The 6 Best Driveway Sealer Reviews (2024 Update)

Last Updated on August 9, 2024 by Heenan

The driveway surface type varies, and so does the sealer type. If you do not buy the correct type of sealer for a particular paving type, it will not work without any second thought.

So, picking the right “type” of driveway sealer is crucial, and you also have to choose the best driveway sealer to get the best outputs. With that said, it’s quite an overwhelming task to find the top ones, as the market is overly saturated with different brands and models.

To make your life easy, I’ve prepared this best driveway sealers reviews guide, where I will review several options for different paving types. During creating this shortlist of sealers from so many other options, I’ve considered the following facts –

• Effectiveness.
• Appearance.
• Coverage.
• Durability.
• Ease of use.
• Drying time
• User acceptance.
• Brand value.
• Price, etc.

So, buckle your seat belt, and let’s get the ball rolling.

Here are the Best Driveway Sealers –

• Best Driveway sealer for concrete – Foundation Armor SX5000.
• Asphalt driveway sealer – E-Z stir driveway asphalt sealer.
• Blacktop driveway sealer – Latex-ite color grade blacktop driveway sealer.
• Mold-inhibiting concrete driveway sealer – AQUA-X 11 concrete driveway sealer.

Best Driveway Sealer (Comparison Chart)

No matter what type of driveway you own, there is a specific sealer for each driveway type. That’s why I’ve decided to categorize the review section based on the driveway type.

I will write separate reviews for concrete driveways, asphalt driveways, and blacktop driveways. Moreover, I will review the best driveway sealer that solves problems like weed and moss growth. Not to mention, all these sealers have user acceptance and brand value.

Best Concrete Driveway Sealer Reviews

Foundation Armor SX5000 Reviews

Foundation armor sx5000 is a solvent-based Silane Siloxane sealer that provides excellent protection to the surface. This one is a no-gloss sealer. So, if you are expecting a high gloss finish, this one is not the ideal one for you.

While the coverage largely depends on the porosity of the surface, this particular sealer offers a quite satisfactory range for both smooth (200-225 sq ft/gallon/coat) and porous surfaces (175 sq ft/gallon/coat).

Versatility is one of the most attractive features of this item. Besides the concrete driveway, you can use it on brick, slate, flagstone, etc. That means if there is any leftover after applying it throughout the driveway, you can efficiently utilize it for other surface types.

Verdict
Foundation Armor is a USA-based company and one of the most popular and reliable companies in manufacturing paver sealers.

This particular foundation armor sx5000 DOT-approved sealer is one of the best driveway concrete sealers produced by them, considering the performance, durability, effectiveness, coverage, and price.

ToughCrete Concrete Sealer Review

ToughCrete driveway sealer is a non-gloss siloxane sealer that comes inside a handy barrel. It helps to apply and store it conveniently.

As this sealer is also applicable for brick pavers, you can utilize any remaining portion of your brick walkways or others. As long as it’s a concrete surface, you can apply this sealer to anything, including a birdbath.

The coverage is quite decent. It covers 150-250 square feet per gallon per coat for concrete and 125-175 square feet per gallon per coat for bricks. The coverage varies depending on the porosity of the surface. It sometimes covers up to 480 square feet per gallon per coat.

Pro Tip 1: The recommended dilution ratio is 3:1 to get the best results for sealing the most porous surface of the pavers.

Pro Tip 2: Must clear the surface (better using a pressure washer) and let it dry completely before applying this sealer.

Verdict
Although I believe the price is a bit higher, it’s nowhere near the charge you pay to the contractors. It’s a DIY-friendly sealer, and you can easily apply it alone. So, should you give it a try? Yes, of course.

Best Asphalt Sealer Review

E-Z Stir Driveway Asphalt Sealer Review

E-Z Stir Driveway sealer from Henry is a high-quality gel-based asphalt sealer that you can apply on the asphalt driveway surface with ease. It gives a matte finish.

An asphalt sealer needs to be thick enough to bring the best outcome. This sealer has that required thickness, no doubt. One of the most applauded aspects of this E-Z stir sealer is it’s both a sealer and a crack filler (for cracks up to ⅛”). That certainly sets it apart from the crowd.

It gives coverage of 250-500 square feet per five gallons depending on the porosity and texture of the surface. Its ability to bring back the brand new look to the driveway is worth mentioning. No matter how old your driveway is and how dull it’s looking, this sealer will bring a new look like a charm.

It dries pretty fast for allowing foot traffic (within 4 hours of applying), and you can enable vehicle traffic within 24-48 hours.

