Many drivers don’t think about their windshield wipers until one of them starts malfunctioning right when they’re needed. Since they sweep your windshield clean, they’re essential for road safety—especially during rain or snow. Therefore, it’s important to inspect your wiper blades regularly and replace them as soon as they’re damaged.
Aftermarket windshield wipers are as durable as their OE counterparts but they are more affordable, which means you can get the same quality while saving money at the same time. Check out high-quality replacement wiper arms at CarParts.com today.
5 Best Wiper Blade Brands
There are many types of wiper blades available out there, and browsing through all possible options may be a bit overwhelming. To help narrow down your choices, we’ve listed five of the best wiper blade brands today:
- Valeo
- Bosch
- Crown
- GenuineXL
- Rain-X
Valeo
Valeo manufactures premium aftermarket and original equipment parts for most vehicles on the road. Valeo wiper blades are manufactured using the industry’s latest wiper system innovations, enhancing blade-to-windshield contact and compatibility. Backed by over a century of manufacturing expertise, the brand ensures that its products give the reliability and performance you deserve.
Key Features:
- Guaranteed OE fit
- Made of high-quality rubber for optimal wiping performance
- 6-month Valeo unlimited-mile warranty
Bosch
Bosch has been a well-known supplier of premium automotive parts for a long time. It is one of the go-to brands for wiper blades designed for proper contact and weight distribution to prevent leaving traces on your windshield.
Key Features:
- Guaranteed fit and easy installation
- Made of a graphite-coated dual rubber compound for a longer service life
- Designed with a patented beam technology for a uniform wipe
- 30-day or 24-month Bosch limited warranty (depending on the specific product)
Crown
Crown Automotive is the go-to brand for premium aftermarket Jeep parts, including wiper blades. These are manufactured using state-of-the-art technology to ensure reliability and performance. Crown also implements strict quality control testing to ensure the longevity of their wiper blades.
Key Features:
- 1-year or 12,000-mile Crown limited warranty
- Framed (steel, stainless steel, or plastic) and frameless wiper blades available
- Thoroughly tested to meet OE standards
GenuineXL
GenuineXL offers a wide array of premium replacement parts and accessories for various makes and models. The brand makes use of state-of-the-art innovations to ensure that all its products—including wiper blades—comply with OE specifications.
Key Features:
- 24-month limited warranty on most products
- Guaranteed OE fit
Rain-X
Rain-X is committed to developing top-notch automotive parts and accessories to help keep you safe on the road, especially in extreme weather conditions. Rain-X wiper blades are manufactured from high-quality materials to ensure that they deliver maximum wiping capacity.
Key Features:
- Limited Rain-X warranty
- Framed and frameless wiper blades available in different lengths
- Designed with a water repellency technology that reduces blade wear and extends its service life
- Guaranteed OE fit
Changing Wiper Blades
Most windshield wiper blades are made from rubber compounds, which can degrade over time. As a rule of thumb, they should be replaced every 6-12 months. However, they may fail earlier than designed. Replace them immediately once you notice that they aren’t effectively sweeping snow or rainwater off your windshield. Remember that these things affect driving visibility, and worn wiper blades may leave you vulnerable to road accidents.
Signs of Broken Wiper Blades
Wiper blades can fail due to wear and tear, UV damage, moisture, road debris, and more. Thankfully, it’s easy to identify if your wiper blades need to be replaced.
Here are some of the signs to watch for:
Rubber Issues
Wiper blade wear can easily be detected by vehicle owners on their own. Once you notice that the rubber blades are cracked, split, or damaged in any way, get them replaced immediately.
Windshield Streaks
Streaking is a tell-tale sign that something is wrong with your wipers. This usually happens when the blade’s rubber squeegee dries, hardens, and cracks. Other debris like tree sap and road tar may also cause this issue.
A film of grime, water, or dirt may be left on your windshield despite spraying wiper fluid and activating your wipers. Although dirty wipers can cause similar problems, streaky wipers can also be a sign that your rubber blades are failing.
Squeaking and Chattering Sounds
Soft squeaking sounds from your wipers are normal. However, loud squeaking or chattering noises could be signs that old rubber blades are being dragged across your windshield.
Damaged or Bent Blade Frame
Since wiper blades are external components, they can be damaged easily. For instance, hastily removing ice and snow off your vehicle without the proper tools can damage your wiper blade frames.
Choosing Wiper Blades for Your Vehicle
Selecting a compatible wiper blade for your vehicle should be straightforward and hassle-free as long as you know the exact specifications of your vehicle. With these in mind, it’ll be easy to choose a high-quality aftermarket wiper blade replacement from the brands listed above.
Wiper Blades Recommended for:
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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.
