6 Best Windshield Wiper Blades of 2024, According to Auto Experts

For this story, the product analysts at the Good Housekeeping Institute relied on our decades of expertise in testing autos and auto equipment, from the best home EV chargers and car paint sprayers to our favorite cars for parents like three-row SUVs. While we haven’t yet tested each windshield wiper formally in our Lab, our analysts reviewed popular picks among online consumers for factors like materials, design, price and more.

To learn even more about windshield wipers, we partnered with fellow Hearst brand, Car and Driver, whose auto experts have tested wiper blades firsthand. To narrow down the best ones, their pros simulated various degrees of rainfall, from light to heavy, with a garden hose, while trying each wiper speed setting. In addition to evaluating performance and how effectively water was removed from the car’s shield, factors like rain repellency, ease of installation, noise and price were considered.

If you live somewhere that experiences frequent rainfall throughout the year or snowfall during the winter, it might be worth considering premium windshield wipers for the best performance. Pricier windshield wipers are usually made from silicone, which should not only last longer than blades made of rubber, but they are less likely to freeze to your windshield during colder months. According to our experts, the upfront investment for expensive wipers is typically worth it, though you can find some great value blades online that are efficient but likely lack a few extra features.

✔️ Material: Windshield wiper blades are typically made from rubber or silicone. While rubber is a bit more affordable, it isn't quite as durable as silicone. So if you live somewhere with frequent rainfall or extreme temperatures, silicone blades may be a better investment in the long run. Also keep in mind that if you live somewhere with freezing temperatures during the winter months, silicone is less likely to freeze onto the windshield and more likely to remain pliable.

✔️ Size: Before purchasing wipers, double-check your car’s owner’s manual to find the wiper size that’s compatible. Inside the manual, there should be a wiper section that specifies this information. Note that often, the driver's side blade is longer than the passenger side blade. If you want to skip the hassle, you can always purchase a set of new wipers directly from your car's manufacturer by calling your local dealership. OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) wipers will be tailored to your car and should be easy to install, though they may be more expensive.

✔️ Durability: Windshield wipers don't last forever, and on average you can expect to change them every 12 months. If you start noticing that your wipers just aren't working like they used to, or are squeaking and leaving streaks behind, you may need to replace them sooner.

Media and tech reviews analyst Olivia Lipski oversees product testing and covers everything from consumer tech to autos, travel, home and more. She continues to stay on top of the industry’s latest innovations and helps readers make better buying decisions by testing and reviewing the best gadgets to hit the market. Not only does she regularly collaborate with the Good Housekeeping Auto Lab to evaluate some of the best family cars, but she also reviews handy car accessories and equipment.

To select the picks featured above, she consulted our partners at Car and Driver and the Hearst Autos Gear Team, who have more than 206 years of automotive publishing experience. Hearst Autos combines the forces, talent and knowledge of three of the largest, most influential automotive publications in the world: Autoweek, Car and Driver and Road & Track. The Hearst Autos Gear Team promises to deliver honest evaluations, hands-on tests and product reviews driven by decades of knowledge and experience.