Whether you’re wanting a Can-Am Maverick X3 windshield mainly to block wind and rain, or if you need a Can-Am Maverick X3 windshield to prevent dust, mud, and debris from getting in your face, nose and eyes, the benefits to running a front windshield on your side-by-side are numerous. Plus, in addition to front X3 windshields, rear X3 windshields can also prove beneficial.

But not all windshields are appropriate for every situation, and there are pros and cons to running windshields that should be considered before investing in one. So to help you choose the right UTV windshield for your machine as well as the climate conditions where you ride, we put together this Can-Am Maverick X3 windshield review in the hopes that you get your windshield needs met from the start!

Half Vs. Full Can-Am Maverick X3 Windshields

Upon first glance, the pros and cons of half Can-Am Maverick X3 windshields are clearly apparent: they allow airflow for heat mitigation when it’s ungodly hot in the summer, but they lack full coverage, and thus won’t be able to fully block wind / rain, nor fully trap heat in the cab during winter.

A less-obvious advantage to half windshields is that even when they’re covered with a thick layer of mud, you’ll still be able to see over them and continue your ride. And even though they don’t offer full frontal coverage, they do a surprisingly good job at protecting riders from wind, cold, bugs and rain.

Although you won’t feel the rush of the wind through your hair when running a full glass or polycarbonate windshield on your X3 Maverick, you will be better protected from the elements. And as long as you go with a Can-Am Maverick X3 windshield with wipers – or install an aftermarket windshield wiper kit like the ones by SuperATV or UTVZILLA – you’ll be able to clear your windshield off to maintain visibility when it’s raining or after splashing through puddles / mud pits.

Counterintuitively, however, full windshields can actually exacerbate in-cab dust when compared to half windshields or no windshields at all. Without a full cab enclosure, the aerodynamics of the Maverick X3, the X3 RR, and the X3 DS (and most UTVs for that matter) are such that dust-filled air tends to swirl around full windshields, and get subsequently sucked into the cabin via the sides or rear. You can sometimes get around this by creating positive in-cab pressure with a 12V fan, and flip-up windshields in conjunction with rear windscreens can also be used to achieve positive air pressure in the cockpit!

Polycarbonate Vs Glass Can-Am Maverick X3 Windshields

Glass windshields are better insulators than polycarbonate windshields, which makes them great on cold days, but not so great on hot days. The OEM full glass windshields by BRP are decent, but they’re way more expensive than their aftermarket glass windshield counterparts (like Bent Metal Offroad, Moto Armor, and UTVZILLA), they offer no venting (unless you ad the BRP roof airdam kit with twin filters and adjustable vents), and they’re time consuming to install (the wiper setup in particular).

If you do go with a factory Can-Am Maverick X3 glass windshield, you can save a bit by using an EMP wiper kit over the OEM unit. Although the EMP windshield wiper kit for the Can-Am Maverick is only a single speed – compared to the OEM unit which has two speeds – it’s more than sufficient for almost any amount of rainfall or snow.

Polycarbonate windshields are lighter than glass windshields, cheaper than glass windshields, and in many ways, stronger than glass windshields. We’ve seen riders with poly windshields roll their machines, and although the windshield did pop out, it could be popped back in with a slight push and no further issues. As far as impact resistance goes, poly is by far the better option!

One caveat with non-coated poly windshields is that they will get scratched up, but most poly windshields these days are hard coated and scratch resistant, which does help a good deal. That being said, however, if you turn your windshield wipers on during a sandstorm, if you don’t wash away the debris on your windshield before wiping it down, or if you apply non-poly cleaning products to a poly windshield, it is liable to scratch or become hazy. If you’re not the type of person to exercise caution, a poly windshield is likely not the best fit for you!

The right cleaning products will keep your poly windshield from hazing over, but you’ll also want poly-specific products to prevent the windshield from fogging over or steaming up when it’s cold. Many poly windshields are also contoured, which will give your ride a unique look that resembles that of an automobile.

Best Can-Am Maverick X3 Windshield Brands

We compared the various types of UTV windshields, but how about the specific brands? Here is what we found out when reviewing specified Can-Am Maverick X3 windshields.

Bent Metal Offroad Windshields For The Maverick X3

The older windshield versions by Bent Metal Offroad utilized a large metal frame, which somewhat restricted your forward field of view. Some riders also didn’t like the top down windshield wiper configuration on Bent Metal Offroad windshields – and that the windshield kit didn’t come with a sprayer kit. The latter is easily solvable with an aftermarket windshield sprayer, and the newer models of Bent Metal Offroad windshields have less frame for better views, and vent holes for better airflow. Plus, if you ever need to replace the glass on a Bent Metal Offroad windshield, it’s quite cheap compared to OEM windshields or even replacement poly windshields.

EMP Windshields For The Maverick X3

Like Bent Metal Offorad, Extreme Metal Products (EMP) also makes solid glass windshields for the Maverick X3 lineup. They offer vented glass windshields made from laminated safety glass, and are thus approved by the US Department Of Transportation for on-road use!

SuperATV Windshields For The Maverick X3

The full glass windshields and polycarbonate windshields by SuperATV are nice, but riders really like the folding windshields they make for the Can-Am Maverick X3! Folding windshields offer the best of worlds, and they’re particularly well-suited for areas with capricious climates that swing from one extreme to the next. The pre-assembled flip-up windshields by SuperATV are contoured to the shape of the X3 hood with a rubber gasket that stretches the entire length of the windshield. Because of this, it is watertight and won’t rattle as you rumble down the trail!

Final Thoughts On Can-Am Maverick X3 Windshields

Other top X3 windshield makers worth mentioning are Ryfab, Moose, Rough Country and Side By Customs. If you stick with these or the other aforementioned windshield manufacturers, you’re sure to end up happy!