Top 10 Best Tonneau Covers for Pickup Trucks in 2023

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Tonneau covers are one of the best ways to protect your truck bed from damage and keep it clean. Nowadays, tonneau covers come in a wide variety of styles and colors, so you’re sure to find one that matches your needs. In this article, we will discuss the top tonneau cover choices for pickup trucks!

1. TruXedo TruXport Tonneau Cover

If you have ever looked at someone’s pickup truck and noticed a soft-style tonneau cover, the likelihood is quite high that you saw a TruXport. These are extremely popular and this is even what I have on my pickup as well.

The TruXedo TruXport Tonneau Cover is the perfect way to keep your cargo safe and protected while adding a touch of style to your truck. The top mount design sits 1.5″ above the truck bed, providing distinctive good looks, while the quality leather-grain fabric helps protect your cargo from the harshest of elements.

The pre-set tension control keeps the cover tight and looking its best all year round, while the easy-to-use dual paddle latches are securely accessed at both sides of the truck. The sleek and stylish straight cross tubes provide a smooth, flat look when the cover is closed.

Pros

  • Lightweight
  • Rolls all the way, out of the way
  • High quality
  • Easy to install, and to remove

Cons

  • Is not secure

2. Bak Bakflip MX4 Hard Folding Cover

The MX tonneau cover is a tri-fold style tonneau cover that has a sleek and stylish design that looks great with most pickup trucks.

It features a premium matte finish, durable aluminum panels, and a 5-year warranty. It’s also tested to withstand up to 400 lbs. of evenly distributed weight. The MX4 is the perfect way to keep your belongings safe and secure in your truck bed while maintaining full access to the bed for easy loading and unloading.

The Bakflip is made of hard ABS panels which keep it looking new even after years of abuse from rocks and debris on the road or in the trails.

Bak Industries makes some of my favorite tonneau covers on the market today! They are high quality, extremely functional, and can take a beating. They are really innovating in an industry that hasn’t changed a ton in a long time.

I really do like this tonneau cover, as the Bakflip system all works together to make a cohesive truck storage system!

Pros

  • Hard topped tonneau covers are more secure
  • 5 year warranty
  • Can be used on its own, or a part of a bigger Bak branded system
  • Quality build

Cons

  • Tri-Fold tonneau covers take up some of the bed

3. Bak Revolver X2

If you liked the Bakflip MX4 above, but wish you had a roll-up, rather than a tri-fold cover. This is for you!

This innovative design is made of aluminum slats with a vinyl overlay and installs without drilling. The patented rotational locking rails keep your cargo safe and secure, while side rail seals and rear corner caps give your truck a more refined appearance.

The integrated bulkhead seal ensures superior sealing, and the felt replacement cap system makes operation easy from either side. Plus, the durable safety straps and buckles keep your cover in place when open and is backed by a 3-year warranty, this is one tonneau cover you can count on!

The biggest reason why the slats are such a big deal is that other normal soft roll-up tonneau covers have to be pulled tight, however, this one just rolls itself out to the ideal distance.

Pros

  • Roll- up design
  • Still a hard surface tonneau cover
  • Easy operation from either side of the truck
  • High quality

Cons

  • Can freeze closed

4. Undercover Elite LX

The latest addition to their painted cover lineup, the Elite LX is perfect for those who want all the features of the Elite, with premium upgrades including a carpet-lined underside and a flawless paint job color-matched to your truck.

The Cargo Retriever tool helps extend your reach the entire length of the bed for out-of-reach items, and conveniently stores away within the cover. A super bright LED lighting system is installed towards the rear of the cover. Slide the release to remove the light for use as a flashlight.

This premium cover comes with all the bells and whistles, including a carpet-lined underside, color-matched paint job.

If you are someone that likes these painted tonneau covers, which essentially turn your truck’s bed into a trunk, this is the tonneau cover for you. These are high quality, stylish, and custom for your specific truck.

