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Rain, snow and bug guts are no match for these wiper blades. Bosch Windshield Wiper Blade
There’s nothing worse than getting stuck on the road during rainfall so heavy that you can barely see out your windshield. It’s one of the many reasons why it’s important to invest in high-quality windshield wipers that wipe water away effectively. Also, if you’ve noticed your windshield wiper blades have started leaving streaks behind or making pesky squeaking sounds when moving side to side, it may be time to consider replacing them.
The engineers and product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute test auto essentials and accessories of all sorts, from the best cars of 2023 to car waxes, interior car cleaners and car vacuums to help keep your vehicle in mint condition. When narrowing down the best windshield wipers, our experts reviewed each pick featured below for specs like materials, design, price and more. We also partnered with Car and Driver, whose auto pros tested windshield wiper blades for factors like water removal, rain repellency, ease of installation and removal and more. These are the best windshield wipers of 2023 to help you see clearly no matter the weather.
After checking out our top picks, continue reading to find out whether new wiper blades are worth it and what to look for when shopping for new blades.
If you’re looking for better visibility on the road, these are the top wiper blades we recommend. The blades performed well in Car and Driver’s tests by removing water efficiently from the windshield without leaving behind streaks. The wipers also feature a hydrophobic coating that helps repel water in the first place.
Auto experts point out that installation could be a bit easier; they found that the locking clasp, albeit secure, was difficult to open. But we do appreciate that the universal adapter makes it compatible with most cars. Just make sure to purchase the correct size for your vehicle. (Remember: Driver's side an passenger's side wiper blades are often different lengths.) Drivers looking for a more premium pick made of silicone (versus rubber) can also consider the Rain-X Endura, which is better suited for harsher weather conditions thanks to its silicone design.
When it comes to auto equipment, Goodyear is a top brand with a long history. We like this pick for when it's time to swap out your blades but don't want to spend too much. Not only are these affordable, but they stood out in Car and Driver's tests for their vast range of adapters that are easy to interchange, making these an ideal choice for cars with a unique wiper arm design. On top of easy installation, the wipers did a great job of removing water from the windshield at all speeds, though they don't include bells and whistles like rain repellency.
With more than 20,000 reviews on Amazon and an average 4.6-star rating, thousands of users say it's hard to go wrong with these wipers from Bosch. Though our partners at Car and Driver also like the more affordable Bosch Evolution wipers, this pick stands out for its durable design and top-notch performance. While we haven't yet tested the blades ourselves, online consumers rave about how long they last as well as their high-quality construction. Many point out how well they performed while driving through heavy rain as well as how easy they are to install.
Made of silicone rather than rubber, these windshield wiper blades are a great choice for anyone who values durability or lives in an area with frequent rainfall, heavy snow or extreme temperatures as these are more likely to stand the test of time. These blades feature a water-repellent coating to help keep raindrops off your windshield, and we appreciate the variety of adapters that come included. Also notable is that the silicone insert is replaceable so you don't have to swap your entire wiper when it's time, but keep in mind that some online reviewers claim these could have been easier to install.
Winter, spring, summer and fall, these windshield wipers from Valeo can handle it all. They're graphite coated for smoother operation and the rubber blades are UV-resistant for durability. While we haven't tried them on one of our own cars yet, Amazon reviewers like how effectively they cleared water from their windshields for optimal visibility, while others rave about how long they've lasted. A universal adapter comes included for easy installation and, according to the brand, a vented frame should help optimize high-speed performance. Some online reviewers do, however, claim that the wipers occasionally produced squeaky noises.
While these windshield wipers may seem pricier than others, they actually come in a convenient set of two, so you don't have to worry about buying two separate blades. Car and Driver experts found that they did a good job at repelling water at all speeds in their tests, and that installation, including swapping the adaptors, was fairly easy. They also shared that the wipers were quiet and didn't leave behind streaks, though they point out that there is no locking clasp on the adaptors.
For this story, the product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute relied on our decades of expertise in testing autos and auto equipment, from the best home EV chargers to our favorite cars for parents like three-row SUVs. While we haven’t yet tested each windshield wiper formally in our Lab, our analysts reviewed popular picks among online consumers for factors like materials, design, price and more.
To learn even more about windshield wipers, we partnered with fellow Hearst brand, Car and Driver, whose auto experts have tested wiper blades firsthand. To narrow down the best ones, their pros simulated various degrees of rainfall, from light to heavy, with a garden hose, while trying each wiper speed setting. In addition to evaluating performance and how effectively water was removed from the car’s shield, factors like rain repellency, ease of installation, noise and price were considered.
If you live somewhere that experiences frequent rainfall throughout the year or snowfall during the winter, it might be worth considering premium windshield wipers for the best performance. Pricier windshield wipers are usually made from silicone, which should not only last longer than blades made of rubber, but they are less likely to freeze to your windshield during colder months. According to our experts, the upfront investment for expensive wipers is typically worth it, though you can find some great value blades online that are efficient but likely lacking a few extra features.
✔️ Material: Windshield wiper blades are typically made from rubber or silicone. While rubber is a bit more affordable, it isn't quite as durable as silicone. So if you live somewhere with frequent rainfall or extreme temperatures, silicone blades may be a better investment in the long run. Also keep in mind that if you live somewhere with freezing temperatures during the winter months, silicone is less likely to freeze onto the windshield and more likely to remain pliable.
✔️ Size: Before purchasing wipers, double-check your car’s owner’s manual to find the wiper size that’s compatible. Inside the manual, there should be a wiper section that specifies this information. Note that often, the driver's side blade is longer than the passenger side blade. If you want to skip the hassle, you can always purchase a set of new wipers directly from your car's manufacturer by calling your local dealership. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) wipers will be tailored to your car and should be easy to install, though they may be more expensive. ✔️ Durability: Windshield wipers don't last forever, and on average you can expect to change them every 12 months. If you start noticing that your wipers just aren't working like they used to, or are squeaking and leaving streaks behind, you may need to replace them sooner.
Media and tech reviews analyst Olivia Lipski oversees product testing and covers everything from consumer tech to autos, travel, home and more. She continues to stay on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best gadgets to hit the market. Not only does she regularly collaborate with the Good Housekeeping Auto Lab to evaluate some of the best family cars, but she reviews handy car accessories and equipment.
To select the picks featured above, she consulted our partners at Car and Driver and the Hearst Autos Gear Team, who have more than 206 years of automotive publishing experience. Hearst Autos combines the forces, talent, and knowledge of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world, Autoweek, Car and Driver and Road & Track. The Hearst Autos Gear Team promises to deliver honest evaluations, hands-on tests, and product reviews driven by decades of knowledge and experience.
Olivia (she/her) is a media and tech product reviews analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute, covering tech, home, auto, health and more. She has more than five years of experience writing about tech trends and innovation and, prior to joining GH in 2021, was a writer for Android Central, Lifewire and other media outlets. Olivia is a graduate of George Washington University, with a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science and French, and she holds a master’s degree in communications from Sciences Po Paris.
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