Original windshield wipers usually last 6 to 12 months before they start to tear or streak. The best windshield wipers can last longer, sometimes as long as two years or even longer, depending on use, maintenance, and weather conditions.
Because visibility is important to car safety, don’t just buy any traditional wiper blades. Look for wipers that are equally reliable and affordable. In this review, we evaluated the four best windshield wipers on the automotive market based on customer reviews and our testing process.
Although there are a large number of high-quality traditional wipers in the auto parts market, we recommend the following four brands to most drivers:
Each of these blades has a high average rating in Amazon reviews and performed well in our face-to-face tests, we checked each blade's ability to push water away from the windshield without streaks.
In order to determine the best windshield wiper blades, we first studied the most popular windshield wipers based on customer reviews, Amazon's highest grade and price. We tested several top models — you can find them in local auto parts stores — and scored each windshield wiper according to the following criteria:
Every windshield wiper we recommend in this article performs well in each of these metrics. However, keep in mind that some premium wipers perform better on some vehicles than others, depending on the contour of the windshield and the wiper arm of the car.
Although slightly more expensive than other models, the Bosch Icon wiper performed best during our testing. These aerodynamic blades-with a unique asymmetric and flexible spoiler design-have also received very high customer reviews, with many reviewers pointing out that the blades have been in use for several years before the wiper needs to be replaced. The Bosch Icon wiper blade is a beam blade, which uses a tensioned steel frame and a high-grade rubber compound to maintain continuous contact with the windshield.
Among the windshield wipers we tested, Bosch ICON left us the deepest impression. These wipers effectively absorb water without obvious streaks, leaving a clear view of the outside.
Once you find the correct accessory to use, the blade is easy to install. The box includes a series of accessories to ensure that the Bosch ICON fits almost any vehicle.
Bosch ICON wipers have more than 31,000 reviews on Amazon, with an average review score of 4.7 stars (out of 5.0). 93% of reviewers rated Blade 4.0 stars or higher. Most customers have noticed the effect of ICON in removing the windshield. Some people complain that the wipers don't work particularly well on their vehicles, so your experience may vary depending on your car.
Several reviewers noted how long these blades lasted.
"The last time I traveled more than 1,600 miles, and experienced some annoying summer rains in Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois, these wipers performed perfectly."
"[As] an experiment, I want to see how long I can last before I absolutely have to replace a pair of these blades. The answer is: six years."
"I bought them more than two years ago in March 2019. In a car, they still provide the same streak-free, comprehensive cleaning that they provided on the first day. On the other hand, they are only now showing signs of wear , It can be replaced."
Weather conditions—especially extreme weather—can have a major impact on blade performance. Most commenters who left negative comments on Bosch ICON wiper blades mentioned that the weather performance in the snow is particularly poor.
"During the [road trip], we handled rain (50% of the round trip) and snow/ice there. [Bosch ICON wiper blades] did a very poor job of cleaning/cleaning windows. Describe it best The way is that it cleans (at most) 80% and leaves a layer of dirt on the windows."
Aero Avenger adopts a non-stent aerodynamic design, which is comparable to Bosch ICON in our performance test. According to customer reviews, the life of this windshield wiper blade may not be as good as Bosch ICON, but the cost is only half of Bosch ICON.
Aero Avenger performed well in our initial tests. It left no obvious stripes.
Like Bosch ICON, the installation of these windshield wipers is very simple. Out of the box, these blades include a smaller number of accessories for different connector types.
Chevrolet Colorado's Aero Avenger windshield wiper blades have received more than 100 ratings on Amazon, with an average total score of 4.5 stars (out of 5.0 points). 87% of reviewers gave Blade 4.0 stars or more. The review scores for this windshield wiper are not aggregated for all models, so the total number of reviews for this wiper is far more than 100. Each model has a rating of 4.0 stars or higher.
According to customer reports, Aero Avenger blades have a fairly long service life.
"The last set of products I ordered lasted for two years. This is twice as much as I use more expensive brand wipers. My truck is parked outside all year round, so the wipers are really affected by UV rays."
