Best Antifreeze: Keep Your Engine Cooler for Longer

Improve your engine’s performance with our top picks for the best antifreeze coolants

byNikola Petrovski, Norah Tarichia|
Engine & Motors photo

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BYNikola Petrovski, Norah Tarichia/ LAST UPDATED ON August 16, 2023

Antifreeze is the liquid that saves your engine from overheating in high and low temperatures. Antifreeze liquid typically comes as a mixture of water and glycol chemicals that act as lubricants and anti-corrosion agents to keep your radiator in good condition. Read on for our breakdown of some of the best antifreeze the market has to offer.

Best Overall
Evans High-Performance Waterless Engine Coolant

Evans High-Performance Waterless Engine Coolant

Summary
A water-free coolant that prolongs engine life and reduces corrosion. It is a chemically-stable formula that reduces the strain on the vehicle's cooling system by eliminating coolant loss.
Pros
  • Prevents corrosion and electrolysis issues.
  • Reduces engine maintenance costs.
  • High boiling point.
  • No vaporization issues.
Cons
  • Expensive.
  • Lower cooling point than other high-performance coolants.
  • It’s time-consuming to turn your coolant into a water-free system.
Best Value

MaxLife Valvoline Universal Antifreeze/Coolant

Summary
A universal antifreeze that is designed to work with nearly any car, sedan, SUV, or light-duty truck regardless of design or condition.
Pros
  • Formula contains high-mileage additives that are perfect for older, high-mileage vehicles.
Cons
  • Packaging sometimes has defects or damage that can lead to an unexpected leak.
Honorable Mention

Star Brite Star-Cool Premium Synthetic Engine Coolant

Summary
Star Brite is a high-performance antifreeze that regulates engine temperatures to improve horsepower. It features a PCT additive that keeps the engine cooler for longer than conventional oil.
Pros
  • Keeps the vehicle lubricated and running smoothly.
  • Eco-friendly design.
  • Meets OEM and ASTM standards and is, therefore, an authentic product.
Cons
Expensive product. Not suitable for BMW engines. Easily contaminated by foreign coolants.

Summary List

Benefits of Antifreeze

  • Temperature protection. Antifreeze liquids are better at dissipating heat than other coolants. They prevent cooling systems from overheating during extreme heat conditions and from freezing during the winter.  
  • Prevent rust and corrosion. Rust and scale deposits tend to build up over a vehicle’s cooling system over time. That can cause a system failure. While regular coolants flush away the rust and deposits, antifreeze coolants have additives that prevent rust and corrosion from occurring in the first place.
  • Prevent engine failure. When an engine overheats, the oil in the system starts to thin. With time, the unlubricated metals could start hitting each other in the combustion process. This domino effect results in an engine failure that could have otherwise been prevented.
  • Better than water. Antifreeze coolants were created to overcome the shortcomings of water as a coolant. Water has low boiling and freezing points and is, therefore, not a suitable coolant in places with extreme weather conditions. Most antifreeze liquids, on the other hand, stay neutral despite temperature changes to prevent the freezing or overheating of critical engine parts.
  • Extend the life of engine components. Antifreeze liquids prevent electrolysis that leads to the erosion of metal components. It also extends the life of plastic and rubber components in the cooling system that often melts as the system overheats. This will also save you some costly repairs.

Best Antifreeze: Reviews & Recommendations

Evans High-Performance Coolant tops our list as the best antifreeze coolant due to its high performance as a water-free coolant. Eliminating water from its formulation makes the coolant more resistant to corrosion to give your engine a longer life. This antifreeze is a propylene glycol-based formula that is non-reactive and, therefore, doesn’t cause electrolysis or cavitation erosion issues. It is the best antifreeze for vehicles with overheating problems as it doesn’t create hot spots or engine knocks. This engine coolant has a high boiling point of 375 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning it won’t vaporize or cause boil over problems at that temperature. In case temperatures exceed its boiling point, this coolant will vaporize at a low pressure to reduce coolant loss and minimize strain on the car’s cooling system. In addition, it remains stable and maintains its liquid state at temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit. 


This antifreeze is expensive, however, and you need to convert your vehicle to a water-free coolant system which could take a long time. You would have to buy a water-free prep fluid to flush out the water-based coolant from the system. The cooling point is also lower than other high-performance coolants. This antifreeze is suitable for LP, CNG, gasoline, and light-duty diesel engines.

