Best Winter Wiper Blades for Snow

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The winter season holds the freezing temperature, hoarfrost, crystals, snow, ice, snowflakes, and more. There are also different winter weather conditions, such as blizzards, winter storms, blowing snows, and snow squalls. These elements are hard on your windshield wipers, and if they are not designed for the winter, you could end up having poor visibility problems under heavy snow. So, don’t wait for the snow to come when it’s freezing cold outside to replace your wipers with winter blades. Replace them ahead of time with the best car wiper blades on the market.

Not all wipers are made for snow. Some standard windshield wipers will start showing signs of defects, streaks, and malfunctions under the harsh freezing winter conditions. So, it is important to have the winter wiper blades on your windshield if you live in an area that sees heavy rains and freezing temperatures. But what’s the difference? There are plenty.

It’s easier to wipe away dust and heavy rain off your windscreen, which the traditional wiper blades can do. However, getting off snow and ice, which are heavier, will require greater strength. Winter blades have a tougher tensile strength that allows them to sweep off the ice on your windshield without difficulties and issues. Moreover, these blades are further coated with an extra layer of protection, wrapping the hinges to prevent snow and ice buildup. Many conventional blades don’t have such a feature, resulting in their underperformance during the snow. Also, winter wipers have more solid and stable frame construction that resists deformation, even after several sweeps of heavy ice on the windshield. On the other hand, conventional blades will easily bend, as the heavy ice will eventually take a toll on the feeble wiper levers over time.

So, it’s important to prepare for the winter to ensure the wiper performance remains unaffected by the bad weather. Likewise, there are several best wiper blades for winter which you can buy to ensure your safety while driving during the snow. While there are several similar products in the market, we’ve made a list of the best-rated winter wiper blades to make things easier during your shopping. Check out our top picks, and find out what the best windshield wiper blades are for winter.

At a Glance

1. TRICO Ice 35-260 Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade – 26″
2. Bosch ICON 26A
3. ANCO 31-Series (Budget Option)
4. Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency 2-n-1 Wiper Blades
5. Valeo 900 Ultimate Series
6. PIAA Silicone Wipers
7. AERO All-Season Wiper Blades
8. TRICO Chill Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade 

Best Winter Wiper Blades Review

Below are the best wiper blades for winter, carefully selected based on actual use and experience, customer feedback, reviews, and ratings. 

1. TRICO Ice 35-260 Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade – 26″

TRICO Ice is built for the extremes with its rugged construction and durable materials to combat the harshest weather in driving while still offering the best performance. The combined mix of synthetic-blended armor and flexible blade performs to give you the best clarity while driving under the worst weather condition while preventing the buildup of ice and snow to avoid clogging at the same time.

The one-piece design of the TRICO Ice Winter wiper blade snugly conforms to any windshield curvature to prevent streaks, while the heavy-duty and robust gauge wiper element effectively resists tearing in subzero zones. Quick and easy installation is possible with the SWIFT® universal one-click system, allowing anyone to perform the installation without difficulty. 

In comparison with the TRICO Chill Extreme Weather wiper blade, which is made of rubber, the wiper blade of TRICO Ice Extreme is made of steel and PTFE-coated rubber, which is stronger and able to combat the most extreme weathers. In short, the TRICO Chill is designed for the winter, while the TRICO Ice is built for most extreme weathers. It’s no wonder why TRICO dubbed it as its best winter wiper blade yet. However, this also comes with a higher price than the Chill wiper blades. So if you live in the coldest place in the North and in the subzero zones, you should be ready to invest in a good and high-performance wiper blade for winter. Thus, the TRICO Ice windshield wipers should be at the top of your list. Taking into account the innovative technology to provide the best performance in harsh driving conditions, the TRICO Ice Extreme Weather winter wiper blade is the editor’s choice for the best extreme winter wiper blade.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

2. Bosch ICON 26A Winter Windshield Wipers

Ideally, the traditional wipers with steel frames would have been the perfect type for winter because of their solid steel support that effectively wipes away the snowflakes and ice accumulating on the windshield. However, the exposed steel frame creates an area for ice and snow to build up, thereby affecting the performance of the wiper. For this reason, by design, windshield wipers for snow and ice should be either a beam blade like the Bosch ICON or a hybrid wiper blade. Beam blades have no frames, leaving no room for ice, dirt, and snow to accumulate, while hybrid wipers have aerodynamic covers that encase the steel frame to prevent clogging.

