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Windshield wipers aren’t something many drivers probably think about too much. They’re already installed when we buy our cars, already there on cars we own and sit silently out of the way until bad weather hits. That’s why it’s important to get a good set on your vehicle before you need them. Here’s everything you should consider before purchasing your new blades, along with our top choices.
What Are the Best Windshield Wipers?
There are several things to consider when looking for a new pair of windshield wipers. Here’s how to find the best blades for your vehicle.
Material, Design & Installation: The best windshield wipers should be water-repellant and feature blades built to stand up to splitting, cracking and shredding. Many are made with some sort of synthetic or authentic rubber or silicon (or a mix of both), but the frame matters too.
A frame made of something like steel is the oldest type available, and newer model cars have started to go frameless, connecting instead through multiple points. Meantime, a teflon or graphite coating can keep friction to a minimum, and prevent blades from skipping, jumping, dragging and squealing across your windshield.
These wipers leave minimal streaks on your windshield, and fewer big gaps in the area they cover, which can hide your visibility when you need it most. They’re also designed for easy installation with a quick-locking joint, and some even come with an adapter to widen the list of makes and models they can fit.
Fit: Finally, be absolutely sure that the wipers you’re looking at will fit your specific vehicle. Amazon makes it easy with a quick lookup tool, both for fit and blade length to cover a proper viewing area for your windshield. Check to see if the wipers sit flush and tight against your windshield too, and that they come in packs of two.
1. Bosch Icon Wiper Blades
Bosch blades are built for bad weather — all without brackets or hinges, and featuring a hook-type mount. These windshield wipers are constructed with dual rubber to resist even the hottest days, and keep the road visible in the worst storms, which is thanks to the patented OE Beam design with a shielded connector.
A tension spring ensures it meets the curvature of all types of windshields, and keeps equal pressure on all parts of the blade, leaving little room for streaks. There’s also an integrated wind spoiler to prevent them from rising up, even at highway speeds during a storm, and without any whooshing noises.
They’re simple to install, and come in a package that’s easy to open.
Amazon
2. Rain-X Latitude 2-In-1 Wiper Blade
If you don’t want the headache of searching for a specific set of wipers for your vehicle, there’s a good chance these Rain-X blades are a good fit. They’re designed to seamlessly slide on, and pack two types of blades in one — to wipe away existing water and repel the rest, keeping your view virtually streak-free. These treat your windshield with a water-repelling coating with each pass, causing new drops to bead up and be able to be wiped away in one swoop.
These also feature Beam Blade tech for hugging the contours and curves of each windshield, and the built-in synthetic rubber squeegee can brave all types of weather.
Amazon
3. Michelin RainForce All Weather Performance Windshield Wiper Blade
Michelin’s Rainforce line is ready to take on drizzles, downpours, as well as snow and ice. The company, which is well-known for its car parts and accessories, also puts out a well-made blade. These wipers are compression-molded rubber, with an all-natural graphite-coating that’s built for extra durability and to sound quiet.
The riveted frame is made of metal with stainless steel flexors, sporting the Aero Vented design for better performance. You don’t need to be an auto expert to install them either — the connector system can easily snap to any hook, pin and bayonet-style connector. Once the wipers are on, get used to the clear view, as these are built for over 500,000 cycles.
Amazon
4. Motium Oem Quality Premium All-Season Windshield Wipers
Motium’s blades come with a bracket-free design, which helps effortlessly throw rain and snow out of the way. Meanwhile, the aerodynamic shape and flexible blade covering keeps out debris. This also helps to prevent the blade from lifting off, as well as with fitting the curves of your windshield.
The blades run silently and streak-free, and they can survive extreme temperatures in both directions: up to 158 degrees Fahrenheit and down to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. After installing, don’t forget to remove the plastic protector before using them.
Amazon
