Latest News
Making Light of the Lotus EliteThe Best Windshield Wipers
Need a wiper replacement? Look no further than our list of the best windshield wipers, standing up to heavy summer rain or thick winter ice.Need a wiper replacement? Look no further than our list of the best windshield wipers, standing up to heavy summer rain or thick winter ice.
What To Look for in a Wiper Blade
Are your windshield wipers performing the way they should? The amount of noise your wiper makes, the number of smears left behind, and the durability of the wiper are all indicators of a good, or badly-performing set of wipers. Before getting into the actual wipers and specific brands, it should be noted that there are some factors to consider when purchasing a new set of wiper blades.
Wiper style, the kind of precipitation you’ll be encountering, and size are all things to take note of. For example, a car that deals with regular afternoon downpours needs a wiper that is made to deal with heavier amounts of rain. There are actually several types of windshield wipers, including traditional wipers, made of a metal frame and rubber blade. Beam wipers replace the metal frame with a hinge-less rubber strip. Hybrid wipers have elements of both kinds of blades, using an aerodynamic plastic over parts of the hinge. All wipers are not made equal, so let’s take a look at some of the best blades out there.
Bosch ICON Wipers
The slogan is right on the Bosch ICON packaging: “Up to 40% longer life.” This set of wipers delivers on that claim thanks to a unique design. Using ClearMax 365 technology, soft rubber is combined with a strong polymer shell, making it easier to hold up against cracking. Since the wiping edge of the blade is so flexible, it can withstand cold weather or warm weather. An asymmetric spoiler on the blade applies pressure evenly across the windshield, minimizing smears and skips. On top of it all, the wipers will only set someone back about $30. It should be noted that the Bosch blades best fit German luxury cars, like the Audi Q8 or a Mercedes-Benz S-Class, but the blades come with a connector system that works with most other automotive brands.
Rain-X Latitude Wipers
Some of the best wiper blades for heavy rain are the Rain-X Latitude blades. There are various kinds of Rain-X blades, including the Advantage and Weatherbeater, but a set of the Rain-X Latitude are good all-season blades that offer superior performance particularly during heavy rain and snow. The blades are coated with a Rain-X solution, so that coating spreads to the windshield as well. It then helps repel water, eliminating streaks. These are beam-style wiper blades, and they adjust to the curvature of the windshield for extra wiping pressure. They’re typically quiet when wiping. The Rain-X wipers also have a universal adapter, so they easily connect to almost any vehicle.
Goodyear Assurance Weather-Ready Wipers
We all know that Goodyear makes tires, often used on a Chevrolet Corvette or maybe a Pontiac Firebird TransAm, but Goodyear also makes windshield wipers. Good ones at that. The Goodyear Assurance Weather-Ready wipers are some of the longest lasting blades on the market. Goodyear boasts that all their blades are put through 1,000,000 wipe tests so they live up to a streak-free reputation. Their joint spring ResponsEdge technology supplies tension needed for the blade to conform to the windshield. They also have an industry-only round-hinge squeegee, which gives a 45-degree wipe angle. A universal adapter system covers over 98% of vehicles a consumer can buy.
Anco 31-Series Wipers
As a company that has been making wiper blades, wiper arms, and other related parts for over a century, Anco has a 31-series rubber blade that is a top performer for a reason. The traditional-style blade is made of a rubber compound that is coated in a no-wax solution. This helps prevent degradation. The company uses an exclusive KwikConnect system for installation. It offers a universal fit, but an adapter may still be needed on some models. The Anco 31-series is budget-friendly (usually selling for under $10), but it’s not particularly quiet. They don’t make that much noise, but there are quieter options out there. The blades don’t conform well to windshields with a high curve, but on models they fit, the Anco 31-Series provides a streak-free performance.
Michelin Stealth Ultra Wipers
Michelin is also known for tires, but, like Goodyear, they also make a variety of windshield wipers for all types of vehicles. All Michelin hybrid wipers have Smart-Flex technology. The casing doesn’t have any brackets. Different pressure points allow the blade to adjust to any debris that may be on the surface of the windshield. An independent suspension helps the entire blade make contact at all points. Like their tires, the blended graphite rubber blades are durable. There’s not a lot of friction on this blade, so the noise is minimized as well. Each Michelin blade that’s sold was tested to perform over 500,000 cycles. Four adapters help this blade to fit about 98% of the vehicles available today.
