6 Best Tonneau Covers for Your Truck (2024 Ultimate Guide)

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Best Tonneau Covers Crash Course

• The BAKFlip-MX4, RetraxPro XR, and Gator SRX earned the top spots as the best tonneau covers in 2024.

• The top tonneau covers in 2024 cost between $300 and $2,300.

• Gator SFX Tri-Fold and TruXedo Pro X15 also made our list as affordable options with strong customer reviews.

Automoblog Review & Evaluation Process

Tonneau Covers: Overview

The best tonneau covers offer a useful balance of function, price, and security. However, the best truck bed cover for your friend may not be the right choice for your pickup truck. To help truck owners like you find the ideal option for their vehicle, our experts tested some of the top brands for several types of tonneau covers.

In the table below, you’ll find our list of the best tonneau covers of 2024.

Brand and Model	2024 Award
BAKFlip-MX4	Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover
BAK Revolver X4S	Best Rolling Tonneau Cover
RetraxPro XR	Best Retracting Tonneau Cover
TruXedo Pro X15	Best Soft Rolling Tonneau Cover
Gator SRX	Most Affordable Tonneau Cover
Gator SFX Tri-Fold	Easiest Tonneau Cover to Install and Remove

What Is a Tonneau Cover?

A tonneau cover is a type of soft or hard covering that protects a truck’s bed from weather, theft, and other sources of damage. Tonneau is the proper (read: fancy) term for a truck bed, originally meaning “cask” or “barrel.” In other words, a tonneau cover is just a truck bed cover by its trade name.

Generally, tonneau covers can come away from the bed to give the driver easy access to it without having to remove it completely. However, covers vary in terms of which method they use to accomplish this.

Types of Truck Bed Tonneau Covers

There are several types of tonneau covers you can install on your vehicle. Each has its own benefits and disadvantages, and the type that’s best for your truck will depend on how you use it, your budget, and other factors.

These are the most common types of tonneau coverings:

• Roll-up tonneau covers: These covers literally roll up when you need to access the truck bed. You can find both soft roll-up tonneau covers made of lightweight, flexible materials or more rigid hard roll-ups.
• Folding tonneau covers: Another option is a folding cover. As the name suggests, these covers fold up when you need to tuck them away. The most common type of these covers are hard tri-fold tonneau covers which feature three folding sections.
• Retractable tonneau covers: Rather than fold or roll up, these covers retract into a storage canister when you need them out of the way. Some are operated manually, while others use an electric motor to retract them. And some can even be operated with a smartphone.
• Hard tonneau covers: This type of cover is essentially a lid for your truck typically made of one-piece construction. Often, they are installed with hinges that allow you to pop them up and are supported by gas struts.

What To Look For In a Tonneau Cover

When you shop for a new bed cover, there are several things you’ll want to consider to make sure you’re getting the best option for your truck and how you use it. These include:

• Build quality: The quality of your tonneau cover makes a big difference in how well it functions and how long it lasts. Look for covers that feature durable materials and have positive reviews for how well they’re made. If a company offers a warranty on its covers, it’s a good sign that it stands by its quality.
• Function: Which type of cover is right for you depends on how you use your truck. A hard cover is a good option for people like construction workers that need extra protection, but they add a considerable amount of weight, which is a significant drawback for people that don’t.
• Weather protection: Some tonneau covers are more weatherproof than others. The covers that offer the best protection from weather use premium materials such as marine-grade vinyl and fit your truck bed seamlessly.
• Ease of installation: You’ll either have to install your tonneau cover yourself or pay someone to do it. Either way, a cover that offers an easy installation is a major plus to consider.

The Best Tonneau Covers of 2024

After thoroughly testing the top options on the market, our experts identified as the best of the bunch. You’ll find a brief but detailed review of each of these options in the following section.

#1: Best Hard Folding Tonneau Cover: BAKFlip-MX4 

The BAKFlip-MX4 earned first place overall in this year’s study. Of all the tonneau covers we tested, the MX4 strikes the best balance of durability, security, aerodynamics, and low-profile aesthetics. At around $1,200 without any discounts or other deals, the BAKFlip-MX4 is a strong value for the price.

What We Like

This hard-folding cover features heavy-duty aluminum construction, robust prop rods, and a weather-resistant matte-black finish. Although some minor drilling may be required depending on your truck, the BAKFlip-MX4 can be installed in your driveway or garage with a standard hand tool set. Once installed, the MX4 is one of the most versatile and user-friendly tonneau covers.

The BAKFlip-MX4 is one of the best tonneau covers if you want a hard folding option.

How It Works

If you need full bed access, the latch cable will enable the MX4 to fold upward toward the “A-Style Cab Bumpers,” which prevent the cover from coming in contact with itself or your truck. The included prop rods will secure the BAKFlip-MX4 in place.

