Since you use your pickup truck every day to haul a variety of materials, it is important to take good care of it so it will last for years to come.
The first part of the truck that will start to break down is the bed since that’s where all of your cargo will be stowed. Probably the smartest thing you can do to extend the life of your truck is to make sure you have the best truck bed liner installed.
Just what that looks like can be a bit tricky to figure out, but this article will point you in the right direction. It will teach you the key features to look for and provide reviews of the 14 best liners on the market today.
Top 14 Truck Bed Liners Ultimate Table
What Design Features to Look For
There are a ton of different options out there for you if you want to make sure you have the best truck bed liner. Each of these different options presents you with different key features that you’ll need to take into consideration.
- Truck Compatibility – If you are looking to get a brand new liner to replace the one that you currently have installed in your truck, be sure that it will be compatible with your vehicle. If it is going to be a molded, drop in type of liner, for instance, you’ll need to do your homework to assure that it will indeed drop in.
- Drainage Holes – Again, if you are looking to get a liner that is going to fully replace your current one and take up your entire truck bed, you need also to get one with drainage holes. These holes will allow water to quickly and easily exit your truck’s bed, making sure that you don’t need to deal with messy water sloshing around after a rain storm or ice forming in the bed in colder weather.
- Can You Do It Yourself? Here is where it comes in handy to understand how much work you are personally willing to put into your truck. Some of the different liner options out there are quick and easy, while others might take a bit of finesse, skill, and patience. Understanding what you want and your abilities will help you select the best liner possible for your needs.
What Type of Liner Will Work Best for You?
There are several different options when it comes to the type of truck bed liners you can choose from, with each having its advantages and disadvantages. When you are looking for a new liner, it is best to choose the type that will work best for your specific needs.
- Bed Rugs – This type of liner will replace the one that you currently have, and will need to be custom fitted to your truck’s bed. Once installed, your bed will be turned into a cushioned and carpeted surface, perfect for transporting delicate materials without allowing them to slide or get scratched.
- Drop-In Liners – This liner is the kind that most trucks have installed from the factory. Rugged and durable, drop in liners are usually made from durable rubber or plastic. They can have smooth or textured surfaces, making them great for hauling pretty much anything.
- Bed Mats – Probably the easiest of all liners to install, a bed mat is exactly what it sounds like. It consists of easily installed or removed rubber, foam, or plastic mat, which you lay on top of your current truck bed liner. These are great if you are looking for a cheap and easy way to get another layer of protection between your truck and whatever you are hauling.
- Spray Liners – This type of liner is great if you want to simply spruce up the one that you currently have in your truck. Spray liners are a paint or paste-like substance that is applied to your truck bed with an air sprayer. This can be professionally done or at home with an air compressor. This type of liner is extremely difficult to remove but will provide effective protection.
- Brush On Liners – If you are someone who is a little bit leery of spray guns, but you still want to improve your current liner, then a brush on liner is just right for you. As the name would suggest, you use either a brush or paint roller to apply this liner, which, once dried, will provide plenty of durability and protection to your truck’s bed.
14 Best Truck Bed Liners Reviewed
1. Bedrug BRC07CCK Bed Liner
Bedrug is one of the premier companies when it comes to liners, so we weren’t too surprised that one of their products was singled out as the best truck bed liner after our reviews were completed. Like their company name would imply, this is a bed rug liner. It was easy to install in our test vehicle and can be ordered to fit certain truck’s dimensions.
Once installed, it transformed what was once a drab and rough truck bed into a soft, attractive, and durable one. The carpet/foam component was nice and thick, providing plenty of cushioning if you wished to transport delicate items. It also helped to prevent anything we transported from slipping and sliding around in the bed, further protecting it from damage.
We also found that the carpeted surface of the liner was extremely durable and easy to clean; this makes it great for transporting rougher materials, like mulch, stone, or dirt.
Summary – This truck bed liner is easy to fit, easy to install, and easy on the eyes! It provides plenty of protection for delicate items but is also durable enough to transport rougher items as well, making it a great all around liner.
2. Westin 50-6145 Truck Bed Mat
If you are looking for a simpler approach to a truck bed liner, than this bed mat from Westin might just be the perfect fit for you. All you need to do is order the proper size for your truck’s bed, set it in and, presto, you’ve got yourself a new bed liner.
This particular liner is made out of extra thick, and extra grippy, galvanized rubber. Although it was not fastened down in any way during our tests, it didn’t slip and slide around the truck bed. The surface is also ribbed, providing plenty of grip for your bed, making it less likely that items in the bed will move around on you, and more likely that they will stay put.