Goodyear 770 Hybrid Wipers
Goodyear has one more place on this list. The 770 Hybrid wipers have a Moly graphite-coated rubber round squeegee. They’re also coated to reduce friction. The aerodynamic design is fairly basic, but it eliminates streaks well. As a hybrid, these wipers have solid support from the frame, and the beam part of it focuses on eliminating streaks. A universal adapter system with a J-hook makes installation fairly easy. They are a bit noisy as you’re breaking them in, though. They’ll fit on about 97% of the cars out there, mostly excluding higher-end models. Pricing is competitive, so one blade costs around $10.
AERO Voyager Wipers
AERO doesn’t have any side products. The company only focuses on making windshield wipers. Although AERO has several kinds of blades, the AERO Voyager stands out. It’s an all-seasons blade, so there’s no worrying about a weaker performance at a certain time of the year. It’s also a frameless beam wiper with tension memory technology, and dual-tensioned spring strips to apply equal pressure across the entire blade. The unique aerodynamic design also helps reduce drag. Made of blended rubber, the micro precision-cut wiping edges prevent wintery buildup, offer smooth wipes, and don’t make a lot of noise. They’re flexible enough to have good contact with the windshield on each wipe. The AERO Voyager Premium is a J-Hook wiper, so installation isn’t a struggle. Sold in packs of two, the AERO Voyager wipers cost just under $20. Each purchase has two extra refills, too.
AERO Avenger Wipers
Another good AERO-branded wiper is the AERO Avenger. There are no brackets in this aerodynamic design. It can be used as an all-season wiper. It’s not as long-lasting as some other wipers already mentioned, but it is cheaper, about $22 a blade. The beam-style blended rubber blade comes with Teflon coating, making it easier for clean wipes. For anywhere between $20 and $35, the Aero Avenger wipers come with a handful of attachments made for different connector types. 99.9% of the vehicles on the road are compatible with the AERO Avenger.
SilBlade Premium Silicone Wipers
A group of former GE designers and engineers joined together to form SilBlade. Their goal? To study and develop the best wiper blades in the automotive industry. The result? A conventional frame-style silicone rubber blade with graphite and polytetrafluoroethylene. It offers good visibility without streaks, isn’t loud, and applies pressure across the length of the blade. There’s a hydrophobic coating that helps repel water formation on the windshield within the first 90 days of use. The durability of the SilBlade wipers helps guard against extreme temperatures, hot or cold. There’s a pre-installed adaptor that makes it easy to apply on most vehicles. A 5-year warranty is offered with the purchase of a wiper, which sell for about $25 each.
Trico Exact Fit Wipers
1917 is when TRICO mass-produced their first wiper blade. They have a little bit of history when it comes to this field. Since 1917, TRICO has developed a reputation for superior manufacturing with high-quality products. The Exact Fit wiper is available in all three blade types: conventional, beam, and hybrid. In terms of design, it’s not fancy. The frame is steel. It has enough pressure to successfully wipe without leaving streaks. The Exact Fit blade is supposed to be compatible with any vehicle. Of course, there are several blades to choose from besides the Exact Fit. The company also has the TRICO Maxx and TRICO White Extreme Weather winter blades, but the Exact Fit should get the job done in any kind of weather.
A Few Reminders
As you can see, there are plenty of wiper blades to choose from. Before ordering anything online, make sure it fits your vehicle. If it doesn’t, make sure you can return it. Regardless of what kind of windshield wiper you go with, most should be changed once a year, regardless of use. If they’re worn before then, due to weather, they may need to be replaced more than once a year. When replaced, all wipers should be switched out at the same time.
Wipers are, of course, just one part of a vehicle operating smoothly. It takes every part doing its job to make for a good driving experience. That’s why we cover all kinds of car parts and accessories. Some other articles to check out include: Car Maintenance Questions Answered, the Best Tires for Each Season, and the Best Car Accessories Under $25.