This type of design is good for when you find yourself hauling a lawnmower, snowblower, or other taller items from time to time. If you need to help a friend move, the BAKFlip-MX4 can stow in place and out of the way of furniture. The only downside is that you won’t be able to see out of your back window, as indicated in the photo gallery above, which may be a deal breaker for some.

Channeled rails with rubber endcaps hold the cover when folded back to its original position. When it’s closed, the cover has a 400 lbs. distributed weight capacity. You can also open and close your tailgate without touching the BAKFlip-MX4.

#2: Best Rolling Tonneau Cover: BAK Revolver X4S

Stylish, secure, and functional, the BAK Revolver X4S is a modern take on the classic rolling tonneau cover. Unlike other traditional rolling covers, the aluminum slat construction of the X4S cannot be punctured with a knife or blade, meaning your cargo and gear are more secure.

If you like the rolling design but want something more robust than a standard offering, the BAK Revolver X4S is the best tonneau cover for the job. We felt that the $1,200 price tag was more than justified for this excellent cover.

What We Like

If you haul expensive tools for work or hunting and fishing equipment for pleasure, the X4S is one of the best tonneau covers available today. The aluminum slat construction and rotational locking rails provide peace of mind if you ever need to park your truck and leave it unattended with your valuables in the bed.

Aside from the security and functionality, the X4S has a sleek, low-profile feel. With its matte-black treatments, the X4S should look nice on any truck, large or small (it will even fit the Jeep Gladiator).

Aluminum slats and locking rails make the BAK Revolver X4S one of the best tonneau covers.

How It Works

Drop the tailgate and pull the latch cable on either side for full bed access. Once it’s rolled up to the back of the cab, you can secure it in place with the included straps. The Revolver X4S rolls up nice and tight to your back window, making it less intrusive when you need to see behind you. This gives the X4S an advantage over the hard-folding MX4 listed above. Whereas the MX4 will block your rear cab window, the X4S will not.

The cover can be installed without drilling and can support up to 400 lbs. of distributed weight when closed. Customer reviews on RealTruck’s website include positive comments about the material quality, ease of installation, and the overall look of the cover.

The placement of the aluminum slats and locking rails gives it an extra layer of security and durability versus conventional designs. And when you need full bed access, rolling the X4S up won’t entirely block your rear window.

#3: Best Retracting Tonneau Cover: RetraxPro XR

The RetraxPro XR is a perennial favorite for its construction, ease of use, and compatibility with other T-slot accessories, but it does come at a higher price than the MX4 and X4S listed above. If you need something that will protect your stuff inside the bed but also give you the ability to carry extra stuff, the RetraxPro XR is among the best you’ll find in its class – albeit with a hefty $2,300 price tag.

What We Like

For us with Automoblog, we sometimes travel to auto shows and conferences with Pelican cases full of camera and audio production gear. We like the RetraxPro XR because, if we ran out of space in the bed, we could mount a Rhino-Rack basket over the cover and secure a Pelican case that way.

The RetraxPRO XR is one of the most weatherproof covers on the market, thanks to its aluminum slat construction, a low-profile look that sits flush with the bed, and a design that doesn’t trap water when retracting, which prevents the cover from freezing during the winter.

The RetraxPro XR is one of the best tonneau covers for additional T-slot accessories.

How It Works

The RetraxPRO XR is one of the smoothest-functioning of any of the covers we tested. Sealed ball-bearing rollers mounted onto the aluminum support beams allow the RetraxPRO XR to open or close without springs or any other type of moving part.

T-slot rails are also a selling point for the RetraxPro XR, especially if you spend time outdoors and off-pavement with your truck. Known as the “Trax Rail System,” it will accommodate most T-slot accessories from brands like Rhino-Rack, Yakima, and Thule. The sky is the limit, as you can mount any number of items and toys over the bed, including mountain bikes, tents, kayaks, coolers, and more.

The XR will still open with the racks installed, can lock anywhere along the rail, and is compatible with 5th wheel and gooseneck applications. The RetraxPro XR has a distributed weight capacity of 500 lbs. (100 lbs. higher than the MX4 and X4S).

Aside from the price, the one potential drawback with this particular Retrax cover is how the canister will eat up some space at the front of the bed. Be that as it may, the RetraxPro XR is a good investment if you have a truck you plan to keep for a while and think you will take advantage of the Trax Rail System.

#4: Best Soft Rolling Tonneau Cover: TruXedo Pro X15

The TruXedo Pro X15 is your classic, quintessential tonneau cover. The TruXedo Pro X15 is an excellent all-around tonneau cover that even RealTruck employees swear by. While it’s not as feature-laden as something like the RetraxPro XR, the price is right, and the protection factor is there for anything you have in the bed. Overall, we felt it was a steal at $600 for all it offers.