The Bosch ICON wiper blades have what it takes to combat the rugged conditions during winter. While the standard beam wiper blades are pliable enough for snow, the Bosch ICON features the brand-exclusive FX dual rubber. It fights ozone and heat deterioration to stay flexible yet strong enough to resist the damaging effects of the outdoor winter conditions. This allows it to last up to 40% longer than other premium wiper blades. The patented OE beam technology is engineered for exceptional streak-free wiping performance, unaffected by ice and snow buildup while operating at low noise to avoid distractions.

It’s made for all seasons and not just for the winter. Bosch ICON’s signature award-winning design with an integrated spoiler is meant to provide even pressure distribution. It works like the wing of a sporty racing car, further pushing down the wiper blade onto the surface of the glass to avoid float, chatter, and bounce on the highway at high speed. So, it’s definitely an all-season wiper blade, leading us to conclude that the Bosch ICON is the best winter wiper blade for all seasons.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

3. ANCO 31-Series Windshield Wiper Blades

If you are looking for a brand with the most experience in the wiper blade business, then ANCO is that brand. It has been manufacturing windshield wipers for nearly a century. It is a trusted name in premium washer pumps, wiper arms, and wiper blades, catering to some vehicle manufacturers. While it has several lines, the ANCO 31-Series is among its premium lineups. It also features the DuraKlear Plus wiper element that provides superior wipes without streaks and the unique combination of the metal flexors and vented bridge that ensures the most accurate OE fit and function. It is further reinforced by the KwikConnect installation system that makes wiper blade replacement a simple and straightforward process.

While the ANCO 31-Series is a traditional windshield wiper, the steel frame provides the necessary strength to wipe away snow and keep your vision clear during bad weather. However, it should only be for a short drive. Otherwise, snow may start to collect and build up. However, it’s still a great wiper to drive during winter with light snow, considering the affordable price that easily fits anyone’s budget for wiper blade replacement. Likewise, there’s a compromise with noise, which is at an acceptable decibel range but not the quietest around. A proper balance of performance and cost makes the ANCO 31-Series the best budget winter wiper blades.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

4. Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency 2-in-1 Wiper Blades

Rain-X is a popular brand for all-weather windshield wiper blades with exemplary performance from the blazing South heat all the way to the subzero temperatures of the icy North. Rain-X has plenty of lineups for wiper blades. Along with this, the Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency 2-in1 wiper is a revolutionary product that does more than just wipe the rain away. It also provides an ingenious solution to both repel and clear the elements to ensure the best driving visibility under any weather condition. It will treat your windscreen with an innovative water-repelling protective coating that remarkably beads up the rainwater and rolls it away while you drive. 

During winter, the water-repellent coating will make it easier for snow to glide away in every sweep, causing less stress and minimal force on the wiper blades and lever. The water repellency technology for ultimate driving visibility is what separates the Rain-X Latitude from its sister brands, like the Rain-X Fusion and the Rain-X Weatherbeater wiper blades. Since it’s a beam blade by construction, it has lesser parts with no room for ice and snow to build up and clog. The highly advanced beam blade technology of the Latitude wipers effectively contours to any windshield curvature for virtually streak-free and smooth wipes.

The Rain-X Latitude further features the combined mix of blended synthetic rubber squeegee and premium graphite coating to enhance visibility during sleet, snow, and rain. It also comes with a universal adapter and compatible fitment with most OE specialty wiper arms for quick and stress-free installation. 

The numerous innovations added to the Rain-X Latitude are the game changers that separate it from the competition. It was voted as the Product of the Year in 2017 for its innovation, and we also voted Rain-X Latitude Water Repellency 2-in-1 Wiper Blades as our choice for the best winter wiper beam blade for heavy rain and snow.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

5. Valeo 900 Ultimate Series

Valeo may not be as popular as Bosch or Michelin among many car owners, but they are quite popular among vehicle manufacturers. It’s because they are one of the top suppliers of factory-installed windshield wipers of some leading car makers since 1923, and now they are operating globally across 33 countries. In fact, there is a greater chance that the brand of the wipers that come with your vehicle is Valeo. So, if these popular car brands trusted Valeo, there’s more reason to trust Valeo as your brand of choice for your next aftermarket replacement wiper blade.

