7 Best Winter Wiper Blades for (2024)

Regular car wipers are only good at clearing the water or dirt, but when it comes to clearing off the snow, your ride needs a set of winter wiper blades!

Winters are almost here, and it’s the time when most drivers install winter-specific wiper blades. Installing such blades is similar to getting a pair of new glasses, as you see the road clearly, while the wipers thwack the snow quickly, making your drive easy, comfortable, and safe.

But you can only reap the aforementioned benefits after getting the right wiper blades. Unlike regular wiper blades, their winter-specific counterparts are different since they have to withstand rough climatic conditions.

Here in this article, I’ve reviewed the best winter wiper blades that you need to clear the snow, and slush quickly and conveniently. Read on, and choose a compatible set of wiper blades for your ride.

What to Look for When Buying Winter Wiper Blades

1. Compatibility and Size

The first thing you need to check is its compatibility. The wiper blades should be compatible with the car model that you drive, and they should fit the wiper’s frame without any issues.

Usually, wipers come in a standard size and fit with any vehicle. However, you have to ensure the size you are buying covers the entire windshield and offers better cleaning efficiency.

Manufacturers use inches to measure the blades, and you can quickly choose a pair of blades that’s best for your vehicle. Go through the instruction manual of the car to know more about the wiper blade size that the manufacturer recommends.

2. Wiper Curve

The wiper curve has a significant impact on the efficiency of the wiper blades. Most wipers come with adjustable blades, and you can select the setting that works well for your car.

Some vehicles, including hot rods and sedans, have a more curved windshield for increased aerodynamics. You should check the curve of the blade to make sure it properly slides on the glass.

3. Water Repellency

A winter wiper blade has to deal with a lot of things, including snow, water, and slush. The blades that you buy should have ultimate water repellency so that the water does not sit on the windshield.

Buying the wrong blades will not clean the snow, and the water droplets sitting on the glass can quickly turn into ice because of bad weather.

4. Covered Framework

The regular wiper blades have an exposed framework that’s more prone to freezing and clogging during winters. So, you should look for winter-specific blades with a covered framework.

The encasing protects the blade’s mechanism from freezing, and as a result, you get quick and effective cleaning.

5. Durability

It is indispensable to buy wiper blades that offer excellent durability and do not wear out quickly. When choosing winter-specific blades, consider the ones made using reinforced rubber because the material has high tensile strength and are more durable.

Always buy wiper blades that belong to a decent brand in order to get promising durability.

6. Design

The design of the blades can affect the aerodynamics of your vehicle. You’ll be using the blade continuously throughout the journey, so the blades should be aerodynamic to reduce drag.

There are plenty of good wiper blades with an aerodynamic design that I’ve reviewed in this article.

Best Winter Wiper Blade Reviews

The best winter wiper blades that I’ve reviewed here are a result of hours of research and comparison.

Furthermore, I asked some car experts about the wiper blades they recommend and prefer using in winter. Read the reviews and select the most suitable winter-specific blades for your car.

1. AERO OEM Windshield Wiper Blades – Editor’s Choice

AERO has been designing fantastic windshield wiper blades for years, and the brand has innovated some exclusive blades, including this set that provides effective cleaning in foul weather.

The wiper blades use an Innovative Rubber Strip Technology and feature a micro-precision-cut wiping edge for better results. From slush to snow, the blades can clean almost anything, so you get a clear view of the road.

Made using specially blended plastic elements, the blades can withstand extreme cold while maintaining the flexibility required to sweep the glass. Furthermore, the blades are heavy and operate in a stable manner which creates good aerodynamics and reduces the wind drag.

Under the plastic shell, there are dual-tensioned springs ready to absorb the shock while preventing the cleaning squeaks, which you often hear when using regular blades.

Installing the blades is pretty easy, as the J-hook directly fits with the wiper mechanism. Moreover, they are all-season wipers, so you don’t have to worry about replacing them in summer or spring.

Talking about the size, AERO offers these blades ranging from 13″ to 28″, and that makes them the best winter wiper blades for Jeep Wrangler and other vehicles.

Lastly, you get an extra rubber refill in the box, and you can use it when the existing rubber strip wears out. In addition, AERO offers a 1-year warranty on these wiper blades, making it a bang for the buck option.

