Contrary to what most people may think, windshield wipers are one of the cheapest parts on any vehicle and they are very easy to replace if you buy the right ones. While standard wipers should be replaced at least once or twice a year to guarantee optimal visibility under all weather conditions, premium ones are more durable and can last much longer.
It’s very important to change your wiper blades in time, to prevent streaking due to wear and material deterioration. Old wiper blades will become brittle and split, and eventually their frame will scratch your windscreen. Visibility will suffer, potentially leading to dangerous situations. In fact, the FHA (Federal Highway Administration) reports that impaired visibility is a leading factor in almost 50% of fatal car accidents. Don’t take risks with your own, your loved ones’ or other people’s safety: replace your windshield wiper blades in time!
Check out our selection of Best Windshield Wipers:
Different Types of Windshield Wipers
Check your car’s owner’s manual to find the right size and type of wiper blades for your vehicle. You can also find the right windshield wipers for your specific car if you use a windshield wiper selector tool.
Most windshield wiper blades connect to the wiper arm with a plastic adapter. These adapters only match the type of wiper arm they are designed for. The “side post”, “J-hook” and “bayonet” are the most commonly used wiper arms, but there are many different types and variations of windshield wiper arms which all need their own adapter. All the wiper blades in our selection come with the adapters to fit the make, year and model you’ve selected in the car selector tool.
Since its invention in 1903, the windshield wiper has evolved into three main types:
1. Standard or Conventional Windshield Wipers
The old school “standard” or “conventional” type has a metal frame supporting hinged contact points that push the rubber blade onto the windshield.
The advantage of “standard” or “conventional” type wipers is their affordability. They are among the cheapest out there. Another upside is their classic look that generally looks better on older cars or future classics that originally came with this type of windshield wipers.
The main downside is that this type of wiper blades doesn’t perform well in below-freezing temperatures because its hinges freeze solid and snow piles up between them as well.
Also, with heavy downpour, they get more “oversplash” because of their design. This means that during fast wiping action, the water that collects in front of the wiper overflows and splashes behind the wipers, clouding the view. Their aerodynamic properties leave a lot to be desired too.
2. Flat or Beam Windshield Wipers
The “flat” or “beam” blade consists of a single flexible strip with a blade attached to it.
Good quality “flat” or “beam” wipers are the way to go if you don’t mind spending a few bucks more. They work best in all weather types and stay more flexible in extreme cold. They cope better with extreme rainfall too.
It’s the type of wiper blades that most, if not all, new cars come with because of their superior performance and aerodynamic properties.
3. Hybrid Windshield Wipers
The “hybrid” type combines both technologies, depending on type and brand, and is most often covered with an aerodynamic plastic shell.
Hybrid windshield wipers still have a small following because of their streamlined, aerodynamic look. Beneath their plastic aerodynamic cover hides a metal structure similar to “standard” or “conventional” wipers.
Whatever their looks may suggest, technically they have no added value over “flat” or “beam” wipers. They are an outdated transition phase between old school “standard” or “conventional” type wipers and modern “flat” or “beam” ones. They perform worse when it snows because snow builds up behind the large aerodynamic cover.
Arguably they may look sporty on a very small number of nineties sports cars that came with that type of wipers or on tuned cars, but they look out of place on the vast majority of older or classic cars and outdated on recent ones.
For those reasons, we do not recommend this type of windshield wiper.
Best Windshield Wipers
Best Overall
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Best Overall
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Specs:
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- Wiper type: Flat / Beam
- Blade material: Dual-rubber (rubber core + silicone shell)
- Use: All Seasons
- Longevity: 1 year up to 3 years
The Icon wiper blades from Bosch are one of the most popular car windshield wipers on the market today. They have a huge following.
They utilize Bosch’s proprietary ClearMax 365 dual-rubber technology. These wiper blades feature a soft rubber core protected by a harder silicone shell, which enhances durability in the face of weather- and use-related deterioration. A unique shield protects the arm connection from ice and snow. The integrated spoiler optimizes downforce and holds the wiper firmly against the glass.
They are affordable, good quality, dependable and they do a great job in any type of climate.
