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A tonneau cover is pretty much the ultimate upgrade for your truck. After all, the bed is likely one of the top reasons you bought the thing. The bed allows you to haul just about anything and everything. But in stock form, it’s exposed to the elements. A tonneau cover corrects the issue.
Without a tonneau cover, your truck bed and everything in it are vulnerable to theft, unpredictable weather, and general wear and tear from exposure while driving. It goes without saying that you should pick a tonneau cover that offers the protection you need. We’re here to help with that. From soft rolling to hard folding and even retractable tonneau covers, we’re going to talk you through some of the best options on the market to make your bed the cargo compartment of your dreams.
Summary List
- Best Overall: Lund Genesis Elite Roll Up Tonneau Cover
- Best Value: Tyger Auto T3 Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover
- Best Retractable: Retrax RetraxONE XR Tonneau Cover
- Best Value Runner-Up: Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover
- Best Hard-Folding: BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover
- Best High-Durability: Pace Edwards Switchblade Tonneau Cover
- Best Roll-Up: TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover
Our Methodology
We can’t put our own hands on every item available, but we did test out two of the best around: Gator’s roll up and Retrax’s retractable. We put them through absolute hell, including throwing dirt into the bed, jumping on top of the Retrax, and generally putting them through their paces. They get our seal of approval. In those other instances, we put our collective experience in journalism, research, and prior product testing to use to make our product picks. Items that are used by our own staff may get earnest endorsements as well, but we’ll never accept fees or bonuses to sell you stuff we’re not actually excited about. Affiliate revenue is always disclosed.
The Drive aggregates reviews and research from all over the internet to figure out which products are worth buying. We also put out shopping guides to help you understand how to assess the value of these things on your own.
Best Tonneau Covers: Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: Lund Genesis Elite Roll Up Tonneau Cover
Pros
- Convenient soft roll-up cover with a low-profile design
- Twill weave cover, much like marine-grade vinyl folding covers, does a good job of repelling water
- Side rails are easy to position and mount to the side of the truck bed
Cons
- Getting a proper seal can be tricky
- High price for roll-up cover
The Lund Genesis Elite is hard to beat when it comes to bed covers. Granted, it is a soft cover, which might not match everyone’s criteria, but the lower price and convenience of these covers are what we feel most people are after. That said, the Genesis gets a lot right. It’s made from high-quality twill weave, it’s easy to set up, will not interfere with stake pockets. While twill isn’t exactly commonplace, it does an excellent job of repelling water while creating a unique aesthetic.
As for the drawbacks, this does run for a higher price than most soft rolling covers. It’s also worth noting that to get a proper seal, the velcro strips need to be just right, which can be viewed as an inconvenience.
Best Value: Tyger Auto T3 Tri-Fold Tonneau Cover
Pros
- Tri-fold
- Easy install
- Relatively inexpensive
Cons
- Blocks stake pocket holes
- Does not uncover entire bed
The Tyger Auto T3 tri-fold just might be what you need if a roll-up cover doesn’t fit the bill. Unlike a roll-up, this cover has three panels, two of which fold up and out of the way, allowing a single person to use it with ease. Speaking of ease, it’s simple to install and takes little more than a few minutes to plant on your truck. Toss a relatively low price point and limited lifetime warranty into the mix, and you can see why it’s wearing the crown of Best Value.
What’s not to like is the fact that only two of the three panels fold up out of the way. That means at least one-third of your bed will be blocked whenever this is in place. It also blocks stake pocket holes, which can impede the use of some accessories.
Best Retractable: Retrax RetraxONE XR Tonneau Cover
Pros
- Maximum security and durability
- Easy to install
- Backed by lifetime warranty
- Heavy payload rating
Cons
- Premium price point
- Partially covers stake pockets
If you frequently carry valuable or large cargo, the Retraxone XR tonneau cover has your name on it. This hard retractable tonneau cover offers full access to the bed when rolled back but maximum security when deployed. When paired with a locking tailgate, accessing the bed can be near impossible for the average thief. Despite being an evolved variant of covers, installation is also very straightforward, and it is backed by a lifetime warranty to provide ultimate peace of mind.
Security doesn’t come cheap, unfortunately, and this is one of the most expensive covers on the market. It also does partially block the stake pocket holes, which can present some issues and even render it an impractical choice for some truck owners.
Best Value Runner-Up: Gator ETX Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover
Pros
- Easy to install
- Does not impede stake pockets
- Affordable price point
Cons
- Hardware isn’t made well
- Vinyl tends to degrade rapidly
The Gator roll-up takes the pick for most user-friendly due to the simple installation process. There’s no drilling required, nor do you need much to get the job done. Ease of installation does not mean sacrifices in aesthetics or practicality, though. The cover does rank among some of the best in terms of appearances, and it also leaves the stake pockets wide open for use. The relatively low price point isn’t hurting anything either.
Managing editor Jonathon Klein put this one to the test with his Honda Ridgeline and found it fit his lifestyle perfectly, allowing for motorcycles and storage of gear without issue. You can read up more on his thoughts above, but he suggests that this is a great tonneau cover for anyone who needs bed access with none of the detriment of losing space with a retractable.