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2. Bosch ICON Winter Wiper Blade – Runner Up

If you are looking for wiper blades that last really long, you need to have Bosch ICON winter wiper blade. The exclusive fx dual rubber is highly durable and has a 40% longer life than regular winter blades, as per Bosch.

The patented beam design with a shielded connector improves the visibility and cleans the snow and slush quickly, even in extreme conditions. Furthermore, the exclusive tension spring arcing technology offers a custom fit depending on the curvature of the windshield glass.

Bosch ICON winter wiper blades have a flexible asymmetric spoiler that distributes uniform downward force and prevents snow build-up on the windscreen.

Installing these blades is a cakewalk, and the valeo top lock keeps the blades secure with the wiper mechanism. However, there are a few downsides to using these blades, and that’s the unavailability of different sizes.

These 26″ blades are pretty big, so you won’t be able to use them on hatchbacks with smaller windshields.

Lastly, these BOSCH wiper blades are an all-weather option that works well in winter, summer, spring, and fall. Just install the blades within minutes, and get a spick and span windshield while you drive.

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3. Spearhead Beam Force XTREME Wiper Blades – Best for Sub-Zero Temperatures

This set of wiper blades from Spearhead has very few moving parts, which makes it exceptionally durable and ideal for cities with sub-zero temperatures. You know you have to deal with snow every day, and these blades can quickly throw it off the glass in a few swoops.

Made using highly durable rubber used on trains and aircrafts, these blades offer exceptional longevity, and you don’t have to worry about maintenance.
Furthermore, the tension springs fitted inside the frame keep the blade in contact with the glass and offer efficient cleaning.

I love the curved designs of these blades, and they sit perfectly on any type of windshield apart from the flat ones (which is barely on any vehicle these days).

The J-hook lets you easily mount it with the wiper head, and you can use the frame-mounted adaptors to secure the connection.

Spearhead offers a 6-months warranty on the blades, but I was expecting more. Anyhow the blades can last really long, so you might not need to claim the warranty.

Lastly, the manufacturer offers these blades in different sizes ranging from 14″ to 28″ inches, so you can quickly choose the right one for your vehicle.

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4. TRICO Ice Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade – Best for Cleaning Thick Layers of Ice

Now, snow won’t be a distraction while driving if you have TRICO Ice Extreme Wiper Blades cleaning the windshield. The blades feature a sleek arm design that makes them cut through layers of ice, and that’s what you need in winters.

Installing these blades merely takes five minutes, thanks to the Swift Easy Connection Technology! Just mount them on the windshield arm, and you’ll hear a click sound that indicates the wipers are ready for action.

The one-piece design assures durability, and TRICO has used a heavy-gauge wiper element to ensure the blade moves swiftly while cleaning the glass. Furthermore, there’s a layer of Teflon over the blades that enhances longevity and reduces the noise.

The constructed armor shields over the blades, protect them from freezing, and keeps the tensioned spring protected from the snow.

The best thing about these blades is that they fit with almost any car and come in a broad range of sizes, including 13″, 17″, 26″, and 28″.

The only downside about this blade is that they aren’t sold in pairs, so you have to buy one more to mount them on your ride.

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5. Michelin 8522 Stealth Ultra Windshield Wiper Blade – Best All-weather Wiper Blade

If you need reliable winter blades that clean the windshield no matter what, Michelin 8522 is your way to go! The blade may look like a conventional one, but it has every feature required to clean the glass in extreme climatic conditions.

The cleaning rubber is high quality and does not wear out quickly. Michelin has designed the blade thoughtfully, and it has the biggest protective cover from all blades reviewed in this article.

The segmented hard cover protects the innards from snow and debris, thus enhancing the lifespan and keeping the blades working in all weathers.

Installing the blade is pretty easy, and you can quickly attach the blade to the windshield arm using the Ez Lock Connectors. As this is a segmented blade, expect it to offer ultimate flexibility.

The independent suspension tertiary adjusts according to the shape of the windshield glass to keep maximum contact for better cleaning. However, some users said the blade sometimes squeaks when run on dry glass, and this is due to the maximum contact.

Michelin claims that they have tested this blade for around 300,000 wipe cycles, which makes it better than other options. Lastly, you get this blade in different sizes, starting from 14″ and going up to 28″ inches.

