Windshield wiper blades - what to choose? — magazine Behind the Wheel

When the windshield wiper blades become unusable and cease to cope with their main responsibilities, the car owner is faced with the question of how to replace the worn-out wipers. The shelves of car dealerships are overflowing with brushes from different manufacturers, types and designs, so much so that simply sorting through all the suitable and unsuitable options is already a whole story. And how can you find exactly those ideal brushes that will delight you with the quality of their work, reasonable price and appearance?

It is at this moment that many car owners have a question: what type of windshield wiper blades to choose? Which wipers are better, framed or frameless?

Frameless brushes

Frameless brushes - the design is quite simple, but the quality of cleaning greatly depends on the condition of the elastic element.
Frameless brushes - the design is quite simple, but the quality of cleaning greatly depends on the condition of the elastic element.

Frameless.

In recent years, they are often included in the original equipment of cars, gradually replacing the traditional type. The main disadvantages: high (relative to frame) price and some risk of “missing the corners” when replacing original ones with new ones. The profile of the metal insert, which provides rigidity to the structure, must exactly match the bend of the glass. Otherwise, high-quality cleaning will not work. Pros: there is no great threat of freezing, and a worn rubber band can be easily replaced if desired. With tape, however, you may not be able to guess - cheap options tend to harden in the cold.

Hybrid.

In essence, these are improved frame brushes: the system of rocker arms and hinges is covered with plastic casings. They protect connections from dirt and precipitation, and at the same time improve aerodynamics (in theory - maybe in practice - who knows). "Hybrids" are not afraid of high speeds. There is perhaps only one drawback - the high price. Although something still gets under the covers.

Top 12 best frame and frameless wipers

Which wipers to buy: frame or frameless, determine based on the characteristics of the car and your driving style, as well as the climate in which you live. We have compiled a rating of the top wipers of 2018-2019. To make it more convenient, the list is divided into the best framed and frameless models.

The best frame models of wipers:

Bosch Twin are among the top best frame brushes from this German manufacturer. High-quality windshield wipers perfectly remove dirt from the windshield. The main advantage is two-component rubber. Its base is thin and soft, while the working surface is harder, due to this the brushes perfectly clean the surface. The hook with which the brushes are attached makes installation and dismantling quick and easy. The noise of the brushes is reduced, their movement is soft and smooth. The high-quality closed frame is made of metal and is not afraid of corrosion. There are no disadvantages to these frame wipers. Experts advise using them in the winter season, as well as when the glass is heavily soiled. The cost of products starts from 850 rubles.
Valeo Silencio Performance . The main feature of these frame brushes is their smooth and silent operation. The degree of surface cleansing is maximum. The blades have six attachment points, as well as a color indicator that shows when the wipers are worn out and it's time to replace them. The fastening is a hook, and these wipers also do not have additional adapters, so this model is not universal. The price starts from 800 rubles.
Heyner exclusive . The wipers are suitable for any windshield, since suitable adapters can be purchased in the kit. Advantages - the rubber band is replaceable, you can install a new one as soon as the old one wears out. The downside is that the brushes do not clean the surface perfectly. You can purchase these frame wipers for a price starting from 450 rubles.
Champion Aerovantage . They are available in different lengths and with different fastenings, so this model is considered the most universal. The main advantage is that the brushes clean the surface perfectly. However, many car owners note that the hinges quickly become unusable due to the heavy weight of the structure. The cost is on average 700 rubles.
Bosch Eco . If your budget is limited, then the best frame brushes for you are Bosh Eco, their price is 250–300 rubles. Their rubber is made from natural rubber, which means that the brushes will perfectly clean the windshield. The metal frame is powder-coated, so it is not afraid of corrosion. To make the sliding of the frame brushes smooth and silent, the brush blade is coated with graphite.
Champion X51e - wipers made in Italy with increased reliability. Due to the tight fit of the brushes, they perfectly clean the surface. Snow will not stick to these wipers. The only drawback is that the brushes can creak during operation. These products cannot be called budget, because their price starts from 520 rubles.

