Car seat covers are an interesting accessory, in some instances overrated and in others ignored. However, the car seat covers are an extremely important addition to any car, new or old. A car seat cover has many uses as will be discussed in the article and comes in some forms and materials. In this article, we present to you the best car seat covers on the market today with a review of why they are considered to be in the list of the best.
In this article, we provide a lot of information related to car seat covers. We suggest you to read from the beginning to the end if you are new to car seat covers but if you already have some knowledge, feel free to use the navigation menu below. If you have limited time, please check the comparison table to go to our top recommendations.
Benefits of Car Seat Covers
Protection: Nothing protects your car seat better than a quality car seat cover. Whether you have an expensive supercar or a run-down jalopy, whether your car seats are works of art or run down and threadbare, you will want a car seat cover for different reasons and applications.
Expensive cars come with expensive seats, you will want to protect your car seats from wear and tear, from stains and scuffs. Nothing protects them better than quality car seat covers.
Everyday cars for families, where wear and tear, stains and pet conditions are best protected using car seat covers.
Masking: Old worn car seats will require car seat covers to make the seat appear suitable, covering up the grunge that lurks underneath.
In other words, car seat covers can be applied to protect as well as to mask. They can also be used to make the car interior look finer or to tone them down. They can be used for making the seat more comfortable, warmer and more inviting too.
Weather, in cold climates, you would want a warm car seat and in hot climates, you would want a cool one. Consider non-fabric seats in the sun, how hot they get when they are in direct sunlight, the same goes for winter, how cold they can become. Car seat covers will protect the seats from direct sunlight, as well as provide heat protection for you when you sit down. The same goes for cold climates, where you can get seat covers with heating elements or fabricated from warm materials such as wool and fur.
Car seat covers are so versatile, they are basically a mandatory requirement even if you don’t think so too.
Different Types of Car Seat Covers
There are three types of car seat covers, these include:
Custom Fit
These seat covers are fabricated to fit onto a particular car model and are designed to complement the interior of the car. Since they are custom fit, they tend to come with higher quality materials and finish.
Semi-Custom Fit
These car seat covers are similar to custom fit ones but are designed with fewer features and are usually less expensive. They will fit a wider range of car models.
Universal Fit
These are the standards you see and sold everywhere. They are designed to fit onto any car model, they come in different sizes and materials, and they provide the car owner with more freedom of expression.
Important Factors to Consider Before Buying Car Seat Covers
When you decide to buy your first car seat cover or replace an old one, take into account the following characteristics you want in your new purchase.
Quality of Fabrication
Quality will always outperform quantity, and in relation to car seat covers, quality is all about the stitchwork, the materials, and the fit. You really don’t want to buy cheap only to end up with something that might look glamorous but start to deteriorate within a week, stitchwork coming loose, materials cracking or ripping, and fits that are so sloppy you end up swimming in your seat as you drive.
Side airbag adaptability
Modern vehicles come with side impact airbags, these are built into the seat. If you have such a vehicle, you must only use a seat cover that has a side impact seam; otherwise, you will violate your insurance as well as potentially causing yourself more harm in the instance the airbag is needed.
Washing capabilities
Many buyers don’t bother washing their car seat covers, mainly because they cannot be machine-washed. This is a shame because the concept of the car seat cover is to protect the car seat but also to take all the damage that would potentially stain the car seat. Once your cover is stained, it would be really good to be able to clean it easily.
Waterproofing
Waterproofing is not just for spilled drinks or pet instances, it’s also good for ridesharing in wet weather, so if you are a large family or an Uber driver, you might want to invest in a waterproof solution.
Size
This is imperative for success, both too big and“` too small are not good, you must invest in a seat cover that covers the seat like a glove to a hand. This directly relates to the type of cover, in the instance, you decide to go for a universal fit, make sure it fits you properly and not universally.
Heating element inclusive
In fact, most cars don’t have heating elements built into the seats. If you live in a cold climate area, you might consider buying a heated car seat cover.
Car Seat Cover Materials
Car seat covers come in different materials, there are either natural or synthetics, so let’s take a closer look at all the possibilities:
Leather
Leather has always been a status symbol, a sign of luxury and richness. However, leather is not so good in hot, humid climates, after all, it’s a natural material and it burns like hell when exposed to sunlight for hours. If your car seat is leather, and you live in a hot area, consider covering it with a fabric. If you have fabric seats and want to cover them in leather, remember that leather does stain too and is harder to clean. The bottom line is that this is an expensive material for high-class connoisseurs.
Nylon fabric
Nylon is the factory standard and is found in most cars. It is the seat upholstery of choice and is also one of the standards for car seat covers too. Nylon fabric is easy to clean, easy to maintain and inexpensive. You also get a very large selection of covers to choose from.
Faux vinyl fabric
If you want leather and cannot afford it, then Faux vinyl is the material you want. Faux Vinyl is the leather look-alike that costs much less, easier to maintain and clean, but just like leather, and maybe even more so, this will heat up like a lump of coal when left in the open sun; and unlike leather, it is sticky when hot.