Pros

  • Turns your truck bed into a trunk
  • Extremely high quality
  • LED lighting
  • Painted to match your truck

Cons

  • Makes truck bed less accessible
  • Harder to put items in from the top

5. Diamondback SE Tonneau Cover

Looking for a durable, locking tonneau cover that’s perfect for the pickup owner who wants to achieve more with their truck? Look no further than the DiamondBack SE!

Made from an aluminum diamond plate, this cover is incredibly strong and won’t crack like fiberglass or wear out like vinyl. It also features 4 tie-down cleats to keep your gear safe and secure while you’re on the go.

Protect your gear and look good doing it with the DiamondBack SE truck bed cover.

This tough tonneau cover is made of aluminum diamond plate and can haul up to 400 lbs, making it perfect for outdoor adventurers. It features a locking mechanism to keep your cargo safe and dry, with the peace of mind that a lock provides.

These tonneau covers are truly incredible if you are looking for something that is tough both in styling and in usage. You can easily open up the tonneau cover from the front or rear of the truck bed and really is an awesome cover.

Pros

  • Extremely heavy duty
  • Great for tools, and other expensive gear
  • Can be opened from the front or back
  • Lockable

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Very heavy

6. Pace Edwards Ultragroove Electric Tonneau Cover

This innovative new product offers the hands-free, remote operation, making it easy to open and close your truck bedcover. This truly makes it one-of-a-kind tonneau cover in the aftermarket sector. This is something that is quickly being built into new trucks coming onto market, however is less common in the aftermarket.

The built-in RES rail expansion system can quickly be outfitted with racks to carry your recreational gear, while drain tubes at the front and rear of the rail provide improved water management.

Plus, the matte-black powder-coated finish provides a sleek look that will compliment any truck. The Ultragroove Electric Tonneau Cover comes with a three-year limited warranty.

If you want to easily open your tonneau cover with the push of a button, you should probably purchase this!

Pros

  • Push button open tonneau cover
  • High quality build

Cons

  • Cold climates might cause some issues
  • Very high price point

7. Leer RollItUp

Now we are getting back to the basics, with an inexpensive tonneau cover made by a reputable brand!

Looking for an easy way to keep your truck bed covered and protected? Look no further than the Leer RollItUp tonneau cover. Our covers are designed to fit perfectly on your truck bed rails, and they feature an easy-to-latch mechanism that keeps the cover secure in any weather condition.

Plus, our built-in crossbars offer added support when the cover is lying flat. Constructed out of heavy-duty 24-ounce tear-resistant vinyl, our covers are built to last.

If you are looking for a budget tonneau cover that just works, I really do like this one, and it should do the job well.

Pros

  • Awesome value product
  • Roll-Up cover keeps bed wide open when needed
  • Easy to roll back out and cover the bed
  • 15 minute install

Cons

  • Not as nice as other covers on this list

8. Gator EFX

You need a truck bed cover that can do it all. You need the Gator EFX Hard Fold Tonneau Cover. This hard folding tonneau cover is made from aircraft-grade aluminum and comes with a stylish gloss black finish. It’s designed to be ultra-low profile, so it won’t slow you down or compromise your fuel economy.

The hinges are made from EPDM rubber, ensuring durability and long-lasting performance. Installation is easy – there’s no drilling required! And best of all, we’re offering a 3-year warranty on this product. So order now and see what all the fuss is about!

If you are looking for a mid-range tri-fold, tough tonneau cover, this Gator EFX makes for a great deal. It isn’t anything crazy special, but what it is meant for, it is definitely worth every dollar you spend.

Pros

  • Great value tri-fold tonneau cover
  • Metal, touch design
  • Easy to install on the truck
  • 3 year warranty

Cons

  • Not the highest quality, but not the lowest quaity either

9. Patriot Eagle SE

Looking for a way to keep your cargo safe and dry? The Patriot Eagle SE is built tough with an Axalta automotive paint to match your OEM color, and the carpet material lining the underside of the tonneau cover will keep your interior looking fresh.

You can’t go wrong with another great option for a fiberglass, painted tonneau cover. This Patriot Eagle makes that awesome option to the other painted tonneau cover we discussed earlier in this article.

