What is the highest rated ceramic coating?

There really isn't a highest rating, as there is no good way to rate them.

There is "the pencil test" which is a hardness scale, for industrial coatings, however all ceramic coatings are rated H9 which is the hardest.

So it comes down to durability, but this is very hard to measure as there is no standardized test. Some manufacturers rate their products as 5-year, or 8-year, but this is subjective, environment dependant, and only really tells you how long they are willing to guarantee the product for, and is not an actual rating.

We saw the first demonstrations of ceramic coatings almost twenty years ago, and so they have been around a reasonable amount of time. This means it is not really a new technology, and all the manufacturers have the formula worked out by now. Which in turn means the top products are all pretty similar.

However, in theory, products which contain synthetic diamond nano-rods should be stronger because of their shape. 

Alternatively, there are graphene coatings, with graphene, under certain circumstances, being far stronger than silica dioxide used in ceramic coatings.

Ceramic coatings could be rated on shine using a glossmeter. However, most of the shine effect comes from the polishing, not the ceramic product, and it is likely that variation in underlying paint finish would be greater than the variation in ceramic coatings, which its self is likely to be unperceivable to the human eye.

What this question is really about

When people ask what the highest rated ceramic coating is, they are usually looking for a simple winner - a product that has been objectively proven to outperform all others. In reality, there is no single, universal rating system for ceramic coatings.

Why there is no official “highest rated” coating

• There is no independent, industry-wide testing standard
• Manufacturers publish their own figures using different methods
• Ratings often mix chemistry, warranty length, and marketing claims
• Real-world performance varies with prep, mileage, and maintenance

Where most ratings actually come from

Many “top rated” claims are based on selective criteria rather than measurable superiority.

• Online reviews reflecting individual experiences
• Installer-led comparisons based on familiarity
• Headline metrics like hardness (9H), contact angle, or warranty years

Why headline numbers can be misleading

• Hardness ratings do not predict real-world scratch resistance
• Water beading does not equal durability
• Long warranties depend on conditions and maintenance
• Lab results rarely reflect day-to-day driving

What actually determines how “good” a coating is

• Surface preparation and paint correction quality
• The coating’s chemistry and bonding behaviour
• Consistency of application and curing
• How the car is washed, used, and stored

Why different coatings suit different owners

A coating that performs exceptionally on a weekend car may not be the best choice for a daily driver, and vice versa.

• Daily drivers benefit from ease of cleaning and resilience
• Show cars prioritise gloss and finish preservation
• Lease cars often suit shorter-term, practical protection

How to interpret “highest rated” sensibly

• Treat ratings as rough indicators, not definitive rankings
• Look for consistency and real-world use, not superlatives
• Match the coating to how the car will actually be used

Best-practice takeaway

• There is no single highest rated ceramic coating
• Marketing claims and scores are not objective measures
• Preparation and maintenance outweigh brand comparisons
• The right coating is the one suited to your car and usage

Written by Danny Argent. Last updated 13/01/2026 17:25