Best Windshield Wipers
Motor1 Reviews Team Take:
- The best windshield wiper in 2024 is the Bosch ICON 180E. The ICON 180E from Bosch effectively cleared water from our testing vehicle’s windshield and left behind no noticeable streaks.
- Windshield wipers are quite affordable, but replacing them often can be a pain. We found that you’ll spend between $15 and $30 depending on the type of wiper blade you want and the quality of material used in its construction.
- Driving a vehicle without windshield wipers is illegal in the United States. Eventually, the original wipers on your vehicle will need to be replaced – not just to pass inspection but for your own safety on the road as well.
A top-of-the-line, high-performance wiper blade that makes up for its high price tag with longevity.
A durable and reliable beam-style wiper blade that comes at a relatively low cost.
A reasonably priced windshield wiper that applies a Rain-X coating to your vehicle as it wipes.
A hybrid wiper blade that combines the benefits of a beam and hinge-style wiper.
Factory windshield wipers typically last between six and twelve months before they begin to tear or streak. The best windshield wipers can last even longer, sometimes up to two years and more, depending on use, care, and weather conditions.
Because visibility is important for automotive safety, don’t buy just any traditional wiper blades. Look for wipers that are equally reliable and affordable. In this review, we give our take on the four best windshield wiper blades on the automotive market based on customer reviews and our testing process.
Each of these blades has a high average rating on Amazon reviews and performed well in our in-person testing where we examined each blade’s ability to push water off a windshield without streaking.
What Are The Best Windshield Wipers?
The best windshield wipers in 2024 are the Bosch ICON 180E, Aero Avenger, Rain-X Latitude, and the Michelin Stealth Ultra.
Top-Rated Windshield Wipers
Each windshield wiper in this review was thoroughly tested and evaluated based on several categories, including performance, durability, and installation. You can find more specifics regarding our rating system here.
The scores in each category are compiled into a single overall rating that ranges from 1.0 to 5.0 stars. Each windshield wiper’s ratings, including their overall ratings and awards from our team, are highlighted below:
| Brand/Model | Overall Rating | Award | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bosch ICON Wiper Blades |
4.6 |
Best Windshield Wiper |
$25 |
|
Aero Avenger |
4.3 |
Best Value Windshield Wiper Blades |
$20 |
|
Rain-X Latitude |
4.0 |
Best Rain-X Wiper Blades |
$15 |
|
Michelin Stealth Ultra |
4.0 |
Best Hybrid Blade |
$30 |
*Because cost data fluctuates, the prices in the table above are approximate values that our team regularly updates.
For those interested in learning more, we’ve provided a detailed review of each of the best windshield wipers in the sections below:
1. Bosch ICON Wiper Blades: Best Windshield Wiper
- Cost: $25
- Amazon review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 based on over 18,800 reviews
- Material: Dual rubber
- Blade style: Beam
While slightly costlier than other models, the Bosch Icon wiper blades performed the best in our rigorous testing process. These aerodynamic blades feature an exclusive asymmetrical flexible spoiler design. With very high customer review scores, many reviewers noted the blades held up for several years before they needed replacement wipers.
Bosch Icon wiper blades are beam blades, which use a tensioned steel frame and top-grade rubber compounds to create constant contact with the windshield. Here’s how the Bosch Icon Wiper Blades performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 5.0 |
| Durability | 5.0 |
| Installation | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.6 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Bosch Icon Wiper Blades:
- Excellent wiping ability
- Many customer reports of blades lasting more than two years (and even up to six)
- All-season design
- More expensive than other models
- Poor performance with some vehicles
The Bosch ICON impressed us the most out of the windshield wiper blades we tested. These wipers pulled water effectively with no visible smearing, leaving behind a clear view of the outside.
The blades are easy to install once you figure out the right attachment to use. The box includes a range of attachments to ensure the Bosch ICONs fit on almost any vehicle.
Most customers note how well the ICONs clear their windshields. Some complain that the wipers do not work especially well on their vehicles, so your experience could vary depending on your car. Several reviewers noted how long these blades lasted.
“They [Bosch Icon] provide a streak-free and consistently smooth wipe with every pass. Whether it’s a light drizzle or a heavy downpour, these wiper blades ensure that my windshield remains crystal clear, improving visibility and safety on the road.”
