Having a clear windshield is a crucial part of driver safety, but perfect visibility can’t be achieved without an effective cleaning tool. Nowadays, more drivers than ever are keeping themselves and their passengers safe with silicone wiper blades.
When you live in cities that see rain year-round, inclement weather can strike at pretty much any time. But even when you live in sunny California, you don’t want to be caught in a storm without working wiper blades. Purchasing silicone wiper blades, which are now widely available at auto parts stores, will ensure you’re covered in the long term with a high-quality product that’s built to last.
In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of silicone wiper blades and provide our top four picks to help you make your purchase.
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Benefits of Silicone Wiper Blades
While standard rubber blades were once the primary attachment for all vehicles, many drivers and manufacturers are leaning toward pure silicone blades, or at the very least, rubber blades protected by a silicone layer. This is because silicone windshield wiper blades have a large amount of benefits that are worth the slightly higher, but longer-lasting investment.
Beneficial features of silicone wiper blades include:
- Enhanced performance: Silicone blades have water beading properties that allow raindrops to naturally bounce off your windshield and away from your car, leaving no water spots behind. They also tend to work well in the summer heat, whereas rubber blades are prone to heat damage that render them ineffective.
- Less noise: Because silicone blades are softer and more slick than rubber windshield wipers, they won’t squeak as they glide across your windshield. This means you can get a streak-free clean while driving, without the distracting noise.
- Better quality: While windshield wiper blades can be cheaply made, no matter the material, silicone blades tend to be more durable, allowing them to withstand extreme weather conditions.
If you need more incentive to purchase silicone wiper blades instead of waiting out the storms, just know that inclement weather can drastically increase surge pricing. This means rideshare drivers can earn double — or even eight times — what they normally make, as long as they can depend on a clear view on the stormiest days.
4 Best Silicone Wiper Blades
Now that you understand why silicone blades are the must-have purchase for drivers like you, it’s time to decide which windshield wiper product is the perfect match for your vehicle. In this section, we’ll provide a list of our four favorite silicone blade models that are in stock now.
1. PIAA 95055 Super Silicone Wiper Blade
Based in rainy Portland, Oregon, PIAA is naturally one of drivers’ preferred brands for silicone wiper blades. This specific model is one of the leading products in the windshield wiper market, made with a patented formula that makes the difference.
The PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blade is uniquely created to withstand both snow and direct sunlight without damage. It’s one of the more durable options you’ll find when shopping for silicone blades, and it doesn’t disappoint in any other area either. The product’s curved frame applies equal pressure points while wiping to ensure every swipe is both quiet and effective.
Even wiping from these silicone wiper blades will also coat your windshield with a thin layer of water-repellent silicone, so no alternate protection is needed to keep the raindrops bouncing off instead of sticking on. If the silicone becomes worn out, you can actually purchase refillable inserts instead of replacing the part altogether, which will greatly decrease your maintenance costs in the long run.
These PIAA wiper blades are available in sizes between 12 inches and 26 inches.
You can purchase the PIAA 95055 Super Silicone Wiper Blade on Amazon for $22.94.
2. Rain-X Latitude 2-in-1 Water Repellency Wiper Blade
Rain-X is one of the most commonly found wiper blade brands in stores today. The Latitude water-repellent line offers award-winning products for drivers with most standard windshield sizes.
This wiper blade is shaped for streak-free wiping in all weather conditions, and is guaranteed to pick up rain while leaving behind a coating of silicone that protects your windshield for several months. Although this Rain-X product is a silicone-rubber blend, rather than pure silicone, it’s an effective solution that is one of the more affordable leading wiper blade models.
With a virtually universal J-hook adapter already installed, this product provides an easy installation that even novices to car maintenance can pull off within minutes.
You can purchase the Rain-X Latitude 2-in-1 Water Repellency Wiper Blade on Amazon for $15.27. Sizes are listed separately, so double check the fit before adding this product to your cart.
