The Best Tonneau Cover to Safeguard Your Pickup Truck Bed

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The best tonneau cover can help you protect the cargo in your pickup truck bed from weather elements and loss. These products can also be stylish and help to reduce drag while driving at high speeds.

If you want a dependable tonneau cover for your truck, you need to understand the types available on the market. Our list of 5 of the best tonneau covers can help you settle on the right fit for your vehicle and uses.

Table of Contents

5 Best Tonneau Covers

1. BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

Sale
BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 448329 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7'...
BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 448329 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7"...
  • Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7" Bed (67.1")
  • ULTIMATE SECURITY | The BAKFlip MX4 tonneau cover has durable...
  • STYLISH MATTE FINISH | Featuring matte-finished aluminum panels,...
  • 100% BED ACCESS | Operate this cover closed, folded or flipped...
  • WE’VE GOT YOUR BAK | The MX4 truck bed cover is rated up to 400...
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The Bak Bakflip MX4 features a tri-fold design for folding inwards towards the cab. The panels are made from aluminum for damage and weather protection while giving the option to open your truck bed partly.

This tri-fold product is affordable and easy to install as it allows you to quickly open or close. Additionally, it provides a suitable balance between safety and convenience.

Pros

  • It features fair protection against theft and the weather.
  • It is simple to use.
  • The tri-fold tonneau cover gives you partial and full bed access.

Cons

  • A determined thief can get to your cargo.
  • It is not compatible with older pickup truck models.
  • The tri-fold tonneau cover is bulky, which makes installation challenging.
  • The bed cover does not noticeably affect your fuel efficiency.
  • It does not feature a low-profile design and can limit your use of tie-down points, bed rails and other equipment like bed liners.
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2. TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 256001 | Fits 2016 - 2022 Toyota Tacoma...
TruXedo TruXport Soft Roll Up Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 256001 | Fits 2016 - 2022 Toyota Tacoma...
  • Fits 2016 - 2022 Toyota Tacoma (Excludes Trail Special Edition...
  • UNBELIEVABLY FUNCTIONAL | TruXport is designed to be...
  • STAND GUARD AGAINST WEATHER | Keep your cargo dry and secure...
  • NO DRILL INSTALLATION | Fully install this roll-up truck bed...
  • WE'VE GOT YOU COVERED | TruXport is backed by a 5-year, no hassle...
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The TruXedo TruXport is a soft roll-up tonneau cover that features leather-grain material that you easily install by clamping it down on the rails. The product offers reliable cover against rainy, snowy and windy conditions.

The low-profile slim design of the TruXedo Truxport truck bed cover allows you to carry oversized cargo without removing it entirely. Plus, its dual paddle latching system offers more security as you can lock it to keep your gear safe.

Pros

  • It is not expensive.
  • Easy operation and installation.
  • The truck bed cover can repel water for weatherproofing your truck.
  • It features a tension control system for better handling of snow while covered.
  • The roll-up tonneau cover is quiet if installed tightly while driving at high speeds.

Cons

  • You need to align it properly on the truck bed.
  • Some tailgates offer challenges when trying to install it tightly.
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3. BAK Revolver X2 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

Sale
BAK Revolver X2 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 39329 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7' Bed...
BAK Revolver X2 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 39329 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7" Bed...
  • Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7" Bed (67.1")
  • UNRIVALED SECURITY | The Revolver X2 features patented rotational...
  • UNRIVALED DURABILITY | The RX2 hard rolling truck bed cover is...
  • UNRIVALED CONVENIENCE | The RX2 releases with a hidden cable on...
  • UNRIVALED SUPPORT | The BAK Revolver X2 hard rolling tonneau...
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If you have a work truck and you frequently get things in and out of the back, the Bak Revolver X2 is a reliable option to buy. Although it features heavy-duty aluminum slats covered by a glossy vinyl material, you can still open it from either side using automatic slam latches.

Use a locking tailgate with this product and experience excellent security thanks to the patented rotational locking rails. Plus, the low-profile offered by these truck tonneau covers do not reduce your visibility while open.

Pros

  • It excels in security and weather protection.
  • The bed cover can support up to 400 pounds of weight on top if distributed evenly.
  • Its low profile allows it to stay flush with the bed.
  • The cover gives you full bed access and does not obstruct your rear window if opened.

