We've been independently researching and testing products for over 120 years. If you buy through our links, we may earn a commission. Learn more about our review process.
Car seats are notoriously difficult to keep in shape. From the physical stress of passengers sliding in and out, to sun damage, to the magnetic pull those tiny crevices have on granola and other snack crumbs, a disheveled interior can feel almost inevitable. But the messes you prepare for are the easiest to fix, and that's where car seat covers come into play. Many are made from durable, easy-to-clean material that prevents damage from abrasion, fading from sunlight and myriad stains.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we did hours of research to zero in on consumers' most beloved car seat covers and got right to work testing several models in the Lab, checking for quality of stitching, resistance to abrasion and aesthetic appeal, consulting with the experts in our Textiles Lab nearly every step of the way. With a wide range of styles to fit the unique preferences of different car owners, these are our choices for the best car seat covers on the market now.
Our top picks:
1
Best Overall Car Seat Covers
Caterpillar MeshFlex Automotive Seat Covers
Read more
2
3
4
5
At the end of our list, learn insider info about how we test car seat covers — and see a picture of our Lab's abrasion machine. Want to keep your interior looking good as new? Check out our picks for the best car cleaning products and the best car vacuums for your cleanest car ever.
1
Best Overall Car Seat Covers
Caterpillar MeshFlex Automotive Seat Covers
1
Best Overall Car Seat Covers
Caterpillar MeshFlex Automotive Seat Covers
Now 18% Off
Pros
- Sturdy
- Foam backing may improve breathability
Cons
- Large-logo design
Caterpillar, famed for its construction equipment, knows about sturdiness, and these car seats deliver. Constructed with 100% polyester paneling that hugs the covers' mesh-and-foam seats and seat backs, these sturdy car seat covers demonstrated minimal signs of wear after 15,000 rubs in our abrasion tester. Analysts noted the foam backing makes them comfortable to sit on and may improve the seat covers' breathability, so you can stay cool and comfortable in your vehicle.
They're also designed to fit the front seats of most vehicles with removable headrests, so they pack a serious punch in terms of versatility. Caterpillar currently only offers designs with large brand logos, so a more modest shopper might shy away, but considering the seats' sleek color blocking, we don't mind.
| Covers in a set | 2 |
|---|---|
| Colors available | 3 |
2
Best Value Car Seat Covers
FH Group Car Seat Covers
Pros
- Wide color selection
- Abrasion-resistant
Cons
- Thin fabric
If you're looking for the biggest bang for your buck, consider these car seat covers by FH Group. Due to the massive color selection and options for both front and rear seat covers, there's sure to be a design that fits your needs. Analysts were also impressed by how durable these covers are, given the price. They performed better than some more-expensive models in abrasion testing, showing minimal damage after 15,000 passes. Analysts did, however, note that the fabric is quite thin for these covers, meaning that although they held up well against abrasion, a puncture or tear might quickly ruin them. Luckily, at this price point, replacing them isn't that big of an issue.
| Covers in a set | 2 |
|---|---|
| Colors available | 12 |
3
Best Faux-Leather Car Seat Covers
Black Panther Car Seat Covers
3
Best Faux-Leather Car Seat Covers
Black Panther Car Seat Covers
Pros
- Beautiful design
- Thick foam backing
Cons
- Slightly less durable than other models we tested
These car seat covers are straight-up beautiful to look at. The diamond-embroidered faux leather gives the appearance of tufting, and the sleek design creates a feeling of luxury. Though the car seat covers scored high in our aesthetic evaluation, they may lack some sturdiness. After abrasion testing, the pleather showed signs of mild to moderate wear. That said, the wear wasn’t overtly noticeable in most lighting conditions, so if your primary objective is to own aesthetically pleasing car seat covers, these could be ideal for you. They're constructed with a thick polyurethane foam backing, easily placing them among the most comfortable covers to sit on that we've tested.
