Compare window tint

Pick up to three films and see how they stack up on heat, darkness and price. I'll also tell you when two numbers can't be compared fairly, because that happens more than the ads let on.

Mr. Window Tint holding a tablet — Darker isn't automatically cooler. A light ceramic film can block more heat than a dark, cheap one.

Your films

3 of 3 picked. Use Change to swap one, or start from a set.

A
3M
Crystalline CR BLK3M Automotive Window Film$$$$Flagship
B
IRXLLumar$$$$Flagship
C
XPEL
XR PLUSXPEL PRIME$$$$Flagship

Rough comparison

These makers measured their films in different ways, with different glass, lab methods or slices of light. The numbers are a fair guide, but a few points either way doesn't mean one is better.

How each one was measured

ACrystalline CR BLK: 6 mm clear · ANSI/NFRC 200 · IRER 780–2500 nm; IRR 900–1000 nm film-only
BIRX: 6 mm clear · NFRC guidelines · IRER/SIRR 780–2500 nm
CXR PLUS: 3 mm glass · EN 410 · IRER 780–2500 nm; IR at 1025 nm

Heat blocked TSER

How much of the sun's total energy the film keeps out of the car. Higher means a cooler car.

ACrystalline CR BLK59%32% at the lightest shade
BIRX62%50% at the lightest shade
CXR PLUS71%52% at the lightest shade

XR PLUS publishes the highest number here, 71%. Measured differently, so treat a small lead as a tie.

Infrared blocked IRER

The part of sunlight you feel as heat on your skin. Higher is better.

ACrystalline CR BLK70%48% at the lightest shade
BIRX61%59% at the lightest shade
CXR PLUS70%67% at the lightest shade

Crystalline CR BLK and XR PLUS tie for the highest published number, 70%. Measured differently, so treat a small lead as a tie.

Shades you can get

The number is how much light gets through, so lower is darker. Check your state's legal limit before you choose.

ACrystalline CR BLK80%70%60%50%40%35%30%
BIRX50%40%35%30%25%15%5%
CXR PLUS70%55%45%35%30%20%15%5%

The number on the box

These are the big infrared figures in the ads. They're usually measured at one narrow slice of light, so they run high. Don't hold them up against the two numbers above.

ACrystalline CR BLK95–98% IRR
BIRX85–88% SIRR
CXR PLUS92–96% at 1025 nm

The rest of the story

ACrystalline CR BLK3M Automotive Window Film

What it is: 200+ layer optical + ceramic
Price level: $$$$Flagship
Made for: Maximum heat rejection with lighter, factory-friendly shades.
How open the maker is: Shows its workPublishes numbers for each shade and how they were measured.

The maker's own numbers ↗

BIRXLLumar

What it is: Infrared-rejecting nano-ceramic
Price level: $$$$Flagship
Made for: LLumar's strongest mainstream ceramic heat package.
How open the maker is: Shows its workPublishes numbers for each shade and how they were measured.

The maker's own numbers ↗

CXR PLUSXPEL PRIME

What it is: Multilayer nano-ceramic
Price level: $$$$Flagship
Made for: XPEL's maximum heat-rejection line.
How open the maker is: Shows its workPublishes numbers for each shade and how they were measured.

The maker's own numbers ↗

Ready to get it done?

Ask your installer which of these they carry and why. A good shop will show you samples on real glass and tell you the legal limit in your state.

Find an installer near youMobileTinter is my company, so I may make money if you book through it. I've also built relationships with most of these manufacturers over nearly four decades in the trade. Neither has any effect on this page.