No. “Nano-ceramic” isn’t a separate kind of window film. It’s another name for ceramic film, and the big makers use both words for the same product. XPEL sells Prime XR as nano-ceramic. LLumar and SunTek list their films under “ceramic,” then describe them as nano-ceramic on the same pages. The label doesn’t tell you how well a film works. The spec sheet does.
If one quote says nano-ceramic and another says ceramic, you’re not comparing two different technologies. You’re comparing two films, and you need their numbers.
Where “nano” comes from
The “nano” describes particle size. Ceramic window film blocks infrared heat with ceramic particles small enough to measure in nanometers, which is why the film stays clear instead of looking cloudy.
XPEL, LLumar and SunTek all use the word. XPEL’s Prime page lists Prime XR and Prime XR Plus as “Multi-Layer Nano-Ceramic Particle Technology,” and its entry film, Prime CS, as “Color Stable Dyed Film Technology.” LLumar files IRX and CTX under ceramic, and its site says “IRX uses advanced nano-ceramic technology.” SunTek says its ceramic category, which includes CIR and Evolve, is “engineered with a unique nano-ceramic construction.” 3M sells its line as Ceramic IR. Two shops can quote the same roll of film and call it different things.
The label vs the numbers
The fairest number to compare across brands is IRER, the share of infrared energy a film rejects. Here’s what each maker’s own spec sheet says:
| Film | Type | Infrared energy rejected (IRER) |
|---|---|---|
| XPEL Prime XR Plus | Ceramic | 70% (67% on XR Plus 70) |
| XPEL Prime XR | Ceramic | Up to 64% |
| LLumar IRX | Ceramic | 59–61% |
| SunTek CIR | Ceramic | 58–60% |
| SunTek CXP | Carbon | 54–56% |
| LLumar CTX | Ceramic | 47–50% |
XPEL tests on 3 mm glass and LLumar and SunTek on 6 mm, so treat a gap of a point or two as a tie.
Two things stand out. The two LLumar ceramic films are about 10 points apart, and the top and bottom “ceramic” films in the table are about 20. And SunTek’s carbon film, CXP, rejects more infrared than LLumar’s entry ceramic, CTX. If you only read the word on the box, you’d guess wrong in both cases.
XPEL’s two films top the table. That says something about those two films, not about the word “nano,” which LLumar also uses for IRX.
What to compare instead
Ask for the spec sheet of the exact film and shade you’re being quoted, then look at:
- IRER or TSER at your shade. Lighter shades reject less. A 70% film and a 20% film from the same line can be far apart, so compare like for like.
- UV. Almost every film from the major makers blocks 99% of UV. It won’t separate two quotes.
- Signal. Ceramic and carbon films are non-metal, so they don’t interfere with phones or GPS. Metallic film can.
- Warranty. XPEL, LLumar, 3M and SunTek all give auto tint a lifetime limited warranty for the original owner, but what each card covers differs.
Clear ceramic for the front side windows
California law only allows clear film on the front side windows, and it has to let through 88% of light on its own. That’s the job for clear ceramic film such as LLumar AIR or SunTek CoolSight. Whether it’s called nano-ceramic or ceramic makes no difference to the law. What counts is how much light the film lets through. Our California tint law guide covers the rest.
What we install
We’re a LLumar SelectPro dealer, so take our view with that in mind. We install LLumar window film, from dyed film to ceramic. Bring your car to Costa Mesa or Huntington Beach and we’ll show you the spec sheet for the film we quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is nano-ceramic tint better than ceramic tint?
No. They’re the same type of film. XPEL, LLumar and SunTek all describe their ceramic films as nano-ceramic. Compare the infrared energy rejected (IRER) of the specific films and shades you’re quoted.
Is nano-ceramic window tint worth it?
If heat is your main complaint, ceramic film is usually worth it over dyed film. Whether it says “nano” on the box doesn’t matter. The film’s heat rejection numbers do.
Does nano-ceramic tint block cell phone signal?
No. Ceramic film is non-metal, so it doesn’t interfere with phones, GPS or toll tags. XPEL lists signal interference as “None” for its Prime films.
Is nano-ceramic tint legal in California?
On the rear side windows, yes, at any darkness, and on the rear window too if the car has side mirrors on both sides. On the front side windows, only clear film that lets through 88% of light on its own is legal.
Does nano-ceramic tint fade?
Ceramic particles don’t break down in UV the way dye does, so the film keeps its color. XPEL’s Prime warranty covers fading for as long as you own the car. LLumar’s standard auto card covers unusual color change but says it doesn’t cover fading.