Verdict
Since only one coat is well enough to get the best results, it certainly saves you money and labor in applying this sealer.

The price is quite reasonable, in my opinion. Keep in mind; that you are getting two packs of 5-gallon sealer here. I don’t think the price mentioned on the sales page is for only a 5-gallon pack.

Asphalt Driveway Sealer By FDC Chem Review

This asphalt sealer is quite expert in sealing any asphalt pavers, including driveways, parking lots, roadways, footpaths, etc.

It’s an oil-based asphalt sealer mix of quartz, limestone, petroleum solvent, etc. It will last for at least 3 years, per the company’s claim. It’s composed of FDC chem’s patented additives that ensure durability and its ability to withstand every climate change.

This asphalt sealer can cover about 400 square feet per five gallons. Any DIYer can seal the driveway by applying this asphalt sealer with ease. You don’t have to hire an expert. That undoubtedly saves a lot of money.

Pro Tip 1: Although stirring this asphalt sealer is not an uphill task, using a handheld drill or electric mixer will give the best results.

Pro Tip 2: You can easily reuse the leftover part. It’s because you can reseal the container without any trouble for future use.

Verdict
Overall, I believe this best driveway sealer from FDC chem is quite an effective solution to give the required protection for the asphalt surface. Durable, but the price could have been better.

So, yes, you won’t regret trying this asphalt sealer. However, I would like to recommend the other one on my list (E-Z Stir) as the first choice.

Best Blacktop Sealer Review

Latex-ite Color Grade Blacktop Driveway Sealer Review

The coverage this sealer offers is something I must not forget to mention. It varies depending on the porosity of the surface, like any other sealer.

This sealer can cover something between 400-500 square feet for a smooth and previously sealed surface. A moderately porous surface will cover about 300-400 square feet. If the texture is rough or entirely unsealed, it will go about 200-300 square feet.

As it provides light colors and is not traditional black, it keeps the surface comparatively cooler than other standard black sealers. I bet anyone would like to have this for the sake of their family’s comfort.

This sealer dries relatively fast. You could allow vehicle traffic after only 24 hours of applying if it was a hot sunny day during the application.

Pro Tip 1: If there is higher humidity or it’s a cool day, give it more than 24 hours (approximately 36 hours) to dry properly.

Pro Tip 2: It must be at least 50 degrees outside to get the best results. Also, make sure to clean the surface before applying this sealer.

Prot Tip 3: Apply at least two coats.

Verdict
The price is higher than the typical black sealers. However, still, it’s pretty worthwhile, considering the performance and look it provides. This one is the best blacktop driveway sealer, in my opinion, for so many reasons I’ve mentioned above.

Best Mold-Inhibiting Concrete Driveway Sealer Review

AQUA-X 11 Concrete Driveway Sealer Review

AQUA-X 11 is another high-quality water-based concrete driveway sealer that gives a natural and clear finish. This sealer is second to none when it’s about protecting the driveway from mold and mildew.

You can buy from two readily available sizes (1 gallon and 5 gallons) based on your need.

This sealer dries super fast. You can allow foot traffic after only 1 hour and vehicle traffic after only 2 hours if you apply it on a hot sunny day.

The coverage is quite impressive too. It covers about 600 square feet per gallon per coat. Like with other sealers, the coverage varies depending on the texture. There is a big chance it won’t cover 600 sq ft if it’s a porous surface.

Remember, this sealer doesn’t enhance the color—however, the water beads up for sure to prove its existence.

Verdict
Considering so many positives like the coverage, convenience, ability to dry super fast, prevention the moss and mildew growth, ease of application, no strong odor, etc., no reason not to try this sealer.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Driveway Sealers

Safety

Safety is one of the significant factors you will want to consider when buying the best driveway sealer. You don’t want it to remain slippery once it gets cured fully. Most of the best driveway sealers are not slippery after drying.

However, some are slippery during the application (before drying thoroughly). In that case, I recommend mixing non-slip additives with the solution. It will help you to get rid of this trouble quickly.

It’s a good idea to check the review of the sealer and find out if it’s slippery after drying.

The other way to check it practically is to apply the sealer on a small part of the entire surface and see how it behaves.

Another visual way to make sure about its slippery behavior is to see if the surface shines a lot after application or not. You can check this when testing it in a small area. The more it shines, the more it can be slippery.

Typically, wet-look sealers are less slippery than solvent ones.

Convenience

Every sealer requires a certain drying time before you allow foot traffic or vehicle traffic. The standard drying time for a high-quality sealer is 24 hours before you allow any foot traffic and 48 hours before you allow any vehicle traffic.

