| Best Choice |
|
Anco 30-20 Winter Wiper Blade – 20" | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Best Price |
|
TRICO Chill 20" Extreme Weather Winter Windshield Wiper Blade | CHECK LATEST PRICE | |
| Premium Pick |
|
Bosch Snow Driver 22" Windshield Wiper Blade | CHECK LATEST PRICE |
If your driving takes you through lots of heavy snow, ice, and slush-laden roads, you may want to consider using specially designed winter wiper blades to help you keep a clearer view when things get messy. Falling snow and slushy road spray will often freeze on your wipers and cause the wiping edge to lift off the glass, allowing large areas of your windshield to be left uncleared, and therefore obstructing your view.
Winter blades normally use a very soft rubber covering over the outside of the blade and frame that flexes and ripples with each sweep to prevent ice and snow from building up. This allows the actual wiping surface of the blade to stay in full contact with your windshield for cleaner, clearer vision. They also use blade compounds that remain pliable in extremely low temperatures to avoid tearing and cracking, as well as to prevent ice buildup. Keep your windshield clear with these options for best winter wiper blades.
The Best Winter Wiper Blades
Anco’s winter blades are designed for durability in harsh winter conditions, using their exclusive DuraKlear rubber compound to maintain flexibility for consistent, streak-free performance in the coldest temperatures. A flexible rubber cover prevents slush from freezing the joints in the heavy-duty frame, keeping the wiping edge in proper contact with the windshield.
The Anco KwikConnect Installation System is designed to provide fast, simple wiper blade replacement for a variety of vehicles. These winter blades are available in eight sizes, ranging from 11 to 24 inches.
- Durable rubber cover protects frame against freezing
- Specialized rubber compound remains flexible in extreme cold
- KwikConnect System allows fast, easy replacement
- Brand Anco
- Model Winter
- Weight N/A
Trico’s Chill Extreme Winter Weather Wiper is specifically designed to withstand the rigors of cold weather challenges. It features a precision-cut, heavy-gauge wiping element that stays flexible in sub-zero temperatures. It sheds ice and helps to avoid cracking and tearing. A soft rubber boot encases the steel frame to prevent snow and ice from building up and lifting the blade from the glass.
Trico’s Chill has a pre-attached adapter for fast, easy installation on a variety of vehicles. It’s available in lengths from 11 to 28 inches.
- Rubber cover protects frame against freezing
- Heavy-duty wiping element remains flexible in extreme cold
- Pre-attached adapter for easy installation
- Brand Trico
- Model Chill
- Weight N/A
Bosch’s Snow Driver Wiper Blade brings modern beam-blade technology to specialized winter wipers. It uses a patented beam design with an aerodynamic, grooved spoiler to protect against the buildup of ice and snow, while helping to keep the blade firmly in contact with your windshield at higher speeds. A specially coated wiping edge adds flexibility and improves visibility in temperatures down to -20 degrees Fahrenheit.
A click-on adapter system provides fast, easy installation on a variety of vehicles. The Snow Driver is available in 12 sizes, ranging from 13 to 28 inches.
- Aerodynamic beam-blade design
- Designed to perform at -20 degrees Fahrenheit
- Click-on adapter system for easy installation
- Brand Bosch
- Model Snow Driver
- Weight N/A
Trico’s Ice Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade features synthetic-blended armor to seal out ice and snow while providing the ultimate in flexibility in freezing temperatures. The heavy-gauge beam-type blade resists tearing and cracking in sub-zero temperatures and snugly conforms to most windshields. The aerodynamic wedge-shaped design maintains proper windshield contact in windy and higher speed conditions.
The SWIFT universal connection system allows one-click installation on most vehicles. This wiper blade is available in lengths ranging from 13 to 28 inches.
- Aerodynamic design reduces lifting at higher speeds
- Resists tearing and cracking in low temperatures
- Universal connector system
- Brand Trico
- Model Ice
- Weight N/A
The PEAK Arctic Winter Wiper Blade uses a flexible rubber boot to enclose the steel frame and protect against clogging and freezing. It’s specially designed not to crack or tear in cold temperatures and is available in sizes ranging from 16 to 28 inches.
This wiper blade comes with a heavy-duty design that’s rated for severe weather, including ice and snow. It comes with a full set of adapters and is quick and easy to install.
- Rugged construction
- Rated for severe weather
- Easy to install
- Brand Peak
- Model 781973
- Weight N/A
If you regularly encounter seriously tough winter weather, these automatically heated wiper blades from Crystal Clear may be just the ticket. They automatically heat up when your engine is running and the temperature outside drops below 41 degrees Fahrenheit. to melt ice and snow that accumulate on the blades. The graphite-coated rubber blade is replaceable, so you don’t have to get all new components for the system when the blades wear out. As you’d expect, they’re not inexpensive, but the set does include everything you need, such as the wiring, controller, and temperature sensor, for a universal fit to most vehicles.
