We Tested the Top Wiper Blades on the Market to Find the Best (2024)

The Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency is our pick for the best wiper blade. First and foremost, the Rain-X rain repellent is legit. This hydrophobic coating on the blades works very well and improved visibility immediately. We watched beads of water slide right off the windshield, which was especially helpful during light rain.

The Latitude Water Repellency was also quiet, left no streaks, and the price point is attractive. The only knock we have is the locking clasp on the hook-style adapter is very hard to open—we had to pry it with a screwdriver. But hey, that means it'll hold the blade on securely. For excellent wiper blades that won't break the bank, these are the best choice.

For cheaper wipers that still perform, the Trico Flex did very well during our testing. They lack any sort of rain repellent but remove water well regardless. We didn't see any streaking or chattering, and installation was quite easy.

The Flex wiper blades lack any sort of locking clasp, but we didn't notice any looseness during operation. For the price, you're getting a solid, no-frills wiper blade that'll adequately remove water from your windshield.

If you're willing to drop some extra dollars on a set of wiper blades, the Rain-X Silicone Endura is the way to go. The specially designed silicone blades are built to last twice as long as conventional rubber wiper blades.

We found the Endura removed water exceptionally well right from the get-go. Even while dry, it didn't leave behind any streaks. Better yet, the Endura features a locking clasp to keep everything extra-secure. The price is the only thing keeping these from being our top choice.

If you really want to skip the headache of swapping adapters, figuring out sizes, and questionable brands, just get a set of OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) wiper blades. We recommend calling your vehicle brand's dealership and ordering a set from there, but you can also find a bunch on eBay.

They're tailored to fit your exact vehicle, and installation is a breeze. The only downside? OEM wiper blades can get expensive, depending on the vehicle. But for ease of installation, you can't beat 'em.

Trico Platinum

The Trico Platinum is a good wiper blade, but it doesn't really shine in any one particular area. The adapters swap out without much struggle, it's quiet, doesn't leave streaks, and removes water well on all three speeds.

The Platinum also comes in a pair-pack, which makes the price seem a bit more reasonable. It does everything you need a wiper blade to do. The Platinum is a solid wiper blade—just not the best.

Bosch Evolution

The Bosch Evolution has earned high praise for its contour fitment, and we agree. The blades left no streaking and were quiet on all three speeds. And hey, they feature a locking clasp—our favorite! Unfortunately, you only get to enjoy all those perks once the blade is on; that's the hard part.

We struggled to fit these on a normal J-style wiper arm. There's a certain angle you need, and we wish we had three hands to install them properly. Finally, after 15 minutes and a skinned knuckle, we got it on. Everything else was great, but the installation issues were a big knock for us.

Trico Sentry

The Trico Sentry was really the only wiper blade that performed poorly in our testing. Right from the outset, we noticed an occasional streaking issue on the driver's side, paired with a faint squeak in drier conditions. These would inevitably get worse throughout the life of the blade.

In addition to those issues, we found the blades are difficult to remove when you decide to swap them out for something better. We just can't recommend these when there are options out there that perform better.

To properly test these wiper blades, we wanted to simulate different wet-weather conditions as accurately as possible. So, naturally, we used a garden hose! Since the garden hose at the Car and Driver garage has multiple settings, we were able to simulate light, medium, and torrential rain.

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Now that we had the precipitation set up, we hopped in the driver's seat to operate the wipers themselves. We alternated between intermittent, medium, and high wiper speed on each level of simulated rain—running each speed for 30 seconds. Once we cycled through the water levels, we ran the blades for 30 seconds on a dry windshield and noted any noises or streaks.

We then compiled our results based on ease of installation, water removal at each speed, squeaks, chatters, streaking, adapter quality, and, finally, price. Once the tests were complete, we felt satisfied that each wiper blade was tested and judged equally in every area of concern.

Are expensive wiper blades worth it?

Premium wiper blades can be an intelligent purchase, mainly if they offer rain-repellent or silicone construction features. While they may come at a higher initial cost, the added benefits often make them worth it. That said, less expensive options will still clear your windshield and keep you safe in a rain storm.

Rubber vs. silicone blades: Which is better?

Silicone blades are known for their longevity, lasting up to twice as long as traditional rubber blades. Their durability makes them a better choice for challenging conditions. However, they’re categorically more expensive.

One significant advantage of silicone blades is their flexibility in cold weather. This reduces the chance of your wipers freezing to the windshield, which is essential for us to winter warriors.

How do I find out what wiper blade I need?

Consulting your owner's manual is the easiest way to find the right wiper blade size. The manual should have a section dedicated to wiper blades, clearly specifying wiper blade size. Alternatively, your local dealership or auto parts store will be able to help.

How often should I replace my wiper blades?

A good rule of thumb for this is every 12 months. But because noticing worn wiper blades is pretty easy, this is really up to you. If your wiper blades start streaking, squeaking, chattering, or just not removing water like they used to, it's time to replace them. If you use your wiper blades on rough ice before it has melted, this will seriously decrease the lifespan of your wiper blades, so keep that in mind.

Hearst Autos combines the talent, resources, and expertise of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world. The Gear Team has tested a wide variety of automotive products, parts, accessories, and gear, such as dash cams, portable jump starters, and snow brooms and ice scrapers. We get our hands on each and every product we test. Most are purchased; some are supplied by manufacturers.

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