We examined more than 30 paints, mats, and sprays to help you with your search for the best truck bed liner. These three types of liners were judged according to their unique sets of qualities, but overall, the shortlisted products on our list are highly durable, water or weather resistant, and easily applied or installed. Do you plan to add a new car to your collection? Check out our vehicles guide for the best models.
We placed the Herculiner Kit at the top of our list because its coating is five times thicker than normal bed liner paints. Besides being less prone to peeling and flaking, the paint provides further protection to your truck bed due to its resistance to oils, solvents, and chemicals. This product from Herculiner requires no mixing and comes with two rollers and a hand brush. Keep reading to discover the other excellent features of this roll-on bed liner paint as well as the rest of our highly recommended products.
Top 5 Best Truck Bed Liner Reviews
#1 Herculiner HCL1B8 Brush-on Truck Bed Liner Kit
Award: Top Pick
WHY WE LIKE IT: This dense truck bed liner paint is made of protective polyurethane. It’s a favorite among DIYers because it comes as a ready-to-use mixture, complete with a user’s manual, brush, and rollers.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Best quality
- Thick, durable mixture that doesn’t chip or peel
- Manual offers clear application instructions
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Strong smell can linger
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
Produced by automotive and chemicals firm Old World Industries, which was founded nearly 50 years ago, the Herculiner HCL1B8 contains a gallon of polyurethane and rubber granules. Its content can provide two coats for a six-foot-long truck bed.
The liner, which is five times thicker than regular roll-ons, makes the surface of your bed resistant to rust, solvents, chemicals, gas, and oils. Due to its composition, the paint won’t easily chip, flake, or peel.
The brush-on product, which leaves a shiny finish, can also be applied on concrete and wood. If you are looking at liners, it might be a good time to check out the best truck floor mats as well.
#2 Dee Zee DZ87005 Truck Bed Liner Mat
Award: Honorable Mention
WHY WE LIKE IT: The high-density rubber Dee Zee DZ87005 is backed by cleats underneath and ultraviolet ray protection. The thick and tear-resistant mat mainly fits the truck beds of 2015 to 2018 Ford models.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Compatible with Ford F-150s
- Heavy-duty Nyracord rubber that doesn’t crack
- Non-slip surface, cleated backside
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Strong factory smell
- Can be discolored after prolonged UV exposure
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
The 0.375 inch thick mat is made of highly compressed rubber with nylon called Nyracord that resists cracking, abrasions, and fuel spills. And best of it, you just insert it and you’re good to go; no painting or application process.The rubber cleats on its backside make the mat stay put on your truck bed and allow any accumulated water under the mat to drain, preventing rust or mildew from forming. At the same time, its contoured surface helps prevent your cargo from shifting during transport.
The mat can be trimmed to size, but it’s originally designed for 5.5-foot truck beds, just like those of Ford’s F-150 pickup trucks released from 2015 to 2020. The DZ87005 measures 70″ L x 8″ W x 8″ H and weighs 45 pounds. You can compare this to the best truck bed liner mats to see which works for you.
#3 Dee Zee DZ86972 Truck Bed Liner Mat
Award: Best Budget
WHY WE LIKE IT: This popular cleated Dee Zee mat is compatible with Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks. Its high-strength rubber-nylon combination makes the product durable, while its surface design ensures that your cargo stays securely in place while you drive.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Fits several Chevrolet, GMC models
- Easy to install
- Non-slip surface, cleated backside
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Strong factory smell
- Can be discolored after prolonged UV exposure
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
The Dee Zee DZ86972 is the truck bed liner for you if you own a Chevrolet Silverado 1500 released from 2007 to 2019 or any of these trucks from the GMC Sierra series: 1500 (2007-2018), 1500 Classic (2019), 2500 HD (2007-2011), Denali (2007-2018), and Denali Classic (2019). The 0.375″-thick mat measures 65″ L x 9″ W x 7″ H and weighs 40 pounds.
You get the same thick, patented Nyracord material that keeps your truck bed protected from scratches or dents from cargo. It also features the same cleated backside that the DZ87005 has, as well as the same textured surface, so slippage is minimal to zero when hauling delicate or rough materials. Just make sure you have the best car battery charger so you can haul those materials.
#4 Dee Zee DZ86996 Truck Bed Liner Mat
Award: Lightest Heavy-Duty Mat
WHY WE LIKE IT: You get dual protection from the Dee Zee DZ86996 due to the cleated underside and anti-slip surface that the company’s quality mats are known for. Your liner won’t easily break or get damaged due to its Nyracord material, which also prevents rusting.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Fits Dodge Ram trucks
- Easy to install & UV resistant
- Non-slip surface, cleated backside
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Strong factory smell
- Can slightly discolor after prolonged UV exposure
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
This mat model, which is just as thick as our other two Dee Zee mats, is designed to fit Dodge Ram 1500s and Ram 1500s released from 2008 to 2019. It measures 65″ L x 9″ W x 7″ H and weighs 37 pounds.