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6. Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency Wiper Blade – Best Rain Repellent Blade

If you hate the water droplets sticking to the windshield and converting into ice as you drive, you need Rain-X 5079275-2. This is a 2-in-1 wiper blade that serves as a windshield cleaner and applies a coat of rain repellent over the glass.

The blade comes with Rain-X water-repellent formula, which gets applied to the glass as you use it. Designed using Advanced Beam Blade Technology, the blade contours to the curvature of the glass for virtually streak-free and smooth cleaning.

Installing this silicone wiper blade is a no-brainer, and you can quickly snap it with the windshield adapters. Rain-X 5079275-2 offers ultimate performance in every weather, thanks to the blend of a rubber squeegee.

Furthermore, the blade lasts longer and can quickly clean dust, dirt, snow, and slush off the glass. The best feature of this blade is the virtually bracket-less design, which improves aerodynamics and reduces drag.

Talking about the disadvantages, the blade is available in one size only, i.e., 18. Also, the plastic adaptor is flimsy, as per some users.

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7. Anco 30-20 Winter Wiper Blade – Best Heavy-duty Winter Wiper Blade

Anco is here with a special winter wiper blade made using rugged rubber. The blade can easily withstand consistent cold temperatures, as it is highly flexible. Furthermore, the tensioned spring comes in a hard plastic cover that reduces the chances of clogging.

The blade does not freeze, and you can continue using it to clear the snow and slush. You can easily install the blades with the windshield arm using the KwikConnect System. However, some users said attaching the adapters with the arm takes some time.

The blade looks flat, and it assures maximum contact with the windshield to give you streak-free cleaning. But the flat design restricts this wiper from being a great choice for hot rods and other vehicles with a highly curved windshield.

Anco offers this blade in different sizes, making it compatible with different vehicles, including hatchbacks, sedans, and 4x4s.

Lastly, the one-piece design protects ANCO Winter Wiper blade from corrosion and makes it great for all-season performance.

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Winter Wiper Blades Buying Guide

Designed to work well in harsh cold weather, winter blades have different anatomy as compared to the regular wiper blades. Below listed are some important things you should look for when buying wiper blades for your ride.

Winter Wiper Blades vs. Regular

Many drivers do not switch to winter wiper blades thinking that they are a gimmick and not different from regular or summer wiper blades in any way. However, there are some significant differences in both blades, and they even have a different construction.

Designed to work in harsh weather, winter wiper blades have a protective layer made up of high-quality rubber. This layer allows the wiper to move properly, even if there is snow on the windshield.

Regular wiper blades can freeze in such situations, and as a result, they won’t clear the glass, so you cannot drive the car.

Another big difference between these blades is the weight. Regular wiper blades are lighter because the only purpose they serve is clearing water. On the other hand, winter wiper blades are heavy so that they can handle snow and frozen rain.

Lastly, winter blades are more durable than the regular ones, so if you use normal wiper blades to clear the snow, they’ll wear out quickly.

Types of Winter Wiper Blades

Usually, winter wiper blades are pretty standard and come equipped with a rubber beam that helps to clear the heavy snow. There are some differences in terms of quality, strength, durability, and rubber casing.

However, they can be classified into different types based on the mounting system and features. When you search for the best winter wiper blades, you come across single-mount, double-mount blades, and heated wiper blades.

1. Single-mount Blades: The single-mount blades are large in size and are good for vehicles like SUVs that have a pretty big windshield. Also, these wipers are good for mounting on the rear side, where you only have a single wiper.

2. Double-mount Blades: Double-mount winter wiper blades are what you see in regular cars. These blades are shorter and have an aerodynamic design that helps them move faster and thus clear the snow quickly.

3. Heated Wiper Blades: These are available in both single and double mount types, but they have tiny holes that let the heat come out and melt the snow.

Benefits of Winter Wiper Blades

Are there any benefits of using winter wiper blades that make them superior to regular blades during tough weather? Well, there are plenty of advantages of using winter-specific wiper blades, and I’ve highlighted most of them below.

1. They are Super Durable

Specially designed to withstand extreme temperatures, winter blades are highly durable. The blades are flexible and do not wear out in cold weather.
On average, a winter-specific blade can last three times* more as compared to regular wiper blades.