The MaxLife Valvoline Universal Antifreeze is about as close as you can get to not having to worry about finding the right antifreeze for your vehicle. Instead, the formula is designed to work with all makes and models with a slight focus on higher-mileage vehicles that need extra protection and lubrication. The high-mileage additives help to protect gaskets and seals from cold weather and hot temperature extremes. The formula also works on surrounding parts like the water pump. While the antifreeze itself is good, its packaging is prone to factory defects, often coming from the factory with damage that can lead to an unexpected leak.

Star Brite is a synthetic coolant tailored to resist the breakdown of components over time. It is an eco-friendly product and is also safe for metal engines like iron, aluminum, and copper. Star Brite lowers operating temperatures in the engine faster than most coolants. The manufacturer includes a PSV additive in its formulation to regulate the engine temperature and seal pinhole leaks. Star Brite is an OEM- and ASTM- approved the product and comes as a ready-to-use coolant. It does not contain any nitrate, borate, silicate, phosphate, or amine in its formulation. Moreover, the fact that it’s devoid of the aforementioned harsh compounds makes it safe for parts like seals, welds, and gaskets. Its sealing properties also make this antifreeze a great choice for preventing system failure.


The downside of this product is that it is more expensive than non-synthetic antifreeze. Moreover, its performance is limited with most BMW car models. BMW engines tend to overheat faster than other car models and need a BMW coolant with a higher boiling point than the Star Brite antifreeze. You cannot mix Star Brite with other antifreeze coolants, as it can be easily contaminated. 

If you want a simple and easy to use antifreeze that delivers reliable and proven protection, the Valvoline Multi-Vehicle 50/50 Prediluted Ready-to-Use Antifreeze is perfect. Offered at a very competitive price point that makes it an even better value, this versatile antifreeze is recommended for use on all types of vehicles, including cars, trucks, ATVs, UTVs, motorcycles, dirt bikes, snowmobiles, scooters, boats, RVs, and more. It’s compatible with all mileages as well. This antifreeze is the only one that contains Alugard Plus, a specially formulated additive that allows it to be compatible with all colors of antifreeze to work together to provide optimum protection. 


Not only does this antifreeze protect against frigid weather freezing and hot weather boil-overs, but it also serves to lubricate gaskets and seals, making it a great all-around protectant. It’s formulated with superior anti-corrosive properties and anti-scaling chemistry to help prolong the life of your vehicle.

When it comes time to winterize your RV, the Camco RV Antifreeze Concentrate will provide all the strength and protection you need. This concentrate comes in an easy-to-measure bottle that makes dilution fast and simple. You get all the strength of a regular antifreeze with less weight. Thirty-six ounces of concentrate will make one gallon of antifreeze that is 100-percent biodegradable, non-toxic, and safe around pets and children as well as freshwater systems. This antifreeze can also be used to successfully and safely winterize boats, swimming pools, and vacation homes or mobile homes. 


It’s rated to protect in temperatures as low as minus 50-degrees Fahrenheit when properly diluted. Be aware that this jug contains enough concentrate to make one full gallon of antifreeze; it does NOT contain one full gallon of concentrate that you can use to make multiple gallons of antifreeze.

Our Verdict

The best engine coolant that improves engine performance and has the best anti-rust and corrosion protection is the Evans High-Performance Waterless Engine Coolant.

Get the MaxLife Valvoline Universal Antifreeze/Coolant if you are on a budget.

Types of Antifreeze

Universal Antifreeze Coolants

Universal coolants are also known as 50/50 premix coolants. This is because they contain 50 percent demineralized water. Therefore, there is no need to dilute the solution before use. Universal coolants have low silica content to protect delicate parts of the engine and the radiator from corrosion.

Organic Antifreeze

Organic antifreeze is manufactured using Organic Acid Technology (OAT). Phosphates and silicates are eliminated from the liquid body, and the liquid is further formulated with corrosion inhibitors to prevent rust. This type of antifreeze is available in dark green, orange, pink, blue, and red. The service distance of a typical organic coolant is 150,000 miles, after which it should be replaced.

Inorganic Antifreeze

Inorganic antifreeze is formulated using Inorganic Acid Technology (IAT), and it contains ethylene glycol. It also contains silicates and phosphates, which could cause corrosion if not flushed out after a service distance of 30,000 miles. Inorganic coolants are suitable for older cars made from the early 1920s to the late 1990s. It comes in either yellow or green.