— Brandon Sterling via Amazon.
Weather conditions – and extreme weather, in particular – can have a big impact on blade performance. Most reviewers who left negative comments about the Bosch ICON wiper blades mentioned particularly poor weather performance in the snow.
“I had a 2600-mile road trip over the holidays and wanted new blades…Over the course of that trip, we dealt with rain (50% of the travel out and back) and snow/ice while we were there. The blades did an extremely poor job clearing/cleaning the window. The best way to describe it was that it was getting it 80% clean (at best) and leaving a layer of dirt on the window.”
— Chase Grisom via Amazon.
2. Aero Avenger: Best Value Windshield Wiper Blades
- Cost: $20
- Amazon review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 based on over 7,200 reviews
- Material: Specially blended rubber with Teflon™ coating
- Blade style: Beam
Featuring a bracketless aerodynamic design, the Aero Avenger rivaled the Bosch ICON in our performance tests. According to customer reviews, this windshield wiper blade may not have quite the longevity of the Bosch ICON, but it is less expensive.
Here’s how the Aero Avenger Wiper Blades performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 4.5 |
| Durability | 4.5 |
| Installation | 4.0 |
| Overall Rating | 4.3 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Aero Avenger wiper blades:
- Inexpensive
- Good performance with minimal streaking
- All-season design
- Includes six-month warranty
- Some customers report a shorter life span
The Aero Avenger performed well in our initial tests. It left behind no noticeable streaking.
As with the Bosch ICONs, the installation of these windshield wipers is straightforward. Out of the box, these blades include a smaller number of attachments for different connector types.
According to customer reports, the Aero Avenger blades have decent longevity. However, reports on longevity do vary, and not everyone was happy with the Aero Avenger’s water repellency.
“I buy a new set of these every year. Nothing lasts long with heat and sun and at this price point, it makes sense to replace them every year. These always fit and always last a full year and work without any issues.”
— Bob via Amazon.
“Yesterday I was driving in [the] rain and it started making this weird streak almost like it was lifting up about mid-wipe. I took the blade off, looked at it, [and] it seemed fine. I cleaned the rubber with an alcohol pad and called it good. Today it was still doing it. Didn’t think anything of it, until with no warning the whole wiper blade just broke off where it mounts to the wiper arm.”
— Charles via Amazon.
3. Rain-X Latitude: Best Rain-X Wiper Blades
- Cost: $15
- Amazon review score: 4.6 out of 5.0 based on over 7,200 reviews
- Material: Natural rubber
- Blade style: Beam
The Rain-X Latitude blades are coated with Rain-X solution, which is applied to your windshield as they wipe. These beam-style wiper blades also adjust to the curvature of your windshield for extra wiping pressure and feature a universal adapter that makes it easy to connect to any type of wiper arm without sorting through a dozen attachments.
While you should certainly read the instructions before installing this blade, it’s not too difficult to figure out. Here’s how the Rain-X Latitude Wiper Blades performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 4.0 |
| Durability | 3.5 |
| Installation | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.0 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Rain-X Latitude Wiper Blades:
- Coated with Rain-X water repellent solution
- Universal adaptor fits any type of attachment arm
- All-season design
- Can cause mild hazing at night in light rain
- Average durability
The Rain-X Latitude performed reasonably well in our test. The aerodynamic blades cleared heavy rain from our windshield with ease. However, compared to the performance of the other blades we tested, we did notice minimal streaking. As these blades work, they apply a layer of Rain-X coating, so it is expected that water repellency will improve over time.
The installation process is where the Rain-X blades stood out. Other blades ship with several adapters that hopefully include the right type for your vehicle. Rain-X blades have a “universal adapter” that can be adjusted to fit all types of connectors.
The blades were difficult to install when we tried to do it without first reading the directions. After we spent 10 seconds with the instructions, adjusting the universal adapter to fit our vehicle was an easy installation.
Customers note two things that stand out with the Rain-X Latitude wipers: the Rain-X coating and the fact that they’re quiet.
“I installed the RAIN-X wipers and was pleasantly surprised [by] how quiet they were and how clear the windshield was as they cleared the rain.”
— T-Birdie via Amazon.
Some claim the windshield wiper blades are difficult to install, while others have no problems with installation. It may depend on what type of connector you use. However, we did not encounter too much difficulty installing the blades once we read the instructions.