PROS:
- Affordable
- Established quality brand
- High rating by huge user base
- Anti-aging silicone-coated blade
- Weather-shielded connector
CONS:
- Not a true silicone blade, only coated with silicone
Best Budget
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Best Budget
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Specs:
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- Wiper type: Flat / Beam
- Blade material: Blended rubber with Teflon coating
- Use: All Seasons
- Longevity: 6 months up to 2 years (with refill)
The Aero Voyager windshield wipers are among the most highly-rated for cost-to-performance. They are direct OEM replacement, quality and fitment are guaranteed. They are Teflon-coated, which counters natural rubber’s high-friction issues and its tendency to squeak. Until the coating wears off, that is. Their aerodynamic design significantly reduces drag, noise and wind lift.
It has to be said that real-life tests show that in demanding weather conditions, these wiper blades don’t last as long as more expensive competitors. This is mainly because their blades are made from natural rubber. However, their low pricing and the fact that they come with a pair of extra replacement rubber blades, compensates for this shortcoming. They come with a 6 months manufacturer warranty.
PROS:
- Very affordable
- 6 months manufacturer warranty
- Extra rubber refills
- Aerodynamic design reduces drag, noise and wind lift
- Teflon coating reduces friction and squeaking
- Great cost-to-performance rating
- Direct OEM replacement, quality and fitment are guaranteed
CONS:
- Natural rubber blades, not silicone
- They tend to squeak when Teflon coating wears off
- Cheap-looking design and materials
- They don’t last as long as more expensive competitors
- More frequent replacements = more labor-intensive than long-lasting competitors
Best Budget Runner-Up
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Best Budget Runner-Up
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Specs:
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- Wiper type: Standard / Conventional
- Blade material: Specially blended natural rubber
- Use: All Seasons
- Longevity: 6 months up to 2 years
This old-school type wiper outperforms in its category. It’s a great choice for older cars or future classics. It’s an upgrade from the OEM-type of single-rubber wiper they originally came with.
Bosch’s MicroEdge features a robust all-steel frame construction with a specially blended natural rubber wiping edge for reliable windshield wiper performance. Its precision-cut natural rubber wiping edge ensures smooth, lasting performance.
Installation is simple with the “Quick” clip, a pre-mounted adapter for easy wiper blade installation.
PROS:
- Outperforms in its category
- Great for older cars and future classics
- It’s an upgrade from the OEM-type of single-rubber wiper
- Robust all-steel frame construction
- Specially blended natural rubber outperforms standard rubber
- Precision-cut wiping edge
- Simple installation with pre-mounted “Quick” clip
CONS:
- Outdated looks
- Natural rubber blade, not silicone
- Not aerodynamic
- Design is less performant in below-freezing temperatures
Best Premium
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Best Premium
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Specs:
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- Wiper type: Flat / Beam
- Blade material: Silicone-infused rubber
- Use: All Seasons
- Longevity: 2 years up to 6 years
PIAA Si-Tech’s silicone-infused rubber is long-lasting and UV-resistant. An active silicone coating is continually reapplied on your windshield, ensuring streak-free, quiet operation. It also creates a water-repellent barrier.
Silicone is infused throughout the entire blade, not just coated. This ensures that the superior silicone properties last throughout the wiper’s entire life-cycle.
The low-profile frameless blade with its aerodynamic design contours to the shape of your windshield to provide equal pressure points across the blade for even wiping. Also, it reduces snow and ice buildup during winter. It has no exposed metal components, to prevent corrosion. These high-quality wiper blades fit over 98 percent of wiper arms on the market today.
PROS:
- Silicone-infused, UV-resistant rubber
- Streak-free, quiet operation.
- Creates a water-repellent barrier
- Aerodynamic design
- Reduces snow and ice buildup
- It has no exposed metal components, to prevent corrosion
- Contours to the shape of your windshield for equal pressure
- Silicone is infused throughout the entire blade, not just coated
- Made in Japan
CONS:
- Premium price (but worth every penny)
Most Innovative
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Most Innovative
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Specs:
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- Wiper type: Flat / Beam
- Blade material: Synthetic blend rubber
- Use: All Seasons
- Longevity: 1 year up to 3 years
Rain-X’s “Latitude Water Repellency” windshield wipers are the most innovative of the bunch. Somehow, they managed to incorporate their well-known water-repelling technology into their rubber blades! If you activate your new windshield wipers for a couple of minutes on your dry, clean windscreen, the glass will become water-repellent for a couple of months, according to Rain-X.
