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ByRobert Maxwell
Updated: Feb. 01, 2024
Are your windshield wipers leaving streaks and making noise? Sounds like they need to be replaced. Here are the most reliable replacement options.
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How to Choose the Best Windshield Wipers
You never think about your windshield wipers until you need them. But in that moment with the rain starts hammering your vehicle as you go barreling down the interstate, those wipers are suddenly allthat you’re thinking about. Functional windshield wipers are what gives you the ability to see the road when it’s raining or snowing, or even when the cars in front of you are splashing up dirt that can quickly obscure your vision.
Like most moving vehicle parts, wipers eventually stop working optimally and need to be replaced. When this happens, choosing the best windshield wiper replacements is important for the safety and comfort of your driving experience.
Windshield wiper replacement is a slightly misleading phrase, because it’s almost always only wiper blades that wear out and need replacement. The most important feature to look for in new wiper blades is length. Different vehicles are designed to used wiper blades of different lengths, so make sure you select blades of the right length for your car.
Another factor to consider is where you live. Certain weather conditions call for different wiper blade styles. If you live somewhere where it rains often, you will want more high quality wiper blades that won’t smear in heavy rain compared to a more dry area. Similarly, if you live in cold weather conditions you will need wipers that are equipped to handle heavy snow and ice.
Types of Wiper Blades
There are actually many types of windshield wiper blades to choose from. Which blade style you choose depends on your budget and personal preference. Don’t forget about the rear wiper blade too; it needs to be replaced from time to time, if your car has one. The main types of windshield wipers are:
- Traditional or Conventional: The most common type is the traditional frame style with a metal frame that supports a rubber blade. The blades hold the rubber squeegee in a multi-piece metal frame. This style is the most simple and affordable, which is why it is found on the majority of vehicles.
- Beam: Beam style wipers are made with a single solid piece of rubber or silicone. They don’t have a frame, just a single thin piece of flexible material. This style tends to be the most expensive, but is said to last the longest because they are more flexible, better performing and more durable. They have increased in popularity and become a standard on premium vehicles as a result of their sleek look and design, while also improving performance.
- Hybrid:Hybrid wipers combine traditional and beam styles. They are typically made with a rubber covering the metal frame. The added outer shell provides a more aerodynamic design, allowing for debris to pass through.
Read on to learn about the best wipers on the market in various categories.
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via amazon.com
Best Windshield Wiper Blades Overall
Bosch Icon 24A
If you are looking for a simple and high performing wiper blade at an affordable price, check out these beam style Bosch Icon wiper blades. According to the manufacturer, it holds up against cracking up to 40 percent longer than competitors.
Its spring design allows for pressure to be applied equally across the blades, keeping the blade flexible to provide superior wiping performance in all weather conditions. It is also easy to install thanks to its double-lock connector.
Pros
- Easy to install
- Flexible blade performs well in a variety of conditions
- Durable rubber lasts longer than cheaper blades
Cons
- Higher price point than basic wiper blades
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Best Windshield Wiper Blade,Multi-Feature
Rain-X 5079281-2 Latitude Two-in-One
If you want wipers that do more than just clear raindrops, check out this beam-style set from Rain-X. Infused with Rain-X water-repelling windshield treatment, these wipers make your windshield repel water while wiping it away. The rubber squeegee is also protected by aerodynamic spoilers to protect these beam-style wipers from wind lift.
To get the best results from the windshield treatment on these wipers, make sure your windshield is clean before you install them. Once they’re on, turn on your wipers for a couple minutes on the dry window to let the blades apply the treatment. Finally, give it a shot of wiper fluid to activate it, and you’re all set.
Pros
- Durable blades last a long time
- Rain-X treatment helps keep windows clear
Cons
- Blade may last longer than the water-repelling treatment
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Best Windshield Wiper Blades with Cleanest Wipe
Aslam Type-G All-Season Blades
Made of a single piece of galvanized sheet steel, these beam blades from Aslam provide the best, most even contact with your windshield, leading to cleaner and more consistent water removal. They’re also exceptionally quiet, and come with two extra rubber squeegees.
Writes one Amazon reviewer: “If you’re looking at these, buy them. My windshield sparkles. Quiet. Effective.”
Pros
- More surface contact means fewer gaps and obstructions
- Package includes an extra set of replacement blades
Cons
- Refill can be tricky to attach
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Best Hybrid Windshield Wiper Blades
Ablewipe Windshield Hybrid Wiper
If you want the protection and sturdiness of metal housing around the squeegee, plus efficient contact with a curved windshield, grab this set of hybrid blades by Ablewipe. The segmented body allows smooth, evenly pressured wiping action.
“Well made. No streaks, smooth all around, and looks good on your car,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “Very sturdy and doesn’t wobble all over like some wipers I have had in the past.”
Pros
- Sturdy blades that provide high contact with curved windshields
- Even pressure across the window
Cons
- Installation can be difficult on some cars, according to reviewers
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Most Versatile Windshield Wiper Blades
Aero Voyager Premium Wiper Blade Set
If you live where rain, snow, slush, sleet and road salt cover your windshield every year, you’d be hard-pressed to find a set of wiper blades more versatile than these beam blades.
“I purchased these in the beginning of January in upstate New York,” writes one Amazon reviewer. “Since then, they’ve been used in freezing rain, blowing snow, and pouring rain.
“I drive about an hour a day, and even on the days where the roads are that wet salty mess that sprays and dries on your windshield and you’re using washer fluid constantly just to see, these wipers performed really well.”
Pros
- Multi-season functionality in all types of weather
- Package includes an extra refill set
Cons
- Some users report issues with installation instructions
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Best Budget Windshield Wipers
Parrati Premium All-Season Wiper Blades
At only $12, it’s hard to beat the value. The aerodynamic beam-style design is quiet and wind resistant. Like all beam-style blades, the lack of outer metal casing makes these less susceptible to snow and ice buildup. They’re also easy to install and come with a one-year warranty.
Pros
- Good value
Cons
- May not last as long as other blades
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Best Windshield Wiper Blades for Winter
Trico 35-260 Ice Extreme Winter Wiper Blade
At almost $12 for a single blade, these beam blades by Trico are more expensive than many other wipers. But their winter performance makes the cost well worth it.
Built with armor meant to shelter the squeegee from ice and snow buildup, these blades will keep you driving in winter storms long after other models quit. Wedge-shaped spoilers efficiently clear away frozen precipitation, keeping your windshield clear and your trip safe. They also come in lengths from 13 inches to 28 inches to fit different vehicles.
Pros
- Designed to withstand snow and ice build up on the blades
- Wedge-shaped spoilers work well for pushing wintery precipitation off windshields
Cons
- Higher price point than typical blades
Originally Published: August 27, 2020
Author
Robert Maxwell
Robert Maxwell is a seasoned carpenter, builder, cabinetmaker, homesteader, stone mason and mechanic. He's been sharing his knowledge through digital and print articles since 2010. Robert lives in a self-built cabin in the woods in Northern Ontario, Canada with his wife and daughter.
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