There are two recurring negative comments: that the rubber insert can come off, and an observed hazing effect at night in light rain. Only a handful of reviewers seem to have this same issue, and it could be a matter of improper installation. Another possibility is that some of the Rain-X blades are defective. Even positive reviews mention a slight hazing effect – possibly from the Rain-X coating – when driving at night under lights. Though some customers have complained, others say the hazing under these conditions is minimal.
“Within two weeks of installing the brand new wipers, they [Rain-X Latitude] began to badly streak the windshield leaving behind a black residue on the windshield. I tried to wipe off the wiper blades several times…The streaks and residue persisted making it extremely difficult to navigate rainy, nighttime driving.”
— Edward via Amazon.
4. Michelin Stealth Ultra: Best Hybrid Blade
- Cost: $30
- Amazon review score: 4.3 out of 5.0 based on over 8,900 reviews
- Material: Premium rubber with graphite coating
- Blade style: Hybrid smart hinge
The Michelin Stealth Ultra is a hybrid wiper blade, meaning it has similar pressure points to beam-style blades but is built with a metal frame. Unlike the beam-style design of the other wipers on this list, the Stealth Ultras have a hinge design intended to make the blade supply maximum pressure against the windshield. The hinge is covered so that it also has the benefits of a beam wiper blade (protection from the accumulation of snow, ice, and debris).
Here’s how the Michelin Stealth Ultra Wiper Blades performed in each category:
| Review Category | Score (Out of 5.0 Stars) |
|---|---|
| Performance | 4.0 |
| Durability | 3.5 |
| Installation | 4.5 |
| Overall Rating | 4.0 |
Below are the pros and cons of the Michelin Stealth Wiper Blades:
- Above-average blade longevity
- Excellent performance on some vehicles
- All-season design
- Many complaints that it doesn’t ship with the right adapter
- Inconsistent performance on some vehicles
While the Michelin Stealth Ultra blades didn’t perform as well as the three blades we recommend based on our tests, they were effective and not especially difficult to install.
These aerodynamic blades did not come with any attachments and were only compatible with the J-hook mount design. To install the blades, we needed to purchase a separate utility attachment. Several other customers noted in reviews that their blades likewise did not come with the proper connectors for their vehicles. Out-of-the-box, the Stealth Ultras may be less compatible with all vehicles.
Based on customer reviews, the performance of the Michelin Stealth Ultra can differ from model to model. Some drivers believed they worked flawlessly, while others complained that the design did not hug their windshields tightly.
“I put these [Michelin Stealth] on my F250 two years ago. They wipe clean and streak-free every time and they are very quiet. Still working like new after two years.”
— PrintingAllNight via Amazon.
Longevity is a similar story. For some car models, these blades hold up very nicely. For others, they begin to squeak after some time.
“Works well out of the box and goes straight downhill from there. Noisy chatter and streaking. No longevity to these things, maybe if you changed them every 3 weeks you would be fine, but you can do [the] same with dollar store blades.”
— Nathan R. Jessup via Amazon.
Best-Selling Windshield Wipers
While we tested four of the best windshield wipers on the market for their effectiveness, there are an overwhelming number of options available. With this in mind, our review team would like to highlight three more windshield wipers as honorable mentions.
Rain-X WeatherBeater
- Cost: $10 per blade
- Material: Natural rubber
- Blade Style: Conventional
The Rain-X WeatherBeater provides a smooth and streak-free wipe by implementing friction reducers and multiple pressure points. A galvanized steel frame provides strength while simultaneously preventing rust and corrosion. The natural rubber squeegee resists splitting, tearing, and cracking while effectively wiping your car’s windshield.
Trico Platinum
- Cost: $20 per blade
- Material: Natural rubber
- Blade Style: Beam
The Trico Platinum® blades are made from high-glide treated rubber, meaning the blades will offer a smooth windshield wipe without chattering or making the noises that traditional wipers do. These wiper blades are compatible with all types of windshield wiper arms, so you won’t need to worry about getting replacements.
Trico Gold
- Cost: $12 per blade
- Material: Natural rubber
- Blade Style: Beam
The Trico Gold® features aerodynamic styling to eliminate the noise that traditional wipers make when in use. The frame of the wipers are made from memory curved steel, so they’re strong and durable, yet also incredibly effective as they have a wider surface contact area than most other wiper blades.