Cons

  • The vinyl used may not be as aesthetically pleasing as all aluminum slats.
  • Aligning the tonneau cover can be tricky.
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4. Extang Solid Fold 2.0 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

Sale
extang Solid Fold 2.0 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 83445 | Fits 2014 - 2018, 2019 Legacy...
extang Solid Fold 2.0 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 83445 | Fits 2014 - 2018, 2019 Legacy...
  • Fits 2014 - 2018, 2019 Legacy Chevy/GMC Silverado/Sierra 1500 5'...
  • ULTRA-TOUGH PANELS | Solid Fold 2.0 is a hard folding truck bed...
  • ARRIVES FULLY ASSEMBLED | The whole cover comes completely put...
  • ENHANCED SECURITY | Not only does this hard folding truck bed...
  • EXTANG ENGINEERED | Engineering is at the heart of why we have...
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The automotive-grade polymer panels in the Extang Solid Fold 2.0 are lightweight, scratch and dent resistant. The truck bed cover comes fully assembled to ease the process of installation. Simply clamp it to the cab and unfold the cover over your bed, then use the EZ-lock to keep it in place at the tailgate.

The Extang Solid 2.0 also features watertight seals to keep your cargo dry while driving in the rain. Plus, you can enjoy a soft close thanks to the rubberized corners and hinge caps. The bed cover is versatile to function with popular accessories used in your truck's bed.

Pros

  • The construction is long-lasting because it is made from quality materials.
  • The cover enhances security by making its clamps accessible only when the tailgate is lowered.
  • It has a gorgeous matte finish.

Cons

  • It is not easy for most users to install.
  • Unfortunately, the cover does not come with instructions.
  • The price is quite high.
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5. BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover

BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 79329 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7' Bed...
BAK Revolver X4 Hard Rolling Truck Bed Tonneau Cover | 79329 | Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7" Bed...
  • Fits 2015 - 2020 Ford F-150 5' 7" Bed (67.1")
  • UNRIVALED DURABILITY | The RX4 hard rolling tonneau cover is...
  • UNRIVALED SECURITY | RX4 features patented rotational locking...
  • UNRIVALED CONVENIENCE | The RX4 releases with a hidden cable on...
  • UNRIVALED SUPPORT | The BAK Revolver X4 is America’s #1 selling...
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The BAk Revolver X4 brings style and functionality to your vehicle because of the premium matte black finish of the vinyl overlay. The cover design lacks Velcro or snaps but remains flush with the bed.

You can pull the cable cover to use the automatic latches for fast access to your bed. Moreover, the Revolver X4 tonneau cover creates a strong seal that water cannot penetrate because of the one-piece design.

Pros

  • The cover comes with straps that secure it while it is open.
  • It can take a weight of up to 400 pounds on its top.
  • It comes with a 5-year lifetime warranty.

Cons

  • List Element
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What to Consider When Looking for the Best Tonneau Covers

Understanding the different types of tonneau covers can help you make the best decision for your truck. Below is a breakdown of the tonneau cover options available on the market.

a) Soft Roll-Up Tonneau Covers

Soft roll-up tonneau covers are simple to install and more affordable than hard ones. This variation allows you to cover your pickup truck bed using bed rails secured to clamps that you can roll up for unobstructed bed access.

Typically, this process is as quick as a few seconds making soft roll-up covers the preferred choice for pickup owners interested in fast offloading. The two options in this category, the top-mount and flush styles have one fundamental difference. The former does not allow you to use tie-downs, while the latter does.

Pros

  • Fast and easy to install.
  • The truck cover is affordable.
  • Keeps cargo on your pickup truck bed relatively safe while on the road and protects it from weather elements.
  • It provides truck owners with part or full access to their pickup beds.

Cons

  • It does not secure your truck bed from thieves since most of these tonneau covers use velcro fasteners.
  • The truck cover can collapse due to the weight of snow or cargo placed on top of it.
  • Because it is fragile, it has a limited lifetime warranty.

b) Soft Folding Tonneau Covers

A soft-folding tonneau cover uses vinyl material that has been pulled over a metal frame to allow you to fold it easily upwards to open the pickup truck bed. Thus, you can carry cargo larger than the bed size as you can secure it on the bed rails through manual clamping.

