Windshield wiper blades work hard throughout the year. They remove most substances that land on the windshield, whether it’s water, dirt, dust, sand, or snow. By keeping the windshield clean and easy to look through, wiper blades help you drive safely.
Most windshield wiper blades last roughly six months. You need to replace worn-out wiper blades to avoid damaging the windshield. Alternatively, you might want to install newer, more efficient wiper blades if you expect bad weather. It’s important to choose the right blades for the type of windshield wiper on your vehicle.
Types of Windshield Wipers
You can divide windshield wipers between framed and frameless wipers. Each type has strengths and weaknesses. Furthermore, a windshield wiper blade that fits one type will probably not fit the other. Always read the product description to see if the new blades are compatible with the windshield wipers.
Framed Windshield Wiper Blades
The framed windshield wiper blade gets its name from how it attaches to a rigid metal frame that keeps it flat on the windshield. It’s considered the conventional or traditional type.
Framed windshield wiper blades are the affordable and common option. They’re easy and cheap to manufacture, so car makers usually use them as stock wiper blades for their vehicles. They also do their job well enough.
However, framed windshield wiper blades have several drawbacks. They can’t reach every spot on the windshield because the wiper is more or less straight while the glass is curved. When they move across the windshield, they apply uneven pressure on the glass, leaving some parts of the windshield dirty and wet. They might also scratch the glass.
Another weakness of framed windshield wiper blades is their short service life. They contain more components, increasing the chance something will fail and go wrong.
Recommended Framed Windshield Wiper Blades
Framed Front Windshield Wiper Blades
These framed windshield wiper blades are designed for installation and use on the front of the vehicle only. They keep the front windshield clear as day.
Our Top Picks:
- Bosch 40515 DirectConnect Series Wiper Blade, Framed 15 in.
- Rain-X SET-R49RX30119-2 Front Professional Series Wiper Blades, Driver and Passenger Side – 19 in.
- AC Delco 8-4411 Advantage Series Wiper Blade, Framed 11 in.
Framed Front Driver and Passenger Windshield Wiper Blades
These framed windshield wiper blades are mounted on the driver and passenger sides of the front windshield. You can usually switch the position of the two blades.
Our Top Picks:
- Bosch 3397118933 Front, Driver and Passenger Side AeroTwin Series Wiper Blade, Framed 22 in.
- Bosch 3397014156 Front, Driver and Passenger Side Wiper Blade, Framed Driver – 26 in.; Passenger – 17 in.
- Bosch 3397005807 Front, Driver and Passenger Side OE Specialty Series Wiper Blade, Framed Driver – 21 in.; Passenger – 21 in.
Framed Rear Windshield Wiper Blades
Not all vehicles have windshield wipers on their rear end. These framed windshield wiper blades are intended for use in models with wipers on the rear windshield.
Our Top Picks:
- Bosch H355 Rear OE Specialty Series Wiper Blade, Framed 13 in.
- AC Delco 84215609 Rear GM Original Equipment Series Wiper Blade, Framed 12 in.
- Rain-X RX30114 Rear Professional Series Wiper Blade, Framed 14 in.
- Motorcraft WW1105 Rear Wiper Blade, Framed 11 in.
Framed Front and Rear Windshield Wiper Blades
These framed windshield wiper blades are suitable for use on both ends of the vehicle, provided the model has front and rear wipers of the same type.
Our Top Picks:
- Motorcraft WW2202PF OE Replacement Series Wiper Blade, Framed 22 in.
- AC Delco 8-4411 Advantage Series Wiper Blade, Framed 11 in.
- Bosch 4917 Insight Series Wiper Blade, Framed 17 in.
- Rain-X RX30116 Professional Series Wiper Blade, Framed 16 in.
- Valeo 604467 Titanium Traditional Series Wiper Blade, Framed 16 in.
Frameless Windshield Wiper Blades
Frameless windshield wipers dispense with the rigid frame that characterizes and names their conventional counterpart. Their lack of a frame gives them a curved shape.
Their natural curve enables frameless windshield wipers to follow the contours of the glass. Their windshield wiper blades apply the same pressure to every part of the windshield, resulting in a thorough cleaning.
Furthermore, frameless windshield wipers last longer. Getting rid of the frame reduces the number of components in the windshield wiper. The simplified wiper has fewer points of failure, thereby extending its service life.
The sleeker shape of frameless windshield wipers translates into better aerodynamics. They look smooth and sporty, which can improve the looks of the vehicle, especially if the car is a luxury model.
If frameless windshield wipers are so good, why aren’t they the standard issue? Their main drawback is cost. Frameless windshield wipers have bigger price tags because they use high-quality materials.
Frameless Front Windshield Wiper Blades
Upgrade your car with these frameless windshield wiper blades that will keep the front windshield clean and clear.
Our Top Picks:
- Bosch SET-BS18CA Front or Rear, Driver and Passenger Side, Center Wiper Blades, Frameless
- Rain-X SET-R495079279-1-F Front Latitude Series Wiper Blades, Driver and Passenger Side – 22 in.
- Valeo 574476 Front Silencio X.TRM Series Wiper Blade, Frameless Driver – 24 in.; Passenger – 19 in.
- Powerstop PCK-2222-1 Front PowerClear Series Wiper Blade, Frameless 22 in.
Frameless Rear Windshield Wiper Blades
These frameless windshield wiper blades will wipe away most liquids and particulate matter that stick to the rear windshield.
Our Top Picks:
- Bosch 15CA Clear Advantage Series Wiper Blade, Frameless 15 in.
- Rain-X 5079273-2 Latitude Water Repellency 2-n-1 Series Wiper Blade, Frameless 15 in.
- AC Delco 8-9019 Advantage Series Wiper Blade, Frameless 19 in.
- Motorcraft WW1107 Rear OE Replacement Series Wiper Blade, Frameless 11 in.
- Valeo 900-22-8B Ultimate 900 Series Wiper Blade, Frameless 22 in.
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Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