We recommend

“How to change frameless wipers: complete instructions” Read more
The best frameless wipers:

Denso WB-Flat Blade . If you are looking for the best frameless brushes, then pay attention to this model with high clamping force. Their special shape allows for high aerodynamic performance. Low degree of icing at sub-zero temperatures. The brushes perfectly clean even dry dirt from the surface. You can purchase adapters in the kit, so you can install the product on any car. Suitable for use at any time of the year. The only negative is the short service life. Price 500-700 rubles.
Valeo Silencio X-TRM . If you are looking for the best frameless wipers that will last a long time, then pay attention to this model. The brushes are made of durable material, resistant to sudden temperature changes, and effectively clean glass even in severe frost. Due to the specific shape of the blade - the working edge is at the top - wipers are able to make the windshield clean quickly, even if you are driving at high speed. The brushes move smoothly and silently. Thanks to the convenient Multiclip mount, you can quickly and easily mount the brushes. The only negative is that there are no adapters on sale, and the price of these frameless wipers reaches 900–1,000 rubles.
Bosch Aerotwin - brushes that are created using the latest developments. Even without adapters, they can be installed on almost all machines. They perfectly clean the surface due to the high degree of pressure, as well as special rubber, which contains silicone. Eliminates any contamination and is not afraid of low sub-zero temperatures. The ride is smooth and silent. The main disadvantage is the short period of use. After 6 months you will have to install new brushes. The price is small - only 500–600 rubles.
Heyner All Seasons - are not afraid of corrosion, the brushes have a graphite coating, the sliding is almost silent, the brushes are in close contact with the surface. The rubber band can be changed as it wears out. The price of the model is 500 rubles.
Alca Super Flat is the best frameless wipers for winter, made in Germany. Made from a material with increased strength that is not afraid of low temperatures. These flat brushes have an attractive appearance. They do not “strip”; they remove snow and ice from the surface of the glass. The only drawback is that they lose their quality when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Cost - 450 rubles.
Goodyear FRAMELESS - brushes have increased reliability and are not afraid of low temperatures. Special guides are made of stainless steel. Due to graphite coating, the brushes operate silently and smoothly. High degree of cleaning, wipers do not “strip”. A universal model, its installation is easy and quick, no adapters are required, because the Multiclip fastening system is used. Cost 450–500 rubles.

Frameless brushes

Frameless brushes are gradually replacing the framed “classics”, including on the conveyors of car factories.
Frameless brushes are gradually replacing the framed “classics”, including on the conveyors of car factories.

How to fix it?

Repairing brushes is a controversial task and not for everyone. But there is a crisis outside, and in some cases it is possible to extend the performance of old “janitors”. They offer two options - simple and radical. Downtime comes down to degreasing the hardened rubber parts (for example, with white spirit) and dipping them into gasoline for a while. Then wash with soapy water and coat with silicone grease. This allows you to restore the elasticity of the working surfaces for some time.

The second option is to replace the rubber band, which is sold in a fairly wide range. Both methods will not help much if the reason for poor operation of the blades is the loss of elasticity of the metal pressing part of the wiper.

When do brushes need to be replaced?

The answer is more than obvious: when the car owner sees that the brushes have become unusable, do not remove water or dirt, and leave streaks, it’s time to throw them away. Wipers are a consumable item and should be replaced after several seasons. Another “bell” that reminds you to replace the brushes can be a situation where, due to a worn brush, a water film remains on the glass. It impairs visibility at night and increases the brightness of headlights from an oncoming car. Such situations require immediate replacement of old wipers with new ones.

tuning wiper blades

The market willingly offers various “tuning” brushes to improve the appearance of cars.
Pampering? The market willingly offers various “tuning” brushes to improve the appearance of cars. Pampering?

When to replace?

The Internet gives a lot of different recommendations: every six months, every year, before every winter or before every maintenance. It is more logical to trust common sense and a reasonable assessment of the real state of the “janitors”. Brushes should be changed when their performance has deteriorated (visibly noticeable to the eye), without waiting until it gets even worse. Especially if we are talking about the autumn-winter period with long twilight. Safety comes first, and it greatly depends on visibility.

