Who Makes Good Wiper Blades?

I'm not sure what to pick when it comes to wiper blades that don't sound terrible running across my windshield.  I've tried numerous brands, try to keep away from the cheapest possible options rock auto sells and go go with brands I've heard of before like Valeo, AC Delco, ANCO, etc.  None of this seems to matter much.  Maybe I'm just expecting them to last longer than they really do?  What suggestions do you have on models that are worth buying?  I'm about to replace a windshield and I'm putting a fresh set on the car.

I just bought some Michelins a few months ago.  Best wiper blades I’ve ever used.  They are expensive, but they move water, don’t leave streaks, and are silent.  Here in Florida, with all the other brands I’ve used, you have to replace blades every year.  The sun will bake them out, making them rather useless during rainy season.

I'm a big fan of the PIAA Super Silicone blades.  The ones on the Jeep have been on there for several years of DD-ing and several more of mostly sitting and still work great.  And the ones on the boat are the only blades I've seen go through an entire summer baking in the sun and still work like new. 

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I expect 6 to 9 months from blades.  I buy from FCP Euro and get them replaced for free.  If they carry what you need, this keeps me safe at a low cost.

I have always had the best luck with OEM blades. Any "good" wiper blade seems to be $30+ each anyway, might as well spend it on what came on the car new. 

Bosch seem to be good. I have them on 2 cars. 

garaithon said:

I have always had the best luck with OEM blades. Any "good" wiper blade seems to be $30+ each anyway, might as well spend it on what came on the car new. 

This.  I have had Acura/Honda blades on my Jetta for years.  Yes, you read that right.  I work at an Acura store, so there you are.  

Carbon (Forum Supporter) said:

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This is the way.

In my experience none of them are as good as they were 10 years ago, but it may just be that I live in AZ and nothing survives the sun here.

If all of the blades you are trying are squeaking it might be the angle of the blade on the windshield causing that problem. If it only squeaks in one direction I would try tweaking the arm a bit to get the blade more perpendicular to the windshield and seeing if that makes an improvement.

I'm more interested in a washer fluid that stands up to clearing the guts from multiple cicada impacts in rapid succession. Not even the magic RainX orange is up to the task. 

OEM Toyota for me.  The real ones from the dealer, not the sim-tos that the lube jockeys install.  

I suspect it's application specific (windshield shape?), but I got better coverage and less noise on the Mini by "downgrading" one step back from the flexible unit molded ones to the top of the "traditional steel multi-part frame" line. Bosch, generally.

I usually buy them from rockauto for super cheap (if I have time to plan ahead).  Bang for buck I always liked the motorcraft premium blades.  

captdownshift (Forum Supporter) said:

I'm more interested in a washer fluid that stands up to clearing the guts from multiple cicada impacts in rapid succession. Not even the magic RainX orange is up to the task. 

I always treat my windshields with some kind of glass protectant like Aquapel or Griot's. Even regular old RainX is better than nothing. It helps to keep things like bug guts from sticking.

Honda OE inserts worked really well for me for years. GM has some good inexpensive beam style blades in different sizes.

I buy the cheapest at my auto parts store, which is Bosch.  I replace them every fall. Zero complaints.

I use OEM Honda wipers. 

Cleaning the wiper occasionally with a microfiber and some alcohol will keep them working fine until they get sun-baked.  I've got about 70k miles on an OE Toyota set, still working fine.  

Aftermarket, the Bosch Icons are doing great on my truck which lives outside.  Aquapel every year or so.

Bosch Icons on the front of my SX4 Sportback and they're great, I think I have three years on them and they're only starting to streak in a couple of spots so I'll probably replace them next spring.  I wish I could get one properly sized for the rear wiper.

I've always been happy with TRICO blades.  Wiper blades are all they make and they're the OE supplier for many manufacturers.

Is a $30 wiper blade really better than a $3 Trico from the Rock replaced annually every fall/winter? 

$2.99 Chinese cheapies from rural king. Doesn't matter if I buy those or ones that are $30 a piece, they don't last when you run them dry across the windshield.

Bug guts: foaming glass cleaner and a razor blade.

newrider3 said:

Is a $30 wiper blade really better than a $3 Trico from the Rock replaced annually every fall/winter? 

In my experience, yes.  You can also buy all 3 inserts for a Toyota Land Cruiser for $20 and keep the excellent OEM frames.    This is one of those items where the OEMs know better than anyone else. 

Keep in mind we are a forum of cheap bastards, running clapped out cars.  How often do you replace the wipers on a new car?  My wife's Kia - arguably a "value" brand - has the original wipers for 4 years and 40k miles.  Still perform new.  When they finally go, I will replace them with another set of OEM wipers and get another 4 years out of them.  Sure beats replacing them every fall.  

Sadly, most wipers fall victim to the corner lube shop guys once a vehicle hits a certain age.   The owners notice degrading performance so the lube shop throws on whatever they have that is cheap and at hand.  Once the OEM frames are gone, you end up with some $1.99 cheapies with terrible rubber and geometry.  At that point any new wiper will be better than those turds.  

You don't think aftermarket wipers are a huge profit center?  Look at your parts store shelves.  There is a lot of space devoted to something that should get replaced once every few years.  Its in the aftermarket company's best interest to provide a wiper that is cheap to build and has a short lifespan.  

How many folks who recommend anything but OEM have had a new car with new OEM wiper blades?