Like the DZ87005 and DZ86972, the DZ86996 is made to last, thanks to its tightly compressed rubber fibers and UV protection. These attributes, along with its rubber cleats, assure you that the DZ86996 is as durable as the two other Dee Zee mats on this list. For another DIY truck bed coating option that’s long-lasting, check out Custom Shop’s Custom Coat Urethane Spray-On Truck Bed Liner Kit. It can tolerate high temperatures, strong UV rays, and wet conditions while protecting surfaces from rust. For the most convenient way to achieve the best results, consider the DIY Kit Packages, where some include either a spray gun or paint roller set to help you apply the coating evenly. Another accessory that you’ll want to check out is the best jump starter.
#5 U-POL Raptor Kit Bed Liner
Award: Best for DIY
WHY WE LIKE IT: Arguably the best professional spray in bedliner, U-POL Raptor’s urethane spray-in paint is fast-drying, UV-resistant, and waterproof. The six-part kit comes with a hardener and spray gun.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Best professional spray in bedliner
- Free spray gun functions well
- Adequate quantity of spray
- Dries quickly
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Extensive preparation
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
Whether you’ll be spray painting for the first time or you’ve had previous experience, this spray-on is fairly easy to apply once you’ve mixed three parts of the Raptor coating to one part of the hardener. The kit comes with four bottles of black base paint, a liter of hardener, and a spray gun.
The “low VOC” or low volatile organic compound level of the spray paint means this product won’t release a large amount of toxic gases that are harmful to the environment.
You’ll enjoy a scratch- and corrosion-resistant surface once your spray paint job is over. The product also helps minimize vibrations and protects your truck bed surface from UV rays. Buyers have found success with this spray-on bed liner working on rubber bed mats, concrete, wood, fiberglass, etc. Overall, this is one of the best bed spray-on liners on the market today, so be sure to check it out online. You can clean it with the best shop cloth and some cleaner. Searching for highly stable tires with a good speed and load rating? Browse our best trailer tires guide.
How We Decided
Our buying guide aimed to provide you with options for the best truck bed liners for each type: roll-on paints, mats, and spray-ins.
Polyurethane paints are the gold standard for truck bed liner roll-ons. They’re not only convenient to apply, but they also protect materials from abrasion, corrosion, and weathering, so they help make your truck bed withstand the elements. Although the final appearance of this type of paint is usually rubberized and opaque, there are polyurethanes that provide a glossy finish.
They’re also scratch-resistant, but the surface where they will be applied needs to be scuffed thoroughly for the spray-on to adhere easily.
And since we didn’t want to limit our recommendations to permanent products, we also looked for the best mats, which are lighter and can be changed more easily compared to molded plastic bed liners. Cleated mats effectively adhere onto your bed liner floor but can be removed for occasional cleaning and to suit your aesthetic preferences.
We also selected the bed liner solutions that you can install or apply yourself. Besides saving on professional fees, you can use your truck sooner and minimize any loss on productivity, especially if you use your truck for business.
Best Truck Bed Liner Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
Before choosing from the three types of bed liner products, decide on whether you want something more permanent like paint or a removable liner like a mat.
Applying a roll-on (aka a mat) is more economical than a spray product if you don’t have a high-powered air compressor to operate the air sprayer.Meanwhile, using a roller and paintbrush is more time-consuming and labor-intensive.
You may consider buying a mat or rug if you want a non-permanent liner. However, mats or rugs won’t be able to cover your entire truck bed. They will also require regular washing.
- For Roll-On or Brush-On Products:
- Quantity
Measure the size of your truck bed. Truck bed liner companies offer information on how much of their products will be required, depending on your bed size. - Adhesion
The best liner paints and sprays don’t peel or bubble after application and instead adhere evenly to the surface and create a consistent surface. - Texture and Finish
You’ll need either a smooth finish for easier offloading of heavy cargo or rougher coating to keep cargo from skidding during transport. Polyurea liners leave your truck bed with a glossy surface, while polyurethane products provide a rubberized finish. - Durability
Choose products that are waterproof and resistant to rain, rust, and regular movement of cargo over the painted surface. Aliphatic sprays offer ultraviolet protection that prevents fading or peeling. - Thickness and Density
A dense coating of paint or spray can hold up for months or years. Meanwhile, a thin coat might be enough if you only want to give your truck bed a clean and finished look. The density of your paint or spray should match your preference. - Application
Doing the bed liner paint or spray job yourself can be time-consuming, but it may be faster and more cost-effective than taking your truck to a shop and waiting for your turn for a professional to do the paint job.
- Quantity
- For Mats:
- Size
Get the dimension of your truck bed to ensure the mat of your choice will fit inside. - Material
The surface of your mat or rug must support the way you use your truck. If you regularly load cargo onto it, for instance, you’ll need a tough, rubbery mat to minimize slipping and falling. Carpeted liners look stylish and are comfortable for crawling around. You can also opt for plastic liners if your main concerns are cleanliness and easy maintenance. However, plastic products deteriorate easily in warm conditions. - Traction
Mats with cleats underneath will keep it securely on the truck bed while you’re driving. - Durability
Select products that can handle the cargo you’ll load onto your truck. Rubber mats are more resistant to tears and cracking compared to carpet and other removable liners. They’re also strong enough to protect your truck bed from scratches or dents. - Installation and Maintenance
Mats are easier to work with compared to roll-on and spray-in liners. But they’re prone to stains and need regular vacuuming and shampooing.
- Size
