Best Overall
Duck Brand Indoor Insulator Kit
- It’s easy to install and durable enough to be reused several times.
It’s easy to install and durable enough to be reused several times.
- It can be a little tricky to figure out how to measure the correct dimensions.
It can be a little tricky to figure out how to measure the correct dimensions.
Overall, the best window insulator kit is the Duck Brand Indoor Insulator Kit for its easy installation and its ability to be reused, which saves you money in both the short and long term.
The kit includes one durable 62 x 210 inches and 84-foot roll of mounting tape that is double-sided to make attaching it easy. Each kit comes with enough material to cover five 3 x 5 windows, so your energy bill is sure to go down.
Not included in the kit are a measuring tape, scissors, a hairdryer, and a little patience (because it can be a little tricky to cut the film to size the first time). To avoid any mishaps, follow the directions carefully before making your first cut. If you forget to add an extra 2-inch allowance to each side, the plastic won’t extend far enough to reach the tape.
After the film is secure, shrink it with a hairdryer. The result is a surface so transparent you’ll have a clear view of falling snowflakes. As long as you’re careful while removing the tape, you can store the kit to use again next year.
Keep in mind that it’s not recommended for use with plaster, drywall, or unfinished wood because the tape can pull up those surfaces. It is safe to use on painted or finished wood, aluminum, or vinyl.
Product Details: Dimensions: 62 x 210 inches | Material: Plastic | Number of Windows: Five | Suggested Use: Indoor
Best Budget
ATack Weather Sealing Tape
- This insulation tape is a cinch to apply and keeps out dust and pollution as well as cold air.
This insulation tape is a cinch to apply and keeps out dust and pollution as well as cold air.
- The tape is rated for temperatures as low as -4°F, which may not be the best option for extra-cold winters.
The tape is rated for temperatures as low as -4°F, which may not be the best option for extra-cold winters.
If you’re not up for applying plastic film to your windows, you may want to consider this budget-friendly, transparent tape from ATack. Made of vinyl plastic with an acrylic adhesive, it’s designed to be applied to the inside of the window. The clear material makes it easy to see through your windows, so you won’t have to deal with an obstructed view.
The tape will block out temps as cold as -4°F. However, those in northern climates with winter temperatures that dip well below zero for days at a time may want to choose a different option.
Installing the tape is easy, as you apply it by simply pressing it onto your windows. Applying the tape will also keep out pollution and dust, which keeps the inside of your home a little cleaner as well as a little warmer. The tape is designed to come off without leaving residue and without damaging wood trim, but you may want to test a small spot just to be on the safe side. It’s also resistant to punctures, making it a durable choice.
Product Details: Dimensions: 2 inches x 30 yards | Material: Vinyl plastic with acrylic adhesive | Number of Windows: Not listed | Suggested Use: Indoor
Best Large Window
Frost King Extra Large Window Insulation Kit
- For such a low price, you’d be hard pressed to find something larger or as energy-saving.
For such a low price, you’d be hard pressed to find something larger or as energy-saving.
- It tears easily, cannot be reused, and the tape can leave a residue.
It tears easily, cannot be reused, and the tape can leave a residue.
The Frost King Extra Large Window Insulation Kit is the best window insulation kit if you’re needing to insulate two large picture windows or if you have multiple small windows. It comes with two 62 x 210-inch plastic sheets with 168 feet of double-sided mounting tape, which is enough to cover two picture windows or 10 separate windows without fear of running out.
Despite fitting larger windows, the kit is still available at an affordable price. “It’s a budget buy, but it’s effective,” Domniguez says.
Installation is easy but may require a ladder and a partner. Once the insulation is secured and heat is applied with a hairdryer the film will shrink to be crystal clear, tight, and wrinkle-free.
It’s worth noting that your surfaces must be clean, dry, and grease-free for the adhesive to stick. The mounting tape should not be applied to wallpaper, wallboard, plaster, or veneer surfaces. It can be easily installed on metal, painted, varnished wood, or vinyl-clad window frames.
At the end of the season, remove any residue left by the mounting tape immediately with rubbing alcohol.