Summary – This bed mat is the perfect liner for someone who is just looking for a little bit of extra protection and grip in their truck bed. It is simple to install and will provide lots of extra grip and protection for both your truck and the items being transported.
3. Dee Zee DZ87005 Heavyweight Utility Mat
This is another good option for someone looking for a bed mat type of truck liner to add a little extra protection without the hassle of a long installation process. Once again, you simply need to lay it in, and the mat will stay in place.
However, unlike the Westin truck mat, this mat will not stay in place due to its grip, but will stay in place because of its heavy weight. It is extremely thick and bulky, so it won’t budge. This extra thickness and bulk also help it to protect your truck bed very well.
The surface is ribbed to add grip and is designed for easy cleanup. All you need to do is spray it or, in the case of an oil or fuel spill, wipe it off and it will be as good as new.
Summary – An extremely heavy truck bed liner, this bed mat will protect your truck due to extra thick construction. It is also very easy to clean, making it ideal for someone looking to avoid any unnecessary hassle.
4. U-POL Raptor Spray-On Truck Bed Liner Kit
If you are looking for a custom truck bed, but don’t want to remove your old liner, then this Urethane spray from U-Pol will do nicely. Not only will it completely cover your truck bed with a thick, dent proof, and scratch resistant liner, but you can also make it as smooth or rough as you please.
To achieve the perfect texture for your liner, all you need to do is adjust the PSI with which you apply the liner. The lower the PSI, the rougher the liner will be, making it simple to get the right amount of grip for whatever you need to haul to be transported securely.
Another great feature of this chemical spray is that it is UV resistant; this means that the color that you see once you first spray it on is the color it will be years down the road. So this product will not only protect your truck but will keep it looking its best as well.
Summary – This spray on bed liner from U-Pol allows you to create a truly customized liner. The color will not fade over time, it is dent proof, and scratch resistant.
5. Dee Zee DZ86972 Heavyweight Bed Mat
Much like the #3 entry from Dee Zee, this heavyweight bed mat will offer optimum protection for your truck bed. It features the same extra thick and textured rubber, making it ideal for hauling both delicate and rough materials with ease. It has an easy to clean surface that will not fade from the sun’s rays. It is also designed to resist shrinking, cracking, and dents.
This mat is made for shorter truck beds, measuring 5 ½ feet in length. This makes it a wonderful liner for someone who has a smaller truck but still wants great protection without a long installation process.
Summary – This is a great heavyweight bed mat that is designed for a non-heavyweight truck. Though it is smaller than some other bed liners on the market, it is designed to be extremely durable and provide adequate protection to your truck and whatever you need to transport.
6. BEDRUG BRQ15SCK Bed Liner
This is another quality liner from Bedrug. It features the same extra thick, cushioned, and carpeted surface that you would expect, which provides plenty of protection for your truck. It is extremely easy to clean, needing either a quick vacuuming or spraying out with a hose to look as good as new.
The installation process is also supremely simple. While some bed rug liners can be a bear to install, this one comes with clearly marked cutouts, making it simple to get a custom fit around cargo hooks and wheel wells. While the installation was straightforward and simple, it did take a long time, because, if you want it to look good and last, you need to make sure you are extremely careful.
The installation process is also supremely simple. While some bed rug liners can be a bear to install, this one comes with clearly marked cutouts, making it simple to get a custom fit around cargo hooks and wheel wells. While the installation was straightforward and simple, it did take a long time, because, if you want it to look good and last, you need to make sure you are extremely careful.
Summary – A great liner that provides plenty of protection, this Bedrug product is simple, if time-consuming, to install.
7. Herculiner HCL1B8 Brush-on Bed Liner Kit
Another great option for the do-it-your-selfer, this offering from Herculiner is applied with a brush rather than a spray. It is easy to apply and quick to dry, meaning you could have a brand new liner very quickly, with minimal work.
The liner once applied and dried, is textured polyurethane, making it exceptionally tough and rugged. Like all poly surfaces, it is also really easy to clean, making this a low maintenance option for a truck bed liner.
The only problem that might come with this otherwise excellent product is the fact that you cannot control how textured the surface will become. While this might not be the biggest deal, if you are looking for a smooth or extremely textured surface, this will probably not be the best liner for you.
Summary – This is an easy to apply and quick to dry textured brush on liner. It will provide your truck bed with plenty of protection and grip, although you will not be able to control how textured it will be when you are finished.
8. Custom Spray-On Truck Bed Liner Kit
This urethane liner is an awesome way to get a durable and good looking new truck bed liner without a long installation process. You can apply it with a brush, roller, or sprayer, which makes it simple and easy to get the exact texture that you want your liner to have.
