The BAKFlip MX4 Family: MX4 Vs. MX4 TS Vs. MX4 EZ-Lift

The BAKFlip® MX4 is America's best-selling truck bed cover—and for good reason. It's durable, low-profile, weather-resistant, and built for real-world use. But with three distinct variants now in the lineup, the question isn't whether to buy an MX4—it's which one.​

The MX4, MX4 TS, and MX4 EZ-Lift™ share the same proven foundation. Where they differ is in what they add on top—rack compatibility, effortless one-handed operation, or a clean, standard build with everything you need and nothing you don't. Each variant is purpose-built for a different kind of truck owner.​

This guide breaks down the key differences among all three members of the MX4 family so you can make the call with confidence.

Before getting into what sets each variant apart, it helps to understand what they share—because the foundation is the same across all three.​

Every MX4 is built from premium-grade, multi-layer aluminum over a high-density poly core. That construction delivers a surface strong enough to support 400 lbs. of evenly distributed weight and tested to withstand years of regular use. A textured matte-black finish gives all three a low-profile, flush-mount appearance that sits nearly flush with your truck's bed rails.​

Weather protection is consistent across the lineup as well. Advanced perimeter seals and precision-fit clamps create an edge-to-edge barrier that keeps rain and debris out of your bed. All three covers fold to the cab for full bed access when you need it—and all three are the industry's only hard-fold design that keeps your third brake light unobstructed in every position.​

On the security side, every MX4 uses a patented auto-latch system that locks the cover as soon as it closes. Installation is a straightforward bolt-on process using included clamps—no drilling required, and most installs wrap up in 30 minutes or less. All three are assembled in the USA and backed by a five-year warranty.

Starting at $1,149.99. ​

The BAKFlip MX4 (GEN3) is the baseline—not to be mistaken for low-quality or budget-oriented. This is the cover to recommend when someone wants the best hard-folding truck bed cover, without any extras that complicate the decision.​

The GEN3 update brought meaningful improvements over the original MX4. Aluminum top panels reinforced with high-density polymer cores deliver a 22 percent increase in strength over the previous generation. Re-engineered lock components improve resistance to forced entry compared to the GEN2 design. Revised EPDM rubber perimeter seals and a dual-action tailgate seal that runs 13 percent longer provide BAK®’s best seal yet. A redesigned click-in mounting system cuts installation time by 12 percent compared to the prior model.​

The result is a cover that's cleaner, stronger, and more secure than its predecessor—without adding complexity or bulk. If you want proven performance, a clean, low-profile look, and nothing you won't use, the standard MX4 is the right call.​

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Starting at $1,349.99. ​

The MX4 TS starts with the same GEN3 platform and adds one significant capability—built-in T-slot side rails that let you mount crossbars, cargo baskets, rooftop tents, and other rack accessories directly to the cover—no separate mounts required.​

That distinction matters for overlanders, campers, and anyone who regularly hauls gear that won't fit under the cover. The T-slot rails run along both sides of the cover and are compatible with a wide range of rack and carrier accessories, letting you build out overhead cargo capacity without a dedicated truck rack taking up bed space or requiring its own installation.​

The MX4 TS also features BAK's Multi-Shield™ finish—a proprietary surface treatment that delivers 11x the durability of standard finishes and full UV resistance. It's the same matte black look, with added protection against the surface wear that comes with active outdoor use.

The MX4 TS is available exclusively from RealTruck™. If you want both covered bed storage and overhead cargo capacity in a single system, this is the cover that makes it possible.​

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Starting at $1,299.99.​

The MX4 EZ-Lift addresses something the standard cover never did—the effort it takes to open a hard-fold cover day after day. The EZ-Lift tension system reduces the lift force required to open the cover to just 10.5 lbs.—compared to nearly 30 lbs. for heavier covers. That's one-third the effort, operable with one hand.​

The operational upgrades go further than the lift system alone. An extra-large paddle handle is easy to locate and grip, and it auto-unlatches as you lift—no separate release step required. Self-unlatching middle panels eliminate manual cable pulls entirely. The patented auto-latch system still locks the cover as soon as it closes. The net result is the most secure MX4 ever, with fewer steps in the open-and-close process than any previous version.​

BAK’s first-of-its-kind paddle handle creates a tighter latch than standard pull cables while simplifying the operation down to a single motion. For anyone who opens their cover multiple times a day, that difference adds up fast.​

The MX4 EZ-Lift shares the same core construction, weather sealing, and security platform as the rest of the MX4 family. The only thing that changes is how easy it is to use.​

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Unsure which BAKFlip cover best suits your needs? See which use description below best describes your ideal use case.

Choose the MX4 (GEN3) If…

You want the proven standard—no more, no less. The GEN3 is the right pick for truck owners who want maximum durability, reliable weather protection, and clean, low-profile looks without paying for features they won't use. It's the most straightforward buy in the lineup and still the best hard-folding cover most truck owners will ever need.​

Choose the MX4 TS If…

You want overhead cargo capability baked in. If you camp, overland, haul bikes, or regularly need to mount gear on top of your cover, the built-in T-slot rails make it possible without a separate rack installation or additional bed hardware. The MX4 TS is the only cover in the lineup that lets you run a full overhead cargo setup and a covered, weather-protected bed at the same time—and it's only available at RealTruck.​

Choose the MX4 EZ-Lift If…

You open your cover constantly and want the process to feel effortless. The EZ-Lift system isn't a gimmick—dropping the required lift force from nearly 30 lbs. to 10.5 lbs. is a real, felt difference on every single use. If you're loading and unloading the bed multiple times a day, or if standard hard-fold covers have always felt like a wrestling match, the EZ-Lift is built for you.

Q: What Does "GEN3" Mean For the BAKFlip MX4?

A: GEN3 refers to the third generation of the BAKFlip MX4, released for the 2025 model year. Key updates include stronger aluminum panels reinforced with high-density polymer cores, re-engineered lock components, upgraded EPDM perimeter seals, a longer dual-action tailgate seal, and a faster click-in installation system. All three current MX4 variants are built on the GEN3 platform.​

Q: Can I Add a Rack to the Standard MX4 or MX4 EZ-Lift?

A: The standard MX4 and MX4 EZ-Lift don't include built-in T-slot rails, so they aren't designed to mount rack systems directly to the cover. If overhead rack compatibility is important to you, the MX4 TS is the purpose-built option. Alternatively, a standalone truck rack can be used with any bed cover, depending on your truck's configuration.​

Q: Does the MX4 TS Work With Any Crossbar Brand?

A: The MX4 TS features standard T-slot channels, which are compatible with a wide range of crossbar and cargo accessories. Check the specific accessory's fitment details to confirm compatibility with the T-slot rail dimensions before purchasing.​

Q: Is the MX4 EZ-Lift Heavier Than the Standard MX4?

A: The EZ-Lift tension system adds minimal weight to the overall cover. The meaningful difference is in perceived effort—the system is engineered to reduce the force required to lift the cover, not to make the cover itself lighter. The underlying construction is the same premium-grade, multi-layer aluminum used across the MX4 family.​

Q: Do All Three Covers Fit the Same Trucks?

A: All three MX4 variants are designed to fit a wide range of truck makes and models, but fitment varies by bed size and configuration. Use RealTruck's fit guide to confirm compatibility for your specific year, make, model, and bed length before ordering.