Pros

  • It is the cheapest style of folding tonneau covers.
  • Installation and use are easy because the product is lightweight.
  • The vinyl cover has a sleek appearance.
  • Since it does not leave any hinges exposed, the soft-folding tonneau cover offers terrific protection against the weather.

Cons

  • You cannot safely secure your cargo from being stolen.
  • It is not advisable to place your gear or equipment on top.
  • The soft folding cover is noisy and obstructive while driving when it is open.
  • The vinyl cover can tear.

c) Retractable Tonneau Covers

Truck owners looking for aesthetically pleasing bed covers can go for retractable tonneau covers. This product has a canister that houses the coiled cover from where it can slide out to close your pickup truck bed.

You can buy a high-end model that has a motorized mechanism or one that requires manual retracting. Still, the retractable tonneau cover will give your pickup a futuristic appearance while operating.

Pros

  • It is stylish.
  • It offers more weather protection than other rolling tonneau covers.
  • You can get one with a locking tailgate for better security.
  • It is long-lasting.
  • Increases usable space on your pickup truck bed when it is open.

Cons

  • The canister will always occupy some much-needed space on the truck bed.
  • The retractable type of tonneau cover is more expensive than the other options on the market.
  • These truck bed covers may be tricky for some users to install, and they are also tasking to remove.

d) Hardshell Tonneau Covers

Hardshell tonneau covers have one bottom line: providing security to your truck bed. This type of cover features one lid hinged at the front that opens and closes to give you bed access.

Pros

  • It offers the best weather seal and anti-theft security on the market.
  • It can be stylish since you can get one that is the same color as your pickup truck.
  • Easy to use.
  • With fewer moving parts, this tonneau cover is more durable than the others.

Cons

  • Since it is one complete unit, it can be tricky to install.It does not allow you to carry oversized cargo.
  • It is susceptible to denting and scratching.
  • When opened, it will reduce your road visibility.

e) Hard Rolling Tonneau Covers

This type is made up of aluminum slats enveloped by a vinyl material. The hard rolling tonneau covers feature the sturdiness of hard truck bed covers with the increased functionality of soft rolling covers. Hence, it can secure your gear and equipment against thieving while offering the convenience of carrying oversized cargo.

Pros

  • It is easy to install and use.
  • The truck tonneau cover can withstand the weight of falling snow or ice.
  • It is durable because of the materials used.
  • They are cheap.

Cons

  • It is not waterproof.
  • It is bulky when rolled up.

f) Hard Folding Tonneau Covers

Hard folding tonneau covers are popular with truck owners. The product features panels to fold up and secure near the cab to give you more room for carrying tall cargo. Plus, it has a locking truck bed cover for improved security of your gear.

Pros

  • A locking tailgate beefs up the security and durability this product offers.
  • Installing the device is simple.
  • It is ideal for people in snowy and wet conditions because it is weatherproof and strong.
  • The folding covers are quiet when driving fast.

Cons

  • Truck owners might not see well behind them while it is open.
  • They are expensive.
  • The hard folding cover suffers from compatibility issues with different racks and truck bed accessories.
  • It may become dented or scratched.

Frequently Asked Questions on the Best Tonneau Cover

1. What is the best brand of tonneau cover?

The best brand of tonneau cover is BakFlip because of the many options and quality products they manufacture. Whether you are looking for folding, rolling or retractable variations, the company has you covered. Additionally, the price of their tonneau covers is within reach of many truck owners.

2. Which is better, roll-up or tri-fold tonneau cover?

The choice between a roll-up and a tri-fold tonneau cover depends on your preferences. The former is cheaper, more flexible and requires more effort to operate. On the other hand, the latter allows you to store valuable gear in your truck's bed.

It helps to figure out your intended use before you make a purchase. Also, your budget will affect the type, brand and features you can expect from the tonneau cover.

3. Is soft or hard tonneau cover better?

The primary difference between soft and hard tonneau covers is the security offered by both. The hard one is better if you are frequently hauling cargo that is valuable or gear that needs to be protected from weather elements. The soft one is much cheaper and its low profile makes it easier to use and install. 

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