Why should I Buy Windshield Wipers？

Posted by topexwiper on February 5th, 2021

Improve road safety. Like brake pads, windshield wipers are maintenance items that require replacement before they cause more severe problems. Scored windshield glass is a minor annoyance compared to the potentially catastrophic result of poor visibility at 100 feet per second. 

Worn out wipers.  Windshield wipers wear out as they work, and they have a tough job. They are always on-call and ready to leap into action to clear water, snow, ice, and smashed bug guts from your windshield. Replace your wipers before they retire. 

Severe duty. Harsh operating environments demand more frequent wiper blade inspection and replacement. Dusty deserts, seaside salt, relentless sunshine, and long winters can finish off wipers before their time. 

BEST WINDSHIELD WIPER TESTING CRITERIA 

We tested over a dozen pairs of wiper blades in simulated and real-world conditions on flat and curved windshields. This custom-built dual nozzle sprayer served as the simulated part of our windshield wiper testing. The static test is not entirely accurate, as there is no air moving across the windshield, but it gave us an inside and outside look at the wipers in action. We couldn’t find a giant fan or wind tunnel anywhere around here, so supplemental road testing through driving rain and swarms of bugs rounded out the best windshield wiper review.

FIT TO FINISH

Here’s a quick word about the product links to our review favorites. All of our test wipers were 16” bayonet mount, but unless you drive an old Montero or Toyota Starlet, the right size and type of wipers for your vehicle are different. Look up the correct size and type for the make, model, and year of your vehicle. Measure each wiper blade and note the connector type. The right connector makes the difference. A poor connection between the wiper arm and blade will result in poor performance. Today’s crop of windshield wipers falls roughly into the three categories. 

Windshield Wiper Types

FRAME WIPERS

Frame wipers have an articulated steel or composite frame structure. Hinges in the frame distribute pressure across the blade through four to eight claws. Frame wipers are also known as conventional, standard, or traditional. Up until a few years ago, the frame wiper was the most common type. The frame and claw design was initially designed so a worn rubber blade could be swapped out with an inexpensive refill. Most drivers replace the entire assembly as a unit today. 

BEAM WIPERS

Beam wipers get their name from the continuous spring steel beam that replaces the standard steel frame and claw structure. The pre-stressed steel ribbon eliminates pressure points for even pressure across the entire length of the blade. The low-profile design helps prevent high-speed chatter. Beam-type wipers excel on modern low-slope compound curve windshields and are standard equipment on the majority of new vehicles. 

HYBRID WIPERS

hybrid wiper blades bring features of frame and beam wipers together. Each manufacturer has a slightly different idea of what a hybrid wiper is, so the category is less clear cut. Some hybrids combine a conventional steel frame wiper with a protective aerodynamic shell. Others add articulated all-weather armor to beam-style wipers to help fight off heavy snow and ice. Improved aerodynamics, all-weather performance, reduced noise, and four-season durability are some hybrid advantages.