Product Details: Dimensions: 62 x 210 inches | Material: Polyurethane | Number of Windows: Two large or 10 small | Suggested Use: Indoor
Best Reusable
Duck Heavy Duty Insulating Film Kit
- Its maximum strength plastic is so strong it stands up to high traffic and is reusable.
Its maximum strength plastic is so strong it stands up to high traffic and is reusable.
- It costs a little more upfront.
It costs a little more upfront.
It’s good to find a product that saves you money, but it’s great to find one that can save you money year after year. The Duck MAX Strength Heavy Duty Insulating Film Kit is the best window insulation kit for creating a lasting seal-and it can be reused several times.
At 1.5 millimeters thick, the puncture-resistant film is more than double the thickness of others. Designed to be tough enough to last several years, it does well in high-traffic areas where pets and children may play.
The kit also has versatile instructions that make it easy to install-even for those who don’t consider themselves super handy around the house. Follow a few steps to cut it to your desired size and secure the right placement. Use a hairdryer to smooth out any wrinkles.
When the temps start to rise again, removing the shrink film is easy. We love that the tape won’t strip painted surfaces like many other options we’ve found. It can be applied to aluminum, finished wood, and painted surfaces without worries. Be sure to check if the tape leaves any sticky residue behind. If it does, apply adhesive remover as soon as possible.
Product Details: Dimensions: 84 x 120 inches | Material: Polyethylene | Number of Windows: One patio door or two large windows | Suggested Use: Indoor
Best for Sliding Patio Doors
The 3M Indoor Patio Door Window Insulation Kit
- It's pre-cut to fit a standard patio perfectly and is the clearest film available.
It's pre-cut to fit a standard patio perfectly and is the clearest film available.
- The mounting tape can leave a sticky residue and isn’t safe for all surfaces.
The mounting tape can leave a sticky residue and isn’t safe for all surfaces.
It’s no secret that all-glass sliding patio doors can make a home feel cold as ice in the dead of winter. If you want to save your energy bill from soaring, the 3M Indoor Patio Door Window Insulation Kit is a good option. The plastic film blocks all chilly drafts so you won’t get a chill every time you walk past your patio door.
The kit comes with Scotch film tape to keep cold drafts out and warm air in, which will reduce your heating costs during the cold winter months. The film shrinks tight around your door frame and is made to reduce condensation and prevent frost build-up. The film creates a perfectly transparent, wrinkle-free fit.
The roll of double-sided mounting tape will hold all season and can be used with aluminum, vinyl-clad, painted, or varnished wood molding-but it could harm veneer paneling. When the temps start to rise, removing the tape and shrink film is easy. But be sure to check if the tape leaves any sticky residue behind. If it does, apply adhesive remover as soon as possible.
Product Details: Dimensions: 84 x 111.6 inches | Material: Plastic | Number of Windows: One patio door | Suggested Use: Indoor
Best Outdoor
The 3M Outdoor Window Insulator Kit
- It holds up to the elements, greatly reduces heating costs, and installs as easily as an indoor kit.
It holds up to the elements, greatly reduces heating costs, and installs as easily as an indoor kit.
- High winds can take their toll on the plastic, making them difficult to reuse.
High winds can take their toll on the plastic, making them difficult to reuse.
If you prefer to install a film on the exterior of your home, the best window insulator kit is the 3M Outdoor Window Insulator Kit. It was specially developed to withstand the elements, though it will most likely only last one year and shouldn’t be reused.
Designed to help significantly reduce heating costs, the kit comes with a sheet of 0.75-millimeter thick film large enough to cover two 3 x 5 windows and 14 yards of double-sided Scotch tape. Together they reduce condensation and prevent frost buildup, which can lower your heating bills during the winter and make your home more energy-efficient.
With the exception of a ladder and an extension cord to reach it, this insulator kit is installed the same way-and just as easily-as an indoor kit. Simply measure, cut, tape, shrink, and trim. We were pleased to learn that it pulls just as tight and clear as the indoor options.
Keep in mind that high winds can cause small wrinkles in the film and after a long winter of wind, it most likely can’t be reused.
