Choosing the right type of car wax can be difficult since there are so many different types. What some might not know is that premium brands don’t really hold much better than regular car waxes. In fact, premium brands tend to perform almost the same which does not explain why they are a bit more expensive. The performance of products based on wax is a bit debatable.
Liquids and pastes that contain wax offer almost the same results but the paste is a bit more difficult to apply. What is clear is that all waxes need elbow grease, time, and patience.
Everyone works at a different pace and just because a manufacturer states their product is easy and fast to apply does not make it necessarily true. What matters the most is the end result which is influenced by the quality of the wax used in the product.
Best Car Waxes in [year]
Before jumping right into our top 10 list it is important to understand what each type of wax is food for. Paste wax is fairly easy to apply and offers a decent shine. They usually dry fast when compared to liquid waxes.
Liquid waxes are excellent for cleaning, durability, and applying a gloss but they tend to be a bit more difficult to apply. The last on the list is the spray wax which is mostly recommended for new cars. With all these things in mind let’s jump right into our list of the top 10 best car waxes in [year] reviews.
Mothers 05701 California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Liquid Wax
- Formulated to clean and protect in one application
- Effective on fiberglass and gel coats
- Contains heat resistant carnauba wax for a long-lasting shine
- Regular use provides a long lasting benefit to your vehicle
Mothers California Gold Brazilian liquid wax is a great option for the ones that do not wish to spend too much money. It is an inexpensive liquid wax that comes in a large 16-fluid-ounce bottle.
Similar to most other liquid waxes the product was made to provide an even shine and apply a protective coating against UV light. It was made to be easy to apply and heat resistant at the same time.
Turtle Wax T-222R Super Hard Shell Paste Wax
- Legendary Super Hard Shell protection and shine
- The leading car wax in the world
- Easy on, easy off formula lasts up to 12 months
- Fights harmful UV rays
Turtle Wax is one of the more notorious brands when it comes to automotive care products. Their Super Hard Shell Wax is inexpensive and quite decent in terms of performance.
The product has a unique formula that makes it easy to apply. According to the manufacturers, the wax can last for up to 12 months which is quite impressive. It was made to filter UV lights that can damage the paint while still providing a great-looking shine and it is quite easy to remove.
Meguiar’s G18211 Ultimate Paste Wax
- Fit Type: Universal
- New synthetic polymers crosslink to form a protective barrier that accurately reflects and amplifies light for incredible depth and mirror-like shine
- Application in direct sun and on a warm surface
- Our longest-lasting protection extends durability and water-beading
The Meguiar’s G18211 Ultimate Paste Wax is a great choice for the ones that need a product that is durable and provides excellent results. It is a bit more expensive, but its performance is quite impressive.
What makes this particular wax so special is the use of ThinFilm technology which was introduced by Meguiar. It makes the wax easier to apply, and it extends its duration. It can protect the paint from damage when exposed to direct sunlight and it does not cause whitening on trim.
Meguiar’s G7016 Gold Class Carnauba Plus Premium Liquid Wax
- Gold Class premium wax with a luxurious carnauba-polymer blend gives your paint finish strong, long-lasting wax protection with a brilliant reflective shine
- Special blend of carnauba wax with protecting polymers is safe and effective on clear coats and all glossy paint types
- This liquid wax features an improved formula that creates an even richer shine and leaves a deeper gloss with sharp, clear reflections
- Easily glides on and off with included high-quality soft foam applicator
- Can be applied by hand or with DA polisher like Meguiar's MT300 Dual Action Polisher
The Meguiar G7016 is advertised as being a premium liquid wax, but it comes with a decent price tag. It is an easy-to-apply liquid wax that dries up quite fast and provides sharp reflection with just one thin application.
The wax comes in a simple bottle with a liquid wax applicator. It uses carnauba wax in order to achieve a premium shine. The product comes in a large 16 fluid-ounce bottle which should be enough for several complete waxing.
Turtle Wax T-465R ICE Paste Polish Wax
- Formulated with proprietary blend of synthetic waxes and silicone polymers to provide an extremely high gloss shine
- Can be applied to rubber and plastic trim without leaving white residue
- Contains UV inhibitors to help guard against harmful UV rays
- Does not include applicator
- This item is not for sale in Catalina Island
Turtle Wax T-465R is one of their most popular products due to the fact that it is inexpensive and offers excellent results. It comes in the form of a paste and is a small aluminum recipient of 8 ounces.