Plus, a battery-powered LED light is included so you can work after dark. The hinges are designed for easy lifting, and there’s even a locking rotary latch for superior security. Best of all, installation is a breeze – most vehicles require no drilling at all! So be sure to add this powerful Patriot Eagle SE to your collection today.

Pros

  • LED Lighting
  • Paint to order
  • High quality build

Cons

  • Makes access to the bed a bit more difficult

RetraxPRO XR

The RetraxPRO XR is the perfect addition to your truck if you’re looking for increased cargo capacity. Its innovative design allows you to use most T-slot accessories from Rhino Rack, Yakima, and Thule while maintaining the functionality of your truck bed cover.

The heavy-duty aluminum slats are scratch-resistant and come in a matte finish that looks great on any truck.

Best of all, the low-profile design incorporates a front cover that is flush with your truck bed cover, making it streamlined and giving it a firm seal.

I really like these tonneau covers, as they offer the ease of access of a roll-up tonneau cover, but are a medal design that allows them to be sturdy. Best of both worlds!

Pros

  • Sturdy design
  • Easy to install
  • Easy to access
  • High quality

Cons

  • Could be difficult to open in the winter

What to look for when buying a tonneau cover?

Ease of access to the bed

Not every type of tonneau cover is equal when it comes to accessing the bed in its entirety! Roll-Up (and retractable) Tonneau covers do a great job of getting out of the way completely, tri-folds follow up with ease, but still, take up a portion of the top of the bed.

Finally, fiberglass (painted) tonneau covers only raise up, meaning they leave a lot to be desired in the way of access to a pickup bed.

You will need to decide if you want to trade the ease of access of a roll-up for the styling of fiberglass, and what is more important for you!

Quality of material

When it comes to tonneau covers, you generally get what you pay for.

Some tonneaus use plastic parts and cheap construction materials; these inexpensive tonneau covers will not last very long before they start wearing down or breaking.

The price range of the tonneau cover is directly related to how durable it is- so beware of tonneau covers that are too cheap!

Price of the tonneau cover

As mentioned previously, tonneau covers have a large price range.

A tonneau cover that has only basic features is going to be pretty cheap- expect something around $200 or less. If you want more advanced features like a locking mechanism and LED lighting system, then your tonneau will run closer to the higher end of the spectrum at around $500 – $1500 or more.

You should also consider the tonneau cover price when factoring in how much you paid for your truck!

If you have a tonneau that does not fit well with the design of your pickup bed, it can look rather unprofessional and detract from the overall appearance of your vehicle- so be sure to pick something that looks great

What is the best Tonneau cover brands?

There are tons of different brands out there making tonneau covers nowadays, however big brands like Leer, Undercover and Truxedo still rule the roost. However new companies like Bak with the BakFlip and Revolver are quickly becoming popular choices as they rethink what a tonneau cover is able to do.

Are there any vehicles that come with tonneau covers from the factory?

Trucks with built-in Tonneau covers are not actually all that common! That said, there are a few!

The Chevrolet SSR was the first that came to mind, as it only came with a fiberglass tonneau cover that essentially turned the bed into a trunk, rather than a bed. Similarly, the first generation Lincoln Blackwood took a similar direction with their truck.

In more modern vehicles we are seeing the upcoming Tesla Cybertruck coming equipped with a tonneau cover, along with the Hyundai Sante Cruz (which is more car, than a truck).

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of tonneau cover is best?

Every type of tonneau cover is meant for someone and comes down to personal preference. That said, I believe roll-up tonneau covers tend to be the most versatile, and best in most situations.

Which tonneau cover is most secure?

Tri-Fold or Fiberglass tonneau covers tend to be the most secure types of tonneau covers. They have a hardened surface and are generally able to lock after being closed down.

Do roll-up tonneau covers lock?

Some roll-up tonneau covers can lock, however, due to the fact they are generally a soft leather material, they are easily able to be cut through. This means that locks are not overly effective.

Conclusion

Tonneau covers are a great way to keep your truck bed clean and protected. There are many different types of tonneau covers on the market, so it’s important to do your research before purchasing one. We hope this article has helped inform you about the top tonneau cover choices for pickup trucks!

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