Choosing new windshield wipers

When choosing new wipers, you should first of all follow the recommendations from the vehicle manufacturer!

When purchasing, you must rely on:

blade length - always stick to the recommended size, long wipers will have less pressing force, and shorter ones will not provide the necessary visibility.
universal fastening - the most common and reliable option is a hook.
appearance - when purchasing, be sure to inspect new wipers for cracks, chips and other damage.
quality of rubber - the material must be frost-resistant and resistant to aggressive environmental influences.
cost - remember - a high-quality model cannot be very cheap!

If your car's windshield is very old and has multiple scratches, it will need to be replaced or sanded before installing new wipers because... No brushes will create excellent visibility with old glass.

hybrid wipers

The idea that hybrid wipers improve aerodynamics is based largely on the assurances of manufacturers and sellers.
The idea that hybrid wipers improve aerodynamics is based largely on the assurances of manufacturers and sellers.

"Windshield wipers" of the future

Many companies today are working on introducing a fundamentally new glass cleaning technology. It does not include brushes! The ultrasonic signal generator will do the cleaning. It is claimed that a properly directed sound wave with a frequency of 30 kHz copes with all types of glass contaminants - from insects to ice crust. Benefits: no fluid needed, the car will become lighter, aerodynamics will improve. The idea is borrowed from military aviation.

Windshield wiper blades - which ones to choose?

conclusions

It is important to understand that the advantages and disadvantages of frame and frameless wipers presented in the article, as well as advice on which brushes are better in a particular situation, are based only on the design features of the wiper. However, the store will offer you specific models from a variety of manufacturers. Everyone has good and unsuccessful models, there are defects or fakes, it may turn out that a high-quality frame brush will cope with cleaning glass better than a more expensive, but low-quality frameless one.

Therefore, we recommend that before making the final choice, look at tests of windshield wiper blades and read reviews of specific wiper models.

And one more interesting point. On our website we organized a survey among readers “What type of windshield wipers do you use?” and here are the results

Maybe the opinion of our readers will help you decide on the type of wipers.

Which brand of brushes to choose?

In pursuit of buyers, manufacturers of car brushes use non-standard technical solutions. Some are appreciated by drivers, others are accepted with skepticism. According to reviews from car owners, successful and inexpensive accessories are produced by the Alca brand from Germany. Its products occupy a leading position in the niche of medium and low-priced goods.

It, as experts note in their reviews, does not in any way affect the reliability or durability of the product. Due to the low cost, the manufacturer's car brushes are not counterfeited. The car owner buys an original product with a guarantee.

The remaining places in the ranking belong to the following companies:

Bosch (Germany).

The range of products is not limited to 2-3 models. From the brand you can choose an accessory of the required functionality and price. The company is famous for its flexible pricing policy, high quality products, and their safety.

Denso (Japan).

The company is among the first brands to release hybrid variants of devices. Its products are innovative and durable.

MegaPower (Germany).

Produces accessories for high performance vehicles. The company sells products in the mid-price segment. It is durable, reliable, but not supplemented with useful functions.

Trico (USA).

The manufacturer aims to sell devices that meet the requirements of car owners. Before releasing a part for sale, brand engineers analyze the shortcomings of competitors' products. Create an improved model.

Heyner (Germany).

The versatility of the products is the manufacturer’s motto. Its auto windshield wipers are suitable for most vehicles. They are not inferior in reliability and service life to competitor brushes.

When deciding which car brushes are better, one should not lose sight of the practicality of their manufacturer’s achievements. Professionals recommend evaluating all characteristics before placing an order. After all, safety depends on the quality of the accessory.