Similar to other car waxes it provides protection against UV rays that can damage the paint. It can also be applied on plastic and rubber parts as it will not leave any kind of residue or smudges. The product comes with an applicator that makes it much more convenient to get an even spread of wax every single time.
Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax
- ONE EASY STEP: Formula delivers maximum synthetic protection, durability, depth of color, and reflectivity in this easy one step
- EFFORTLESS APPLICATION: Thin Film technology provides for easy application and wipe off even in full sun, and will not stain non-painted trim pieces white
- LONG-LASTING PROTECTION: Advanced synthetic polymers crosslink to form a long-lasting protective barrier while amplifying reflection for incredible depth and mirror-like shine
- WATER ROLLS RIGHT OFF PAINT: Hydrophobic Polymer technology increases surface tension to protect paint
- SAFE AND FLEXIBLE: Safe and effective on all glossy paints and clear coats, and can be applied by hand or dual action variable speed polisher like Maguire's MT300 Dual Action Polisher
Meguiar’s Ultimate Liquid Wax is by far their most popular product in this category. They have multiple liquid waxes, but the Ultimate version seems to sell much better due to its performance and results.
The product offers protection against direct sunlight exposure and has water-beading properties that keep the paint safe from damage. It does not leave any white marks on plastic and rubber, and it does not leave any kind of smudges.
Mothers 05500 California Gold Brazilian Carnauba Cleaner Wax
- Formulated to clean and protect in one application
- Effective on fiberglass and gel coats
- Contains heat resistant carnauba wax for a long-lasting shine
- Regular use provides a long lasting benefit to your vehicle
Mothers California Gold cleaner wax is a great 2-in-1 product that is actually cheaper than some might expect. It uses premium Brazilian wax which is well known for its long-lasting effect.
According to the product description, the wax was made to clean and protect the paint. It provides a long-lasting shine and prevents damage from UV rays. It also acts as a water repellant which prevents corrosion damage.
Meguiar’s G12718 NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0
- IDEAL PROTECTANT: Proven synthetic wax with deep gloss provides maximum protection for modern paint and clear coats
- EASY TO USE: Wax glides on and wipes off effortlessly, leaving the finish slick and without a powdery residue
- COLOR AND SHINE: Provides unbelievably deep, vibrant color and a dramatically clear wet-look shine
- SUPERIOR WATER PROTECTION: Hydrophobic polymer technology provides relentless water beading and protection against oxidation, corrosion, UV rays and surface degradation
- NO SWIRLS: Visually eliminates fine swirls and micro-scratches
The Meguiar’s G12718 NXT Generation Tech Wax 2.0 is a great product for both new and old cars. It was designed to protect the paint regardless of its condition while still providing a wet look and premium shine.
The wax comes in a liquid form in an 18-ounce fluid bottle. It is reasonably priced and can help cover fine scratches as well as swirls. The wax forms a thin film that protects the paint against damaging UV rays from direct sunlight exposure.
P21S 12700W Carnauba Wax
- “Mirror image” shine
- Remarkable “jetness”
- Easy to apply and remove, by machine or by hand
- Non abrasive, no added dyes or perfumes
- Includes applicator
P21S is a smaller brand that offers excellent products. Their 12700W Carnauba wax might be a bit more expensive than some would like but it offers excellent performance and uses natural ingredients.
According to the manufacturers, the product contains premium Carnauba wax which offers a deep shite and excellent protection against damage caused by sunlight exposure. The wax comes in a small plastic recipient of 6 ounces.
Meguiar’s G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax
- Fastest way to a dazzling, show-car shine!
- Makes paint come alive with a deep, wet-look shine you would only expect from liquid or paste waxes
- New technology leaves no white residue on plastic and trim, and it can even be applied in direct sunlight!
- Simply mist on and wipe off
- So fast and easy that you can wax your entire car in just minutes!
Meguiar’s G17516 Ultimate Quik Wax is a premium product that comes with a really low price tag which is actually why it is so popular. The performance of the wax is also quite impressive as it will provide an excellent shine effect even after just one thin application.
The wax uses a unique formula that makes it dry quickly. It does not leave any smudges and no white marks of plastic and rubber elements. The wax offers protection against sunlight and acts as a water-repellant.
Cheap car wax can be just as good as more expensive products. There aren’t any significant differences between them. What matters the most is how well the wax is applied regardless of it is liquid or paste.
What can be seen with some products is the use of additional ingredients that offer certain benefits. For our list, we selected as many different waxes that provide excellent results. For the most part, they are reasonably priced, but like with anything else, there are some waxes that are a bit more expensive.
