According to the American Optometric Association, visibility accounts for over 90 percent of all decisions made while driving. So, it’s obvious that having excellent visibility is the most important aspect of driving a vehicle. Which is why we take care of our windows properly, making certain they are clean and free from dust, road dirt, and bugs.
But what happens when it snows or rains? To have the best visibility possible during rainy and snowy conditions, you must have windshield wipers which are in excellent condition and keep our windshields clear and streak free so we can see where we’re going.
As you can see, windshield wipers are an important and integral part of your driving experience. In order to help you select the proper blade for your vehicle we’ve created the top 10 best windshield wiper blades in 2021 and buyers guide.
Top 10 Best Windshield Wiper Blades
The best time to look for windshield wiper blades is when you don’t need them. In other words, don’t wait until a heavy downpour, or show fall to realize that your blades are old, worn and in need of replacing. Old, damaged blades are dangerous as they decrease visibility. In fact, it is a good idea to always purchase an extra set and keep them in your glove compartment in case such an occasion arises.
Below are reviews for some of the best windshield wipers on the market. Each one of these blades is manufactured by companies that stand behind their products and offer excellent customer service. When going over this wiper blade review, think of your own vehicle, and what it is you need. Consider features, ease of installation, overall performance and vehicle compatibility.
Table of the Best Windshield Wiper Blades :
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1. Rain-X RX30222 Weatherbeater Wiper Blade – 22-Inches
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Number one on our windshield wiper review, is the Rain-X RX30222 Weatherbeater Wiper Blade. These 22 inch, Rain-X Weatherbeater wiper blades will get you through those rainy drives home with ease as they are designed to exceed normal wiper blade standards.
These blades are designed with a galvanized steel frame, making them durable and resistant to corrosion due to the elements. The squeegee is made from natural rubber and is resistant to the effects of wiper fluid, the elements and road salt, which means it is also highly resistant to cracking and splitting. So, if you are in the market for an excellent quality, conventional wiper blade that is easy to install, durable and comes from a trusted maker, then Rain-X RX30222 is for you.
2. Bosch ICON 26A Wiper Blade
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This next windshield wiper blade has been proven to last more than 40 percent longer than many of its competition. The Bosch ICON 26A Wiper Blades sports an award winning design which ensures equal pressure is applied as the blade moves across the windshield, giving you optimum viewing in rainy situations.
This blade comes with a flexible asymmetric attached, aerofoil spoiler, is 26 inches long, has an all-season wiper design and one wiping edge. Bosch’s own, patented ClearMax 365 blends both a tough external polymer shell with a soft, rubber interior to create a durable blade that will not absorb wiper fluid, or wear out easily.
Features include: RX dual rubber, 22mm side lock, pinch tab, Valeo top lock, 9x3mm hook, and 9x4mm hook. This blade will hug your windshield due to Bosch’s own Tension Spring Arching Technology, which makes certain your blade will conform to the contour of you windshield.
3. TRICO Exact Fit 12-A Rear Integral Wiper Blade
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The 12 inch TRICO Exact Fit 12A Rear Integral Wiper Blade is easy to install, simply snap it in place and you are good to go. This is due to the blades receptor, which has been specifically designed to fit you type of vehicle, locking in place using the Roc Lock 2 technology, with no need for an adapter. This easy to install, pre-assembled TRICO factory replacement blade is designed to match your specific vehicle, to give you the perfect OEM appearance, fit and function.
So, if you’re in the market for a wiper blade constructed of high quality rubber, durable steel that will match your original, out of factory wiper design take a look at the TRICO Exact Fit Wiper Blades. Remember this is vehicle specific, so double check to make certain it will fit to your vehicle.
4. Michelin 8524 Stealth Ultra Windshield Wiper Blade withSmart Technology
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Michelin stands behind its products, and there wiper blades are no exception. In fact, through independent tests conducted, it was found that the 8524 Stealth blades performed better than its competitors after a total of 300,000 continuous wipes! Michelin’s Stealth Ultra Windshield Wiper Blade, model number 8524, is designed to be the perfect replacer blade, with its EZ-Lok system allowing for fast and quick installation.