Product Details: Dimensions: 5.16 x 7 feet | Material: Polyethylene | Number of Windows: Two | Suggested Use: Outdoor
Best For the Garage
Reach Barrier Garage Door Insulation Kit
- It can be used year-round to keep a garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
It can be used year-round to keep a garage warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer.
- Installation is time-consuming and can be confusing.
Installation is time-consuming and can be confusing.
If you want to insulate your garage doors or windows all year long, opt for the Reach Barrier 3009 Garage Door Insulation Kit. It keeps the temperature moderate in your garage, so you can comfortably utilize the extra space for a home gym or hangout.
Each kit contains eight pre-cut bubble insulation panels, 48 permanent bond adhesive stickers, a cleaner sponge, and an instruction book. Once installed it’s permanent. This kit won’t keep your garage ice cold in the summer or heat it up in the winter, but it will block up to 95% of radiant heat in the summer and retain heat in the winter.
We didn't love that even though the instructions are simple, it's time-consuming. There’s a lot of measuring and rechecking. If you have a really dirty or greasy door, you’ll need to clean it thoroughly for the adhesive stickers to stick. It takes also takes 24 hours to stick.
Product Details: Dimensions: 24 x 48 inches | Material: Aluminum and polyurethane | Number of Windows: Eight | Suggested Use: Garage interior
Best Foam
Yotache Foam Tape Weather Strips
- You can insulate your windows year-round but still be able to open them and see out of them with an unobstructed view.
You can insulate your windows year-round but still be able to open them and see out of them with an unobstructed view.
- The adhesive could be stronger.
The adhesive could be stronger.
For a window insulator that won’t make it impossible to open your windows-or blurry to look through, the best window insulator is the Yotache Foam Tape Weather Strips. Because they are only attached at the edges.
Unlike window insulator kits that won’t allow you to open your windows or can be annoying to look through, they won’t obstruct your view and you can still open your windows.
The kit contains two rolls of 6 1/2 foot foam tape. They are easy to bend, cut, and shape, making them highly customizable. In fact, many online reviewers have found dozens of other uses for the strips, which makes us think it wouldn’t be a bad idea to order two kits for other projects.
On one side of the foam is a thick Neoprene foam tape that can withstand temperatures of -58 °F to 302°F, which allows you to use them year-round. In addition to being adaptable, the foam strip on the other side is weatherproof, oil resistant, dustproof, flame retardant, soundproof, anti-skidding, and insulating.
It’s worth noting that the adhesive on these strips won’t last forever. Cleaning the surface before sticking it on will help with longevity.
Product Details: Dimensions: 13 feet x 0.5 inches | Material: Rubber and foam | Number of Windows: Not listed | Suggested Use: Indoor
Best Silicone
Duck Max Strength Silicone Weatherstrips
- Its strong yet flexible silicone can be used year-round against cold drafts, dust, and bugs.
Its strong yet flexible silicone can be used year-round against cold drafts, dust, and bugs.
- Some reviewers found the gaps between two weatherstrips unattractive.
Some reviewers found the gaps between two weatherstrips unattractive.
If you prefer a more permanent option to fill in the small cracks and gaps around your windows and doors, the best window insulator kit is the Duck Max Strength Silicone Weatherstrips. The strips can be used year-round and last longer than adhesive foam strips, so you can do the job once.
The flexible silicone barrier won't crack or split over time and lasts longer than foam strips. They will not freeze or crack in temperatures down to -40°F, making them a great solution for old window and door seals.
If your windows and doors are older, this is the best insulation kit for replacing the seals that can wear down over time. The barrier will block drafts from outdoor air, dust, pollen, and insects, so you can put off spending a fortune on replacing older windows and doors a little while longer.
This weatherstrip seal is quick and easy to use. All you need is a pair of scissors to cut the proper length, peel a lining off the back and stick it into place.
Product Details: Dimensions: 0.83 inches x 0.25 inches x 17 feet | Material: Silicone | Number of Windows: Not listed | Suggested Use: Indoor/outdoor