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The Best Wiper Blades for Your Car

Windshield wipers may be the biggest afterthought on your car — but among the most important safety features.

best wiper bladesRain-X

By Tyler Duffy

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Wiper blades may be the biggest afterthought on your car. No one buys a car because it has a great set of windshield wipers; indeed, you may not think about them for months or years…until that freak winter snow storm makes them your car’s most crucial piece of safety tech. And while you typically don’t think about replacing wiper blades until you see a telltale piece of rubber hanging off or hear the horrific sound of them squeaking or scoring your windshield, manufacturers may tell you to replace them every few months (taking care of it before winter hits is not a bad idea).

Wiper blades are also an item you can source for yourself without going to a specialist auto parts store; you can order them on Amazon with ease. Self-installation can be some of the easiest car maintenance to do yourself; you don’t need any tools beyond opposable thumbs. However, manufacturer instructions when adapters get involved can get confusing for newbies.

Products in the Guide

  • Bosch Icon Wiper Blade

    The Best Upgrade Windshield Wiper

    Read more
  • Rain-X Latitude 2-in-1 Wiper Blade

    The Best Value Windshield Wiper

    Read more

  • Goodyear Assurance WeatherReady Wiper Blade

    Read more

  • Rain-X Silicone Endura Wiper Blades

    Read more
  • ANCO 31-Series Wiper Blade

    The Best Affordable Wiper Blade

    Read more

  • Piaa Aero Vogue Silicone Wiper Blade

    Read more

Types of Wipers

Conventional Wipers

Most often found on older cars, have a metal frame attached to a rubber blade. They are the cheapest option and can save you money. But they are less durable than other wiper types, which can mean you’ll be changing them out more often.

Beam-style Wipers

Made from a solid piece of rubber, tend to be the most expensive; on the flip side, they are more flexible, better performing, better for snow and ice, and more durable.

Hybrid wipers

A hybrid option between the two — typically with rubber covering the metal frame for a sleeker look and better protection and aerodynamic performance.

Local Weather

Consider where you live. If you reside in Palm Springs, having the optimal set of wiper blades probably won’t matter so much. If you live somewhere rainy like Louisiana, you may want better ones. If you’re preparing for winter up in Minnesota, you’ll probably want wipers that are optimized for cold weather.

Wiper Blade Size

Different cars have different sizes of blades; indeed, the two wipers on your windshield can be different sizes, as well. Luckily, you can find that information easily enough in your car’s owner’s manual or on the Internet. You can also input your car model on sites like Amazon and view a list of all compatible wipers.

How We Tested

Pros

  • Bosch uses a proprietary rubber compound for extra durability
  • Tension spring arcing technology for a customized fit to the windshield
  • Spoiler to distribute downforce evenly and holds the blade to the windshield at high speeds
  • Has operated quietly and effectively in our testing

Cons

  • They are pricier than alternative blades, especially conventional and hybrid blades

Bosch’s Icon is the German performance car of wiper blades. The company says its patented rubber compound is 40 percent more durable than other premium wipers. Tension spring-arcing technology offers a customized windshield fit. It also uses an aerodynamic spoiler to distribute uniform downforce across the blade.

Our tester has had these Bosch blades on his Volkswagen for more than a year, testing them in Michigan winter weather and the occasional summer downpour. They stay glued to the windshield, clear prodigious amounts of rain and snow without leaving streaks and operate quietly. Our tester does not notice them.

Installation would have taken minutes had our tester not gouged his thumb trying to force off the stock wipers too forcefully.

  • Type: Beam
  • Blade: Dual Rubber
Rain X Latitude 2 in 1 wiper bladesAmazon

The Best Value Windshield Wiper

Rain-X Latitude 2-in-1 Wiper Blade

Pros

  • Operate smoothly and quietly
  • Contour to the windshield for a precise fit
  • Designed to operate in all weather conditions
  • Applies a water repellent layer to the windshield

Cons

  • Installation process trickier than instructions made it seem
  • Our tester received a faulty blade

Our tester has used RainX wipers in the past and had mixed feelings toward them — She appreciates their wiping power and clarity but found them much trickier to install than the included paper instructions or video tutorial make it seem. The team’s tip of using a quarter to pop open the clasp on the new blade is actually pretty darn useful, but be aware if you have J-hook wiper attachments (large or small) you need to make sure you fully insert the hook into the blade before you can click the clasp shut.