- Automatic heat
- LED lights show power
- Easy to install
- Brand Crystal Clear
- Model 616
- Weight N/A
Best Winter Wiper Blades Buying Guide & FAQ
Well, there you have it—our roundup of the most acclaimed winter wipers on the market. But how did we come to these selections, and how do you choose the right one for your needs?
Here’s a short guide as to how to choose which winter wiper you should roll with. So without further ado, let’s get to the hard-hitting stuff. Well, hard-hitting for winter windshield wipers, that is.
Types of Windshield Wipers
Windshield wipers can be of various designs depending on how they are used and how they are mounted on the vehicle. For example, a single-mount will be an extra-long wiper blade and will typically be seen on trucks, buses, and larger vehicles that can hold the type of large motor mount required to generate the power to move one large blade (and any displaced water).
Dual-mounted blades are by far the most common that we see on passenger vehicles and comprise most of the selections on our list.
In addition, there are blades suited for different kinds of weather—summer, winter, and all-weather. Here are some of the key features you can expect to see on winter wiper blades.
Factors to Consider When Buying Winter Wiper Blades
As mentioned earlier, winter wiper blades are specifically designed to deal with colder temperatures and the ability to shed ice and snow without lifting the wiping surface from your windshield. Here are a few areas in which they differ from all-season or summer blades.
Special Rubber Compound
Winter blades use rubber compounds that remain more flexible in extremely cold temperatures so they resist cracking and tearing, as well to stay in firm contact with curved glass as they sweep across your windshield. That added flexibility also aids in shedding ice as the wiper moves, before it builds up on the blades. Further, some of the treatments on these blades help prevent ice and snow from adhering to them in the first place.
Covered Framework
Conventional wiper blades with exposed framework are very much prone to clogging and freezing in winter conditions, especially if they are metal. Winter blades use very soft rubber covers over the framework that ripples as the wiper moves to break up and shed ice and snow.
Beam-type blades already use enclosed framework to hold the wiping surface against the glass, and so are not as likely to freeze up and lift off the windshield as conventional blades, but again winter beam blades are specifically designed to maintain their flexibility and shed ice more readily than their all-season counterparts.
Attachments
All the winter-beating technology means nothing if you can’t attach the blade to your vehicle’s wiper arms. Most wiper blades come with adapters that allow easy mounting on the variety of wiper arm ends used on various vehicles. There are always exceptions that can make those adapters not quite “universal,” but most blades will fit in the range of 96 to 98 percent of vehicles out there, so in all likelihood an aftermarket blade will easily fit your ride. Since the attachment point will not likely be exactly the same as your original equipment blade, be sure to follow the instructions included so you don’t end up breaking the very adapter you might need.
All-Weather Versus Winter Blades
As the name implies, all-weather wiper blades are designed for good performance year-round, while winter blades are specifically engineered to provide extreme cold weather abilities. The compromise between the two means that the softer winter blades deteriorate quicker in warmer weather and sunshine, as compared to all-weather blades. That means that when the worst of winter is over, you’ll want to switch back to all-weather blades for maximum performance and longevity.
Because of their often chunkier construction, another factor to consider with winter blades, particularly the type that uses rubber boots to cover the framework, is that they do not generally have the same aerodynamic qualities as all-weather blades. That means they will often lift off the glass at higher speeds, seriously compromising their effectiveness in rainy conditions at highway speeds, so again, winter blades are for serious winter weather only.
Winter Wiper Blades FAQs:
Like we said above, installation is very simple and will work straight out the box most times. If you need a little extra help. Once installed and up and running, maintenance is very simple, just consider:
– Cleaning the windshield regularly to remove debris that could damage the wiper blades.
– Clean the blades themselves every time you clean the windshield. Just wipe them gently with a damp cloth or paper towel.
– Don’t use the wipers to de-ice a frozen windshield, and avoid turning them on until all ice is removed first.
– In winter, pull the blades away from the glass at night (or preferably cover the blades) to stop the blades from freezing to the windshield.
Related Post: Snow Chains
Replace them when you see one or more of:
– Skipping—The blade is skipping across the windshield instead of completing a smooth sweep.
– Streaking—The wiper leaves streaks behind.
– Splitting—It’s wiping some, but not all, of the windshield
– Squeaking—The wiper squeaks even when the windshield is soaking wet
Sources:
- Weather Related Accident Statistics—We Love Weather
- Wiper Installation Guide—YouTube