If you reside in a snowy, cold climate, you’ll be relieved to know that Michelin’s own patented, Smart Hinge Cover ensures that your blade will continue to glide across your windshield, even under heavy snows, which is due to the independent suspensions on each end of the wiper. Features include Smart-Flex Technology, Independent Suspension Tertiary, and Segmented Hard Cover. Michelins designed this All-Season hybrid blade to be able to deal with tough weather, so you’ll not have to worry about a blade becoming clogged with troublesome ice, snow or debris.
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5. 26″ + 18″ AERO Premium All-Season Windshield Wiper Blades
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26″ + 18″ AERO Premium All-Season Windshield Wiper Blades guarantee that you’ll have the perfect OEM replacement wiper blades for your vehicle with its J-Hook fitment. These blades are made from a durable, blended, high quality rubber material with a DuPont Teflon coating, which ensures a long life and a smooth wipe without leaving unsightly streaking behind.
These bracketless, AERO blades are designed with a special aerodynamic design which helps each blade to glide freely across the windshield, and its pliable spine design hugs the windshield.
All of AERO’s windshield wiper blades have gone under strict quality control tests to maintain manufacturers standards, guaranteeing up to 1 million wipes per blade. This purchase includes both a drivers side blade and passenger blade.
6. PIAA 95060 Super Silicone Wiper Blade – 24″
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The 24 inch PIAA 95060 Super Silicone Wiper Blade has a blade which is manufactured from tough, silicone rubber, and can last up to 2 times longer than its competitors. This PIAA 95060 blades operates quietly and can be refilled with ease using either Super Silicone or AeroVogue refills, and can be used in any climate.
These wiper blades encourage water beading, so the water is more easily wiped by applying an unseen water resistant barrier to your windshield, so even if you are not driving or wiping, the water will continue to bead off the windshield and roll away.
The accompanying ‘Prep-Pack’ helps you to clean the windshield before you attach the blades, to prep it for the new silicone blade. PIAA’s Super Silicone wiper blades have been proven to create a sharper, cleaner and clearer visibility than standard, rubber. You also have the benefit of purchasing Super Silicone refills to slide to the wiper, so you don’t have to spend money on purchasing an entire windshield wiper.
7. PIAA 95055 Super Silicone Wiper Blade – 22 Inches
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Are you sick and tired of constantly changing your wiper blades? If so, then the PIAA 95055 might work for you, as these silicone blades have been shown to last up to 2 times longer than competitors premium blades. PIAA’s Super Silicone Wiper Blades, model 95055 are made to give you a clean windshield along with good visibility and ultra quiet performance.
Their own, exclusive Silicone rubber material works to ensure that a water resistant barrier encourages water beading, which makes for easy, clean wiping. So, even if the windshields are not wiping, you are still guaranteed good visibility.
PIAA designed the steel wiper blade frame to produce equal pressure across the curvature of your windshield to minimize streaking, giving you a clear, visible field of vision. Easy to install, this all-season wiper blade with the beam design, uses a Large J Hook connector type fitment.
8. TRICO NeoForm 16-240 Wiper Blade with Teflon – 24″
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The all-season, TRICO NeoForm Beam 16-240 Wiper Blade is an easy to install, durable wiper blade designed to give you improved visibility in times of rain, snow or ice. The NeoForm will give you the OEM quality wiper blade you’ve been looking for. Installation is facilitated by a 9mm hook, .25 inch Side Lock and 9×4 hook.
This wiper blade frame is constructed from tough, Memory Curve Steel beam which ensures equalized pressure across the curvature of your windshield, along with a wiper blade protected by a durable Teflon Surface Protector. To eliminate bothersome streaking, the NeoForm utilizes TRICO’s own Dual Point Coupler Technology.
9. ANCO 31-Series 31-22 Wiper Blade – 22″
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The ANCO 31-Series 31-22 Wiper Blade, 22 inches comes with a durable, conventional design with a steel frame and a DuraKlear rubber wiper blade. In order to give you the perfect OEM fit, these blades are made with a vented bridge and metal flexor, which enhances function and provides the perfect fit.
The ANCO 31’s DuraKlear wiper blades actually help to protect against UV rays, the elements, pollution and debris. Installation is quick and easy using the KwiKConnect System, which means you can install and remove these blades quickly and effortlessly.
