With the help of windscreen wipers you can keep your vehicle windows clean. Therefore, these are particularly in demand in autumn and winter. This is also the reason why a change should be made just before the start of these seasons. Then you are on the safe side and benefit from optimal wiper performance. But windshield wipers are not just windshield wipers. That's why we took a closer look at different manufacturers in our windshield wiper test in order to be able to present you with the best windshield wipers of 2020. In the following article, we first discuss some general pointers before we dive into the best wiper blades.
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Which wiper blade types are the best for your windshield wiper's operation
There are now a whole range of different models and designs for the windscreen wipers in your car. The classic is the iron wiper. A metal frame forms a solid frame, which ensures that the actual wiper blade is pressed firmly against the corresponding window. However, the field of application of such wipers is becoming increasingly smaller and they can often be replaced by more modern variants.
The further development then took place with the so-called flat bar wipers. These are sometimes also referred to as aero wipers because they do not have a bracket and are better pressed against your windshield thanks to the integration of the spoiler. This also applies in particular to higher speeds. In addition, such a construction offers the advantage that, unlike iron wipers, they cannot freeze in wintry temperatures.
The latest development are the so-called hybrid wipers, which attempt to combine the advantages of the two types mentioned above. The blade rubber is also flat on these Aerotwin wipers. However, a corresponding metal element is integrated into it at the same time, so that it becomes much more stable. The metal is protected by a plastic cover so that it can neither freeze nor rust.
What decision-making criteria should you use when buying?
One of the most important features when buying windscreen wipers is of course the correct fit of the item. Only if the windscreen wipers match your windscreen cleaning system can they be used optimally. You should therefore study the compatibility lists for the individual products, which are often very detailed, in order to avoid any nasty surprises. Another important point, in addition to the type of wiper, is the quality of the rubber used. The two-component models in particular are superior to the simple models. If you often drive at high speeds on motorways, you should order products with a spoiler, especially with classic wiper blades.
The best wiper brands
We have examined many good windshield wipers to determine the best windshield wipers for you in one test. This resulted in the following list of the best brands for wipers.
BOSCH
The Bosch brand is one of the largest in the vehicle parts market. The product portfolio is huge and the quality of the wipers does not have to hide behind the other big brands. Nevertheless, the prices for these brand wipers are reasonable, so you benefit from an optimal price-performance ratio. One of the most popular models is the „Aerotwin“, which was introduced in 1999. It was the first flat bar wiper without a joint.
HELLA
This company has been around since 1899. The company now owns well over 100 factories around the world. In addition to classic car windscreen wipers, this manufacturer also sells many special products that are used in construction machinery, for example. In terms of price, the products are in the middle.
RIDEX
Ridex still produces wipers from all three classes today. For example, the bow wipers are referred to here as „conventional“, the flat bar wipers as „flat“ and the hybrid wipers as „Hybrid“. So you can easily see what type of product it is by looking at the wiper line.
VALEO/SWF
SWF has been part of the VALEO Group since 1999. This company, which was founded in 1923, initially mainly manufactured drills and screwdrivers. However, just a few years later, vehicle parts began to be produced and sold. These companies are now original equipment manufacturers for many vehicles and the quality of the wipers is particularly high. A nice additional feature is the included wear indicator, so you can see at a glance when the wiper blades need to be replaced.
STARK
The products of this company are popular with everyone. This is because they convince above all with the high standards in production and the high product quality. The windscreen wipers also last a particularly long time. This also makes these items a good choice if you are looking for the best value for money.
Conclusion
Don't hesitate too long if you find that your wiper blades are very badly worn. In most cases, it's hardly worth waiting any longer to replace it – it's too dangerous if you don't have a good view when driving. With a windscreen wiper cutter, you can help yourself at short notice if you don't have any new windscreen wipers at home or the delivery of your order is delayed. In general, however, we advise you to read our windscreen wiper test carefully so that you can identify the best brand for your windscreen wipers. Further information is available from master car workshops and from your technical vehicle manual.
A tip from CarTipsandmore:
- When replacing your windscreen wipers, we recommend that you always replace both in a set. Such kits are not only cheaper than individual items, but you can be sure that the two will work together. In addition, both windscreen wipers are subjected to somewhat the same loads and are exposed to the same weather, so that both wear out at a similar rate.
- Special adapters may be required to install the new windscreen wipers, depending on the attachment and type of old windscreen wipers . Fortunately, many wiper manufacturers supply a certain selection of common adapters. Nevertheless, you should always make sure when buying that the components are optimally suited for your vehicle variant.
- If you are not sure which wiper blade belongs on which side of a windscreen wiper set for your windscreen, you can do so assume that the longer windscreen wipers are for your driver's side.
- It is best to order windscreen wipers from dealers who sell them very frequently. Since there is no regulation forcing manufacturers to indicate the wiper production date, this is the only way you can try to avoid buying a slow-moving product whose rubber has already suffered.
