Many car owners choose to tint their car windows for better looks, but window tints can also make the interior car environment comfortable and healthier. So, you should do a good deal of research before making your purchase decision.
Today, I will talk about XPEL and LLumar, two popular window tint brands. Which one should you buy?
I’ll leave that decision to yourself, but to help you make that decision, I will do an in-depth XPEL window tint vs. LLumar analysis. Hope it will help!
Read More: XPEL vs. 3M Window Tint
XPEL Window Tint vs. LLumar
Both XPEL and LLumar have ceramic, metallic, and dyed tints. Ceramic tints have always been my preference because they tend to be more durable, and I like the finish better. So, I’ll compare an LLumar ceramic tint with a similar XPEL ceramic tint in this comparison.
From the XPEL side, I choose the Nano-Ceramic XPEL Prime Plus series. These are nano-ceramic tints that offer tint consistency between 5% and 70%. The films are sleek and slim, measuring only 1.5mm in width.
On the other side of the ring, I’ll put the LLumar Formula One Stratos Ceramic Tint. The name itself should give away that these tints are the crème de la crème in Llumar’s automotive window tint range.
So, let’s see how they compare with XPEL Prime. Like the XPEL Prime Plus, LLumar Formula One Stratos has also been designed using nano-ceramics.
Heat Control
The XR Plus 30 deflects 61% of the total solar energy, while the Stratos 30 keeps out 59%. Since both of these tints have the same tint percentage, we can deduce that the XR Plus performs better in keeping the heat out.
LLumar has used its trademark non-metal Hybrid-Matrix construction to make Stratos tints. But it could not beat XPEL’s own proprietary blend of materials, in terms of heat reduction at least. So, XPEL wins this round.
Read More: Xpel Prime XR Plus vs. 3M Crystalline
Read More: XPEL XR vs. XPEL XR Plus
UV Protection
Almost all premium window tints provide the same level of protection from ultraviolet rays. That has been the case for XPEL and LLumar tints as well. No matter which one you buy, you will end up with 99% UV protection. So, this one’s a solid draw.
Infra-Red Protection
Similar level of infrared protection is more of a rarity, but once again, the tints ended up in a deadlock. The XR Prime 30 and Stratos 30 both resist 96% of infrared radiation. So, I could not pick a winner in this department as well.
Sun Glare
I found another differentiating feature when I noticed the glare reduction percentage of both teams. The XR Prime 30 has a glare reduction rating of 66%, which is 3% higher than that of the Stratos 30.
If you dig deeper, you will find out that the LLumar Formula One Comfort 30 has a higher glare reduction (65%) glare reduction rating than the Stratos 30. But even that falls short in comparison to the XR Prime 30.
Therefore, I have no hesitation in declaring that XPEL tints have better glare-reduction qualities than their LLumar counterparts. The difference is not over the top by any means, but XPEL still performs better. So, that’s another vote for XPEL in the XPEL window tint vs LLemar debate.
Clarity
Same tint percentage doesn’t mean the same level of clarity. You can experience different on-road views sitting behind two different tints of the same tint percentage. To find out which one facilitates a clearer view, we will look at a particular benchmark.
We are talking about the Visible Light Transmittance percentage, which indicates how much available light actually goes through the tint. Wait a minute! Doesn’t the tint percentage mean the same thing?
There’s a little bit of technicality involved. The tint percentage is a round-up figure. The real amount of light passing through the films could be a bit higher or lower. In most cases, the light transmittance is slightly higher than the tint percentage.
So, the XR Prime 30 has a Visible Light Transmittance rating of 31%. In Stratos 30, you get 32%. Again, a narrow lead, but a lead regardless!
Warranty
XPEL offers 15 years of warranty for its Prime XR and Prime XR Plus line. For other tints, the warranty period is five years. LLumar gives you a lifetime warranty for any purchases you make. So, LLumar is clearly ahead in this aspect.
Read More: Llumar CTX Vs. IRX
Which One is Better? XPEL Window Tint or LLumar
In a head-to-head comparison between XPEL and LLumar window tints, both show excellent performance with minor differences.
Regarding heat control, XPEL slightly outperforms LLumar, deflecting a slightly higher percentage of total solar energy.
Both brands perform equally well in UV and infra-red protection, providing up to 99% UV protection and 96% infra-red radiation resistance.
Regarding sun glare reduction, XPEL also has a slight edge, providing a bit higher glare reduction percentage than LLumar.
Visible light transmittance, which refers to how much light passes through the tint, is slightly higher in LLumar, meaning it may provide a slightly clearer view from inside the car.
LLumar has a clear advantage, providing a lifetime warranty, while XPEL offers 15 years for its Prime XR and Prime XR Plus line and 5 years for other tints.
As for the looks, the LLumar Formula One Stratos has been mentioned to have a slightly better appearance than XPEL’s Prime XR, but this is highly subjective and can vary from person to person.
Given these facts, both XPEL and LLumar offer excellent window tints with small differences in performance and warranty.
Your decision might ultimately depend on your specific needs, preferences, and the importance of the warranty period to you.
XPEL tints may be a better choice for those prioritizing heat and glare reduction, while LLumar could be preferable for those wanting a longer warranty.
Read More: Huper Optik vs. LLumar
Is LLumar tint the best?
No, many other tint brands are available on the market, and each may have features that make it better for different needs. Your personal preferences and what you’re trying to achieve with the tint will determine your best tint.
Is XPEL a good tint?
XPEL is considered to be one of the best tint brands available today. XPEL tints provide high performance in heat rejection, UV protection, and optical clarity.
Moreover, their proprietary technology and auto specialist-certified installation process makes them an excellent choice for vehicle owners looking to enhance their vehicle’s safety and style.
Final Opinion
I wish I could have brought in the appearance factor in this XPEL window tint vs LLumar conversation.
Personally, I felt that the LLumar Formula One Stratos looks better than the Prime XR. Since that’s not a quantifiable factor and the perception of aesthetics will vary from person to person, I chose not to mention it in the article’s main body.
Overall, I think XPEL tints are superior. That said, the difference between these two tints is minimal, to say the least.