Best Hard-Folding: BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Tonneau Cover
Pros
- High structural rigidity
- Great appearances
- Backed by 5-year warranty
Cons
- Premium price point
- Quality control issues are common
There’s a whole lot to like about the BAK MX4 hard folding cover. For one, this folding aluminum cover has the ability to support up to 400 pounds of distributed weight. There’s no way snow or other build-up is causing it to collapse, and the rugged construction does add a bit of security to your belongings. It also looks great, installs with ease, leaves the stake pockets unimpeded, and it’s backed with a lifetime warranty. Simply put, this is the hard folding cover to consider.
That is unless you’re unwilling to spend a considerable amount of money on a tonneau cover. There’s no question that this is priced out of range for many truck owners. Even so, the quality control division still seems to have some kinks to work through, as there are several reports of factory defects from customers.
Best High Durability: Pace Edwards Switchblade Tonneau Cover
Pros
- Convienient operation
- High durability
- High security value
Cons
- Difficult installation process
- High price point
The Switchblade is the model most are going to reach for when opting for a hard retracting tonneau cover. Why? Because it’s one of the most affordable options in this segment. That said, it’s made with durable aluminum plates that are coated in a black finish to create the look your truck deserves. Don’t worry. Everything about this cover is highly durable, so you don’t need to freak out over scratches and dings. Of course, it’s also very easy to use, and pairing it with a locking tailgate offers maximum security.
While this may be an affordable hard cover, it’s not budget-friendly by any means. Also, installation is much more complicated than traditional covers, which is worth knowing before buying.
Best Roll Up: TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Tonneau Cover
Pros
- Distinct looks
- Relativley cost-effective
- Backed by 5-year warranty
Cons
- Covers stake pocket holes
- Tends to collect excessive water and debris on top
Some folks prefer a tonneau cover that pronounces itself, and the TruXport is hard to beat in that territory. It’s designed to sit 1.5 inches above the bed, creating a distinctive look that many crave. It also utilizes signature leather-grain fabric to promote that iconic aesthetic of exterior decor. Of course, this is a roll-up cover, so it sits at a relatively affordable price point. TruXedo also backs it with a 5-year warranty, and it does a decent job of keeping the weather out.
It’s not ideal in most situations, unfortunately. The design inherently covers the stake pocket holes, which ultimately makes it an impractical choice for many. There’s also the issue of its tendency to pool water on the cover, which hints at issues with snow and ice.
Our Verdict on the Best Tonneau Covers
Our top pick for the best tonneau cover is the Lund Genesis Elite Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover. With a roll-up design, it’s hard to beat the convenience this cover offers. For something slightly more affordable, check out the Tyger Auto T3 Tri-Fold Truck Bed Tonneau Cover. It offers a convenient tri-fold design that does a decent job of protecting the truck bed.
Tonneau Cover Features to Know
Here’s everything you need to know before hitting Buy It Now.
Types of Tonneau Covers
Soft
Offering a lot in terms of flexibility and weather protection, soft tonneau covers also have the advantage of being budget-friendly in most cases. Made of tough fabrics like vinyl, most of these covers roll or fold. Weather-wise, soft fabrics are more effective at covering the little cracks and spaces water and debris can get into around the truck bed. On the opposite end, however, soft covers don’t offer much security against thieves or tampering.
Hard
When it comes to the ultimate amount of protection a cover can offer, hard tonneau options are hard to beat. Using composites or metal panels, these covers create a rigid barrier between the truck bed and outside world. Many covers also roll or fold up like softcovers, but some models are a single piece that lifts up on one end. Unfortunately, the extra security comes with a higher price tag, more weight, and more challenging installation in most cases.
Folding
Both soft and hard tonneau covers are also available in another style: folding covers. Soft covers typically roll up, allowing you to secure them in place with straps or buckles when you don’t need the cover’s protection or overhead coverage. Hard folding covers tend to have panels that you can fold back and secure, via lock or latch mechanisms. Both kinds of folding covers give you the freedom to partially or completely open the cover for as much access as you need.
Retractable
Retractable covers are different from folding covers. Typically made out of thin, flexible, and soft materials, retractable tonneau covers feature an automated (or electric) mechanism that pulls the cover open and rolls it out of your way as needed. These covers are incredibly convenient, as they make getting your cover off your truck’s bed simple and quick, and they allow you to have versatility in how much or how little of the cover you’d like to use.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A. Hard covers offer a good amount of protection if they come with some kind of lock. No cover, however, is completely theft-proof.
A. Most covers use clamps that latch onto the side of the bed rails. Some clamps are attached to the cover, while others are separate.
A. In most cases, no. Some hardcovers are designed to carry a good amount of weight on top, but most can’t support heavy items without compromising the structural integrity.
A. This depends on your preferences and needs. For some truck owners, a soft cover is the best choice, especially if you want an easy-to-remove cover that doesn’t need permanent installation on your vehicle. However, a hard cover offers more durability and increased security, which makes a hard tonneau a better choice for others.
A. Many tonneau covers are able to block out water — but you’ll want to make sure you search for covers that are waterproof, not water-resistant, in order to keep your truck bed dry. Hard covers tend to offer the best waterproofing, as these covers are custom-fitted and completely close up your pickup’s bed off from the outdoor elements.
