By Mahya Kamalvand
Nobody seems to care for winter wiper blades more than a driver who has been behind the wheel in the freezing cold! That turning point will push every single driver to opt for the best winter windshield wiper there is out there.
Choosing the best winter windshield wipers for your vehicle can somehow become quite complicated. However, there is always a guideline to help you approach your best choice. We've compiled a list of the best windshield wipers in a variety of categories based on your budget, type, insert material and how you'll use them.
Before opting for the best windshield blades for winter, let’s see what they are?
What Are Auto Wiper Blades?
Before finding the best winter windshield wipers, you must recognize an auto wiper blade. Windshield wiper is a long metal frame with a rubber edge that makes contact with the glass. Windshield wiper blades are responsible for keeping your windshield clean. They work like a squeegee; in a back-and-forth motion they wipe water, snow, wiper fluid, and other liquids or debris off the windshield.
Well, there are many different kinds of windshield wiper blades to consider and all depends on what suits your needs.
No matter the kind of windshield wiper you choose, it is important that during cold seasons, you protect them to keep away unnecessary costs and fatal accidents. Make sure you read our blog post Protecting Windshield Blades in Winter.
Different Kinds of Windshield Wipers
Looking out for the best winter windshield blades might sound like a specific purchase, but since there are actually many kinds of blades to consider, you’d better first learn about them.
Conventional Windshield Wipers
Traditional or conventional wiper blades are simple in design and very affordable. They typically use jointed metal frames with multiple contact points that hold a structured rubber blade on the glass.
Flat Windshield Wipers
Flat blades, AKA beam blades, are famous for not having a wiping blade! In order for it to create uniform pressure against the glass, its rubber edge has a steel spring inside the rubber itself. Since the design helps its performance, their popularity is on the rise at an exponential rate.
Hybrid Windshield Wipers
Hybrid wiper blades, self-explanatory as they are, combine features of flat and conventional wiper blades.
An aerodynamic plastic casing conceals portions of the hinge while maintaining openings for debris to pass through. And the attached beam-style blade provides even pressure and contact distribution.
If choosing the best winter windshield wipers, hybrid blades deliver a satisfying performance.
Winter Windshield Wipers
Winter wiper blades, the focus of this article, are designed for cold environments and freezing atmospheres.
Against the other three mentioned blades, winter blades can provide greater tensile strength, maintain the hinges in the ice, and get a stable frame.
Changing Winter Windshield Wipers
Driving in the rain is a normal part of life in B.C. Windshield wipers aid clear the water droplets from the glass, but eventually, they start to wear down. The winter snow also damages the blades and they may break under the weight of heavy snow.
If you notice your wipers are squeaking, chattering, skipping, or grabbing or if a wiper is leaving streaks or bands of water, it may be time for new ones. It is recommended that you change your blades once every 6 months. If not in a harsh winter, consider placing a new pair every year. Before that, let’s show you what you need to buy.
Best Winter Windshield Wiper Brands
BOSCH
The Bosch Icon winter wiper blade line is one of the best in terms of simplicity and the professionals’ suggestion for the best overall windshield wiper blade out there for winter.
The German “Bosch” winter blades hold up against cracking up to 40% longer than competitors, which should make it more appealing and cost-effective. If there's plenty of rain and snow where you live, Bosch ICON Wiper Blade can put up with pressure easily so there's no skips or smearing.
AERO
Aero is the British revolutionary winter blade technology. Based in the UK, the company offers a six-month warranty on its wiper blades. One of its popular products, the Aero All Season Wiper Blades, come with a protective cover which helps them stand out from the crowd.
It is one of the best winter windshield wipers because its aerodynamic design is meant to keep your windshield free of ice, snow, and water.
ANCO
The ANCO group is an American company, specializing only in the manufacturing of wiper blades and related parts for different vehicle types and for different seasons.
One of its best known products is The ANCO 30-Series Wiper Blade which is amongst the best winter wiper blades you can purchase.
What makes the ANCO special is its streak-free wipe with conventional washer fluid on most windshields. This blade is also coated in a no-wax solution to prevent degradation.
RAIN‑X
While a well-known brand name among car lovers, Rain-X 5079275 Latitude is always a runner up to Bosch. It is one of the popular winter wiper blades but it has its own shortcomings.
Reviews have it that although very effective, The Rain-X Latitude winter wipers are short lived.
MICHELIN
French automotive brand, Michelin is mainly known for its tires. But, throughout the years, it has also entered manufacturing windshield wiper blades. It offers The Stealth Ultra Hybrid blade for those looking for the best winter wiper blades.
The Stealth Ultra Hybrid blades feature a blended graphite rubber coating that lowers friction and decreases noise. The blades are unbelievable winter performers and prove to be long-term companions.
However, Michelin Stealth blades in the larger sizes might not be compatible with your vehicle, and their complicated installation also make them not the most recommended option.
Final Considerations When Choosing the Best Winter Blades
One should say that buying the best winter wipers is liking paying for part of your health insurance. You are directly paying for your visibility during snowy winters, so don’t mind a few extra dollars on the pricing tag.
However, you may want to notice that a simple traditional wiper doesn’t cost you over $20. Also, the aerodynamic wiper in an offer under $10 is tricky to buy and can disappoint you in less than a month.
In general, you can consider key features such as, Size, WATER REPELLENCY, HINGE, JOINTS AND COVERING, WIPER CURVE, and REINFORCED RUBBER when shopping for the winter blades.
Yet the most important thing to keep in mind is to regularly take your cars for auto detailing during the winter. This time around, Shiny sees through the invisible requirements of your wiper blades and can help you keep your blades in shape during the cold season.