Just like any wiper brand, Valeo has a couple of product lines catering to different markets. Likewise, the 900 Ultimate Series is dubbed as the best-in-class in aerodynamics due to its integrated spoiler that provides high-speed performance, reinforced by the new Tec3 advanced rubber technology for quiet wipes and extended life. The innovative ultra-flat beam blade profile with integrated flexors provides even pressure distribution across more than 1500 points, which is a far cry from the 6–8-point pressure distribution of the conventional frame-type wiper blades. As a result, aero-acoustics are greatly enhanced, remarkably reducing the noise up to 3dB for a quieter ride during severe weather. Likewise, the common chatter issue with other brands is uncommon with Valeo windshield wipers.

In terms of winter performance, the Valeo 900 Series has a hinge-free construction with no metal superstructure to collect snow and ice, allowing it to perform at its best and  become unaffected by dust, ice, snow, and various minute road debris. The installation process will become the least of your concerns with the hook arm connection system that makes it easy to install without the need for an adapter. Since it is among the top OEM wiper blade suppliers, it offers the broadest range of sizes to ensure an exact fit on most vehicles.

Taking into account the ultraquiet operation, the streak-free and chatter-free performance, and the no-hinge profile that prevents clogging, our consensus ended with the Valeo 900-Series – our top pick for winter wiper blades best in aerodynamics.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

6. PIAA Si-Tech Silicone Wipers

Designed to be the wiper blade of choice for most vehicles, PIAA silicone wiper blades feature the brand’s super silicone technology advantage. It infuses high-grade silicone in wiper blades, delivering whisper-quiet blade movements and unmatched vision during bad weather. This has become the wiper blade performance benchmark for almost a decade. These silicone wiper blades will work even when they are not in use because of the patented silicone technology applying an invisible barrier with water-repelling properties on the windshield, causing the water to easily bead up and smoothly roll away. This allows the wiper blades to perform at their optimum under any outdoor condition, be it during the summer heat or the freezing winter.

PIAA has two popular silicone blades on its lines, and they are the Si-Tech Silicone Wipers and the Super Silicone Wiper Blades. Between the two, the PIAA Si-Tech Silicone is superior in terms of construction, materials, and performance. However, it is also the more expensive one. The PIAA Super Silicone is a conventional wiper with steel frames and silicone blades that outperform the longevity of the standard rubber blades, claiming to last twice longer. On the other hand, the PIAA Si-Tech Silicone wipers are beam blades by design with a unique mix of silicone and silicone rubber for its blades. This allows it to retain the flexibility of rubber to ensure firmer grip on the windshield for streak-free performance. Just like the Super Silicone, Si-Tech wiper blades will also last twice longer than the conventional rubber wiper blades.

Both silicone blades are engineered to outperform in rugged environments and outlast the competition. These wipers were also subjected to rigorous durability testing procedures, such as extreme temperature tests, accelerated ozone tests, and 500,000-wipe tests to ensure steadfast performance over time and in any weather. This further guarantees that the PIAA Silicone wipers will last for years. Another beneficial feature is the refillable silicone insert that gives you the chance to purchase your next wiper blade replacement at a significantly lower cost, making it a low-maintenance silicone wiper blade. Considering the superior performance, the silicone advantage that extends life, and the refillable silicone blade feature, we’ve selected PIA Si-Tech Silicone Wipers as the best silicone winter wiper blade.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

7. AERO Hybrid All-Season Wiper Blades

If you are looking for an OEM replacement for your windshield wiper blades, then the AERO Hybrid All-Season wiper blades should be on your top list. AERO wipers are known for using high-grade materials, and their products have passed stringent QC testings. The quality and durability of AERO wiper blades are almost at par with those of the major brands in the industry but at a fraction of the cost. This gives you the more affordable choice for hybrid wiper blades for all seasons – from summer to winter.

The AERO Hybrid All-Season wipers combine the best of the traditional frame-type wipers and the modern beam blades. It features solid steel frame construction for performance reliability during winter and in muddy windshields. The aerodynamic flexible spine design ensures superior windshield contact, remarkably reducing wind lift, noise and drag while preventing the buildup of ice and snow to avoid clogging. 