Although consumer tests clearly show the water-repelling technology works, longevity varies widely depending on circumstances and intensity of use. Even when the water-repellent action diminishes over time, they still work great. Their advanced beam blade technology contours to the curvature of the windshield for a smooth, virtually streak-free wipe.
The Latitude Water Repellency wipers are fitted with Rain-X’s new and improved pre-installed universal adapter that installs within minutes and fits 96 percent of all vehicles.
PROS:
- Patented game-changing water-repelling technology from specialist Rain-X
- Uses advanced beam blade technology for smooth, streak-free wiping action
- New adapter fits 96% of vehicles
- Even when the water-repellency eventually wears off they still work great without it
CONS:
- Water-repellency properties degrade over time
- The blade material is rubber, not silicone
Comparison Table of the Best Windshield Wipers
| Brand | Name | |
|---|---|---|
| Best Overall | Bosch | ICON Windshield Wipers |
| Best Budget | AERO | Voyager Windshield Wipers |
| Best Budget Runner-Up | Bosch | MicroEdge Windshield Wipers |
| Best Premium | Piaa | Si-Tech Silicone Windshield Wipers |
| Most Innovative | Rain-X | Latitude 2-IN-1 Water Repellency Windshield Wipers |
Final Thoughts
While new wipers may improve the overall appearance of your car, that’s not what they’re about. First and foremost, they are life-saving devices. By replacing them regularly, they enable you to keep a clear, unobstructed view on the road ahead in all weather conditions. When your windshield wiper blades function properly, you will be able to see potentially dangerous traffic situations in time and react to them appropriately.
Choosing the right windshield wipers for your vehicle isn’t as hard as you might think. With the right windshield wiper selector tool at your disposal, it’s a piece of cake. Being able to select, buy and replace them yourself, means you will save time and money not having to burn fuel and waste time driving to a dealership or car parts store where choice is limited and you pay a premium for their service.
These are the different wipers we recommend and the reasons why, in a nutshell:
If you’re looking for a low-cost windshield wiper set that even comes with extra replacement blades, the AERO Voyager wiper set is ideal for you.
For an older car or a future classic, the Bosch MicroEdge looks the part and performs better than the OEM-ones your car came with originally.
If you wanna scratch that gadget itch, try the innovative Rain-X Latitude 2-IN-1 Water Repellency. They perform very well, repel water as a bonus and last very long also.
Don’t mind spending a bit extra to get the best? Piaa Si-Tech Silicone wiper blades will outlast all of them! They just don’t care what you throw at them: cold, heat, UV, salt, chemicals,… Bring it on!
That brings us to the overall winner: They are hugely popular, reliable, affordable and a best-seller throughout the US: the Bosch Icon windshield wipers.
Now you know the ins and outs, you won’t be needing those new wipers to wipe away your sweat, that’s for sure! It’ll be a walk in the park!
Be safe!
Happy cruisin’!
FAQs
How Long Do Windshield Wipers Last?
Depending on their type and quality, windshield wipers last anywhere from 6 months up to 6 years or longer. For optimal performance, standard natural rubber windshield wipers should be replaced every 6 months up to 1 year.
Premium silicone or silicone-infused windshield wipers outlast standard rubber ones multiple times. They last anywhere from 2 years up to 6 years or longer, depending.
However, longevity varies widely due to external factors like climate, weather, intensity of use, condition and average cleanliness of the windshield, road conditions, UV-exposure, car storage and chemical exposure (road salt, windscreen-washer fluid, car-wash cleaning agents, chemical fall-out…).
Most importantly you should keep an eye on how they perform and use common sense. When they start streaking or squeaking, it’s time to replace them. Don’t wait until your wiper blades crack and disintegrate, that’s a safety-hazard! During a sudden downpour, your sight will be hindered. Dangerous, often life-threatening situations may occur.
Badly worn wipers will often scratch your windscreen too, leading to added costs.
Which is Best: Rubber or Silicone Windshield Wipers?
While the most affordable wipers are natural rubber or a rubber mix, premium ones most often are made of silicone, are silicone-infused or coated with silicone.
Silicone, silicone-infused or silicone-coated quality wipers last up to 5 times longer than their budget counterparts mainly because they are much more resistant to UV. Blades made of silicone remain soft and pliable in below-freezing temperatures, while most rubber ones stiffen, freeze and stick to the glass. Silicone material withstands extreme heat better as well.
That’s why silicone is superior to natural rubber when it comes to wiper blades.
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