If you own and drive a car, wear and tear on the interior is inevitable. Nevertheless, adding a set of car seat covers can help prevent damage from sun exposure or spills to scratches.
Whether you have a four-legged friend who sheds or a kid who loves throwing cereal, cloaking the seats can help protect your vehicle from avoidable casualties. Plus, this accessory can give your car, truck, or SUV a custom look while maintaining its resale value.
When purchasing a seat cover, there are a few things to consider. You can buy a multi-piece set that’s paired with every seat of your ride. Alternatively, you may only need a set for the two front seats or one cover solely for the driver’s seat.
Next, you’ll want to consider the material. Usually, you’ll have a choice of a fabric blend, leather, leatherette (a.k.a. faux leather), or another synthetic waterproof materials. And before pulling on the covers, you’ll also need to give your car seats a thorough cleaning.
To learn more about car seat covers and a more in-depth analysis of how they can vary, check out our comprehensive buyers guide, FAQ, and comparison chart below.
Editor’s Note: On July 15, 2024, we published an updated version including a fact check for technical product changes. We pared down the list, added a comparison chart, and upgraded the format for an easier reader experience.
Best Overall Car Seat Covers
-
Fit
Universal -
Set
Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations or non-split bench seats) -
Material
Polyester with minimal foam backing -
Waterproof
No
-
Economic -
Covers front and back seats -
Easily removable and washable
-
A universal design does not perfectly fit all seats -
Textile seat covers show wear and tear over time just like your favorite jeans
Sdds durability and helps to keep them securely in place in addition to the top and bottom loops, which hide behind the seats. Best of all, these covers are machine washable. Advertised as having a universal fit, the BDK PolyPro should match most cars, SUVs, trucks, and vans.
Best Budget Car Seat Covers
-
Fit
Universal -
Set
Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations, longer benches, or non-split bench seats) -
Material
Waterproof neoprene, water-resistant Oxford blend -
Waterproof
Yes
-
Budget choice -
Array of colors
-
Slightly less pliable feel compared to polyester -
Covers are side-specific due to airbag compatibility design, so you can’t flip-flop the sides for wear and tear
Best Luxury Car Seat Covers
-
Fit
Universal or customized -
Set
Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations less than 56 inches wide) -
Material
Artificial (PU or thermoplastic polymer) leather -
Waterproof
Yes
-
Faux leather is durable and longer lasting than textiles -
Custom fit options based on vehicle make and model
-
An investment -
Width restriction for back seat sits at 56 inches
Best Front Row Car Seat Covers
-
Fit
Universal -
Set
Front only -
Material
PU leather -
Waterproof
Yes
-
Notch for seat belt -
Buckled straps are quick and easy to use -
Two small side-by-side front-facing pockets on lower seat covers
-
Bottom section of cover is tapered and doesn’t fully wrap around the seat -
Front row specific
Most Durable Car Seat Covers for Outdoor Sports
-
Fit
Custom, vehicle-specific -
Set
Full front and rear seats -
Material
Duck-weave canvas fabric with DWR coating for rain repellency -
Waterproof
Water resistant
-
High-end for rugged utility like hunting, camping, angling, and transporting dogs -
Rain repellency from a DWR treatment -
Extremely tenacious construction prevents rips or wear-and-tear over time
-
Hit to the bank account -
Custom-only options could be a deal-breaker
Best of the Rest
-
Fit
Universal -
Set
Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations or non-split bench seats) -
Material
Synthetic leather -
Waterproof
Yes
-
Waterproof -
Stylish -
Rear-facing storage pocket on front seat covers
-
Fit
Universal -
Set
Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations, longer benches, or non-split bench seats) -
Material
Polyester with 3mm foam padding -
Waterproof
No
-
Bonus covers for steering wheel and seatbelt pads -
Fun, bright color options
-
A universal design does not perfectly fit all seats -
Textile seat covers show wear and tear over time just like your favorite jeans
-
Fit
Universal -
Set
Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations or non-split bench seats) -
Material
Terry cloth, waterproof film, and anti-slip backer -
Waterproof
Yes
-
Great for water sports -
Waterproof
-
Not compatible with seatbelts that extend from the seat
Car Seat Covers Comparison Chart
Scroll right to view all of the columns: Price, Fit, Set, Material.