| Covers in a set | 2 |
|---|---|
| Colors available | 6 |
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
4
Best Custom-Fit Car Seat Covers
EKR Custom Car Seat Covers
4
Best Custom-Fit Car Seat Covers
EKR Custom Car Seat Covers
Pros
- Custom-fit designs for dozens of vehicle makes and models
- Foam backing
Cons
- Pricey
For those who want their seat covers to mesh almost seamlessly with the original design of their vehicle, EKR has a solution. The company offers covers for a wide range of car makes and models that are specifically tailored to mimic the factory seat style of each model. They're also constructed from polyester and foam, like many of the other seat covers we considered, so you can expect similar durability. While we didn't get the opportunity to test them in the Lab, we can't help but admire the effort it takes to emulate so many different car seat styles so specifically. These car seat covers are pricier than some of our other recommendations, but Amazon reviewers don't seem to mind paying extra, considering the quality. One person commented that these covers "feel more like leather than the actual leather seats of the car."
| Covers in a set | Varies by car |
|---|---|
| Colors available | Varies by car |
5
Best Car Seat Covers for Hot Weather
BDK PolyPro Car Seat Covers
5
Best Car Seat Covers for Hot Weather
BDK PolyPro Car Seat Covers
Now 15% Off
Pros
- Versatile design can fit multiple bench seat styles
- Wide color selection
Cons
- Slightly intensive installation
If beating the heat is a concern, these car seat covers are ones to consider. They're constructed from polyester, as opposed to leather or faux leather, which can aid in breathability. The company also claims the covers are machine washable, which can help reduce time and effort spent cleaning your car, especially when it comes to summertime sweat or sand from a beach trip.
Designed to fit nearly any bench design — be it 40/60, 50/50 or 60/40 — the covers can help guard your rear seats from damage and debris. Though we didn't get to test these in the Lab, we couldn't help but be impressed by BDK's covers for multiple bench seat setups and the company's myriad color choices. Just don't forget to pick a color other than black for the hot weather!
Though some Amazon reviewers noted that installation involves a bit of work, we appreciate how many car models these seats may work for, and we can understand why that extra elbow grease is necessary.
| Covers in a set | 2 front-seat covers, 1 bench cover |
|---|---|
| Colors available | 11 |
How we test car seat covers
When testing car seat covers, we look at the design of a cover, consider its aesthetic appeal and evaluate its durability. We also consult with the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab experts to appraise the construction of the cover. We place swatches of car seat covers in our abrasion machine (shown below), which rubs the fabric against a rough surface 15,000 times to simulate wear and tear. Finally, we try the covers in our own cars to see how comfortable they are to sit on and note the ease of installation.
Advertisem*nt - Continue Reading Below
What to keep in mind when shopping for the best car seat covers
✔️ Material: Car seat covers are typically made of leather or synthetic fabrics, like polyurethane. We recommend synthetic leathers and fabrics because they're easy to clean. They also tend to be less expensive, so if a cover gets stained, it's easier to replace.
✔️ Size: Many car seat covers are designed to be "universally fitting," meaning they're supposed to fit a wide range of seat types found in different vehicles. Some, however, are designed for specific makes and models of cars. Be sure to check if a car seat cover is intended for a specific car type before purchasing to avoid having ill-fitting covers.
✔️ Durability: A durable car seat cover means longer protection for your seats. Choose a car seat cover with quality stitching to prevent tears along the seams with continued use. Car seat covers with foam backings offer comfortable cushioning while protecting your seat. Finally, opt for washable and dryer-safe styles so you don't have to worry about damaging the cover in the washing machine.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Nikolas Greenwald is the Lab assistant at the Good Housekeeping Institute. Having worked in some of the most well-known labs in the country, he's no stranger to rigorous, methodological testing. For this story, he spent more than 30 hours researching, abrading and sitting on different car seat covers to select the best of the best.
He also consulted with Emma Seymour, who has been working in the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab for more than four years and has a Bachelor of Science degree in fiber science from Cornell University.
Nikolas Greenwald
Data Engineer
As a data engineer in the Good Housekeeping Institute, Nik (he/him) works with all of our Labs to develop testing protocols and manage data collection and analysis. Before joining Good Housekeeping in 2022, Nik worked in the labs of MIT and Regeneron, working on projects ranging from chemical inventory and reporting to the development of bioassays. He holds a degree in chemical engineering from Northeastern University.