Hybrid Organic Acid Technology (HOAT)

HOAT is an organic acid that includes silicates as additives. The silicates inhibit corrosion on the alloy parts of the engine. HOAT coolants have a service life of five years or 150,000 miles, after which they should be flushed out. This type of coolant is either yellow or orange.

Keep your engine from freezing or boiling in harsh weather conditions with some of the best antifreeze coolants on the market., gettyimages

Antifreeze Pricing

  • Under $30: This category has inexpensive antifreeze versions that contain ethylene glycol. They are mostly inorganic coolants that are green in color. They offer resistance to corrosion. They, however, have a short service life of only two years. 
  • $35-$60: This price point features high-performance antifreeze coolants that are ethylene glycol-free. They contain additives like nitrates, silicates, and sulfites that prevent corrosion and seal up leakages. They have a long service life of at least five years.
  • Over $65: This is the price range you should be looking at if you want to spend a few extra dollars on a premium antifreeze. Antifreeze in this category are formulated with rust and corrosion inhibitors, and they have high boiling and cooling points. They are also eco-friendly and have a service life of at least six years.

Key Features

Boiling/Freezing Points

The best coolants have high boiling and freezing points. Antifreeze coolants need to withstand a lot of heat before breaking down their molecules and vaporizing. Typically, they should remain stable at temperatures of 200 degrees Fahrenheit. The coolant should also prevent engine ice, even at temperatures of -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Liquid Color

Antifreeze coolants come in different colors to show that the liquid is formulated in a chemically different manner. For instance, green represents coolants formulated using Inorganic Acid Technology and contain silicates and phosphates as the main corrosion inhibitors. Orange coolants are formulated using Organic Acid Technology and have additives that act as corrosion inhibitors. Orange coolants also last three years longer than green coolants.

Type of Additive

Most antifreeze coolants have additives that give extra properties to the lubricant to enhance its performance. A common additive is demineralized water that is formulated as a 50/50 mix. Ethylene glycol is also a popular additive, as it has a low freezing point and is cheap to produce. Silicates, phosphates, and propylene glycol are also non-toxic additives that prevent corrosion to the vehicle’s cooling system.

Other Considerations

  • Engine Compatibility: Diesel engines require different antifreeze properties from gasoline engines. Diesel engines experience cylinder wall corrosion and, therefore, need antifreeze with Supplement Cooler Additives (SCA) to prevent corrosion. Engines tend to overheat and need an antifreeze with a high boiling point. 
  • Anti-corrosion Properties: Corrosion can occur on brass, aluminum, or alloy parts of an engine. Coolant must be specifically tailored to prevent electrolysis and chemical reactions in the engine that could cause corrosion of the metal components and ultimately reduce engine life.

Tips & Advice for Antifreeze Coolants

  • Follow the recommended mixing ratio by the antifreeze manufacturer. While most coolants are ready to use, some need to be diluted with water in a 50-50 ratio. If you upset the balance of water and the coolant, you may end up with a solution that is too weak or too strong.
  • Do not mix different types of antifreeze coolants in your system unless your vehicle’s manufacturer approves it. It may lead to an engine misfire as the new coolant may either not be suitable for your engine type or it could be contaminated by the previous coolant. Flush out the first coolant before you pour in the new coolant.
  • Most antifreeze products come in vibrant colors that can pose a safety issue if you have children. Extra care should be taken to prevent children from ingesting the coolant, as most antifreeze liquids contain ethylene glycol, which is a toxic substance.

FAQs

Q: How do I know when to change my coolant?

A: Change your coolant the moment it no longer feels slimy or slippery. That is an indication that the molecules have broken down, and the coolant has lost its anti-corrosion power. Alternatively, you could follow the manufacturer’s recommendation on when to change the coolant. 

Q: What happens if I mix coolants?

A: The worst-case scenario would be an engine misfire due to reduced corrosion inhibitors, as mixed coolants tend to lose their properties. For instance, a water-less coolant won’t perform as well when mixed with an ethylene glycol coolant. However, some certain types of coolants can be mixed if they contain the same ingredients. The downside is that the engine performance will be relatively low compared to when a pure coolant is used.

Q: Why do antifreeze coolants come in different colors?

A: Color-coding is a method used by manufacturers to denote the manufacturing style of the coolant. Organic coolants are blue, dark green, or red. Inorganic coolants are green or yellow. HOAT is orange, blue, or yellow.

Why Trust Us

Our reviews are driven by a combination of hands-on testing, expert input, “wisdom of the crowd” assessments from actual buyers, and our own expertise. We always aim to offer genuine, accurate guides to help you find the best picks.

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