The Top Dilemma
Your top choice affects daily comfort more than almost any other decision. It impacts noise, temperature control, security, and your ability to enjoy open-air driving. Here's what you need to know.
Top Types Compared
| Type | Noise | Weather | Security | Open-Air | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hard Top | Best | Best | Best | Worst | $$ |
| Soft Top | Poor | Good | Poor | Best | $ |
| Power Top | Good | Good | Good | Excellent | $$ |
| Hybrid | Good | Good | Moderate | Good | $ |
Hard Tops
Factory Hard Top
The factory Mopar hardtop is the benchmark for daily driving:
- Pros: Quietest, best insulation, most secure, factory fit
- Cons: Expensive ($2,500-3,500), heavy, hard to remove alone
- Best for: Year-round daily drivers in any climate
Freedom Top Panels
Factory hardtops include removable front panels:
- Two-piece design removes in minutes
- Stores in your garage or with a hoist
- Gives you sunroof-like experience
Aftermarket Hard Tops
- Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop: Replaces freedom panels with flip-back option ($800-1,000)
- DV8 Hard Top: Affordable alternative to Mopar ($1,800-2,200)
Soft Tops
Factory Soft Top
- Pros: Affordable, easy open-air, included on many trims
- Cons: Loud, less insulated, security concerns, wears out
- Lifespan: 3-5 years with regular use
Premium Soft Tops
Bestop Trektop NX
- Significantly quieter than factory
- Better materials, longer life
- Various configurations available
- Price: $1,200-1,800
Bestop Supertop Ultra
- Top-tier soft top option
- Premium materials and construction
- Best noise reduction in soft top category
- Price: $2,000-2,500
Smittybilt Soft Tops
- Budget-friendly alternative
- Adequate quality for the price
- Price: $600-900
Power Tops
Jeep Sky One-Touch
Factory power top that retracts at the push of a button:
- Pros: Convenience, opens/closes while driving (under 60 mph)
- Cons: Expensive option ($3,500-4,000), adds weight, more to break
- Best for: Those who want open-air frequently without hassle
Aftermarket Power Options
Limited aftermarket power top options exist, mostly conversion kits that motorize existing tops. Complex and expensive.
Hybrid Solutions
Bestop Sunrider for Hardtop
Replaces the front freedom panels with a flip-back soft panel:
- Keep hardtop benefits in back
- Easy open-air access in front
- Opens/closes in seconds
- Price: $800-1,000
Our recommendation: Best of both worlds for daily drivers.
Mesh Tops
Use with freedom panels removed for summer driving:
- SpiderWebShade: Premium mesh, excellent coverage ($200-300)
- Alien Sunshade: Budget option, works well ($50-100)
Climate Considerations
Hot Climates
- Hardtop with tinted windows keeps cabin cooler
- Consider Sky One-Touch for easy ventilation
- Mesh shades are essential for summer
Cold Climates
- Hardtop is almost mandatory for winter daily driving
- Better insulation means faster heating
- No freezing/cracking concerns like soft tops
Rainy Climates
- Hardtop handles rain better (no pooling, no leaks)
- Quality soft tops seal well but require maintenance
- Factory soft tops can develop leaks with age
Our Recommendations
For Year-Round Daily Driving
Factory hardtop + Bestop Sunrider, Best of all worlds. Quiet commute, weather protection, with easy open-air access.
For Budget Builds
Bestop Trektop NX, Quality soft top that's significantly better than factory without hardtop price.
For Warm Climate Daily Drivers
Sky One-Touch or soft top, You'll want it open most of the time anyway.
For Cold Climate Daily Drivers
Factory hardtop, No substitute for proper insulation in winter.
The Bottom Line
If you can afford it and will daily drive year-round, a hardtop is the right choice. The noise reduction and weather protection make commuting significantly more pleasant. Add a Sunrider for front section open-air access without losing the hardtop benefits.