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The Best Tonneau Covers and Brands [2023]

The Best Tonneau Covers and Brands [2023]

As a truck owner, you know that one of the main benefits of your vehicle is the open truck bed. This space allows you to haul just about anything, from lumber to heavy equipment. However, truck beds also leave your cargo exposed, making your property susceptible to theft and the elements. Luckily, there's a solution. Enter: tonneau covers. 

A tonneau cover, also known as a truck bed cover, is used to conceal and protect cargo stored in the bed of a pickup truck. But with many different types of tonneau covers on the market, it can be difficult to pick the best one. 

To choose the best tonneau cover, we leaned on our truck accessory experts who've tested and received assessments from buyers on various truck bed covers. Through firsthand experience and expert input, they ranked and reviewed over 24 tonneau covers on factors like quality, durability, and security. You can refer to our methodology section for a more detailed explanation on how we came to our conclusions.

Whether you're looking for a specific type of tonneau cover or a budget-friendly option, we’ve listed six of the best tonneau covers so you can determine which one is right for your truck. 

Best Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Cover: Truxedo TruXport

Product image of the Truxedo TruXport tonneau cover

Truxedo is a brand known for specializing in tonneau covers and other truck bed accessories. The TruXport is the most affordable tonneau cover they offer. Made with thick black vinyl, it's durable, UV-resistant, and backed by a five-year warranty. 

The TruXport has great functionality and doesn't obstruct your view from the rear window when rolled up. You can access your entire truck bed at a moment's notice and quickly cover or uncover the bed without help. 

It's important to note that overall, soft covers provide less protection than hard covers, so if security is your main priority, we recommend checking out the hard options on this list. 

Pros

Cons

Affordable

Fairly generous warranty

Easy installation (estimated 30 minutes)

Less protection

 

 

  • Type: Soft roll-up 
  • Price: $339.00+
  • Material: High-quality, heavy-duty vinyl
  • Available finishes: Vinyl grain
  • Installation: Clamp on
  • Locking: Tailgate lock
  • Warranty: Five-year warranty

Best Hard Roll-Up Tonneau Cover: BAK Industries Revolver X4S 

Product image of the BAK Industries Revolver X4S.

If you're looking for the ease of a roll-up design with the protection of a hard tonneau cover, the BAK Industries Revolver X4S is the best option. This tonneau cover is constructed with heavy-duty aluminum slats wrapped in industrial-grade vinyl for enhanced cargo protection and weather resistance. The roll-up design gives you full access to your truck bed when the cover is opened. 

Pros

Cons

Sleek, stylish appearance 

Top quality and ease of use

Quick installation (estimated 20 minutes)

Fairly expensive



 

  • Type: Hard roll-up 
  • Price: $1,169.00+
  • Material: Heavy-duty aluminum slats wrapped in industrial-grade vinyl
  • Available finishes: Matte black
  • Installation: Clamp on
  • Locking: Tailgate lock
  • Warranty: Five-year limited warranty

Best Soft Folding Tonneau Cover: Rough Country Soft Tri-Fold

Product image of the Rough Country Soft Tri-Fold tonneau cover

If you're looking for a basic, cost-effective tonneau cover, look no further than the Rough Country Soft Tri-Fold. Made with UV-resistant double-coated vinyl, this cover provides great weather protection and sealing to prevent moisture buildup. You can fold this cover in one or two sections for easy access to your cargo.

Pros

Cons

Very affordable

Simple to use

Easy installation (estimated 10 minutes)

Limited warranty is only three years

Less protection



 

  • Type: Soft folding
  • Price: $239.95+
  • Material: UV-resistant double-coated vinyl 
  • Available finishes: Black
  • Installation: Clamp on; no tools
  • Locking: Tailgate lock
  • Warranty: Three-year limited lifetime warranty

Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover: BAK Industries BAKFlip MX4

Product image of the BAK Industries BAKFlip MX4 tonneau cover

The BAK Industries BAKFlip MX4 provides outstanding quality and durability. With its premium density insulated core and aircraft-grade aluminum construction, this cover will provide you the most protection from the elements. Plus, the superior construction and lock give this hard cover unmatched security. 

 

Pros

Cons

Easy-to-use folding design 

Top quality, durability and security

Simple installation (estimated one hour) 

Fairly expensive

Limited warranty is only three years

 

  • Type: Hard folding
  • Price: $1,139.00+
  • Material: Aluminum and thick fiberglass reinforced polymer
  • Available finishes: Black powder
  • Installation: Clamp on
  • Locking: Tailgate lock
  • Warranty: Three-year limited warranty

Best Retractable Tonneau Cover: Retrax RetraxONE XR 

Product image of the Retrax RetraxONE XR tonneau cover

Specializing in retractable tonneau covers, Retrax is a top-notch brand and the RetraxONE XR is no exception. While folding and rolling tonneau covers can be a bit bulkier, the RetraxOne XR discreetly retracts for a clean look. Featuring a one-piece polycarbonate sheet, this cover is extremely durable and high quality. 