Sources

https://life-with-cars.ru/ekspluatatsiya-avtomobilya/sovety-voditelej/shhetki-stekloochistitelej/
https://www.expertcen.ru/article/ratings/luchshie-schetki-stekloochistitelya.html
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https://zen-Top.ru/top-10-luchshih-dvornikov-dlya-zimyi-i-leta/
https://zen.yandex.ru/media/zr.ru/cena-prozreniia-vybiraem-scetki-stekloochistitelei-5c18f40a94ee4e00aadefd22
https://vyboroved.ru/reyting/luchshie-shchetki-stekloochistitelya
https://markakachestva.ru/rating-of/1137-luchshie-schetki-stekloochistitelya.html
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Everything about car windshield wiper blades and wipers

How to ruin brushes ahead of time

There are several true and very simple ways to “kill” wipers. The first is to use wipers on dry glass. Many people have at least once encountered a situation where the car windshield is dusty and the washer reservoir is dry. And it seems like the liquid is lying around somewhere in the trunk, water is available in the water supply, and filling it up is not a problem, but the driver is already late and decides to run the wipers dry. A couple of swipes and the glass is more or less clean. Yes, this oversight alone will not critically shorten the life of the brushes, but a dozen or two such manifestations of laziness - and the cleaning element comes to an end. In addition, when you run the wipers dry, you scratch the glass too.

The second method is also tied to driver laziness, but in its winter manifestation. Agree, you have more than once seen a car with icy glass, on which the windshield wipers scrape unsuccessfully. Over time, they will clean the windshield, but not at the cost of perseverance, but of the banal melting of ice. But the health of the “rubber bands” suffers greatly. A hand scraper will do this job much faster.

And one more important point. You can ruin not only the wipers, but also the windshield. If you trust the installation of brushes to sellers, be sure to check whether they have removed the protective plastic from the cleaning element. In our practice, there are cases where people simply forgot about these linings and seriously wiped the windshield.

Let's summarize. When choosing windshield wiper blades, you need to pay attention to their design and choose the one that best suits your preferences, do not miss the length and type of fastening, and also do not forget that they should be changed in a timely manner, otherwise you may find yourself in an extremely unpleasant situation on the road that could have been avoided , spending a little time and several thousand tenge.

Rating of the best rubber bands

In order for replacement rubber bands for wipers to work for a long time, you need to buy only high-quality products.

Below we consider several popular product models:

Heynell. Such products are characterized by quiet operation; usually, even after many months of operation, they operate without noise or extraneous sounds. According to the manufacturer, this effect is achieved as a result of correct calculation of the edge angle. But this option is not particularly suitable for winter.
Denso NDDS. Despite the high quality of windshield cleaning, as well as a relatively long service life, these products cannot be classified as durable. Usually the first troubles in their work appear after the first winter.
Sparco. A fairly practical option - the products of this brand have proven to be durable and of high quality. Even during cold weather they work fine. Thanks to the tight fit to the glass, the maximum cleaning effect is achieved.
Alca. This German-made option is considered one of the cheapest, usually available in sizes of 600 mm. Of course, a low price cannot be due to high quality, however, in this case the ratio of quality and cost is the most optimal.
Sheron. Czech-made products, available in 650 mm sizes. The high cost is due to good quality.
Warrior. Such products are available in sizes 500, 600 and 700 mm. Their cost is also affordable and they are characterized by a normal price-quality ratio. But if your budget allows, then it is better to give preference to a more expensive option.

What else to pay attention to

In addition to the design, there are two more parameters that you need to look at. The first is length. New brushes should be at least no shorter than those recommended for your car model. Otherwise, the view from the windshield will be noticeably worse, which is quite obvious. At the same time, nothing prevents you from installing the wipers a little longer. It should not be abused. If you go too far with the size, the brushes will touch each other or other body elements, and this is not only unpleasant, but also harmful.

The second parameter is the type of fastening. In most cases, the type of fastener can be specified. Almost all models of wipers come with a whole bunch of different adapters and adapters, so choosing the right one won’t be difficult. But this approach works for the time being and not with every car. There are leashes with very exotic fastening systems, for which a standard set of adapters is simply not suitable. Before purchasing wipers, pay attention to this.