Driving at night can be challenging with glare from street lights and headlights causing issues with visibility. Many wonder if tinted windows can help reduce glare for safer night driving. The right tint percentage allows enough light in for visibility while cutting glare. Read on to learn which Best Car Tint For Night Driving.
Best Car Tint For Night Driving
The percentage of tint refers to how much light can pass through the window. A lower percentage blocks more light while a higher percentage allows in more light. Here are the common tint percentage options:
- 5% tint – Extremely dark, allows only 5% of light to pass through, generally illegal for road use
- 20% tint – Factory tint level on most vehicles, balances glare reduction with visibility
- 35% tint – Fairly dark tint, allows 35% of light through, a popular stylish option
- 50% tint – Medium tint blocks glare but doesn’t make interior too dark
- 70% tint – Lighter tint, allows 70% of light through, mainly blocks UV rays
- 90% tint – Very light, almost clear, allows 90% of light through
The best tint percentage for night driving balances glare reduction with allowing in enough light for good visibility.
Is Tint Good For Night Driving?
Tint is beneficial for night driving in several ways:
- Reduces glare – Tint cuts down on glare and reflection from streetlights, signs, and headlights. This makes it easier on your eyes while driving at night.
- Improves visibility – By reducing glare, tint can actually help improve visibility of the road and surroundings at night. You won’t be blinded by glare allowing you to see better.
- Protects from UV rays – Tint blocks out harmful ultraviolet radiation from the sun, even at night. This protects your skin and eyes.
- Keeps the interior cool – Tinted windows reduce heat buildup in your car during the day and night. This keeps you more comfortable while driving.
- Enhances privacy – Darker tints give you more privacy in your vehicle at night.
As long as you don’t go too dark, tint can provide real benefits for driving at night.
What Percentage Tint Is Best For Night Driving?
Choosing the right level of tint for night driving is a balancing act. You want enough tint to reduce glare but not so much that visibility is hampered.
20% Tint
A 20% tint is a great choice for night driving. This is around the factory tint level on most vehicles. 20% tint allows in enough light for good visibility at night while cutting glare significantly. This makes driving easier on the eyes without compromising safety.
20% tint strikes an excellent balance for night driving needs. It also has a subtle darkened look that many find aesthetically pleasing. 20% tint is allowed in most states, but check your local laws.
35% Tint
Moving up slightly, 35% tint is another excellent option. This provides decent glare reduction while still allowing in enough light to see clearly at night. The interior won’t be overly dark.
Many drivers prefer 35% tint for the stylish look it provides. It darkens windows noticeably while avoiding an excessively limo-like appearance. This percentage is legal for front driver and passenger windows in most states.
50% Tint
If you want a lighter tint, 50% is a good choice for night driving. This blocks some glare and heat while allowing in plenty of light. Your car’s interior won’t be dark, just a bit subdued.
50% tint is a smart choice if you drive a lot in areas with minimal street lighting at night. You’ll get some benefits of glare reduction without significantly reduced visibility. This percentage provides a very subtle tint.
Avoid Tint Darker Than 20% For Night Driving
While darker tints like 5% may look cool, they are not recommended for night driving visibility. Even 20% tint could be questionable in areas with little night lighting.
Tint darker than 20% significantly reduce the amount of light coming through. This can make it very difficult to see at night, increasing safety risks. Vision is especially compromised on unlit backroads.
Also, be aware that some states ban front window tint darker than a certain level, often 35% or 50%. Check regulations before getting a darker tint.
For maximum night visibility, stick with tints no darker than 20% on front driver and passenger windows.
What Color Tint Is Best For Night Driving?
The color of tint does not affect visibility or glare reduction for night driving. More important is choosing the right level of darkness. Any color of tint film – charcoal, smoke, or dyed black – in a 20% to 35% darkness will provide good glare reduction at night while allowing in enough light to see clearly. Rather than color, focus on getting a high quality ceramic or dyed tint in the proper percentage.
What Percentage Window Tint Is Best?
The ideal window tint percentage for your car depends on balancing aesthetics, glare reduction, heat blocking, and visibility needs. For most drivers, a 20% tint offers an excellent combination of glare control and visibility at night and day.
A lighter 35% tint is also a good choice if you want less interior darkness. Go darker on rear windows only if allowed in your state. Avoid tint darker than 20% on driver and passenger front windows to maintain clear vision.
What Is The Best Tint For Visibility?
For maximum visibility day and night, stick with a lighter tint of 35% to 50% on front driver and passenger windows. This allows plenty of light so your vision isn’t compromised. You can balance this with a darker tint of 20-35% on rear windows to cut glare and heat. Making sure you can see clearly should be the priority, so don’t go too dark on front windows.
Does Window Tint Help With Night Glare?
Yes, proper window tint significantly helps reduce glare at night from sources like streetlights, signs, and headlights from other cars. By cutting down on glare and reflection, window tint allows you to see better at night. Just don’t go darker than 20% tint on front windows, or visibility can be reduced too much while driving at night.
What Is Night Vision Tint?
Night vision tint refers to lighter tinted films, usually in the 30% to 45% range. This level of tint provides some glare reduction benefits while still allowing in enough light for clear night vision, hence the name. Night vision tint works well for drivers who are primarily concerned about optimizing visibility at night while getting minimal glare control.
What Tint Removes Glare?
To effectively remove glare while driving, go with a high-quality ceramic or dyed tint film in the 20% to 35% darkness range. Avoid metallic tints, which tend to increase glare. Make sure to get uniform tinting across all windows for equal glare reduction.
A reputable professional tint shop can help select and apply the best tint to control annoying glare in your car.
Best Practices For Tinting Car Windows
If you decide to get your windows tinted, either for looks, glare reduction, or privacy, keep these tips in mind:
- Check your state laws – Make sure any planned tint levels are legal in your state.
- Consult a professional – Have tint applied by experienced professional tinters for the best results.
- Use quality film – Opt for ceramic or dyed films from reputable brands like 3M.
- Match tint percentages – Get uniform tint levels on all windows for a consistent look.
- Consider lighter tint up front – Use darker tint only on rear windows to maintain visibility.
- Check warranty coverage – Reputable shops will warranty their tint work if issues arise.
The Bottom Line
Driving at night with tinted windows can be safe and enjoyable as long as you don’t go too dark. For most drivers, 20% tint offers the ideal balance of glare reduction and visibility at night. Or go just slightly lighter with 35% tint if you prefer.
Avoid tint darker than 20% on front driver and passenger windows to maintain clear nighttime vision. And check your state laws before getting any darker tint.
With the right tint level, you can reduce annoying glare and improve your driving experience after dark. Just have tint professionally applied and choose percentages ideal for your needs.
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