PVC fabric
When it comes to simple and basic materials, nothing gets simpler than PVC fabric, cheap but easy to maintain, if you just want a throw over material at no cost, this is the one to go for.
Vinyl fabric
Vinyl is the go-to factory replacement material, this is the upscale aftermarket material that most car seat covers are made from. It’s easy to maintain and easy to clean.
Lambskin
If you want that suede-like cover, then lambskin is the material to go to. It doesn’t heat up like leather, it is soft to the touch and looks great, especially for outdoorsy vehicles. The downside is hard to maintain, hard to clean and when it gets wet, you don’t want to be with it in the same space.
Fur (Fake)
Yes, fake fur, no animals killed for the sake of comfort. Fur is just super pleasant, and some drivers cannot drive without it. Being fake, it’s made from either Acrylic or Polyester, and while it is easy to clean, it does not lose stains well, and will moult…just like a dog.
Image | Features | Further information |
|---|---|---|
| - Brand: FH Group - Weight: 5 pounds - Top zipper opening, elastic trim edges - Semi-custom seat cushions - Compatible with removeable or adjustable headrests only | |
| - Brand: Gorla - Weight: 1.4 pounds - Product Dimensions: 58 x 0.2 x 22 inches - Anti-slip backing - Universal Fit | |
| - Brand: Big Ant - Weight: 2 pounds - Product Dimensions: 20 x 19 x 0.8 inches - Anti-slip rubber - Breathable | |
| - Brand: Leader Accessories - Weight: 1.23 pounds - An elastic opening - Bacteria resistant, breathable - Machine washable | |
| - Brand: Black Panther - Weight: 1.45 pounds - Material: 3D PU Leather - Front Pocket, Unique Geometric Embroidery. - Slip resistant rubber | |
| - Brand: IVICY - Weight: 1.3 pounds - Resistant to temperature fluctuations - Fit the bench and bucket seats - Machine washable, air dry | |
| - Brand: FH Group - Weight: 1.55 pounds - Semi-customized fit - Compatible with removable headrests only - 3D Air Mesh fabric |
Top 8 Best Car Seat Covers – Reviews
1. FH Group PU205SOLIDBLACK102 Solid Black Ultra Comfort Leatherette Front Seat Cushion
- A non-slip silicone interior maintains a tight fit
- Designed for both heated and regular car seats
- No sides providing access to side airbags
The FH Group PU205SOLIDBLACK102 is a universal fit seat cover that snugly fits over any seat size and provides a comfortable faux leather look and feels. Since this model is open-sided, it enables the side airbag freedom to operate in cases of emergency. The design allows for easy installation and the silicone interior assures that the cover will not “swim” on the seat surface even whether the seat is leather or fabric.
This model is a universal fit, so it will cover most cars, however, if you have an old or rare car model, you might want to double-check the fitment.
Pros
Universal fit makes it easy to install in most cars
10 different color options for interior design
Bucket seat compatible for a complete look-over
Side Airbag compatible
2. Gorla Premium Universal Fit Waterproof Seat Cover
- Neoprene fabric slip over
- Seat belt protector
- Anti-slip backing material
The Gorla Premium Universal Fit is made from a waterproof Neoprene fabric that is both soft and smooth to the touch as well as highly protective for your car seats. This model is machine washable too making it a very easy to use and easy to maintain car seat cover option.
Gorla added a seat belt protector. On the downside, since this is Neoprene, it can come with an initial factory fabrication smell, but that disappears quite quickly. The other downside is that it’s a black seat cover, so if you have light seats, the color can on occasion stain into the light seat color.
This is a one-piece universal fit, it slips over the headrest and covers the car seat in one swash.
Pros
Machine washable Neoprene
The non-slip design makes it safe to use with no “slippage.”
3. Big Ant Breathable 2pc Car Interior Seat Cover Cushion Pad Mat PU Leather (Black)
- Good for most middle size to large cars
- Seat retractable
The Big Ant Breathable 2pc Car Interior Seat Cover is actually a seat cushion and is made from PU Leather. This simple model is excellent for car owners that have beautiful seats and don’t want to cover them up fully, or for car owners that just want a more comfortable seating experience. This cover is designed to slip onto the seat cushion area only and provides you with a nifty little pocket organizer.
Due to its size, this model is mainly applicable to medium-sized and larger car models only, and since it’s a cushion this means it only covers the car seat section.
Pros
Not a full car seat cover (for some this is a pro)
PU breathable Leather design is cool in the summer and warm in the winter
Integrated pocket organizer for the front
4. Leader Accessories One Faux Leather Seat Cover Front Seats with Airbag Universal Fit
- Faux leather design
- Universal fit for most makes and models
- Easy installation
- Back end storage pockets
The Leader Accessories includes a side airbag compatible structure and covers bucket seats as well as standard seats. Since this is a faux leather design, it is waterproof and easy to clean with a simple swipe and wipe application. There are ten color designs to choose from, and installation is easy with a slip over body-hugging fitment.