Once the liner has been applied, and it has dried, it can be used immediately. It will make your truck bed rust and corrosion resistant, as well as making it easier to clean. The surface will also become scratch proof and dent resistant, making it supremely durable.
Summary – This urethane liner can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer. Each of these methods will give you a different texture, making it easy to get the exact amount of grip that you desire easily.
9. Dee Zee DZ85005 Heavyweight Utility Bed Mat
So, you don’t want to worry about measuring and cutting to fit a new bed liner in, and you don’t like the idea of using a bunch of chemicals either? Well, then this is the bed mat for you! You don’t need to worry about the size and location of your wheel wells, bed lights, or cargo hooks. This mat fits right in the middle of the bed, providing adequate protection for your truck and the items you wish to transport.
However, while this mat will provide plenty of protection where it is located, the easy installation does come with a bit of a price. The rest of you truck bed is going to be exposed to scratches and dents, and whatever you are hauling might take some damage if it comes into contact with your truck’s unprotected surfaces.
Summary – This heavyweight utility mat would probably be a great option for an older truck. It will provide protection and grip in the middle of the truck bed while leaving the sides exposed.
10. Bedrug BMX00D Universal Truck Bed Mat
This bed mat from Bedrug is a good in between option for someone who wants as much protection as possible, without a lengthy or difficult installation process. While this mat is not carpeted, it features a thick, textured foam, making it great for protecting your truck’s bed.
Its installation process is so simple because it is designed to be attached to an already installed plastic truck bed liner. This type of installation is easy to remove, making this mat ideal for occasional use for more delicate items. It will also help to keep your truck bed clean, since it is resistant to staining, will not absorb liquids, and can be cleaned off quickly with a hose.
Summary – The Bedrug mat is extremely easy to install and will transform your truck bed into an easy to clean and cushioned surface.
11. Herculiner HCL0B7 Brush-on Bed Liner
This is another easy to use and easy to apply, brush on bed liner from Herculiner. It will transform your truck bed into a skid and scratch resistant surface relatively quickly. While the packaging states that the surface is extra thick, we found that it took multiple applications until we achieved the desired results.
Since the liner is made of polyurethane, it is extremely durable and easy to clean. However, you will not be able to control the amount of texture present in the liner, making it tough to get exactly the finished product you may desire.
Summary – This is an easy to use brush-on liner, which might take multiple applications to get the liner to the right thickness.
12. Rust-Oleum Automotive Truck Bed Coating Quarts
This product from Rust-Oleum is another brush on or roll on bed liner. Whether you use a brush or a roller will have little effect on the finished product, as both will result in an extremely smooth finish. To get the correct amount of thickness and protection out of this product, you should be prepared to apply multiple coats, as each coat is a bit on the thin side.
Once you have gotten the liner to the correct thickness, it provides pretty good, but not great, scratch resistance. In our tests, we found that extremely heavy items with sharper edges could still scratch through this liner even after several coats, making this an ideal product for touch up work or for individuals who don’t haul large or rough items in their trucks regularly.
Summary – This brush/roll on liner takes multiple coats to get to an optimal thickness, and even the, will still scratch if presented with heavier, pointier items.
13. POR-15 49701 OEM Bed Liner
This liquid liner can be applied with a brush, roller, or sprayer. Each of these methods will achieve a similar textured result, making the only difference in applications the amount of time they take. In our testing, we found that this product only needed two coats to be effective.
However, unlike other liquid liners that we reviewed, this one remains flexible after it has dried. This makes it less likely to be scratched than other liquid liners, but also makes the surface underneath it more susceptible to dents.
Summary – This liquid bed liner is quick and easy to apply and will give a scratch resistant, textured surface. However, it does not provide very much protection against dents.
14. Dupli-Color BAQ2010 Truck Bed Liner
This liner, which is made by Dupli-Color, will provide adequate protection against scratches and dents, while also providing a textured surface that is easy to clean. Possibly the best feature of this product is the fact that it has not pot life, meaning it can be reused over and over again for as long as it lasts. This makes it easy to repair any areas that might get damaged over the years.
One thing that we noticed while we were testing this product is that it requires a lot of mixing in comparison to other liquid liners. However, once it has been appropriately mixed, it usually went on relatively easily, although we found that a brush worked best for it since it was extremely thick.
Summary – This truck bed liner is best applied with a brush after it has been mixed properly. Once applied, it had a nice, albeit a thin, textured surface. The product will last in a can for years and years, making it easy to repair any damage that the liner might acquire along the way.
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