Every vehicle on the road will have wiper blades installed in order to clear the windshield of rain or debris. As you can imagine, there is a wide variety of windshield wiper blades available that are constructed of a range of materials and designs.
The best windshield wipers are the Bosch ICON 26A Wiper Blades, which promise up to 40% longer life compared with any other premium or OEM wiper blades.
Using worn out wiper blades will not only be inefficient at clearing the windshield but it will also cause scratches, which you will require a glass polish to remove. Wiper blades should be replaced every 6 to 12 months depending on their usage.
Table of Contents
Best Windshield Wipers
| Wiper Blades | Material | Multiple Sizes |
|---|---|---|
| Bosch ICON 26A | FX Dual Rubber | Yes |
| Michelin 8524 Stealth Ultra | Rubber | Yes |
| Rain-X Latitude | Synthetic Rubber | Yes |
| Valeo 900 Series | Tec3 Rubber | Yes |
| Aero OEM QUALITY | Blended Rubber | Yes |
When it comes to actually buying the windshield wipers, you can either stick with an OEM set or opt for an aftermarket wiper blade that offers more performance and durability. Many car manufacturers use some aftermarket brands such as Bosch or Michelin themselves, which is great but they will sell them for twice the price if you go to the dealership. Therefore, its worthwhile purchasing and installing them yourself.
Well designed wiper blades will effectively clear water, debris, grime and even light frost from your windshield with ease. However, on the other end of the scale, cheap alternative will struggle and can potentially cause damage.
The Quality of the wiper blade is crucial as many may make noises or even skip across the windshield. Below is a list of the best wiper blades that will clear your windshield without leaving any streaks or smears and last much longer than OEM alternatives.
Bosch ICON 26A Wiper Blade
Bosch is a brand that needs no introduction and is highly reputable worldwide for a range of products. Their ICON 26A wiper blades is one of the most popular and this is thanks to the exclusive FX dual rubber. This material resist heat and ozone deterioration and is proven to last up to 40% longer than other wiper blades.
In terms of the features of the Bosch ICON 26A wiper blades, they include:
- Patented beam design
- Tension spring arcing technology
- Flexible asymmetric spoiler
- OEM hook adapters for simple installation
- FX dual rubber construction
The tension spring arcing technology that adjusts to the curvature of each side of the windshield is a game changing feature. It ensure that every inch of any windshield is cleared without skipping or making noises. Also, the asymmetric spoiler distributes downward force on the blade, which ensures stability at higher wiping speeds.
Overall, they are the best wiper blades you can buy that will clear your windshield for many more months compared to other alternatives. They are expensive but the additional durability and quality is worth paying the extra for.
Check it OutMichelin Stealth Ultra Windshield Wiper Blades
Michelin is another big brand and the main competitor to the Bosch alternative above. The Stealth Ultra wiper blades by Michellin are far cheaper and the brand have tested these windshield wipers and they lasted up to 300,000 wipe cycles.
Michelin offer a range of wiper blades, which include this Stealth Ultra model but also a Cyclone and Stealth alternative. However, the Stealth Ultra wiper blades are the ones to go for and they have the following features:
- Smart hinge joint to grip the windshield securely
- Hinge cover to protect the blade
- Independent suspension on blade ends
- EZ-Lok connector for easy installation
- SmartFlex technology to hold wiper ends down
Overall, the Michelin Stealth Ultra are an excellent set of wiper blades that are produced by a big brand but without the premium costs.
Check it OutRain-X Latitude Windshield Wipers
Rain-X is a premium brand when it comes to automotive glass products and cleaners and these wiper blades do more than just clear the windshield. This is because is acts as a water repellent too with a repelling coating that is applied to the wiper blade and will last for many months.
Other features of the Rain-X Latitude wiper blades include:
- All weather performance with a synthetic rubber blade
- Advanced beam blade technology
- Water repelling coating on each blade
- Aerodynamic spoiler to prevent wind lift
- Universal adapter for easy installation
These exact wiper blades were voted “Product of the Year” by a consumer survey of product innovation just one year ago. With the water repellent feature of the wiper blades, they are by far one of the best windshield wiper blades for the money considering they do both clear and repel water at the same time.
Check it OutValeo 900 Series Frameless Ultimate
One of the most popular windshield wiper blades is the Valeo 900 series. This is primarily down to the fact that they are cheap wiper blades but also because they provide durable performance and available in multiple sizes.
In terms of the features of the Valeo 900 ULTIMATE windshield wipers, they include:
- New Tec3 advanced rubber technology
- Even blade to windshield pressure via integrated flexors
- Simple to install with no adapters required
- Sizes range from 15 to 29 inches
- Frameless design
Overall, the Valeo 900 Series Frameless Ultimate wiper blades offer excellent value for money and are sold as a pair unlike the alternatives above.