This model is made of three individual components, the headrest, backrest and set cover, so it might take a bit longer to install, but when you need to wash it, you only need to take off the relevant component.
Pros
This model has 10 colors to choose from
There are pockets in the back of the cover
Universal bucket fit model
5. Big Ant Heated Seat Cushion, 12V Winter Warmer Nonslip Universal Fit (Black)
- Heating element design
- Plug and play installation
- Polyester waterproof construction
When it comes to heating up your seat with simplicity, it is hard to beat this Big Ant model. The integrated car seat heater and the cover is an excellent choice for winter and all cold weather applications. You simply place this on your car seat, plug in the power chord to the lighter outlet and wait 3-5 minutes and you have a wonderful non-slip warm driving experience. It doesn’t get simpler but effective as this model, and the price is hard to beat too.
The heating element provides a constant 110 and 120 Fahrenheit temperature and is operated by the simple press of an on-off button.
Pros
Non-slip car seat heating cover
Waterproof and easy to install and maintain
6. Black Panther PU Car Seat Cover, Diamond Pattern Embroidery, Anti-Slip & Full Wrapping Edge (Black)
- Car Seat cushion design
- Classic Black Faux Leather look
- Front storage pocket
The Black Panther PU seat cover is a high-class style seat cushion cover designed only to cover the seat cushion area. This means you get extra comfort, great protection and a built-in pocket for more storage space. The faux leather material is waterproof and protects the seat from wear and tear. This model is easy to install in all cars, it’s a universal fit.
Pros
Universal fit makes this a versatile seat cushion cover
Easy to install with only two clips
A front pocket for extra storage options
7. IVICY Car Seat Cover Protector Cushion
- Slip-on seat cover with no sides
- Luxurious design
- Waterproof
The IVICY car seat cover is a very luxurious looking and simple to install. It just slips over your car seat and provides an extra touch of class while protecting your car seat from wear, tear, and stains. Unlike your standard drab grey and black covers, this model has 8 different colors to choose from including the rich ivory gold color that contrasts with all seat colors available, adding that extra touch of class to your drive.
The material is synthetic suede, combined with the diamond pattern really makes this a stand out car seat cover.
Pros
Easy to install, just slip it over the seat
Non-slip
8. FH Group FB068102 Premium 3D Air Mesh Seat Covers
- Universal fit
- Polyester Fabric
- Waterproof and machine washable
- Bucket seat compatible
The FH Group FB068102 Premium 3D Air Mesh Seat Cover is fabricated to provide a cool seated experience for those hotter climates. The design features a sideless airbag compatible feature, and the installation is easy as it comes in three separate components. The seat cover, the backrest cover and the headrest cover, with this compartmentability, you get to decide what you want to cover.
This is a machine washable product, and since it comes in 3 parts, you get to wash whatever part you want without having to remove the whole cover.
Pros
3 separate components making it a versatile machine washable cover
Side airbag compatible
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Which of the seat cover materials is the best?
With so many options to choose from, you should start with a budget. What can you afford and then from there move onto the environment, do you live in a hot or cold climate? Is it dry or humid? Then ask if you have children, pets or are you going to rideshare? Based on your answers and the type of car you have, select the material that best suits your needs.
2. What size car seat covers do I need?
Since there are three categories to choose from, universal, semi-universal and custom fit. It’s up to you to decide which size you want to buy. A universal fit will fit most vehicles, but if you want a tailor-made solution, you must provide your car make and model and even year (in some instances) before you select the car seat cover that will suit your purposes.
3. Can you put seat covers on heated leather seats?
Essentially yes, but make sure you double-check the manufacturer requirements. Don’t take it for granted, the last thing you want is to buy a cheap unknown model that will melt or even catch fire when heated. Also, if your car seats already have a built-in heating element do not buy a car seat cover that has an integrated heating element since this will damage both elements and potentially be a recipe for danger.
4. How can I protect my car seat from a child’s car seat?
This is a great question. Children’s seats leave pressure marks on car seats, and if your car has leather of faux leather car seats, these marks will be damaging. The only way to overcome this is to buy a suitable car seat cover that has a thicker base and is designed for protection against children’s car seats. Check the manufacturer information when you are selecting your car seat and make sure you find one that specifically states it’s suitable for children’s car seats too.
5. How do I protect my leather car seats from the sun?
Leather car seats can be protected in some ways. If your car is an old one with old leather, then you will first need to treat your leather with a special UV protectant and then cover it with a seat cover. If your car is a new one with modern leather, it already comes with a pre-treatment, and therefore you only need to cover it with a reputable car seat cover.
CONCLUSIONS
Car seat covers are nearly mandatory for anyone that wants to protect the value of their car by ensuring the seats are protected throughout their life cycle of usage. This is especially true when you have a large family with pets or are in the rideshare (Uber, Lyft) business and transport people on a daily basis. In fact, for rideshare and large families, it’s a must-have. If you are just concerned with the cleanliness of your car and want to protect it from wear and tear, then again, it’s a must-have addition.
