BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding vs Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck
Both made our Best Hard Tonneau Covers shortlist, at #1 and #3. Here's how they differ and who each one suits.
- BuyOnceRight Research Desk
- Updated
- 4 min read
Quick verdict
Choose the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed if you want highest weight rating of any folding cover in this roundup at 500 lbs distributed. Choose the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed if you'd rather have only cover in this list with 100% unobstructed bed access, no stacked panels to work around. Overall we rank the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Hard Tonneau Covers list.
Winner overall: BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed
BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed vs Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed compared
Every difference that matters, in one table.
| Attribute |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Our ranking | #1 of 10 in Best Hard Tonneau Covers | #3 of 10 in Best Hard Tonneau Covers |
| Pick label | Best overall | |
| Brand | BAK Industries | Retrax |
| Key features | Hard folding tri-panel aluminum design; 500 lb distributed weight rating; Automatic panel latching as the cover closes | Interlocking aluminum slat retractable design; Sealed ball-bearing canister glide system; Key-lockable at any open position |
| Biggest strength | Highest weight rating of any folding cover in this roundup at 500 lbs distributed | Only cover in this list with 100% unobstructed bed access, no stacked panels to work around |
| Main trade-off | 90-plus lb panel assembly still needs two people to align rails during install | Canister at the front wall eats about 4 inches of usable bed length |
| Best for | Most buyers | Most buyers |
Which should you buy?
#1 pick · Best overall
Choose the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed if…
- Highest weight rating of any folding cover in this roundup at 500 lbs distributed
- Panels latch automatically as you close each section, no separate locking step
- 6,800 ratings at 4.7 stars is the strongest review volume-to-score combination here
Prefer the alternative? See the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed section.
#3 pick
Choose the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed if…
- Only cover in this list with 100% unobstructed bed access, no stacked panels to work around
- Key-lockable at any partial-open position, not just fully closed like folding covers
- 500 lb weight rating matches the best folding covers despite the retracting mechanism
Prefer the alternative? See the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed section.
Pros and cons of each
BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed
Pros
- Highest weight rating of any folding cover in this roundup at 500 lbs distributed
- Panels latch automatically as you close each section, no separate locking step
- 6,800 ratings at 4.7 stars is the strongest review volume-to-score combination here
- No-drill stake pocket install avoids any warranty risk questions
- 5-year warranty range (-40°F to 180°F) covers real climate extremes, not just a marketing number
Cons
- 90-plus lb panel assembly still needs two people to align rails during install
- Folded stack near the cab reduces clearance for tall cab-mounted accessories
Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed
Pros
- Only cover in this list with 100% unobstructed bed access, no stacked panels to work around
- Key-lockable at any partial-open position, not just fully closed like folding covers
- 500 lb weight rating matches the best folding covers despite the retracting mechanism
- Sealed ball-bearing glide keeps slats moving smoothly for years without lubrication
Cons
- Canister at the front wall eats about 4 inches of usable bed length
- Longer, more finicky install since the canister must sit level for slats to retract without binding
- 1,900 ratings trail the folding covers' review volume
BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed vs Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed: common questions
Which is better, the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed or the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed?
Choose the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed if you want highest weight rating of any folding cover in this roundup at 500 lbs distributed. Choose the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed if you'd rather have only cover in this list with 100% unobstructed bed access, no stacked panels to work around. Overall we rank the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed higher: #1 versus #3 in our Best Hard Tonneau Covers list.
What is the difference between the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed and the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed?
The BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed stands out because highest weight rating of any folding cover in this roundup at 500 lbs distributed, while the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed stands out because only cover in this list with 100% unobstructed bed access, no stacked panels to work around. The trade-offs differ too: the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed's main caveat is that 90-plus lb panel assembly still needs two people to align rails during install, and the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed's is that canister at the front wall eats about 4 inches of usable bed length.
Is the BAK BAKFlip MX4 Hard Folding Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed worth it over the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed?
For most buyers, yes: it's our #1 pick. Consider the Retrax RetraxPRO XR Retractable Truck Bed Tonneau Cover, Fits 2015-2020 Ford F-150 5'7" Bed instead if 90-plus lb panel assembly still needs two people to align rails during install is a deal-breaker for you.