Best License Plate Frame Options in 2020

Did you just get a new paint job or new leather seats put in? All that work doesn’t look nearly as good with a chipped license plate frame. A new license plate frame is a great way to upgrade the look of your old or new car and keep your license plate secure and easy to read (you don’t want a fine!).

Top 10 License Plate Frames for 2020

How to Choose the Best License Plate Frame – Buyer’s Guide

It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a license plate frame to protect, style up, or just switch out your old plate. There are so many choices out there from blinged-out options to subdued and muted matte finishes. 

This list suggests mirrored license plate frames as well as glow in the dark ones. How exactly do we know which one works best? Although there is a wide variety of designs, there are a set few features to look for.

Material

The most important thing is the material of these license plate frames. The plates need to be of high quality. Sure, most people see these frames as accessories to their car, but actually, their primary function is to protect your license plate.

Our cars spend most of their lives outside in the cold, wind, heat, and snow. This is bound to do a number on your license plate. 

Even something as simple as a car wash, something that needs to be done once in a while can contribute to the deterioration of your license plate frame, which is why these frames need to be durable. 

Quality material most likely refers to stainless steel. Stainless steel license plate frames are rust and corrosion-proof as well as tough. Other materials, such as carbon fiber, is actually tougher, but stainless steel have proven to be the most reliable. 

Flimsy materials you should avoid for your frame would be plastic. Plastic is no good because they really aren’t very tough and are susceptible to cracking, fading and breaking. Silicone is not so bad, they are a few steps up from basic plastic but a few steps down from metal.

Silicone is flexible, won’t damage your plates, and do last pretty well but they are not as strong against external forces as stainless steel or chrome. You might also come across license plate frames with more than one type of material. 

Just make sure that the frame consists mostly of more durable options. It’s also worth it to keep in mind that the material affects the weight of the product. Silicone and plastic are lightweight, and steel is heavier. If you want lighter plates that aren’t soft like plastic or silicone, look into alloys.

Design

Let’s face it, although design has almost nothing to do with utility and durability, it has to look good for you to want to buy it. Think about a style that accentuates your entire vehicle. If you are a lady with a cute pink Beetle, then glittery embellished crystal license plate frames could look super cute!

 For sporty makes from brands such as Audi, a cool chrome or matte finish could really spice up the look. If you like the subtle and classic design, a plane stainless steel could work. If you love your color choices, then silicone frames will offer you the biggest selection.

Also, you need to make sure that the perfect license plate frames will actually fit your vehicle. Most of the listings will detail the frame size and whether or not it fits in your country. You want it to sit flush with no protruding parts. 

You need to make sure there is nothing obstructing your license plate from being read clearly. You don’t want to be pulled over because your new frame isn’t the proper dimension. Check the legal requirements for your state or city just to be sure.

Style

The style here differs from the design. There are slimlines, ones with a wide bottom, and a semi-wide bottom. 

You may think the slimmer the better, and you may be right! Although they do support less of your license plate, these frames are DMV approved in all 50 states and are so slim they won’t cover registration tags.

The semi-wide bottom license plate frames has the bottom corners cut out to not obstruct your registration tags. These plates work with most frames in most states. The last wide bottom frame of have the most chance of covering up vital information.

To use these frames, you need to make sure there isn’t any important information printed on the bottom of your plates.

Finish and Color

While this is mostly your preference, we can offer some advice on how to best complement your vehicle. 

A mirrored finish looks like a mirror (who would have thought). They offer a reflective surface that looks great with any paint job in our honest opinion. A brushed metal finish isn’t exactly matte, but it’s a muted metal that is a little textured and less shiny. 

These finishes are some of the most common plate finishes you see on the road. Next we have the matte finish plates that come in the form of silicone or stainless steel. Matte metal plates can disguise themselves well and not draw any attention to your car.

The Hardware

The screws and screw caps included in your package are just as important as the frame itself. The best hardware will also be durable and rust and corrosion-free. Even if you have silicone, aluminum or carbon fiber plates already installed, we would suggest upgrading your hardware.

Upgrade everything to stainless steel because you will have to switch out all the bits and pieces even if your license plate frame is fine due to corrosion. The hardware can also come in brushed, mirrored, chrome or brushed finishes.

Easy Installation

Get the old frames off and slip the new frame on in a matter of minutes. What can really deter consumers from buying a product is if it’s difficult to use or install. Silicone license plate frames are easy the easiest to deal with. Just slip it on and screw it in. 

Metal frames may require an extra step or two but should still be relatively easy. A good way to make sure installation is easier is to check if your new license plate frames come with an installation kit or parts. 

An installation kit will include screw caps, screws, washers and maybe screwdrivers as well. If you are extra lucky, the step-by-step installation guide will also be available. Some license plate frames do not come with a kit or a guide. 