Check it OutAero OEM QUALITY Wiper Blades
For those that are on a budget and simply want a straight swap with their OEM wiper blades and are not too worried with regards to performance, then the Aero wiper blades are ideal. The features of these wiper blades include:
- Direct OEM replacement
- Durable rubber for longer performance
- Aerodynamic design to reduce noise and drag
- innovative rubber strip technology
These windshield wiper blades are simply a direct replacement to your OEM wiper blades and will last just as long. They are not full of features like the Bosch, Michelin or Rain-X premium alternatives but they are simply a cheap pair of wiper blades.
Check it OutWindshield Wiper Blades Buying Guide
Your windshield wipers are a very important car accessory – they help keep your dashboard clean, which helps you see clearly and drive safely. Windshield wiper blades should generally be changed once or twice a year for safe and effective driving.
You should check your blades on a regular basis and look for cracking and roughness. Lines and jerky movements when the blades are in use are another sign that they need to be replaced. Shopping for windshield wiper blades can be tricky, particularly if you aren’t normally car savvy.
There are many factors to consider that can help you make the best decision for your driving needs. Here are the most important things to look at when purchasing windshield wipers.
Wiper Location and Size
The first thing to note when shopping for replacement windshield wipers is where on the car the windshield wiper needs to go. Each wiper on your car has a specific length – usually either the left or right wiper is longer than the other one, and the front and back wipers are different lengths as well.
The lengths for the wipers as well as the wiper blades should be listed in your owner’s manual. However, you’ll need to make sure you’re getting the correct measurements, depending on whether you want to replace just the blade and keep the wiper, or replace the entire wiper.
Typically, it’s easier to replace the entire wiper at once. Most blade manufacturers make multiple sizes, so you can replace all your windshield wipers at once. However, it’s important to check that they have the exact sizes you need before making a final purchase.
Wiper Design
There are two common types of windshield wiper designs to choose from. The more common design has a slightly curved arm with a long blade to cover the entire windshield. There’s also flat blades, which are much smaller and stay closer to the windshield.
These blades are generally more effective in inclement weather, however, they won’t necessarily fit on all models of cars. Both designs can work well, and there are many models of both on the market. The type you end up choosing is just a matter of personal preference.
Wiper Material
There are several different materials that are commonly used to make wiper blades. Windshield wipers are typically made of a strong but flexible material which is sometimes reinforced with metal.
They aren’t ‘blades’ in the traditional sense, as a pure metal blade would actually damage the windshield. The most common material used for windshield wiper blades is rubber. Rubber blades are typically the most affordable and don’t always last as long as blades made from other types of materials.
However, they’re easy to find and are often still very well-constructed. Some companies make rubber blades that are coated with another material, such as Teflon, to make them last longer. This helps create some resistance between the blade and the windshield for added durability. These blades make a good long-term investment.
Silicone blades are another common material used for windshield wipers. Silicone is much more durable than rubber, so if you’re looking to invest in something that will last you for years to come, silicone is a good option.
It is less prone to cracking or drying out than rubber is, so it’s a good choice for those who live in areas with highly fluctuating climates. However, silicone blades are more of an investment than rubber blades.
Wiper Attachment
When looking for new windshield wipers, you’ll need to look at how the blade attaches to the rest of the wiper. There are several different types of attachments, and yours should be specified in your car’s owners manual.
It’s important to know which type of attachment you have and how it works before going shopping so you can purchase blades that are easy to take on and off. If you’re struggling to attach your windshield wiper blades, try looking up YouTube videos that explain the process visually step-by-step.
Ease of Maintenance
While windshield wiper blades aren’t designed to last for the entire lifespan of a car, their lifespan can be prolonged with some basic maintenance. Gently cleaning your windshield wiper blades is an easy way to make sure that they keep running smoothly.
When purchasing blades, look for ones that will be easy to maintain. A modern, sleek design makes it easier to get in between the blades and the windshield and clean them. Checking for debris as well as wear and tear on a regular basis can help your blades last longer, and it’ll also help you stay safe in the long run by preventing visibility issues.
Wiper Noise
Windshield wipers can be quite noisy, which gets very annoying if you have them on for long periods of time while you’re driving. A helpful feature to consider when shopping for blades is the level of noise they make.
While there’s no way to test this when making your initial purchase, there are some good indicators that a blade will be quiet. For example, if the blade is made with reinforced rubber, it often stays quiet because it lays flat against the windshield with minimal wear and tear.
Flat blades are also often a bit quieter than their traditional counterparts for the same reason. A good indicator that the blade will be noisy is if it leaves streaks when wiping away moisture. This means that the blade isn’t completely flat to the windshield, so it’ll make noise when it’s in motion. This is also a good indicator that the blade isn’t particularly good quality.
Conclusion
There are many things to consider when shopping for windshield wipers, and it’s very important to read your car’s owner’s manual to make sure you’re getting the right blades for your needs. Although replacing the windshield wipers can be daunting at first, once you do it the first time, you’ll find you become an old pro quickly. Keeping your windshield wipers up to date is very important for driver safety, so don’t neglect this important feature.