"My [Aero Avengers] lasted for 14 months, but they lasted well."
"[I] installed [Aero Avenger Installation] on another car. Three years later, they still work well."
However, reports on lifespan are indeed different, and not everyone is satisfied with the water resistance of Aero Avenger.
"I can't say that these properties or duration are longer than those I bought at half the cost. I don't think I will buy these again."
"[I] bought these for my 2009 Silverado, and they were torn up in less than six months and hardly used."
Rain-X Latitude blades are coated with Rain-X solution, which is applied to the windshield during wiping. These beam wipers can also be adjusted according to the curvature of the windshield to provide additional wiping pressure, and have a universal adapter that can be easily connected to any type of wiper arm without the need to classify more than a dozen accessories.
Although you should of course read the instructions before installing this blade, it is not difficult to figure it out.
Rain-X performed quite well in our tests. The aerodynamic blades easily clear heavy rain on the windshield. However, compared to the performance of other blades we tested, we did notice the fewest streaks. These blades are coated with a layer of Rain-X coating during work, so it is expected that the water resistance will improve over time.
The highlight of Rain-X Latitude blades is the installation process. Other blades come with multiple adapters, hopefully they contain the type suitable for your vehicle. The Rain-X blade has a "universal adapter" that can be adjusted to fit all types of connectors.
When we tried to install without first reading the instructions, the blade was difficult to install. After we spent 10 seconds following the instructions, adjusting the universal adapter to fit our vehicle was a simple installation.
Amazon has more than 52,000 reviews on Rain-X Latitude, and the blade has an average score of 4.6 stars (out of 5.0). 91% of reviewers rated these windshield wiper blades 4.0 stars or higher.
Customers noticed two outstanding features of Rain-X Latitude wipers: Rain-X coating and silent.
"Do you know how the wipers vibrate and make annoying noises if the windshield is too dry when sliding back and forth? Well, there is no sound at all....They just slide back and forth silently."
Some people claim that the windshield wiper blades are difficult to install, while others believe that there is no problem with the installation. This may depend on the type of connector you are using. After reading the instructions, we did not encounter too many difficulties when installing the blade.
There are two recurring negative comments: the rubber insert may fall off, and the fogging effect observed in light rain at night.
"As others have said in the comments, I can't believe this wiper blade. I drove when it was raining in rural Virginia and the rubber sheet started to slip out of the rest of the wiper."
It seems that only a few reviewers have the same problem, which may be a problem of improper installation. Another possibility is that some Rain-X blades are defective.
Even the positive comments mentioned that there will be a slight haze effect when driving under lights at night-possibly from Rain-X coating. Although some customers complain, others say that bullying under these conditions is minimal.
Rain-X wipers seem to have an average lifespan, and you can expect their lifespan to be between six months and one year, depending on usage.
"Well, I finally ordered a replacement blade. They started running naked to me. So the lifespan of my Honda Odyssey is about 5.5 months. To be honest, the price is not bad."
"Although they are a bit more expensive than some other wipers, I have used them for more than four months without any problems, nor have they streaked."
Michelin Stealth Ultra blades have a hybrid design, which means they have a pressure point similar to beam blades, but are made of a metal frame. Unlike the beam design of other wipers on this list, Stealth Ultras has a hinge design designed to allow the blades to provide maximum pressure on the windshield. The hinge is covered, so it also has the advantages of a beam wiper blade (prevents snow, ice and debris).
Although the performance of the Michelin Stealth Ultra blades is not as good as the three recommended blades based on testing, they are effective and not particularly difficult to install.
These aerodynamic blades do not come with any accessories and are only compatible with the J-hook mounting design. In order to install the blade, we need to purchase a separate practical accessory. Several other customers pointed out in the comments that their blades were also not equipped with suitable connectors for their vehicles. Stealth Ultras out of the box may have poor compatibility with all vehicles.
The Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades are based on more than 7,800 ratings, with an average Amazon rating of 4.3 stars (out of 5.0). 83% of reviewers rated the product 4.0 stars or higher.