2. Clear the Snow Effectively

You need the wiper blades to keep the snow off the screen while driving, and it is only possible with a set of good winter wiper blades.

3. They Do Not Need Maintenance

The only thing your wiper blades need is a bit of cleaning, and you are good to go. Winter wiper blades do not need any type of maintenance, and you can keep using them to clean your car’s windshield, no matter how harsh the weather gets.

4. Excellent Tensile Strength

Apart from the durable frame, these blades have amazing tensile strength. This strength helps the blade push heavy rain, snow, and slush off the windscreen. Water gets heavier during winters, and that’s why such blades help in better cleaning.

How to Use and Maintain Winter Wiper Blades?

So, you have got the best winter wiper blades for your car? But how do you ensure the blades last longer? Typically, winter-specific blades last longer as compared to regular blades. But if you invest some time in maintaining and caring, the blades last even longer.

Here are some tips that have helped me get the most out of the blades:

1. Defrost and Scrape Before Using Wipers

Winter wiper blades work effectively in clearing the snow, but it would be great to scrape off the ice and defrost the windshield properly. Cleaning the snow reduces the load on the wipers, and they work well by serving the purpose.

2. Never Use the Blades on a Dry Windshield

Winter-specific blades are made using reinforced rubbers, so they only work on wet or semi-wet glass. When used on a dry windshield, the blades wear out quickly due to friction.

3. Lift the Wipers When Parking the Car

After you have parked the car, lift the wipers so that the blades get suspended in the air and snow does not accumulate over them. You don’t have to worry about lifting the wiper if you park your vehicle in a garage.

4. Never Pour Hot Water on the Blades

Some folks pour scalding water on the wipers, thinking that it’ll clear the snow quickly, but it negatively affects the lifespan of the blades.
Also, the hot water can hinder the shape of the rubber blades, making them ineffective.

5. Use Antifreeze Solution to Prevent Wiper Blade Degradation

If you pour an antifreeze solution inside the tank of your car, it can help prolong the life of the wipers. You can even use a good quality windshield washer fluid to ensure the blades run smoothly on the glass and do not wear out due to friction.

Best Selling Winter Wiper Blades

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Are Bracket-less Winter Wiper Blades a Good Option?

A: Bracketless wiper blades, also known as spineless blades, are a little expensive, but they are worth it. Made better in a lot of ways than regular wipers, they fit directly with the windshield arm. Also, they reduce the air drag due to the design, which makes them last longer.

The best bracketless wiper blade you can buy is Bosch ICON Winter Wiper Blade.

Q2: What are the Key Signs of a Failing Wiper Blade?

A: You can easily recognize the tell-tale signs of a failing blade. The first sign is improper cleaning. The wipers won’t clean the glass properly. Another sign is a damaged rubber sheath. Once you see these two signs, consider getting a set of new blades for safe driving.

Q3: How often should you Clean the Winter Wiper Blades?

A: Winter wiper blades do not need frequent cleaning, as they are designed to withstand such conditions. However, you should clean the blades once every fifteen days. Just wash the blades with regular water to remove the sticking dust and debris.

Checkout the below video for tips on how to clean wiper blades properly.

Q4: How do I make the Winter Wiper Blades Quieter?

A: If the blades squeak a lot while cleaning, it would be great to buff the windshield to reduce the friction. Another cheap way to reduce the noise is getting a new pair of wiper blades like the AERO OEM Quality Premium All-Season Beam Windshield Wiper Blades.

Q5: Why do my Wiper Blades Stick to the Windshield?

A: If the blade remains sticking to the glass even when you try to move them, it could be a case of frozen blades. Scrape off the ice using a scraper, and then try to move the blades manually.

Final Thoughts

There’s no alternative to these best winter wiper blades if you want to have a safe and sound driving experience during winter.

Always choose blades that are compatible with your vehicle and are of the right size. Moreover, go with branded options only to get a decent warranty and promising durability.

Now, it’s time to make a choice, and if you are still confused between different options, I’d say go for AERO OEM Quality Premium All-Season Beam Windshield Wiper Blades.

However, if you are on a budget, consider TRICO Ice Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade.

Last update on 2024-04-18 at 06:04 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API