Jeep Hardtop Headliner | All Brands Compared

Jeep Wrangler Hardtop Headliner

I pride myself as a excellent and thorough researcher. I always want to make sure I know all my options before making a decision. That said times there are questions to be answered that I didn’t even know to ask. To that end is the subject of today’s post “Jeep Hardtop Headliner“. My jeep wrangler came with the factory three piece hardtop which is exactly what I wanted. So what’s the problem you ask? The problem is I happened to buy my wrangler unlimited during the coldest Thanksgiving weekend Connecticut has experienced since they have been keeping track of this sort of stuff. Lucky me.

I’m a 6ft tall guy who also happens to keep his hair length at 3/16” of an inch. I noticed one night that I could cold from the jeeps hardtop radiating towards the top of my head. It wasn’t uncomfortable or anything but it was there and that’s when the light bulb went off in my head. I recalled Erin’s Jeep, the Oscar Mike Edition had a headliner installed.

Jeep Hardtop Headliner Worthwhile?

Cars come with headliners that serve a couple functions that go beyond appearance. To start with headliners are to your car what attic insulation is to your home. A headliner acts as a layer of insulation to keep the heat out and keep the vehicle interior cool in the summer and in the winter keep the heat inside and the cold out.

If you live anywhere there are extreme temperatures the need for a hardtop headliner in a jeep wrangler is real. Whether your jeep is 2 or 4 door there is a lot of exposed fiberglass to consider, a wrangler also has the areas by the rear windows to deal with.

Another purpose of a headliner is to dampen noise in a vehicle. The headliner reduces the amount of noise from outside the vehicle and in a jeep there is wind and usually tire noise and any reduction there is welcome. Additionally though a headliner will tame the noise inside a vehicle. Noise bounces around hard surfaces while soft surfaces absorb sound. I jeep hardtop is a hard surface audio nightmare. A headliner should make your audio system sound better by reducing harshness created from the sound reflecting off the angled surfaces.

Jeep Hardtop Headliner Options

After owning my wrangler a few days I stopped researching lift kits and switched to Jeep Headliners, they are a necessity for me. I mention at the top of this post I like to do thorough research and especially one it comes to making purchases. I have learned to “buy right” the first time and avoid wasting both time and money. I have also learned you usually get what you pay for but that doesn’t always mean the most expensive option is the best option.

When I set out to research Jeep Headliners I hit the popular forums as well as google. The results on the forums were inconclusive. I think people are getting lazy and only looking at pictures and prices and not reading details. I say this because after my research was over I learned that picking the best jeep hardtop headliner was not a black and white decision. I’ll explain why that is further down.

On this page I will list the results of my research. It won’t be possible to review every jeep headliner and I’m not going to pretend to. When I do make my decision I will write a separate review and put a link on this page. Note: I’m researching the headliners for four door unlimited JK wranglers and that’s the pricing that will be reflected below. Two door Jeep JK hardtop headliners are obviously less expensive.

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MOPAR Genuine Jeep Wrangler Headliner

The black $233 Mopar factory Jeep Wrangler Headliner is the only one I have personal experience with, like I stated above Erin’s Oscar Mike has this installed and it arrived from the dealer that way. The Mopar Jeep Headliner is a complete kit that covers all the hardtop panels including the side windows. Erins fit her wrangler well and the dark grey/black color looked great with her gray interior.  Chrysler/Mopar takes aftermarket jeep parts seriously. The factory Jeep headliner is a safe purchase.

4-Door – Jeep Wrangler Headliners stop heat from radiating down from your hard top, which allows your Wrangler’s air conditioner to easily keep up with any outside temperature. They also insulates against the cold by keeping warm air from radiating out. Jeep Wrangler Headliners also reduce road and wind noise and improve the sound of your stereo. They’re also easy to install!