| Seat Cover | Price | Fit | Set | Material |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BDK PolyPro | $31 | Universal | Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations or non-split bench seats) | Polyester with minimal foam backing |
| FH Group Fabric Seat Covers | $27 | Universal | Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations, longer benches, or non-split bench seats) | Waterproof neoprene, water-resistant Oxford blend |
| Oasis Auto Car Seat Covers | $110 | Universal or customized | Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations less than 56 inches wide) | Artificial (PU or thermoplastic polymer) leather |
| Black Panther Luxury Seat Covers | $66 | Universal | Front only | PU leather |
| Covercraft Carhartt Camo Seat Covers | $306 | Custom, vehicle-specific | Full front and rear seats | Duck-weave canvas fabric with DWR coating for rain repellency |
| Luckyman Club Car Seat Covers | $168 | Universal | Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations or non-split bench seats) | Synthetic leather |
| FH Group Combo Car Seat Covers | $31 | Universal | Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations, longer benches, or non-split bench seats) | Polyester with 3mm foam padding |
| Leader Accessories Waterproof Towel Seat Cover | $30 | Universal | Full front and rear seats (40/60, 50/50, 60/40 split bench seat configurations or non-split bench seats) | Terry cloth, waterproof film, and anti-slip backer |
Why You Should Trust Us
We get that people want the best value on gear before spending their hard-earned money. Our expert team carefully selects the products we cover and vigorously researches and tests our top choices.
The GearJunkie staff is dedicated to exhaustive analysis and helping our readers make informed choices.
Buyers Guide: How to Choose the Best Car Seat Covers
To choose a car seat cover for your vehicle, first determine how many seat covers you need. You may want one cover for the driver’s seat, a pair for the two front seats, or enough covers for every seat in the car: the front and back.
Next, consider the material. No matter what material you go with, you will likely want one that is machine washable. Most car seat covers are machine washable but you can double-check on manufacturer’s website to be certain.
After that, decide on your style preferences. Car seat covers range from solid black, gray, or white to many bright colors, fun patterns, or textures.
Typically, car seat covers include a headrest cover, too.
Materials
The common materials for seat covers are fabric or waterproof materials like neoprene, leather, leatherette (a.k.a. faux leather), as well as synthetic blends. Designs can also be a hybrid of any of those materials. Car seat covers can also be made of sheepskin, and typically that material is not mixed with other fabrics.
Fabric blends are comfortable and machine washable. Sheepskin is a natural insulator that keeps the temperature cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Neoprene is commonly used in waterproof car seat covers. Waterproof covers are great if you tend to spill a lot of things, have dogs, live in a rainy climate, or take your car on messy adventures.
Leather and faux leatherette are excellent choices to make your car look fancier while protecting your seats. Leather is easy to wipe up, is stout against stains, and the most durable over time.
Sizing: Picking the right Car Seat Covers
Many car seat covers are labeled as having a “universal fit.” While that does mean that the covers will fit the majority of car seats, they may not always be the best fit. Often you can find information in the product description about the vehicle category that the covers will fit best such as SUVs, trucks, or sedans.
Front seat covers will be different than the back seat covers, so make sure that you are getting the appropriate ones for your vehicle.
If needed, you can always take measurements of your car seats or refer to your user manual to ensure the product that you order will fit your vehicle.
Heated Seats: Car Seat Covers
If you have heated seats, you can still feel the thermal activity through the material. However, the thicker the seat cover, the less direct heat you’ll be able to feel, so the functionality could be dampened.
Maintenance of Car Seat Covers
While textiles are machine washable, leather requires occasional care and conditioning to maintain pliability, prevent cracking, and ensure a longer lifespan.
You’ll want to invest in a leather conditioning oil for your kit, which can be applied with a utility towel. The frequency of application depends on how much sunlight the seat covers receive.
FAQ
If you have high-quality leather seats, you will want to get high-quality seat covers to protect them. High-quality seat covers can protect leather seats from wear and tear, sun damage, and other damage resulting from spills.
This layer can damage leather seats if they are low-quality. This damage often results from fabric dye bleeding onto the leather. Along with that, an ill-fitting seat cover may slip and cause the seams to rub on the leather. To avoid this, be sure to get a seat cover that fits securely
The best car seat covers for dogs are easy to wash and waterproof.
Look for designs that are made of waterproof material, such as neoprene. If you want to have added protection, consider getting a hammock-style car seat protector. These not only protect your car seats from dog scratches and dog hair, but they also keep your dog safe and secure.
For large vehicles that spend lots of time off road, the Cooper Tires Discoverer AT3 XLTs give great all-season traction. And they do so while maintaining good manners on the highway.
Sure, there’s no substitute for smart driving — but in icy, snowy conditions, winter tires can make a huge difference.
