Wind Deflectors vs. Hood Deflectors: What’s the Difference?

No matter how hard you buff, that little chip on your car’s hood is not going to disappear easily. Even touch-up paint is a temporary solution; it can cover the spot but it won’t completely hide the damage.

Vehicle owners frequently have to deal with unsightly dings or dents due to stones, rocks or debris being kicked up by other vehicles onto theirs while passing by on the road. From faded spots to scratches, your car can easily take a beating if you don’t take certain protective measures. 

One of the most common ways to do that is by installing a wind deflector or a hood deflector. Turborevs explains the function of the two below, helping you decide which one to choose for your vehicle. 

What Do Wind Deflectors Do?

Wind deflectors are thin plastic strips that can be attached to your car’s side windows or sunroof, and are designed to channel airflow away from its surface. This aerodynamic shift allows the driver and passengers to roll down their windows and let in some fresh air without the deafening noise caused by wind buffeting. This can help keep the inside of your car relatively cool during summer days, reducing the need to turn on the air conditioner — which, in turn, would improve fuel efficiency. 

In addition, front and rear wind deflectors (also known as rain guards or vent visors) also redirect rain and snow away from an open window. This would protect your car’s interior from getting damaged during inclement weather. 

These are custom fit for your car’s specific make and model, and can easily be installed into the window channel or fastened into place on the sunroof — without affecting your field of vision. This ensures that there is no exterior tape needed, so the car’s appearance is not compromised either. In fact, wind deflectors can be a sleek and sophisticated upgrade for your vehicle. 

What Do Hood Deflectors Do?

Hood deflectors, on the other hand, absorb the impact of rock debris, such as small rocks, gravel or sand, to avoid your vehicle’s paint or finish from getting damaged. It is made from flexible and durable materials to withstand the daily grind. 

Their installation is quick and does not require drilling into your car’s hood; they can easily be attached with automotive attachment tape or fasteners, without causing damage to the lid. 

However, it should be noted that, while sand and small stones can be carried away from the airflow created by the hood deflector, bigger rocks are a different case. No deflector can provide full protection to the car’s surface from large debris. 

Which Should You Choose?

Wind deflectors and hood deflectors are essentially the same thing. Whether mounted to the front of your hood or on the side windows, both deflectors serve to protect your vehicle. Neither is necessarily better than the other, so your choice between the two purely depends on your personal needs and preferences. For instance, if you want to crack your window open without experiencing any wind turbulence or having raindrops hit you in the face, then you should opt for wind deflectors. If you are more concerned about the amount of damage inflicted on the hood of your car by outside elements, you can install hood deflectors to bear the brunt of their impact. 

No matter which one you choose, it will protect your investment — in style.