What sets the AERO Hybrid winter wiper blade unique from the competition is the specially blended premium rubber blade with DuPont Teflon coating that delivers the ultimate clean and smooth wipes devoid of chatter and streaks. This further extends the performance life of the AERO Hybrid wipers, outlasting the conventional windshield wipers. For added performance assurance, AERO wipers have undergone the 1-million durability wipe tests and proven to possess tolerance in temperature extremes from high heat at +158F to freezing cold at -40F.

Another AERO advantage is the OEM fitment, with a J-Hook connector system that ensures fit and fitment on most vehicle types with a broad range of available sizes. The best part is the cost, which is priced competitively within the affordable range, allowing you to enjoy the premium benefits at a fraction of the cost of major brands. Also, if you’re still skeptical despite the awesome features at an affordable price, AERO added a 6-month warranty on all AERO wiper blades. AERO is also popular for having excellent customer service. 

Considering the OEM fitment, the hybrid construction that provides performance reliability during winter, plus the high-grade rubber with DuPont Teflon coating for longevity and reinforced performance during snow, the Aero Hybrid All-Season wiper blades are our choice for the best OEM winter wiper blades.

8. TRICO Chill Extreme Weather Winter Wiper Blade

TRICO has been manufacturing world-class windshield wiper blades since 1917, and it continues to manufacture wiper blades today, catering to several leading auto manufacturers and direct consumers. With more than a century of experience in the industry and years of research and innovation, there’s no doubt their products are up for the job in various weathers.

TRICO Chill Extreme Weather winter wiper blades are designed for superior performance under weather extremes, featuring an innovative rubber boot that encases the blade elements to prevent ice and snow from clogging. The high-performance blade with a flexible arm is expertly constructed with a mix of extruded rubber and high-grade steel that provide even pressure across the whole blade length, keeping it tightly gripped for the best performance without streaks.

The heavy-gauge element of TRICO Chill wiper resists wear and tear in areas with subzero temperatures. The rugged steel frame comes with a preinstalled adaptor so that installation is a breeze. There is also a broad range of sizes to ensure exact and proper fitment for stress-free installation.

Whether you are driving during the freezing cold winter or cruising the highway under the scorching heat of the sun, TRICO Chill Extreme is up for the task with unwavering performance. So, even if it’s called a winter wiper blade, it is great for summer, too. This gives you complete convenience for having a year-round wiper blade that gets rid of the annoying changing of blades every time winter and summer approach. Taking into account its unique features and reliable performance during winter, the TRICO Chill Extreme weather winter wiper blade is our top bet for the best wiper blade for snow.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

9. Michelin Storm Hybrid Wiper Blade

The Michelin Storm Hybrid wiper blade combines the hugging features of a traditional framed wiper blade with the anti-clogging feature of the modern beam blade for superior noise- and streak-free wiping performance during the winter and rainy seasons. It is fully packed with three excellent features that outsmart the competition. First, the Michelin Premium Hybrid-exclusive Smart-Flex technology automatically adjusts the wiper blade pressure points across the windshield’s curvature for a full-contact wiping. As a result, they hug the windshield just like Michelin tires hug the road, thereby channeling away ice, sleet, water, and snow for ultra-clear visibility and safe driving in bad weather.

Secondly, it features a highly advanced Weather Shield technology with a segmented hard wiper cover that provides maximum protection and durability even under regular exposure to the most rugged environment while, at the same time, enhancing longevity. Lastly, the articulated spoiler cover holds the wiper blades firmly against the windshield for better and efficient wiping. Plus, the EZ Lock connection system ensures you are stress-free during the installation. 

The Michelin brand is an added bonus since the name equates to trust and quality, considering its decades of experience in the rubber industry. It applies its expertise in tires to windshield rubber blades, providing the best rubber materials that ensure durability and reliability under the toughest conditions. The Michelin Storm Hybrid blades did well during snow and the rainy season, while the Smart-Flex feature did its job in keeping stakes at bay. So, it’s our top choice for the best hybrid winter wiper blades.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

10. Scrubblade Platinum Wiper Blade

Scrubblade wiper blades were specially designed to wipe beyond rainwater but also include road dirt, bugs, and grimes, which the standard wipers could not wipe away from your windshield, posing hazard risks. The patented SCRUBBING technology of Scrubblade is one of a kind since it works beyond the ordinary functions of wiper blades. These wipers will literally scrub your windshield and get rid of bird poop, tree saps, bugs, road grimes, and dirt. It’s like a windshield scrubber at the same time.

