Hey! Congrats on the new R1S! Honestly, I totally get the smudge paranoia. When I first got mine, I rushed out and bought the TWRAPS Matte Screen Protector for Rivian R1S/R1T because I was tired of the midday glare. Unfortunately, I had issues with it almost immediately. While it killed the reflections, it definitely made the UI look a bit grainy, which killed that crisp Rivian aesthetic for me. Not as good as I expected, tbh.

I ended up switching to the Spigen Tempered Glass Screen Protector Glas.tR Slim for Rivian R1S/R1T and it's been way better. It doesn't hide fingerprints as well as a matte one, but the clarity is perfect and the touch sensitivity is spot on. Well, actually, I still keep a microfiber cloth in the door pocket just in case, but the Spigen feels much more premium. Hope this helps!

Hmm, I've had a different experience than some of the matte fans out there. Respectfully, I'd actually suggest a different approach because I think the matte finish is a bit of a trap if you really care about display fidelity.

I’m a bit of a screen nerd, and unfortunately, every matte protector I’ve tried—including the one mentioned in the previous reply—made the gorgeous Rivian UI look grainy. On white backgrounds especially, you get this weird "sparkle" or rainbow effect that just wasn't as good as expected for a premium EV. If you’re worried about clarity, I’d seriously reconsider the matte route.

Instead, I’ve found that a high-quality tempered glass with a heavy oleophobic coating is the way to go. It doesn't kill the glare entirely, but it makes fingerprints way easier to wipe off without the "fuzziness" of matte films. Here’s what I’ve personally tested:

* The EV Shop Rivian R1T / R1S Tempered Glass Screen Protector (Clear): This has been my daily driver for months. The touch sensitivity is spot on, and the fit is incredibly precise.
* Abstract Ocean Rivian R1T & R1S Center Display Tempered Glass (Clear): I mean, it’s basically invisible once it’s on. It feels just like the factory glass but gives me that peace of mind.

I really wanted to love the anti-glare stuff, but the trade-off in sharpness just felt like a step backward. Honestly, keeping a small microfiber in the door pocket is a better compromise IMO! Hope this helps you decide!

I'd suggest Xpel Ultimate Plus Screen Protector because it's safer than tempered glass during collisions, plus it heals scratches better than the 3M Scotchgard Paint Protection Film. Safety first, right?

For your situation, I recommend looking at the ScreenProTech Rivian R1S/R1T Center Display Screen Protector. It’s a great value pick! Most people don't realize that high-quality PPF-style films often handle glare better than cheap glass without that grainy look. Honestly, it’s WAY cheaper than replacing a scratched screen later. I’ve found it’s the best way to keep that UI crisp while SAVING some cash for other gear. Totally worth it!

Just caught up on this thread today. Seems like the consensus is basically choosing between high clarity and glare reduction. Since I've been doing these DIY installs for years on different rigs, I've learned that the feel is just as important as the look. I've messed around with a few options that haven't been mentioned yet:

• Topfit Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Rivian R1S

Pros: Super easy on the wallet and the clarity is basically 1:1 with the stock screen. Cons: It's still a fingerprint magnet, honestly.

• EV Sportline Tempered Glass Screen Protector for Rivian R1S

Pros: The oleophobic coating feels a bit slicker than the budget brands, so smudges wipe off way easier.
Cons: It's a bit pricier. If you're like me and hate that grainy look, definitely stick to tempered glass. Matte is great for glare but it really dulls those beautiful Rivian colors. Just keep a microfiber cloth in your door pocket and you're golden!

Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!