Based on customer reviews, the performance of the Michelin Stealth Ultra may vary from model to model. Some drivers think their work is flawless, while others complain that the design does not hug their windshield tightly.
"These contours are great for windshields, they look like original equipment manufacturers, they look like they belong to the car, not just some clunky afterthoughts."
Longevity is a similar story. For some models, these blades can be well supported. For others, they will start squeaking after a while.
"These blades didn't last long at all. I bought them in November and they have already started making metallic sounds on glass in May."
"[Michelin Stealth Ultra wiper blades] can be used for a long time, almost two years, if you treat them well."
"[Stealth Ultra wiper blades] have been installed on my truck for a few weeks now for less than a full year and still clean the windshield like new."
"Quiet and clean for about six to twelve months, then they tend to squeak, but they can still be cleaned."
To test the windshield wipers in this review, we installed them on our test vehicle and run them while spraying the windshield with a hose. Using the HD camera, we captured the blade performance at 60 frames per second. We were able to slow down this video to carefully evaluate the ability of each blade to wipe water without leaving streaks. Each blade is tested at the same speed.
An important factor to consider when looking for the best windshield wiper blade is service life. Unfortunately, our tests did not prove how well each blade performed over time. This factor is difficult to compare between blades, because how many other factors affect blade life. These include use, maintenance, and local weather conditions. Certain types of blades may be better supported in low-rain areas with stable temperatures, while other types of blades may last longer under extreme temperature conditions.
In order to understand the service life, we sorted out customer reviews, paying particular attention to those who have owned blades for at least six months.
When buying the best windshield wiper, it is important to first figure out which blade is right for your car. Check your user manual to determine the proper wiper blade length. Many vehicles require left and right wipers of different sizes.
Another thing you need to figure out is the type of wiper blade connector you have. There are many ways to connect the blades, but the two most common are J-hooks and PTB 19mm top locks. Some wiper blades come with multiple attachments to suit different vehicles, but other wiper blades may only be suitable for a connector without an adapter.
Once you have determined the required size and type of accessories, you will mainly consider performance and service life. Although most wiper blades provide good performance, the best wiper blades can provide streak-free wiping for a year or more. If you don't need to change the blade frequently, even a slightly more expensive blade will be cheaper in the long run.
You can extend the life of the blade by lifting the blade when it is snowing, cleaning the blade with cleaning fluid regularly, and keeping it away from the sun.
There are three common wiper blade styles: beam style, hinge style and hybrid style. The crossbeam and hybrid design has a plastic cover that protects the blades from ice and snow accumulation. These styles are suitable for all weather conditions and do not require seasonal changes.
After all, whether you are ordering online or visiting a retailer, finding the best windshield wiper for your vehicle is very important. We hope our guide can point you in the right direction, but some blades may perform better than others on your car.
Are high-quality wiper blades worth it?
High-quality wiper blades are worth it, because although they may be more costly, they have a longer life than low-quality wiper blades.
Which is better, rubber wiper or silicone wiper?
It is said that silicone windshield wipers have a longer service life than rubber wipers, although this is not widely recognized. One advantage of silicone wiper blades is that they leave behind hydrophobic silica when wiping, which may improve performance over time. Silicone blades can also withstand extreme heat and cold better than rubber blades, which may increase service life, depending on where you live.
Does it matter what kind of windshield wiper you get?
Choosing the right wiper blade can improve road safety and save you money in the long run. The important thing is that your windshield wipers must effectively remove water without leaving streaks that hinder your vision. Most wiper blades work well out of the box, but they degrade over time.
A set of high-quality wiper blades will continue to provide clear windshields over time, and you do not need to replace them as often as low-quality models.
Which windshield wiper has the longest service life?
The most durable windshield wiper may depend on your vehicle, driving conditions and climate. How you care for the blade will also have a significant impact on the service life.
In order to study this review, we sorted out hundreds of Amazon customer reviews. According to Amazon reviews, Bosch ICON wiper blades seem to have the longest service life, and many customers have reported quality performance more than four years after installation. If properly maintained, most wiper blades are expected to last about a year.