Ask any jeep lover and he will tell you that the level of control on a challenging trail, feeling the mighty power in your hands, enjoying the open air with a bit of sun are the real joys of riding a jeep. However, you need shade to protect you from UV rays, rain and also prevent the interiors from fading too soon.
True that the thrill of riding in a roofless open-air Jeep in summer cannot be expressed in words, and for some people, this may be the epitome of freedom. Despite this, most jeep owners agree that they need a good shade for a more realistic and comfortable ride in adverse weather conditions.
So, if that brings you to the market to look for the best jeep sunshade to protect yourself and the passengers then you will come across two major brands – the Spiderweb Shade and Alien Shade. While both these are available for Jeep Wrangler JK and TJ, choosing one can be a tough job.
If you find yourself in the same predicament then you are in the right place. We have done an extensive study on both these brands and even reviewed the top products to help you choose the one that suits your requirement perfectly. Read on to find the similarities, differences, reviews, and lots more.
Spiderwebshade Vs Alien Shade
While both these brands offer protection and shade from the sun, strong winds, rain, and snow, they widely differ in terms of design and features. The options available for customization and warranty details also make them different from each other.
First things first. Introduced in 2005, the Spiderwebshade stands among the pioneer shade companies. The brand has grown rapidly, and their one to four-piece mesh tops for Jeep Wrangler and Jeep JK offer a perfect fit for YJ 1987-1995, TJ 1997-2006, Jeep JK 2D and 4D Unlimited models 2007-2018, and JL models 2018 to present.
Alien Shade in its nascent stage but fast-growing with a plethora of sunshade top designs offering diversity for the customers. The biggest USP of Alien Shade is their unique flair for creativity that sets them apart from the rest. Although Spiderweb Shade has a good number of colors to choose from, they are pretty limited on the design front.
After the background and creativity in design, the biggest difference between the two comes in the form of a warranty period. The Spiderweb Shade gives its customers a mere 5 years warranty, whereas the Alien Shade gives you almost the double – a 10-year limited manufacturer warranty.
However, let’s not forget that some people may not prioritize warranty in a USA built product while looking for a jeep shade while others may pay attention to it. So, this will depend on which group you belong to
Both Spiderwebshade and Alien Shade are made of quality PVC materials, however, the former is more expensive when compared with the latter. In terms of quality, mesh durability, and sun protection, Alien Sunshade offers the same value as Spiderweb.
If you dig deeper, you can find a few more slight differences in the wind noise. While both are designed to give you enough headspace, the full mesh cover of Spiderweb provides better protection from strong winds and keeps wind noise to a minimum to give you more calmness.
Similarities Between Spiderwebshade And Alien Shade
When it comes to quality, it’s worth noting that both the brands follow the same standards, and they have their production units located in the USA. While Spiderweb Shade takes the credit of being the pioneer in the sunshade making industry, Alien Shade has emerged as a powerful rival without any compromise to build quality.
From the stitching to metal rings on the jeep to the ball fasteners that keep the shade in place, both the brands do a terrific job at keeping them steady and durable. Both the brands are capable of blocking the harmful UV rays up to 90%, which turns out to be good.
In both cases, the installation work takes only about 5-10 minutes to complete. Plus, you do not require any additional tools in both the cases and only a few basic tools are enough to set up the shade on your jeep, following a more or less same process.
Spiderwebshade Vs Alien Shade In Review
To further understand the difference between Spiderwebshade and Alien Shade, let’s take a closer look at the reviews of products offered by both the brands. Our review is based on analyzing the features, specifications, and customer feedback.
SPIDERWEBSHADE compatible with Jeep Wrangler Mesh Shade
This model features the original and unique design of SPIDERWEBSHADE that blocks up to 90% of the sun’s harmful UV rays to safeguard the jeep interiors and keep passengers comfortable. It also drastically reduces wind noise and provides maximum headspace.
Perfectly compatible with an all 4-door Wranglers 2007-2018 models, you do not require any header or extra hardware to install the jeep shade. The best part is that you do not need to remove the factory-made shade as the product is designed with this in mind.
Made in the USA from sturdy TrailMesh material, a vinyl-coated polyester fabric, the material is resistant to damage from tears, rips, and mildew. Flying objects and debris on the road also cannot cause any damage upon hitting the sunshade. It is backed by a five-year manufacturer warranty.
- BLOCKS UP TO 90% of the sun's harmful UV rays to protect passengers and your interior
- UNIQUE DESIGN reduces wind noise and provides maximum head room that smoothly diverts wind over the sound bar and out of the cab
- UNIVERSAL FIT for 4-door JL Wranglers (2018 - current) with no header needed to install.
Product features and specifications
- Measures 14.7 x 5.3 x 4.6 inches
- Weighs 2.9 pounds
- Black Woven PVC Mesh
- Fit for 4-door Wranglers
- Made in the USA
- Blocks 90% UV rays
- 5 year limited warranty
Users/ Customer reviews
Some users have said that they were able to install the shade as quickly as 5 minutes and have it tight and well-fittings for the ride. Most people have said that they love how the product blocks the sun rays to make the ride more bearable and cool in the summer days. A few customers have said that while this made the jeep all-time convertible, the blade shade is better at blocking the sun than the white one.