10. TRICO NeoForm 16-200 Wiper Blade with Teflon 20 Inches
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TRICO NeoForm 16-200 Wiper Blade with Teflon provide you with the perfect, OEM fit to ensure that your visibility will remain in tact, no matter what the weather. These NeoForm blades are designed with TRICO’s very own, patented, Memory Curve Steel Technology and Dual-Point Coupler design which makes certain that your blade maintains equal pressure as it crosses over the curvature of your windshield, with little or no streaking. The wiper blade is coated with DuPonts own Teflon surface protector which extends the lifespan of the blade, along with giving you many clean, streak free wiping cycle. Each wiper comes complete with adapters which make installation a snap. Feel free to use these blades for any season, as they are designed to avoid being clogged by ice and snow during winter.
Tips on How to Select the Perfect Windshield
Wiper Blade
Shopping for your replacement blade is not that difficult or complex, but there are still a few factors to consider, such as durability, ease of installation and vehicle compatibility. Below, we’ve gathered a few of these factors to help you get a good grasp on what to look for in a replacement blade.
Test Your Current Blade
If you start to notice that your windshield is streaking with each wipe, then it’s probably time to replace your blades. Gently lift each wiper by the arm, and feel edge of the rubber. If the rubber is hardened, cracked or split, then it is time for new blades. Never purchase just one wiper blade.
All of your blades have been working hard and in the elements, even if one is slightly worse for wear, it makes good sense to keep visibility as perfect as possible, so if the drivers side blade is worn, go out and purchase blades for the drivers side, passenger and rear window.
Also, as previously stated, sometimes we forget about our blades, and in the middle of a stormy night, realize that our blades are worn and frazzled, leaving us with impaired visibility. So, always consider purchasing an extra set, and keeping that extra set in your glove compartment or trunk.
Types of Windshield Wiper Blades
Premium Beam Blades
Premium blades will be more expensive than conventional blades. They usually come with an aerodynamic design with a contemporary, modern appearance. Their spring steel design allows them to apply constant, even pressure to the curvature of your windshield. These Beam blades are often considered OEM, meaning they come off the factory line with these blades already installed. These blades are also known as ‘all-season’ blades and can handle snow and rain rather well.
Hybrid Wiper Blades
For wiper blades with the latest technology, look into the hybrid type. Like the premium blades, they too often have an sleek aerodynamic design, and all-weather performance. These blades aren’t usually considered OEM, but are often chose as a replacement blade on certain vehicles.
Standard or Conventional Blades
Standard or Conventional windshield wiper blades are your most basic and cost effective choice. They come with a basic blade frame style, and can be found online and in most auto supply stores.
Get Your Owners Manual
First things first, and that is to grab your vehicles owners manual and find out more about the type of windshield wiper you’ll need. This should tell you the right size you’ll need. For instance, if you own a Ford Taurus, then Bosch ICON makes a rather nice vehicle specific wiper blade just for you.
The Right Size
This cannot be over emphasized, there is no sense even purchasing a blade that is the wrong size. To check for size, look at your users manual. If you don’t have your manual on hand, you can take a tape measure out and measure your wipers. Remember to measure all of your wipers, as some vehicles have different size blades for the drivers side, rear window and passenger side.
Materials
If you are in the market for a durable wiper blade, then choose those made from Silicone. They are more expensive, but will wear much better than conventional rubber. Silicone blades also wipe cleaner in rain and snow, and are much quieter. Also, take a good look at frame construction. We strongly recommend that you stay away from wiper design that depends too much on plastic, as these are known to break easily. Look for models that have durable steel frame construction instead.
Climate
If you live in a climate which is known for having heavy snowfalls, then all-season blades might not be enough, so take a look at more durable blades built specifically for dealing with heavy snowfall. These are known as winter-ready blades, and are often constructed with Teflon or graphite materials to enhance their durability.
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Conclusion
As you can see, shopping for your own replacement wiper blades is not that hard after all. Basically, keep mindful of the type of vehicle you own and will the blade be compatible with that vehicle. If you have questions, please consult your vehicles owners manual to see exactly what type and size blades you require.
Remember that often, the drivers side, passenger and rear wiper blades will each be a different size. When you purchase your blades, always buy a second set to keep them in the glove compartment to use as needed. Other factors include the climate you live in, materials, ease of installation and making certain you purchase the correct size blade.