weather and keep your cargo secured. Additionally, truck bed covers often include features that add utility to your pickup truck.
Because there are many different types of tonneau covers, this review includes the top-rated covers from several categories. The truck bed covers’ ratings are based on their durability, accessibility, and customer reviews.
While the Gator topped our 2023 list, the best tonneau cover for you depends on your truck, needs, and budget. To find the best fit for your truck, we recommend comparing multiple truck bed covers side by side.
Compare Truck Bed Covers
With that in mind, the comparison table below highlights each of the top-rated truck bed covers in our review:
Model
Superlative
Approximate Cost
Cover Type
Material
GatorTrax Tonneau Cover
Best Truck Bed Cover
About $1,300
Retractable
Composite
Gator SFX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Best Soft-Folding Tonneau Cover
About $300
Tri-Fold
Vinyl
Undercover SE
Best One-Piece Truck Bed Cover
About $1,000
One-piece
ABS Composite
Truxedo Truxport
Best Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
About $325
Soft Roll-up
Vinyl
Tyger Auto Tonneau Cover
Best Value Tonneau Cover
About $230
Soft Roll-up
Vinyl
BAK BAKFlip G2
Best Hard-Folding Truck Bed Cover
About $900
Folding
Aluminum
Gator Recoil
Best Retractable Tonneau Cover
About $1,000
Retractable
Aluminum
For those interested in learning more about the best truck bed covers in 2023, the sections below contain in-depth reviews of our top picks.
Best Retractable Tonneau Covers
Typically quite stylish and user-friendly, retractable tonneau covers quickly roll up into a storage container to offer you full bed access. Below, our team takes a look at some of the best retractable tonneau covers on the market.
GatorTrax Tonneau Cover: Best Truck Bed Cover
RealTruck review score: 4.6 out of 5 (over 200 reviews)
Impact-resistant polycarbonate slats ensure the GatorTrax is built to last. A flat matte finish completes the look of this retractable tonneau cover. It should also be noted that the GatorTrax works well with most fifth wheel hitches.
We were really impressed by how smoothly the GatorTrax operates, as it was easy to retract and quick to lock in any position we pleased. The overall quality of this tonneau cover impressed us, and we have few doubts about its ability to last over time.
GatorTrax Tonneau Cover Review
The GatorTrax Tonneau Cover features sealed ball bearings to ensure your tonneau cover will never freeze shut and require no maintenance. Unlike other truck bed covers that can only lock every 12.0 inches, the GatorTrax can lock in virtually any position. Additionally, the canister that houses the tonneau cover itself maximizes truck bed capacity.
GatorTrax: Our Experience
Being the very first tonneau cover our team got their hands on, the GatorTrax Tonneau Cover tested us as much as we tested it. We found the instructions to be difficult to understand. While there were instructions included for many vehicle models, the instructions for each specific model weren’t as in-depth as we wanted as first-time tonneau cover installers.
Although this was the first truck bed cover our team installed, we have extensive knowledge of aftermarket car and truck parts. Most tonneau covers by nature will be relatively heavy and difficult to carry and move around, and the GatorTrax was no exception.
GatorTrax: What Customers Are Saying
Customers online love the GatorTrax Tonneau Cover. People praise its easy installation, however, customers’ definition of “easy” varies. A few reviewers mention that they had positive interactions with Gator’s customer service department. While one individual notes they’ve had this cover for over a year and it’s shown little sign of wear and tear.
Gator Recoil: Best Retractable Tonneau Cover
RealTruck review score: 4.2 out of 5 (over 100 reviews)
The Gator Recoil Retractable Tonneau Cover motor comes pre-assembled, making it easier to install. The cover’s aluminum panels retract easily into its canister, which helps with storage when not in use.
Gator Recoil Retractable Tonneau Cover Review
The Gator Recoil’s black coat over aluminum panels makes it suitable for weather and theft protection, and this tonneau cover has five interlocking positions, which allows users to leave part of their truck bed open for tall items that won’t fit under the cover. It should be noted that the Gator is more expensive than most manual tonneau covers.
Gator Recoil: What Customers Are Saying
Owners of the Gator tonneau cover like it for its easy installation and excellent protection. However, some note that it doesn’t hold up as well to harsh sun, which can melt the glue on the outer rubber sealant.
Best Soft Tonneau Covers
Easy to install and remove, soft tonneau covers are typically cheaper than other styles of truck bed covers. Below, our team looks at some of the best soft tonneau covers on the market.
Truxedo Truxport: Best Roll-Up Tonneau Cover
RealTruck review score: 4.8 out of 5 (over 2,000 reviews)
Installing the Truxedo is easy: The cover is secured with clamps to the bed rails, meaning no drilling or screws are necessary. This makes it perfect for first-time tonneau owners.