What We Like

Some of the highlights of the TruXedo Pro X15 are its soft woven fabric over the vinyl, low-profile look, and a more affordable price tag than many of the other covers on this list. The TruXedo Pro X15 provides that “finished” and streamlined look for your truck at a better price point.

TruXedo has produced some of the best tonneau covers, with the X15 being our favorite.

How It Works

When you need full bed access, the TruXedo Pro X15 rolls up easily and secures with the included straps. The soft fabric will also roll up nice and tight, not obstructing your rear cab window and blocking your view, unlike the MX4.

No drilling or special tools are required for the installation either. There are six clamps in total for the bed (three per side) that hold the rails in place with the cover. If needed, you can remove the Pro X15 with no trouble.

For added security, the TruXedo Pro X15 secures in place when your tailgate is locked, meaning the cover cannot open independently of the tailgate to help deter would-be thieves. Unlike the tonneau covers mentioned above, the trigger latch is only on the driver’s side versus both sides.

#5: Most Affordable Tonneau Cover: Gator SRX

Even if you are a Tennessee fan, this is one Gator you can support. The Gator SRX is a straightforward, no-frills tonneau cover that protects your stuff while appealing to your wallet. At just under $300, the Gator SRX gets the job done more than adequately.

What We Like

While not as fancy as other tonneau covers, the low price range of the Gator SRX allows you to “spread the love” around your truck. For example, if you are saving money for step bars, box rails, new wheels, off-road tires, or various suspension upgrades, the Gator SRX will allow you to have a tonneau cover without dipping too far into your truck fund. With the Gator SRX, there is less risk of you tapping into money earmarked for other accessories or modifications for your truck.

The Gator SRX is one of the best tonneau covers for those working with a strict budget.

How It Works

The Gator SRX can be installed without drilling or special tools and will secure in place with the included straps when you need full bed access. It also functions just as simply. This cover rolls up nice and tight to your rear window so your view remains unobstructed (the single trigger latch is on the driver’s side).

#6: Easiest Install & Removal: Gator SFX Tri-Fold

Gator returns to our best tonneau covers list with the SFX, a tri-fold leather grain vinyl tarp with an aluminum frame. Like the SRX, it’s a straightforward tonneau cover with a budget-friendly price. However, the SFX has undergone some design changes, making it more efficient and durable while still holding its $300 price point.

What We Like

The Gator SFX comes pre-assembled, so installation and removal are a breeze. In addition to the structural upgrades and affordable price, the ease of installation and removal is a top selling point for the SFX.

It’s the best option if you only need a tonneau cover for certain occasions, say a yearly vacation or road trip. While the other tonneau covers on this list will install with minimal headache, the SFX has them beat regarding how fast it can be put on or taken off your truck.

Gator SFX Speed Klamps (left) and Monster Bows (right).

How It Works

Speed Klamps and Monster Bows are among the most significant updates to the Gator SFX Tri-Fold truck bed cover. The two spring-loaded Speed Klamps replace the traditional lever-style clamps for tightening and securing the cover under the bed rails. The spring-loaded design of the clamps allows you to pull down only once to move them and secure the cover. Likewise, the new clamp design pulls the tri-fold cover tighter to the bed to reduce wind noise at higher speeds.

Meanwhile, the Monster Bows underneath are more robust to help prevent the cover from bowing downward from the weight of rainwater or snow.

Since the SFX is a tri-fold, you won’t have full bed access, which might be a deal breaker for some (when it’s open and secured, you will have about two-thirds bed access). However, as a nice added bonus, the Gator SFX includes a universal tailgate seal for your truck bed.

Best Tonneau Covers Summary

Tonneau covers and trucks are like Oreos and milk; just as there are many different Oreos to suit your tastes, the same is true of tonneau covers. The right tonneau cover will provide security and protection, look sleek and cool, and fall within your desired budget.

Take a moment to think about what you need and want to spend. For example, on this best tonneau covers list, the RetraxPro XR is ideal for carrying extra accessories, but it comes at a higher price; whereas the Gator SRX has a lower price, it cannot match the RetraxPro XR’s functionality.

Either way, the most important thing is finding a cover that adds to the enjoyment of owning a truck. Each tonneau cover on this list will help you do just that.

Carl Anthony is the Managing Editor of Automoblog and the host of AutoVision News Radio and AutoSens Insights. As a respected automotive industry thought leader, Carl has appeared on numerous podcasts and radio shows, including Wrench Nation, Cars Yeah, The Car Doctor, and Brains Byte Back, in addition to appearing as a regular contributor on MotorMouth Radio on WHPC 90.3 FM. His work can also be seen and heard 24/7 on the Automoblog YouTube channel.

Best Tonneau Covers: FAQ

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