Windshield Wiper Guide
When shopping for the best windshield wipers, it’s important to first figure out what kind of blades fit your car. Check your owner’s manual to determine the appropriate wiper blade lengths. Many vehicles require different sizes for the driver and passenger side wipers.
Compare Windshield Wipers
| Brand/Model | Material | Blade Style | Mounting Type |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Bosch ICON Wiper Blades |
Dual rubber |
Beam |
Top lock |
|
Aero Avenger |
Blended rubber with Teflon™ coating |
Beam |
Pinch tab |
|
Rain-X Latitude |
Natural rubber |
Beam |
Pinch tab |
|
Michelin Stealth Ultra |
Premium rubber with graphite coating |
Hybrid smart hinge |
Pinch tab |
Types Of Wiper Blades
There are three common wiper blade styles: beam, hinge, and hybrid.
Blades with a hybrid or beam design have a single plastic cover that protects the blade from snow and ice buildup. These styles are suitable for all weather conditions and do not need to be changed seasonally.
Hinge wiper blades have several pressure points and a bridge or hinge design. There is no covering to protect the blade’s joints which can accumulate snow and debris. If you have a hinge wiper blade, consider switching to winter wiper blades (a hybrid or beam style) when the snow hits.
Ultimately, whether you’re ordering online or visiting a retailer, it’s important to find the best windshield wiper blades for your vehicle. We hope our guide can point you in the right direction, but certain blades may perform better on your car than others.
Types Of Wiper Blade Connectors
The other thing you need to figure out is the type of wiper blade connector you have. There are several ways that blades attach, but two of the most common are the J-hook and a PTB 19mm top lock. Some wiper blades come with multiple attachments to work with different vehicles, but others may only work with one type of connector without an adapter.
Are Silicone Wipers Better Than Rubber?
Silicone windshield wipers are said to last longer than rubber blades, though this is not widely agreed upon. One advantage to silicone wiper blades is that they leave hydrophobic silica behind as they wipe, potentially improving performance over time. Silicone blades may also withstand extreme heat and cold better than rubber blades, potentially increasing longevity depending on where you live.
Windshield Wiper Replacement
Manufacturers make different styles of blades for different vehicles. AutoZone has a useful informational video with the step-by-step process for replacing windshield wipers that may not align with traditional installation methods you’d find online.
We’ve highlighted the steps to installing your new windshield wipers, but The Home Depot also offers great insight through its informational guide on determining the right size, how to remove wipers, and how to replace them.
Step-By-Step Windshield Wiper Replacement Process
- Move the hook on the wiper’s arm over the plastic clip on your new wiper.
- Pull the wiper upward so that the clip’s edge slides into place.
- Pull tightly until you hear the plastic on the new wiper click into place.
- Place the arm down against your windshield.
- Check to make sure the entire blade touches the glass.
- Test the new wiper blades using windshield fluid cleaner or water to ensure the blades are installed and working properly.
How to Prolong The Replacement Process
Once you’ve found the size, material, and attachment type you need, you’ll mostly want to consider performance and longevity. While most wiper blades offer decent performance, the best wiper blades provide a streak-free wipe for a year or longer. Even a slightly more expensive blade can be cheaper in the long run if you don’t need to replace it as often.
You can increase the longevity of your blades by lifting them when it snows, regularly cleaning them with windshield washer fluid, and keeping them out of the sun. No matter what windshield wipers you buy, taking care of your wiper blades will lead to better performance.
How Often To Replace Wiper Blades
Most car maintenance experts say wiper blades should be replaced approximately every 12 months, although multiple factors come into play.
Drivers who live in climates more prone to rain will naturally use their wipers more often than drivers in dry climates. Wiper material also matters since some are more durable than others. One example is silicone, a more heavy-duty material that will outlast a conventional rubber wiper.
Best Windshield Wiper Blades: Bottom Line
Getting the best windshield wipers is more of a matter of budget than brand. Of course, you need to buy wiper blades that fit your vehicle, but often a pair that costs less than $15 will still offer adequate performance and last around a year or more.
Still, our team found the Bosch ICON blades to have excellent cutting power and an impressive design. For less than $50, you can get a quality wiper blade that should outlast many competitors.