Some sealers feature a faster drying time than 48 hours. Whatever the scenario, you have to make sure it’s convenient enough to restrict anyone from entering the driveway during this time.

Ease of application is another factor related to convenience. Any wet-look sealer is quite easy to apply. You need a sprayer to apply them on the surface and a roller to spread them evenly.

However, solvent-based sealers require a roller as they are thick. Sometimes you will find them a bit tacky and also produce strong fumes.

The blacktop and asphalt sealers need proper blending before you apply them. You might have to use a mixer attached to the drill to get the best results. These are some factors you should consider when choosing the best driveway sealer considering these convenience issues.

Effectiveness

Effectiveness is mainly related to durability. Besides durability, it needs to perform specific tasks to prove its effectiveness, for instance, penetrating deep, preventing weed and moss growth, protecting the surface from cracking, spalling, pitting, etc.

In terms of durability, a sealer must last at least 2-3 years, better if more. You don’t want to restrict the driveway from traffic multiple times a year, right?

Any effective best driveway sealer must work from below the surface and helps the water bead up nicely after rainfall. The quality of the resin mainly determines the effectiveness of the sealer.

I must mention the importance of better coverage. The sealer should provide extensive coverage to result in a cost-effective solution.

Usually, a concrete driveway sealer offers coverage of 175-200 square feet per coat per gallon. A wet-look solution gives more coverage than a solvent-based sealer. The coverage largely depends on the porosity of the surface, though.

Look and Feel

The appearance of the paver after the application is something you must know before purchasing one. Some sealers give high gloss; some give a low gloss, and some semi-gloss, matte, stain, etc.

Some sealers enhance the paver color, some keep the previous color, and some give a wet look keeping the original color. You will find sealers offering various colors so that you can buy the one that matches your paver color the most.

So, yes, it varies, and you should see the feature or the review of a particular item to know if it gives the appearance you are looking for.

The manufacturers use a scale from 1 to 100 to interpret the shiny level of a sealer. It’s written on the container in most cases. However, when reading an online review before a container, watch out for what the reviewer says about the shine level.

Composition of the Sealer

The role of the composition of the sealer is worth noting. First and obvious, it has to be made of high-quality resin. Otherwise, it won’t form a continuous film, ideally. It will result in a poor protective wear coat.

If the sealer cannot ensure a strong protective wear coat, there is a good chance of wear and tear, scratching, haziness, etc.

Along with the quality of the resin, the proportion of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) needs to be low. Otherwise, it will be hazardous to the environment and human health.

Water-based doesn’t contain VOC. So, it’s the best type of driveway sealer in terms of being friendly to the environment. With that said, when it’s about forming a continuous film, a solvent-based sealer performs way better than its water-based counterparts.

Price

Like any other product, you will want to buy the most cost-effective driveway sealers to seal the driveway.

See which one gives the most optimum coverage. I might also want to see if that particular sealer requires a single or double coat to get the best results. Undoubtedly, the ones that work well after a single coat will be the most cost-saving ones, and it minimizes your labor too.

Types of Driveway Sealers

1. Coal Tar Driveway Sealer

As the name suggests, coal tar is one of the main ingredients in this type of sealer. Along with coal tar, this sealer contains other additives, including polymers, sand, clay, etc.

Some benefits include longevity, affordability, the ability to withstand sunlight with excellence, and non-fading; more importantly, they are super waterproof and fuel-resistant. It can repel ice and other chemical spills too.

However, coal tar sealers are not environmentally friendly as they contain high VOC. They are hazardous to human health too. The best place to apply coal tar sealer is on an asphalt surface.

Because of its harmful environmental effects, some states, like Washington, Minnesota, banned this sealer. Moreover, some famous online stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and United Hardware stopped selling coal tar sealers.

2. Asphalt Driveway Sealer

Regarding durability, it’s equal to the coal tar sealer, and the application is similar.

However, an asphalt-based sealer is more popular amongst homeowners as it doesn’t produce strong fumes and is not as hazardous as its coal tar counterpart.

Asphalt-based sealers are composed of asphalt cement and are easier to apply than coal tar sealers. It contains a low VOC.

Any high-quality asphalt sealer should last at least 5-6 years before you need to recoat the surface. Regarding affordability, this type of sealer costs a bit higher than the coal tar ones.

3. Acrylic Driveway Sealer

Acrylic sealers are one of the most used sealers to seal a concrete surface. It can be of two types – solvent-based and water-based.