Truxedo Truxport Review
If you’re looking for a roll-up tonneau cover that offers excellent weather protection, then look no further than the Truxedo Truxport. The leather-grade soft vinyl material makes storage easy while allowing easy full-bed access. The Truxedo also has pre-tension controls to ensure a secure fit for year-round conditions.
Truxedo Truxport: What Customers Are Saying
Many reviewers express satisfaction with the Truxport’s high-quality materials and easy installation process. Although most Truxedo reviews are positive, some negative reviews note that the Truxedo tonneau cover is too short and does not properly fit in the tailgate
Tyger Auto Tonneau Cover: Best Value Tonneau Cover
Amazon review score: 4.7 out of 5 (over 15,000 reviews)
A snug, weathertight fit means that it can handle all elements. Aircraft-grade aluminum and a stainless steel body ensure durability isn’t in question, while a pull-latch cable system and adjustable tension bar make using this cover that much easier.
Tyger Auto Tonneau Cover Review
If you’re looking for something less expensive, you might consider the Tyger Auto tonneau cover, which features marine-grade vinyl for under $200. The Tyger Auto T1 features a marine-grade vinyl top and heavy-duty aluminum powder coated side rails and clamps protecting your truck bed from rain, snow, and hail.
Tyger Auto T1: What Customers Are Saying
The Tyger Auto T1 for Ford F-150s is the top-selling soft top tonneau cover on Amazon, with truck owners praising its ease of use and lasting durability.
Amazon reviews of the T1 for Ram, Chevy, GMC, and Toyota covers are similar to the Ford with an average of 4.7 stars. Some negative reviewers mention their covers do not fit properly to their truck beds and allow light leakage in wet weather conditions.
Best Folding Tonneau Covers
Consisting of multiple panels, folding tonneau covers can be considered either hard or soft tonneau covers depending on the build material. Below, our team of experts takes a look at some of the best folding tonneau covers on the market.
Gator SFX Tri-Fold: Best Soft-Folding Tonneau Cover
RealTruck review score: 4.8 out of 5 (over 3,500 reviews)
Cover type: Tri-fold
Material: Vinyl
Warranty length: Limited lifetime (structural) and 10 years (tarp)
This tri-fold truck bed cover is made from marine-grade, tear-resistant vinyl – so you won’t need to worry about this tonneau cover ripping. Monster Bows reinforce the corners of the Gator SFX to support the cover in cases of Mother Nature’s more severe weather storms.
Gator SFX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover Review
The Gator SFX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover is protected under the company’s “Gator Guarantee.” The Gator Guarantee ensures that if you’re not happy with the SFX Tri-Fold cover for any reason, you can swap it out for another Gator-branded tonneau cover within 30 days of ordering.
Gator SFX Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover: What Customers Are Saying
A huge number of reviewers speak to the Gator SFX Tri-Fold tonneau cover’s great pricing, as few covers are this cheap and well-made. Several customers also comment on how easy the installation process was. One comments that they’ve had this cover for a number of months and it’s survived 2.0 inches of snow and several torrential downpours.
BAK BAKFlip G2: Best Hard-Folding Truck Bed Cover
RealTruck review score: 4.2 out of 5 (around 100 reviews)
Strong materials with weight tolerance up to 300 pounds
Easy installation
Prop-up capabilities for large cargo
Cons
Expensive
The BAKFlip G2 allows truck owners to fold their cover for storage without blocking the third tail light or impairing rearview capacities. It’s also backed by a three-year warranty, providing extra peace of mind.
BAKFlip G2 Hard-Folding Tonneau Cover Review
The BAK BAKFlip G2 is a hard tri-fold tonneau cover that offers superior protection for a truck bed. Its durable aluminum panels and automatic latching system can handle up to 300.0 lbs. of external cargo weight, making it perfect for carrying extra luggage or small vehicles.
BAK BAKFlip G2: What Customers Are Saying
Amazon reviews of the BAKFlip G2 are largely positive. It is one of the most consistently-reviewed tonneau covers across different truck brands like Toyota, Ram, Chevy, and GMC.
Customers who left negative reviews complain about the rubber feet intended to protect this cover when it is folded up. These can fall off, resulting in small scratches when the BAKFlip is stored.
Best One-Piece Tonneau Cover
Offering the most complete coverage of your truck bed, one-piece tonneau covers may be more difficult to open but are often the most secure. Below, we take a look at one of the best one-piece tonneau covers on the market in 2023.