Here are our picks for the best windshield wipers in 2024:
- Best Windshield Wiper: Bosch ICON 180E
- Best Value Windshield Wiper Blades: Aero Avenger
- Best Rain-X Wiper Blades: Rain-X Latitude
- Best Hybrid Blade: Michelin Stealth Ultra
Windshield Wipers: FAQ
Below are some common frequently asked questions about windshield wipers:
Are premium wiper blades worth it?
Premium wiper blades are worth it because though they may cost more, they last longer than low-quality blades. This means that while the initial cost of quality wiper blades may be higher than you’d like, it will quite possibly save you money in the long run.
Does it matter what kind of windshield wipers you get?
Choosing the right wiper blade improves safety on the road and can save you money in the long term. It’s important that your windshield wipers effectively remove water without leaving behind streaks that obscure your vision. Most wiper blades will be reasonably effective out of the box but then degrade over time.
A high-quality set of conventional wiper blades will continue to keep a windshield clear as they age, and you will not need to replace them as often as lower-quality models.
Do auto parts stores install wipers for free?
Besides helping make sure the wiper blade is an exact fit for your vehicle, many auto part stores often install front and rear wiper blades for free.
Windshield Wiper Reviews: How We Tested
To test windshield wipers for this review, we installed them on our test vehicle and ran them while spraying the windshield with a hose. Using a high-definition camera, we captured blade performance at 60 frames per second. We were able to slow this footage down to closely assess each blade’s ability to wipe away water without leaving a streak. Every blade was tested at the same speed.
One important factor to consider when searching for the best windshield wiper blades is longevity. Unfortunately, our test does not demonstrate how well each blade performs over time. Longevity is difficult to compare among blades because of how many other factors can impact blade longevity. These include use, care, and local weather conditions. Some types of blades may hold up better in low-rain areas with stable temperatures, and others may last relatively longer in extreme temperature conditions.
To get an idea of longevity, we combed through customer reviews, paying particular attention to reviewers who have owned the blades for at least six months.
After testing, we scored each windshield wiper blade based on performance, durability, and installation.
Performance
We installed each new wiper blade and tested it at the same speed. We recorded the windshield from the inside while the wipers were in operation and reviewed the footage in slow motion, assessing each blade’s ability to carry water without leaving streaks.
Wiper blades that moved the most water, leaving the fewest streaks behind scored best in this category.
Durability
To determine our durability score, we pored over customer reviews on Amazon. Windshield wiper blade longevity can depend on several factors besides the wiper itself. These include the climate and how often the blades are used. This is why we considered a wide number of customer reports rather than our singular experience for this grade.
Installation
How easy or difficult a windshield wiper is to install can depend more on your vehicle (and the type of blade connector you have) than the blade itself. There are several types of wiper blade connections, and not every wiper will fit every car. However, some wipers are compatible with a wider variety of blade connectors than others. Wipers that fit more attachment types out of the box score well in this category.
Every windshield wiper that we recommend in this article did well by each of these metrics. However, keep in mind that some quality wipers perform better on certain vehicles than others, depending on the contour of the windshield and the car’s wiper arm.
How We Score Products
Every windshield wiper we test is given a score between 1.0 and 5.0 stars in each category. Here’s what those star ratings mean in concrete terms:
- 5.0 Stars: A 5.0-star rating means a windshield wiper is among the best in a category. It completely clears the windshield with no visible streaking, lasts for more than a year, or is compatible with virtually every type of wiper arm.
- 4.0 Stars: A 4.0-star rating means a windshield wiper performs better than average in a category. It pushes water away with hardly any streaking, lasts between six months and a year, or is compatible with almost every type of wiper arm.
- 3.0 Stars: A 3.0-star rating indicates what is average or typical for a wiper blade, based on our testing experience. It is largely effective with few streaks, lasts around six months, or is compatible with most common wiper arms.
- 2.0 Stars: A 2.0-star rating indicates the wiper blade performs poorer than average. It streaks, lasts fewer than six months, or is not compatible with most wiper arms.
- 1.0 Star: A 1.0-star rating indicates that the wiper blade performs well below expectations in a category. It fails to grip the windshield, breaks down easily, or is incompatible with most vehicles.
Why Trust Motor1.com
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
*Data accurate at time of publication. Products subject to availability.