Any high-quality solvent-based acrylic sealer is an expert in making a continuous film to protect the concrete base from cracking, spalling, pitting, etc.

It can prevent weed and moss growth and helps the water beads after rainfall, eventually ensuring the surface’s longevity.

Acrylic sealer contains mostly acrylic and polymers. Most of these sealers offer multiple colors. That means you can choose various color options depending on the paver color.

Solvent- and water-based sealers are environmentally friendly and contain low VOC (if any).

However, the water-based ones are more friendly to the environment and humans and easier to use. They don’t produce any strong fumes either, like some of the solvent-based ones.

Typically, an acrylic sealer costs a bit high, mainly if it’s a solvent-based one. However, the performance and usability justify the bill, no doubt.

4. Water-Based Driveway Sealer

The water-based sealers also contain polymers that are dissolved in water. After curing, the water evaporates, and the polymer particles make a bond.

Water-based sealers provide several benefits like ease of use, being environmentally friendly, affordable, non-toxic, non-slippery, not producing a strong odor, rapid drying time, etc.

You can apply a water-based sealer using any standard sprayer and spread them throughout the surface using a standard roller. As they are not bad for humans, you don’t have to wear any gas mask during the application either.

The downside of this type of sealer is that they can’t make a continuous film like the solvent-based ones. Nonetheless, the water-based sealers are equally expert in protecting the surface from weeds and moss.

5. Oil-Based Driveway Sealer

Like any other type of sealer, an oil-based sealer has its benefits and pitfalls. Oil-based sealers are more cost-effective than water-based ones as they cost lower and don’t require a second coat in most cases.

They can protect the surface very vigorously and enrich the surface color pretty well, mainly if you apply them to wood.

These are more durable too. On the downside, the oil-based ones produce strong fumes and require longer curing time than the water-based ones.

They are stickier than water-based sealers and take longer to apply. Overall, they are difficult for the health, as they contain more VOCs.

6. Crack Filler Driveway Sealer

Crack fillers or sealers are mostly applicable to the asphalt surface. While the core purpose of both crack fillers and crack sealers is the same, at the same time, there are some differences between them though.

Crack filling is done when the crack is just about visible and not too large. Typically, when the crack is less than ¾,” then this method is applied.

On the other hand, crack sealing occurs when there are some working cracks (e.g., transverse cracks) greater than ¾” in size.

Instead of just filling up the cracks, some rubberized materials are put inside the crack to seal it entirely against moisture and stuff. Generally, the crack sealers are available in two versions – hot-applied and cold-applied.

7. Epoxy Driveway Sealers

Epoxy sealers are mostly used to seal concrete surfaces, mainly driveways.

This type of sealer is pretty expert in preventing cracking, helping the surface withstand all weather conditions, protecting the surface from grease, oil stain, etc.; of course, epoxy sealers are water repellent.

Besides the driveways, you can use these sealers on concrete floors where moisture is an issue, on garage floors or residential floors, etc. Like acrylic sealers, this sealer also offers various colors to choose from.

Applying an epoxy sealer results in glossy output in most cases. They are harder than the acrylic ones. This type of sealer is available in two forms – clear and pigmented.

8. Linseed Oil-based Driveway Sealers

Linseed oil-based sealers are also helpful on concrete surfaces. These days you will also find some Linseed oil-based sealers for wood, which work pretty well on wood.

When it’s about safety for the environment and humans, Linseed oil-based sealers are one of the safest options. Applying this type of sealer is not an uphill task, either.

The Way to Apply sealer to a Driveway

The overall process of applying a driveway sealer is relatively easy and doesn’t require too much effort to manage the task. Choose a sunny day. It has to be at least 50 degrees to get the best results.

First, you must ensure you’ve cleaned the surface properly to remove any pebbles, dust, leaves, etc. A leaf blower will come in handy to do this job. Next, remove any oil stain by applying a degreaser. Then deep clean the surface; if possible, pressure washes it and let it dry.

After that, see if there are any cracks on the surface. If so, fill the cracks by applying a crack filler. If the cracks are less than ½,” then a bottle of the crack filler is good enough to get the job done. But if the cracks are greater than ½”, then better apply a driveway patch and tamper to fill them up.

Before you apply the sealer, mix and blend them properly. You can either turn the bucket upside down and shake it or use a block of wood to blend the solution comfortably. Best if you use a mixer attached to a drill.

Now, it’s time to apply the sealer. Start with sealing the edge of the surface manually using a paintbrush.

Then pour the sealer from the bucket along the width of the surface and spread them using a push broom. Deal with a 4×4 feet square at a time and apply the sealer evenly throughout the surface.