• High Density Foam-Backed Non-Woven Fabric
• 1/2-inch Thick, Non-Woven Cushioning and Finished Edges

MOPAR Genuine Jeep Wrangler Headliner Installation Instructions

Visit Mopar  or Order from Amazon

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Boom Mat Jeep Wrangler Sound Deadening Headliner

Boom Mat will run a little over $500 if you include the insulation for the back windows. Boom Mat is different in they are about reducing noise and improving jeep cabin acoustics. Insulating the hardtop is secondary. Boom Mat offers additional acoustic treatments for jeeps. The Boom Mat is a top contender for me at the time of writing this post.

Riding in a Jeep is great fun except for the truck’s propensity for interior noise that makes it difficult to engage in conversations or even enjoy vehicle audio systems. Now there is an easy solution. Boom Mats new Jeep Wrangler Sound Deadening HeadLiner provides a simple pre-shaped peel and stick kit that dresses up the interior of Jeep hard tops while minimizing annoying outside noise and vibrations while insulating from exterior weather conditions. Installed Boom Mats new Sound Deadening HeadLiner has been tested to reduce noise levels from 3 to 4 decibels. This is a significant change in sound level that will improve overall interior acoustics so Jeep occupants can enjoy audio system and have conversations without excessive and irritating noise and distractions. Boom Mat Sound Deadening HeadLiner is available in black for 4-door and 2-door Jeep® Wranglers 2007 to 2010 hard tops and in black, gray and white for 4-door and 2-door Jeep® Wranglers 2011 to 2013 hard tops.

• Headliner reduces noise levels 3 to 4 decibels
• Reduces radiant heat from roof
• Improves acoustics inside
• A significant change in noise level that will make it easier to have conversations & enjoy your favorite music

Boom Mat Jeep Wrangler Sound Deadening Headliner Installation Instructions

Visit Design Engineering or Order from Amazon

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JTopsUSA Jeep Headliner

The JTopsUSA Jeep Hardtop Headliner range in price from about $270 to $300 and is probably the most interesting Jeep headliner offerings I found when researching headliners for this page. The Jtops are available in in solid colors and wicked cool camouflage patterns. While the camo isn’t my thing it’s certainly a differentiator that would appeal to some. Another difference of the JTOPs is the use of hook & loop aka “Velcro” to secure the headliners. Other companies use 3M VHB for a permanent installation while the Jtops can be removed. The Jtops feature a 1/2″ antibacterial & mold resistant foam “Noise Suppressant” inner layer. No other manufacturer spells out those details. Jtops does not offer insulation for the rear windows.

JTopsUSA introduces the evolution of the Jeep Wrangler Hardtop Headliner. Go beyond black and gray. Quad layer construction suppresses sound while blocking summer heat and winter cold. Drivers side phone storage pocket.
Built with precision in the USA!

Exclusive JTopsUSA Features

• Mesh Pockets  – Air Cell Radiant Barrier – Scrim Backing ( NOT FIBERBOARD )
• Colors and Camo 1000D Polyester Fabrics
• Sewn in Reinforced Heat Resistant ACRYLIC Resin Hook and Loop Attachment.
• Easy Installation or Removal (  We DO NOT USE 3M permanent bond double stick tape that requires sanding the surface of the top! )
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Hothead Jeep Wrangler Hardtop Headliner

The $480 Hothead Headliner Insulation kit is available with side window insulation as well as “Sound Assassin”. I couldn’t find any information on Sound Assassin but Hotheads state they have used it in place of HushMat. HushMat  is a vibration and sound deadening and insulating material. One can assume “Sound Assassin” is the same.  The Sound Assassin is available for $35 and can be used in any jeep regardless of the hardtop and whether or not it’s being insulated. The Hothead Hardtop Liner seems to be reviewed the best on the Jeep forums and is a runner up for my Jeep.