Conclusion
This Spiderwebshade turns out to be a great addition to the 4 door jeep Wrangler. With great built quality and unique design, this is one of the best investments you can make to make your jeep rides more comfortable. However, the product is more expensive than its competitor making it not a popular choice for those shopping with a budget.
#2. Alien Sunshade Jeep Wrangler Durable Polyester Mesh Shade
This one-piece mesh shade top from the house of Alien Sunshade is designed in a way to cover the front section of Jeep JK or JKU 2007-2017, two and four-door models. Equipped with a high-grade and exclusive mesh and strong construction, it offers reliable protection from the UV rays, wind, and heat.
As one of the most like jeep Wrangler accessories, the durable polyester mesh shade ensures an open-air experience while providing adequate protection from the sun. The metal grommets and double-sewn edges make sure the mesh shade last longer to prevent everyday wear-and-tear.
Coming to the installation part, this jeep sunshade does not require any extra tools or modifications to set up. As the shade is 100% compatible with factory-made soft top, hardtop, and freedom panels, the installation takes a maximum of 30 minutes to complete before you can hit the road.
- EASY TO INSTALL - 2 Piece Jeep Wrangler Sunshade can be installed without dropping the windshield or removing the hardtop
- DOESN'T FLAP IN THE WIND - our Jeep JL Sunshade stays tight with our bungees that fasten around the roll bars and is highway-speed tested.
- LEAVE IT ON - It's 100% compatible with your Factory Soft and Hardtops
Product features and specifications
- Measures 28 x 43 x 0.25 inches
- Weighs 1.9 pounds
- Black PVC Woven Mesh
- Durable Polyester Mesh Shade
- 2-Door or 4-Door JK or JKU
- 10 Year Warranty
User/ Customer reviews
Most jeep owners have said that installation work was a breeze with clear instructions and it took them a few minutes to get it all right. Some people have said that it might take some time for the jeep to adjust with the new sunshade, but ultimately it looks and feels great. A few customers have also mentioned that the support team is extremely friendly and helpful.
Conclusion
All the effort spent in installation and adjusting is worth the comfort, style, and efficiency it adds to your jeep. This Alien Sunshade not only fits snugly and looks great but also offers solid protection from the sun, wind, and rain. With a 10 year warranty at a reasonable price, it certainly offers you good value for money.
#3. ALIEN SUNSHADE Jeep Wrangler JK or JKU (2007-2018)
This top cover by Alien sunshade is compatible with Jeep Wrangler JK or JKU, and it presents well-ventilated protection from harmful UV rays. Made from durable polyester mesh material, it blocks the sun to keep you cool and prevent painful sunburns while allowing an open-air experience.
A closer look at the shade reveals that the manufacturer has taken care of minute details to give you a high-quality and long-lasting protection with treated metal grommets and double-sewn edges. With a plethora of color options to choose from, the jeep design may range anywhere between mild to wild.
We are happy to know that the installation part is easy without any extra tools or modifications. It comes with bungee cords that wrap around the roll bars to provide a perfect fit and keep the shade in place. The manufacturer stands behind the product with a solid 10-year warranty.
- Alien Sunshade Jeep Shade Top provides sun protection while enjoying the open air experience
- Compatible with factory hard top, soft top, and freedom panels; no need to remove it
- Easy installation with no tools or vehicle modifications required
- Durable polyester material with double-sewn edges and treated metal grommets for long-lasting quality
- Choose from a variety of colors and designs to personalize your Jeep Wrangler's look
Product feature and specifications
- Measures 15.24 x 10 x 1.73 inches
- Weighs 1.9 pounds
- Black PVC Woven Mesh
- Well-made and good quality
- Very easy to install
- Reduces noise and effects from wind
- No tools needed
User/ Customer reviews
Jeep owners are happy with the quality and performance of the mesh sunshade that does a great job of keeping the sun, rain, and other outside elements away. People love the easy installation with simple to follow instructions that provide a snug-fitting result.
Conclusion
The lightweight and sturdy sunshade is built to give you a good cove from sun rays and strong winds. It offers easy and reliable installation that anyone can do with or without any professional help. At this price, it offers a great price to performance ratio.
Related Questions
Is there a huge difference in the material quality
No, as both the brand shades are built from PVC material and contain mesh too, the quality is almost similar. Thus, there is not much difference in the quality of the material.
What are the benefits of installing a sunshade
Besides keeping the UV rays, wind and rain away as mentioned above, a jeep sunshade also lets you drive without having to wear sunglasses or lurching forward in the seat to protect your eyes.
Why are designs important
Let’s not forget that jeep owners love to customize and upgrade their ride. When choosing a sunshade, many customers prefer the one with artistic design to transform the appearance of the jeep. So, besides the various benefits mentioned above, it can also add to jeep aesthetics.
Final thoughts
As mentioned earlier, both sunshade tops brands are good quality, but the ultimate choice will boil down to a person’s preferences and of course the budget. If you consider the warranty duration and choice of customizations then the vote goes to Alien Shade.
However, if you don’t mind the warranty or the high cost, and prefer to stick to the original brand that has been around for a long time and stood the tests of time then opt for the Spiderwebshade. Although remarkably more expensive than its younger competitor, customers still choose to pay the price for loyalty and reliability.