The RainX blades do their job well, but our tester thinks the shorter blade she received had a defect — there was a slight gap in the middle of the blade that doesn’t touch the windshield glass, resulting in an annoying stripe of water that she can’t get rid of.

Overall, our tester found the RainX wiper blades to be quiet. They didn’t rub or squeak along the windshield. And they effortlessly removed water and additional minor build-up on her windshield.

  • Type: Beam
  • Blade: Natural Rubber

Pros

  • Designed for all weather conditions from -20º to 212ºF
  • Universal adapter system to install on different types of vehicles
  • ResponsEdge technology provides tension for a perfect windshield fit
  • Smooth and steady performance in our testing

Cons

  • Installation instructions can be confusing

Goodyear doesn’t just make tires. The company also sells wipers and these Assurance WeatherReady blades undergo Goodyear’s one million wipe test to guarantee quality performance over time.

Our tester found these Goodyear blades to be wider and sturdier than previous blades she has used. And the blades have delivered a smooth and steady wipe when used in fall weather. Installation with the universal adapter system was easy once figured out, but our tester found the instructions provided confusing to follow.

  • Type: Beam
  • Blade: Natural rubber

Pros

  • More durable silicone blades
  • Easy switch-out adapters
  • QR code on packaging links to installation videos
  • Workable range between -20ºF and 194ºF

Cons

  • Among the pricier options out there with price creeping up toward $60 for a pair

The Rain-X Silicone Eudra is a more premium offering from Rain-X, incorporating Silicone blades rather than natural rubber, which the manufacturer claims will last twice as long and perform better in harsh temperatures at either end of the thermometer. They also include easy switch-out adapters and a QR code link to instruction videos for first-time installers.

  • Type: Beam
  • Blade: Silicone
ANCO 31 Series Wiper BladeAmazon

The Best Affordable Wiper Blade

ANCO 31-Series Wiper Blade

Pros

  • Very affordable at about one third the price of high-end beam options
  • Uses a KwikConnect system for easy installation
  • Proprietary DuraKlear rubber compound for a clear, consistent wipe
  • Available in 10" to 28" sizes

Cons

  • Conventional blades may be more vulnerable to wear and tear

The ANCO 31-Series wiper blade is a solid, conventional replacement blade. Its main value is delivering reasonable durability and performance with its low price point under $20. It features a “KwikConnect” system for easy installation and a “DuraKlear” rubber compound to provide a clear, consistent wipe.

  • Type: Conventional
  • Blade: Natural Rubber

Pros

  • Durable silicone blades last longer than conventional rubber
  • You can replace the silicone blade without replacing the entire wiper
  • Aerodynamic cover reduces lift and keeps the wiper stuck to the windshield
  • Coats windshield with water repellent silicone

Cons

  • These blades are pricey, even compared to high-end beam blades

Piaa uses silicone wiper blades, which the brand says will last twice as long as conventional rubber ones. The blades leave a water-repelling silicone coating on the windshield. The silicone blades themselves are also refillable, so you don’t need to replace the entire wiper. The cover has an aero pass-through which helps reduce lift and keep the blade planted to the windshield.

The main drawback is the price point. Piaa blades can be expensive up front, even compared to high-end beam blades.

  • Type: Hybrid
  • Blade: Silicone

Pros

  • Leaves a water-repelling silicone coating
  • Silicone blades last longer than conventional rubber ones
  • Blades are refillable so you don't need to replace the entire wiper

Cons

  • Not as dynamic or sleek looking as the aero vogue
  • Pricey for a conventional blade option

Piaa’s Super Silicone blades are a more affordable option compared to the Aero Vogue. They still offer the durability benefits of silicone blades, the water-repellent windshield coating and the refillable silicone blades. But the trade-off is the conventional frame structure which is not as sleek and aerodynamic as the Aero Vogue.

  • Type: Conventional
  • Blade: Silicone

Pros

  • Affordable price point, often under $20
  • Includes extra wiper blade refills
  • Temperature tolerance rating goes down to -40ºF

Cons

  • No adapter system. Only compatible with J-Hook vehicles

Aero’s Voyager wipers are another great affordable wiper blade option. They are low cost up front in two packs and come with additional blade refills when the first ones run out. The rubber blades have a Teflon coating for streak-free functionality and their temperature tolerance — 158ºF to -40ºF — is higher than yours. One drawback is the Aero Voyager blades don’t come with an adapter. They are only compatible with J-Hook wiper arms.

  • Type: Beam
  • Blade: Teflon-coated Rubber
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