UnderCover SE: Best One-Piece Truck Bed Cover
RealTruck review score: 4.7 out of 5 (over 100 reviews)
Although the SE is made with scratch-resistant ABS composite material, the risk of dings, dents, and marks is always higher with one-piece covers. Buyers should be weary of potential wear and tear showing over time.
UnderCover SE Review
The UnderCover SE tonneau cover delivers protection with ease. Weighing in at 58.0 lbs., this cover’s lightweight design makes installation a breeze. Plus, we love its stylish low-profile design and inner LED lighting system.
UnderCover SE: What Customers Are Saying
Many F-150 owners like the SE cover because of the no-hassle installation. Many also comment that the cover holds up well even after extended use. Ram, Chevy, and Toyota SE covers were also reviewed well on Amazon, with similar comments about the ease of installation and durability.
One common complaint among the few negative reviews references difficulty opening the SE’s lock feature.
How To Choose A Tonneau Cover
The truck bed cover that’s best for you ultimately depends on your needs. Are you simply looking for the cheapest way to protect your truck bed’s contents? Or are you looking for complete weather protection? Simple questions like these will help you determine the tonneau cover that is best for you.
Below are the key steps to follow in order to find the best Tonneau cover to suit your needs:
Consider basic functionality: Whether you have a truck tool box mounted or need to regularly open your truck bed are two things to consider in terms of your truck bed cover’s functionality.
Figure out which type of tonneau cover is best for you: Figuring out the way you’d like your truck bed cover to open is one of the best ways to figure out which style of tonneau cover is best for you.
Make sure the tonneau cover you select fits your truck: Take careful measurements of your truck bed’s dimensions to ensure the tonneau cover your purchase fits your truck.
Consider the cost: Price is always an important consideration. Determine your budget before setting your heart on a premium tonneau cover.
What Is The Best Type Of Tonneau Cover?
Soft top or hard-folding? Rolling or tri-fold? There are a number of common truck bed tonneau cover designs and materials, each with different advantages and drawbacks. Which is best can depend on your needs and particular truck, but regardless of which one you choose, tonneau covers have many benefits.
Before we dig into the differences between tonneau covers, we want to highlight two characteristics that overlap between all types of tonneau covers: durability and accessibility.
Accessibility
The best tonneau covers offer security without sacrificing the functionality of a truck bed. The perfect cover opens easily, without making it too difficult to reach into other areas of the truck bed, but is also secure enough to deter theft.
Durability
Chances are that any tonneau cover you buy will take a bit of a beating from the elements, so you’ll want it to last. Common treatments for the best tonneau covers are weatherproofing to help avoid water stains and damage during storms and utilizing scratch-resistant materials.
The type of finish on your tonneau cover also affects how long it will last. If you’re going to leave your truck parked outside and in view of the sun often, make sure your cover is protected against UV rays.
Truck Bed Cover Types
Truck bed covers, otherwise known as tonneau covers, can typically be separated into two general classifications: hard and soft.
Hard tonneau covers: Made with materials like aluminum, fiberglass, and polypropylene, the best hard tonneau covers are nearly impervious to break-ins when secured with a locked tailgate.
Soft tonneau covers: Usually made of vinyl or cloth and are supported by a lightweight metal frame. These covers are suited for general weather protection but offer very little security.
Types Of Soft Tonneau Covers
Soft tonneau covers can also be classified into two different categories: roll-up and snap-on.
Roll-up tonneau covers: Also called soft-folding covers, roll-up covers are made from materials such as vinyl and are secured to the bed of a truck using velcro straps or button fasteners. They are lightweight and have a low-profile design, making them ideal for basic weather protection. Some rolling covers can also be automated, in which a motor stores the cover in a canister similar to how a motorized window shade operates.
Snap-on tonneau covers: Typically the least expensive and least durable option, snap-on covers are also usually the lightest tonneau covers available. While they’re typically easy to open and use, the contents inside your truck bed are more prone to theft with this tonneau cover installed compared to other options.
Types Of Hard Tonneau Covers
Hard tonneau covers can be distinguished from each other by how they open and close, branching out into three separate categories: retractable, one-piece, and hard-folding.
Retractable tonneau covers: These come in a variety of materials and can be folded or rolled up for easy storage. Both styles share the same goal of creating a weatherproof truck bed that also protects against theft.
One-piece tonneau covers: Typically plastic, sometimes fiberglass, covers that open and close like a truck lid using hydraulic struts.
Hard-folding tonneau covers: Typically made with an aluminum frame, these covers are often more durable than soft roll-ups and offer better security. Most are quad-fold or tri-fold tonneau covers.