Scrubblade Platinum Wiper blades provide a superior all-weather scrubbing performance with a low-profile design to prevent wind lift, while the graphite-coated rubber blades ensure chatter-free operations at extremely low noise. The Nano coating further improves the longevity of these car wiper blades, thus offering added convenience on replacing the blades less often. The wiper construction has thicker hinges for better and more reliable resistance against splitting and cracking during extreme heat, while the elegant hybrid rubber-covered frame keeps ice and snow buildup away during winter.

The patented SCRUBBING technology highlights a two-part scrub-and-clear windshield cleaning system featuring small triangular scrubbers designed to cut through minute road debris, while the inside trailing blade effectively removes the remaining particles and rainwater for ultimate clear and particle-free windscreen visibility. Because of its innovation, it is awarded as an independent laboratory test winner and a clear winner of the INC 5000 2018 Automotive Wiper Blade of the Year.

With regard to winter performance, it’s nothing short of ordinary. If it can scrub hard stains on the windshields like bugs and grimes, it can definitely take the demands of wiping away snow and ice from the windshield. Since it is a hybrid wiper blade, there’s no chance for ice and snow to build up, allowing extended use during the snow. Thus, with its scrubbing capabilities in various weather conditions, the Scrubblade Platinum Wipers is the honorable mention for the best hybrid winter wiper blades.

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Conclusion

The ultimate goal in shopping for the best winter windshield wiper blades is superior visibility during snow and rain. Some wipers have excellent performance during the average bad weather conditions. However, when it comes to weather extremes, the performance starts to deteriorate, and wipe issues start to appear. It’s because there’s a difference between the average bad weather and extreme weather conditions. 

For instance, the TRICO Chill Extreme is a good wiper blade for winter, but the TRICO Ice Extreme performs best in freezing cold conditions at extremely low temperatures. However, there’s a compromise on price, which is expensive. If you live, however, in areas with extreme temperatures, such as Alaska, Montana, Utah, Wyoming, and North Dakota, among others, you’ll have to invest in solid extreme winter wiper blades to ensure your safety on the road while driving during the freezing cold.

If affordability is a big buying factor, you still have some choices for wiper blades for snow. In our best winter wiper blades review, the ANCO 31-Series wiper blades proved to be the best cheap winter wiper blades without compromise on performance during winter. Another alternative is the AERO Hybrid All-Season winter wiper blade, which is still affordable with added OEM fitment advantage, making it the best OEM aftermarket winter wiper blade. The affordability should only be applicable in areas with average or moderate weather conditions for safety reasons. In extreme environments, you should not compromise your safety in lieu of affordability.

Sometimes, aerodynamics can be a factor not just for aesthetics and sporty looks but also for efficient wipes when driving in speed. Wind lift can be a problem at high speed, causing inefficient wiping performance as manifested by signs of streaks. When it comes to aerodynamics, the Value 900-Series is our top pick, and it is the ideal choice if you regularly drive in the interstates and highways with higher speed limits. 

Longevity is another significant buying factor, especially for busy car owners who don’t want to be bothered by regular wiper blade replacement every six months. In this case, the ideal wiper blade type is the silicone winter wipers since silicone has better tensile strength than rubber, allowing it to last up to six times longer than the conventional rubber blades. So in terms of durability and longevity, the PIAA Si-Tech Silicone windshield wipers are a cut above the competition, promising years of unwavering performance in any season. With PIAA Silicone Wipers, you won’t have to worry more about how often you should replace wiper blades because it’s not as often as the standard blades.

In areas with four seasons without the extremes, such as North Carolina and California with moderate temperatures during the four seasons, the ideal choice is the all-season winter wiper blade, and the Bosch ICON is the best fit in this category. Since it is engineered for various moderate weather conditions, you won’t have to change wiper blades every time the season changes, as other blades would require, thus giving you utmost convenience in ownership.  

Some parts of the United States have more rainfall, like Hawaii, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Alabama, to name some. When it comes to rain, the rain specialist is Rain-X, and the Rain-X Latitude is our best choice due to its 2-in-1 water repellency technology. These wiper blades still perform at their optimum during moderate snow.

Best Selling Winter Wiper Blades

Last update on 2023-03-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API