Put the second coat if required (see the manufacturer’s guidelines). Don’t make a hurry, and complete the process slowly but surely.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. How long for the driveway sealer to dry?

Answer: The curing time largely depends on the sealer you apply. The required drying time is not the same for an asphalt or blacktop sealer and a concrete sealer.

The standard curing time of a driveway sealer is 24 hours before allowing any foot traffic and 48 hours before allowing any vehicle traffic.

Most concrete sealers, mainly if it’s solvent-based solutions, offer the standard drying time I mentioned above. However, the water-based ones require less time than them.

On the other hand, the asphalt and blacktop sealer requires less than 24 hours to dry. However, it’s a best practice to give the surface at least 24 hours of drying, no matter which type of surface it is and what type of sealer you are applying.

2. How long does the driveway sealer need to dry before the rain?

Answer: If you are talking about the standard drying time before allowing any foot traffic, then it’s 24 hours.

But it varies based on the type of sealer and from brand to brand. Some sealers require only 30 minutes of drying on a hot sunny day. Some require 4 to 8 hours. The surface should get at least 6 hours of drying time before rain.

3. What is the best driveway sealer?

Answer: The best driveway sealer depends on various factors like the paving type, sealer type, effectiveness, security, coverage, price, brand value, durability, appearance, etc.

If you find the best driveway sealer for a concrete driveway, my vote goes to Foundation Armor SX5000. If finding the best driveway sealer for asphalt surfaces is your main concern, then go for E-Z Stir Driveway Asphalt Sealer. The Latex-ite Color Grade Blacktop Driveway Sealer is the best for a blacktop driveway.

If you are finding a driveway sealer to solve a specific problem like preventing weed, moss, mildew, etc., then try AQUA-X 11 concrete driveway sealer.

4. How much does a 5-gallon bucket of driveway sealer cover?

Answer: Like the drying time, the coverage depends on the type of sealer. On top of that, it largely depends on the porosity of the surface. The range varies from brand to brand as well.

Ideally, a solvent-based concrete sealer covers about 875 square feet per 5 gallons per coat if it’s a porous surface, and it can cover up to 1500-2000 square feet per 5 gallons per coat if it’s a smooth surface.

A water-based concrete sealer can cover up to 2000 sq ft per 5 gallons per coat.

If it’s an asphalt or blacktop sealer, the coverage varies from 400-500 sq ft per 5 gallons for a smooth surface and 200-300 sq ft per 5 gallons for a porous surface.

5. How much driveway sealer do I need?

Answer: The amount of sealer you require depends on the area of your driveway and the porosity of the surface. The coverage varies from brand to brand as well.

Remember, a porous surface requires at least two coats in most cases, and the second coat requires less amount (typically ⅓ ) of sealer than the first coat.

To simplify things, first, measure the area of the driveway (height*width). Depending on the porosity of the surface, see how much area that particular sealer covers per gallon per coat. Simply divide the area by the coverage offered by the sealer. You will get the required amount of sealer.

6. How to remove concrete sealers from the driveway?

Answer: Removing concrete sealer from the driveway depends on the type of sealer applied previously.

If it’s a water-based sealer, then removing it is a breeze. In most cases, pressure washing will get the job done, mainly if it’s an old driveway. If pressure washing doesn’t produce satisfactory results, apply acid etching or a top-notch chemical stripper.

On the other hand, if you have to remove a solvent-based concrete sealer, apply a solvent-based stripper to get the best results. Luckily, you don’t have to remove the solvent-based sealer permanently entirely. It’s because often, only removing old peeling and flaking and then applying a new sealer is sufficient.

7. Where to buy an oil-based driveway sealer?

Answer: You can source an oil-based driveway sealer from any local store or popular online stores like Amazon, Home Depot, Lowes, Asphalt products co, etc.

Final Verdict

Are you still with me? Woot Woot! I’m thrilled by your thrust into finding the best driveway sealer.

Let’s recap! In this article, I’ve reviewed multiple driveway sealers for different driveway types like concrete, asphalt, blacktop, etc.

I’ve provided a comprehensive buying guide with other informative sections to educate you on different sealer types and their usage. I hope you didn’t miss out on the FAQ section as well.

So, if you are looking for a high-quality concrete driveway sealer without hurting your pocket, go for the Foundation Armor SX5000 DOT-approved sealer; for asphalt driveway, try the E-Z Stir Driveway Asphalt Sealer; for blacktop driveway sealing, the Latex-ite Color Grade Blacktop Driveway Sealer.