To figure out what size tonneau cover you’ll need for your truck, first, grab some measuring tape. Ensure your measuring tape is 8.0 to 10.0 feet in length, as well as bring along a pen and paper to jot down measurements.
How To Measure A Tonneau Cover
To measure a tonneau cover, follow the steps listed below:
Lower the tailgate on your truck and stand at the back end of your vehicle.
Measure the length of your truck bed from the bulkhead wall to the gap between the truck bed and tailgate. The bulkhead wall is the wall closest to the cab.
Divide your measurements by 12 to convert inches to feet, as that’s how tonneau covers are typically framed in size.
How Much Does A Truck Bed Cover Cost?
Most covers are sold in different sizes for different makes and models and so can vary in prices ranging from $200 to over $2,000. Mitigating factors for the cost of a tonneau cover include materials, build quality, and even the style of tonneau cover you choose.
Typically, hard tonneau covers are more expensive than soft tonneau covers. Additionally, you can expect to pay more if you own a larger truck with a bigger truck bed.
Does A Tonneau Cover Increase Gas Mileage?
In short, yes, tonneau covers increase gas mileage. The way a tonneau cover increases gas mileage is by sealing off the truck bed, not permitting airflow into the truck bed. A tonneau cover optimizes a truck’s overall aerodynamics, thereby creating less drag and improving gas mileage.
If the cost of a tonneau cover worries you, consider factoring in the amount of gas you’ll save each year. However, savings will likely be minimal. Said savings also depend on the type of truck you drive, the type of tonneau cover you purchased, and overall driving habits.
Best Truck Bed Covers: Bottom Line
After researching the top tonneau covers in the market, our team determined that the GatorTrax Tonneau Cover is the best truck bed cover in 2023. However, the best truck bed cover for you depends on your needs.
Tonneau Cover FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about truck bed tonneau covers:
A tonneau cover is a cover that protects the unoccupied rear seating compartment of a convertible or roadster, according to Merriam-Webster. More specifically, it protects your truck bed from the elements as well as the contents inside of your truck bed from theft.
After researching various types of truck bed covers, we determined that Gator offers the best tonneau cover in 2023. The GatorTrax is incredibly well-made, as well as easy to install and operate. This durable, easy-to-use tonneau cover offers a weather-tight fit that will keep your tools dry.
You should close your tonneau cover before driving, as an open cover can negatively affect rear visibility.
A tonneau cover is a common truck accessory because it is extremely useful. Not all truck owners need a tonneau cover, but if you want to prevent theft or protect truck bed contents from the elements, you should buy one. This is why, along with running boards, a tonneau cover is one of the more common truck upgrades.
Tonneau covers can improve the aerodynamics of your truck, which in turn increases fuel economy. Truck bed covers with a low, sleek profile often work better for improving gas mileage while also providing weather protection.
Although, the extra weight of a heavier tonneau cover may reduce the benefit of any added aerodynamics.
The purpose of a tonneau cover is to both add privacy for items stored in your truck bed and help better protect it from the environment. It can also help a truck be more aerodynamic.
The word is derived from the French word for barrel: “tun.”
One-piece tonneau covers with locks are the most secure since they require an extra level of access. Hard-top tonneau covers made from high-quality plastics or fiberglass will also be more secure than ones made from vinyl.
For added security, purchase a tonneau cover that is completely removable only when the tailgate is lowered.
While soft, or roll-up, covers are typically easier and sometimes easier to install, hard covers are considered more secure. A hard tonneau cover may be a greater theft deterrent and may increase the functionality of a truck.
Tonneau Cover Ratings: Our Review Process
To select the tonneau covers featured in this buyers guide, our team first combed through dozens of resources such as DIY mechanic and auto enthusiast forums, manufacturer and tonneau cover-specific websites, instruction manuals from manufacturers, and reviews from online retailers. We pay particularly close attention to quality reviews and recommendations that highlight the quality of warranties, customer service support, build quality, materials, and overall reliability.
We also factored in the quantity and quality of online retailer reviews from websites such as Amazon, RealTruck, Advance Auto Parts, and more. We looked at factors such as standout customer reviews, prices, meaningful superlatives, and discount shipping eligibility.
Why You Can Trust Us
Since 2020, we have published over 250 auto product reviews in an effort to make shopping for auto products easier. Our team of writers, editors, researchers, and product experts collaborates to thoroughly vet top products. We try to perform in-house testing on real vehicles whenever possible before making our recommendations.
When testing is not feasible, however, our aim is to make your life easier by doing all the online research for you and presenting that research in the form of easy-to-read product comparisons and buyers guides, rather than outright recommendations. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