These are the only Jeep Wrangler headliners on the market that are made to look & feel like a factory product. Our premium headliners are made using only quality materials: 1/8″ panel board, 1/4″ cross-linked polyethylene insulating foam (very dense), 3/16″  foamed back automotive headliner fabric, radiant barrier, and attached with 3M VHB Tape (the rear side window panels are attach with Velcro and are just the panels board wrapped with headliner fabric, so they are a little thinner). TJ & LJ headliner kits also attach with Velcro. Each headliner kit is made to order by an experienced upholsterer who takes pride in each & every job that comes out of our shop, and you will see that reflected in the quality of your new HotHead Headliner.

Visit Hothead Headliners or Order From Amazon and don’t forget the Rear Window Insulation.

Hothead Headliners

• Stops the heat that radiates down from your hard-top which allows your air conditioner to easily keep up with any outside temperature.
• Insulates against the cold
• Reduces road & wind noise by 3 to 6 decibels
• Improve the sound of your stereo by increasing the acoustically properties of your hard-top
• LOOKS LIKE A FACTORY PRODUCT!
• Installs in about 40 minutes without removing your hard-top

Hotheads Jeep Headliner Cold Weather Installation Instruction Video  

Hotheads Jeep Headliner Installation Instruction Video

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Bedrug Jeep Headliner

The $199 Bedrug Jeep Hardtop Headliner is a great looking kit that will mostly appeal to jeep owners who are already using Bedrug carpeting in their jeeps. The BedRug Jeep Headliner does not include panels for the rear windows. Additionally a few sites including their own mention the panels not staying up despite proper preparation and installation. One reviewer states the 3M VHB isn’t adhering to the headliner fabric. Interesting as 3M VHB tape is incredible and is used in places to hold vehicles together.

This 100% waterproof, fully custom die cut headliner kit installs quickly without the need to remove your hard top. The individual pieces can be quickly installed by removing the specially designed tape and pressing firmly into place.

The BedRug material resists all harsh chemicals, and will not stain, stink, mold or mildew. The 1/2-inch polypropylene foam will help insulates your interior from road noise and heat.

Sold as a 4-piece Kit for the 2 door and a 4-piece kit for the 4 door, the BedRug Headliner is engineered to fit the OEM Jeep Hard top. Each piece is custom cut to the factory specifications of your Jeep top and installs in approximately 15 minutes. The Headliner kit attaches to the hart top with an adhesive backing help secure each section into place. Because our headliner kits are cut to your specific model there is no trimming, no messy adhesives and no hassle for a perfect fit every time!

• Custom cut for the perfect fit for your Jeep
• Waterproof 1/2” polypropylene foam
• Easy to install – no need to remove your hard top
• Pairs perfectly with BedRug’s Floor Liner Kit
• Durable material won’t stain, stink, mold or mildew while resisting chemical damage
• Insulates your interior from noise and heat
• Made in the USA

Bedrug Jeep JK Headliner Installation Instructions

Visit Bedrug or Order from Amazon

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Rugged Ridge Jeep Hard Top Insulation Kit 11-18 Jeep Wrangler JK, 4 Door

The $223 Rugged Ridge Jeep Hard Top Insulation Kit doesn’t get much press online and the Rugged Ridge website doesn’t offer up very much information so it’s difficult to judge this model. Notably this headliner insulation kit has a pleated look to it and to me it’s kind of stylish. I only see black being offered as a color choice and there’s no rear window option. If you add the rear window insulation from another company the Rugged Ridge still comes in substantial cheaper than the most expensive offerings.

Rugged Ridge Jeep Hardtop Insulation Kit

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What Jeep Hardtop Headliner Did I Choose For My 2018 Wrangler?

**Update** December 9, 2018 my girl ordered my Christmas Gift, the HotHead Jeep Wrangler Hardtop Headliner.
As of December 3, 2018 I have not made a final decision but I have narrowed it down to two brands, Boom Mat and Hotheads. Both brands are similarly priced and both make acoustic properties a priority. Keep checking this page for my final decision.