If this is the case, you may have your work cut out for you looking for the right screw caps that match the frame. If you’re not a matchy matchy person, then the mismatched screws could be a unique detail. 

Two holes or four holes? You might have read that some people complain about the two-hole installation. As you can imagine, four holes will provide more support for your frame, but frames with two holes can still work, but the placement needs to be ideal to avoid rattling.

To be on the safe side, we suggest frames with four holes solely because you won’t know how well the two-screw design works until you have the plate in hand.

Durability

How durable is the material? While durability is directly linked to the material you choose, that isn’t everything you have to consider. Even if you do choose a metal plate, say aluminum, it still doesn’t guarantee the frame will be rust-proof.

Maybe the new stainless steel frame is very thin and doesn’t offer protection as well as a thicker plate frame does. We would choose lightweight, thick (but not too thick) frames that are guaranteed to be weatherproof. 

A plastic or silicone frame could probably hold up well in the elements but not do so well against sunlight and UV exposure. It may cause these frames to fade and turn color. They protect your license plate paint job and reduce rattling.

It can be quite annoying to drive along the street and have your plates rattle with every bump in the road.

Price

Getting two for the price of one is always a good deal and most license plate frames are affordable. However, some manufacturers don’t only offer one, but two license plates with your purchase. 

Sometimes you may need a front and a back (although some products are singles) so you need to be sure of this. 

Although some come with just one frame because that’s all that’s needed, like a lot of silicone options do. If it really does come with two plates, then you can switch them out when one is damaged.

Does a License Plate Need a Frame?

After having a good long read, you might still be wondering what the point of a license plate frame is, and whether you really need one. In some states, the license plate can be pretty thin. This makes them easily bendable and maybe even breakable. 

To counteract this, a good old sturdy license plate frame is the key to a long lasting plate. 

Some people think that a car just isn’t complete with a unique license plate frame. 

You can give your vehicle a distinct look without spending too much money. Imagine your matte car with chrome finish frame – pretty cool right? 

If for any reason you decide to drive around without any lights on (but you shouldn’t), your new frame can maybe glow in the dark and draw attention to your incognito vehicle. Also, with the right frame, your license plate will remain cleaner than it would without one. 

If you are leaving your dealership with the dealer’s frame, it acts as a form of advertisement for them. If you don’t want to drive around looking like a car commercial, then installing your own frame is ideal. It also prevents the corners of your license plate from bending and breaking. 

Another cool thing is you can make a statement with your new frame. A lot of frames can be customized with your own patterns, texts, messages and bling. People like what’s unique and one-of-a-kind so these license plates are really sought after as well.

One other thing a license plate frame does is protect your plates from theft. It sounds funny to some, but there are people out there who would steal your license plates. 

As if stealing your plates isn’t illegal enough, the thieves could use your plates to commit a crime, which you may be liable for. To prevent this, a license plate cover, which is screwed in, makes it that much harder for someone to steal your plates. 

How Do You Install License Plate Frames?

Whether you have a car, SUV or truck, here is an easy installation guide to help you figure it all out. Hopefully, your license plate frame came with an installation kit, if not, then we are going to assume you have rounded up all the necessary parts.

You need to first remove your old frame and license plate from your vehicle. This can be done with the included screwdriver or one that can be found in your toolbox. Next, place the new frame on top of your license plate and line them up precisely. 

As mentioned before, your license plate frame will come with either 2 or 4 holes for installation. The next step is to place the holes on the frame over the holes on your bumper and screw the frame and plate in securely. It’s just that easy to do!

Who Makes the Best License Plate Frames?

This is a tough question to answer because everyone’s definition of the best frame or best manufacturer is different. Some may prefer the easy flexibility of a silicone frame, while others prize the durability of a good old fashioned stainless steel frame. 

Regardless of which you prefer, all the choices listed on our top 10 list are from trusted manufacturers who continuously produce high quality products. 

Best License Plate Frame Maintenance 

Even though these products are designed to be tough and robust, they still require care and maintenance. If you decide to hand clean your license plate frame, then only use mild detergent or soapy water with a soft cloth. 

This will ensure that no harsh chemicals will erode at the coloring or run the risk of corrosion.

Drying your license plate when you are finished is also better than air-drying. 

You should never use harsh chemicals or a brush with hard bristles to scrub your plate frame. If you are storing your license plate frame for a later day, make sure it is stored in a cool and dry place as sometimes exposure to sunlight can fade out the color.

Our Top Pick – SunplusTrade 2 License Plate Frame 

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The SunplusTrade 2 Stainless Steel Polish Mirror License Plate Frame is our number one. It even comes with the installation kit like we suggested and the mirrored finish is super stylish. Not only that, stainless steel is very durable and it comes in a pack of two.

As if that wasn’t enough, it’s also in the slim fit design that will not block any vital information on your plate and is DMV approved in all 50 states!