3. Bosch ICON Wiper Blade
Another blended rubber option, the Bosch ICON Wiper Blade is well worth the additional cost for its unique beam blade design. While beam-style blades generally provide greater visibility, the Bosch wiper arm is made tension spring technology to essentially provide a custom fit for any car windshield it sits on. This perfect curve will ensure completely even pressure that increases safety and wiper performance, even in heavy rain and higher speeds of wind.
The durability of this product falls just behind the PIAA wiper blade, which means this product will have a long life. The longevity of the Bosch ICON blade is especially impressive for drivers in snowy states, as it comes with a shielded connector that keeps ice and snow away from the nook, ensuring your wiper blades attached to your car without any damage.
Bosch wiper blade sizes range from 13 inches to 28 inches, and the product should be extremely easy to install.
You can purchase the Bosch ICON Wiper Blade on Amazon for $15.40.
4. AERO Premium All-Season Windshield Wiper Blades
Sold in a set of two for the cost of one wiper blade, this AERO windshield wiper blade is an affordable product advertised as a direct OEM replacement. OEM stands for original equipment manufacturer, which means this product is a high-quality, exact replacement for your car’s wiper blades.
Like our previous two product options, the AERO premium blades are made with a special formula of blended rubber. This model specifically boasts its formula’s ability to remain flexible, regardless of weather conditions, which means it will remain form-fitted to your vehicle no matter what. The AERO wiper blades are also created with an aerodynamic design that ensures they don’t get lifted during high winds.
These AERO blades are available in an impressive range of sizes, from 12 inches to 28 inches. They are known to provide the most impressive performance in cold weather, though it may not do as well under harsh conditions as its higher-priced competitors.
You can purchase the AERO Premium All-Season Windshield Wiper Blades on Amazon for $16.98.
Frequently Asked Questions
Purchasing the right windshield wiper blade can boost your safety for years with a single purchase. To assist your purchasing decision, here are a few frequently asked questions to keep in mind while you’re shopping:
1. How long does the average silicone wiper blade last?
Most silicone blades will last twice as long as regular wiper blades, which will often see a dip in effectiveness within eight months of regular use. This means silicone wiper blades are built to last up to two years — with proper car maintenance — making them a worthy investment for drivers.
2. How do I know what windshield wiper blade size I need for my vehicle?
Your owner’s manual should be your go-to guidance for the proper windshield wiper size, though employees at your local auto parts store can also help you out. When it comes time for installation, make sure to look at your owner’s manual again in case your car model has specific directions outside of what your product instructs. Blades that are 20 to 22 inches are pretty standard for most basic car models.
3. What’s the best way to maintain my silicone wiper blades?
Silicone wiper blades don’t require an extraordinary amount of maintenance, but it’s a good idea to check in on their condition every week just by doing a quick inspection for cracks and other damage. If your blades appear dirty, you can simply use a clean cloth and some car window cleaner or washer fluid to remove the dirt or debris.
If you’re not already using your wiper blades once a month, we also recommend a monthly test to ensure your blades are still functioning properly and your washer fluid reservoir is filled.
4. Can I use water instead of windshield washer fluid if I have silicone blades?
Your washer fluid reservoir should always be filled with actual windshield wiper fluid to avoid adding minerals that cause hard water stains and to avoid faster evaporation. Water also will be ineffective against tougher stains, no matter what type of blade you have.
Get the Perfect Clean
Silicone wiper blades are modern solutions that will keep the roads visible during storms and spot-free after the bad weather passes. When you purchase the best wiper for your vehicle model, you’ll never worry about driving passengers around during rough weather again. We hope this guide helps you make a smart purchase decision that you’re happy with for years to come.
The Rain-X, Bosch, and Aero wiper blades on this article aren’t silicone blades… The only other silicone blades on the market are the PIAA Si-Tech, Rain-X Silicone AdvantEdge, Rain-X Silicone Endura, and the Michelin XT Advanced Silicone… If you are going to write about silicone blades, actually write about ones that ARE silicone. If I am mistaken please tell me why.