 

Pros

Cons

Streamlined operation

Top quality and durability

Fairly generous warranty

Easy installation (estimated 30 minutes)

Expensive

 

  • Type: Retractable
  • Price: $1,579.00+
  • Material: Polycarbonate and aluminum
  • Available finishes: Matte black
  • Installation: Clamp on
  • Locking: Keyed lock
  • Warranty: One-year full warranty, then limited lifetime warranty

Best Budget Tonneau Cover: Proven Ground EZ Hard Fold

Product image of the Proven Ground EZ Hard Fold tonneau cover.

If you're looking for the protection that a hard cover offers at the price point of a soft cover, look no further than the Proven Ground EZ Hard Fold. At just above the $400 price point, this is by far our most affordable hard cover option. 

This tri-fold tonneau cover is manufactured with an aircraft-grade aluminum frame wrapped in weather-resistant marine-grade black vinyl. The cover is both fade- and tear-resistant, so you can expect it to hold up long term. 

 

Pros

Cons

Most affordable hard folding cover available

Great overall quality

Straightforward installation (estimated one hour)

No warranty

Limited security

 

  • Type: Hard folding
  • Price: $432.99+
  • Material: Marine-grade vinyl and aluminum
  • Available Finishes: Textured-grained
  • Installation: Clamp on 
  • Locking: Non-Locking
  • Warranty: No warranty

How To Choose the Best Tonneau Cover

The best tonneau cover will vary from truck owner to truck owner. For example, a truck owner who lives in a mild climate and typically transports wood in their truck bed may require a different cover than someone who lives in a wet climate and hauls high-value equipment. 

Be sure to evaluate your needs and consider factors like security, price, durability, and ease of use to determine the best tonneau cover for you. 

Types of Tonneau Covers

There are several different types of tonneau covers you can choose from. Below, we provide a brief overview of each type. 

Soft

Soft tonneau covers are typically made from a light material such as vinyl. They are usually lightweight and budget-friendly, but provide the least amount of protection. 

Best for: Truck owners who want a lightweight and low-cost tonneau cover 

Hard

Hard tonneau covers are usually made from aluminum, fiberglass, or plastic. While hard covers are bulkier and more pricey, they provide enhanced protection for  your cargo. 

Best for: Truck owners who want extra protection and security for their cargo 

Roll-up 

As the name suggests, a roll-up tonneau cover allows you to roll up the cover to access your truck bed. Roll-up tonneau covers can be labeled as soft or hard depending on the material they're made from. 

Best for: Truck owners who want a compact, low-cost tonneau cover that provides access to the entire bed 

Folding 

Folding tonneau covers can also be made out of either a soft or hard material, and fold back into three or four sections. 

Best for: Truck owners who want an easy-to-open and durable tonneau cover 

Retractable

Retractable tonneau covers retract back into a canister at the front of your bed to give you full access. Retractable tonneau covers are typically hard, and can be manual or powered. They are typically the easiest type of tonneau cover to use. 

Best for: Truck owners who want convenience and a sleek appearance 

Methodology

At AmericanTrucks, we pride ourselves on being one of the most trustworthy online aftermarket retailers in the business. To make our best tonneau cover selections, we leaned on our knowledgeable staff of truck experts and enthusiasts to score the 24 top-selling tonneau covers on a scale of one to five based on their testing and expert knowledge of these qualities:

  • Ease of installation
  • Overall quality
  • Durability
  • Security
  • Appearance
  • Ease of use
  • Price

We then tallied up our scores and awarded a winner for each tonneau cover type, plus a budget option. 

Best Tonneau Cover FAQs

How Do You Measure a Truck Bed for a Tonneau Cover?

To measure your truck bed for a tonneau cover, grab a measuring tape and pull back from the inside of the bulkhead to the interior edge of the tailgate. Then divide that number by 12 for your exact measurement. Keep in mind that most tonneau covers don't require an exact match, so choose the closest measurement within 1 to 3 inches. 

How Do You Install a Tonneau Cover?

Most tonneau covers clamp onto the truck bed, but exact installation steps will vary depending on what type of tonneau cover you have. Refer to the installation guide for your specific tonneau cover. 

Do Tonneau Covers Save Gas?

Tonneau covers could potentially save you an average of $53 per year in gas

What Is the Most Popular Tonneau Cover?

Our most popular tonneau cover is the Proven Ground Low Profile Hard Tri-Fold tonneau cover

What Is the Best Bed Cover for Winter?

If you live in a climate with harsh winter weather, we recommend opting for a hard tonneau cover for optimal protection. A few great hard cover options on our list include the BAK Industries Revolver X4S, the BAK Industries BAKFlip MX4, and the Proven Ground EZ Hard Fold.

Best Tonneau Cover Brands for Trucks

Based on our rankings, here are some of the best tonneau cover brands to consider: 

  • Truxedo
  • BAK Industries
  • Rough Country
  • Retrax 
  • Proven Ground
  • WeatherTech
  • RedRock 4x4
  • Armordillo
  • UnderCover

Once you decide on the right tonneau cover for your truck, be sure to clean and maintain it regularly to ensure it lasts for years to come. 

More Tonneau Cover Guides: