# Premium windshield wipers: scam or not? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 26, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248 "2013-08-26T21:46:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/1 "2013-08-26T21:46:39Z")
It seems every time I go shopping for windshield wipers, there’s Brand X’s ‘regular’ wipers and then Brand X’s SuperDuper wipers. Bosch, RainX … I’m sure there are more. When buying wipers I already _need_ wipers, so the old/new makes a huge difference. But I’ve never put one of each on to experiment. Anyone know if I can go with the $10 wipers and not worry that my family won’t be protected by the latest in rain-removal technology? ---
**Author:** ![california\_jobcase](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@california\_jobcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/california_jobcase)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 10:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/2 "2013-08-26T22:18:24Z")
My problem with wipers is they don’t last due to the heat around here. I have found that the beam-type wipers from Rain-x and Bosch last a good bit longer than the Auto Zone or other cheaper brands. ---
**Author:** ![tellyworth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/977dab/32.png) [@tellyworth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tellyworth)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 10:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/3 "2013-08-26T22:35:03Z")
I’ve found that Toyota’s replacement wiper blades last longer than any of the off brands I’ve tried. They’re not fancy in any way, they just seem to use better material. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/4 "2013-08-26T22:55:36Z")
If you can find a pair that lasts for more than a year, and is still flexible, I want it. So far, the only difference I’ve found between the $30 version and the $5 version is price. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 10:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/5 "2013-08-26T22:58:28Z")
With normal use, wipers last about a year. In over 40 years driving, I’ve never found any that lived up to the hype. Just change them with your oil and grit your teeth. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [August 26, 2013, 11:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/6 "2013-08-26T23:00:53Z")
There are a couple of companies that sell wiper blades made of silicone rubber. Supposedly this type of rubber doesn’t deteriorate in the sun as does the regular kind of rubber blades. So if your blades are drying out before they get shredded by the snow and ice, they might be worthwhile. (Note that I have no personal experience with these blades, but I’m considering buying them next time.) ---
**Author:** ![Arrendajo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e0b2c6/32.png) [@Arrendajo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arrendajo)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 1:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/7 "2013-08-27T01:48:03Z")
The wiper blades on my Honda Fit are the original blades from 2009. We don’t get a lot of hot hot sun around here, but it rains weeks at a time. They still work just fine, and I catch myself wondering how long are they are going to last. The car is garaged all the time, so that might have something to do with their long life. In the summer I ride my scooter most of the time, so the car will go unused for several weeks at a time. What’s odd is that every other car I’ve owned I had to change the wiper blades every year or so. ---
**Author:** ![toofs](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/4491bb/32.png) [@toofs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/toofs)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/8 "2013-08-27T02:33:53Z")
> [@Dewey\_Finn](#): > > There are a couple of companies that sell wiper blades made of silicone rubber. Supposedly this type of rubber doesn’t deteriorate in the sun as does the regular kind of rubber blades. So if your blades are drying out before they get shredded by the snow and ice, they might be worthwhile. (Note that I have no personal experience with these blades, but I’m considering buying them next time.) Yes. PIAA is one brand. I put their silicone refills in the original blades on my wife’s car something like 8 years ago and the are still streak free. When I wash the car I wipe the edge that contacts the windshield to keep them clean. All of our cars have had silicone refills for many years. So far, they have been a one time purchase, rather than seasonal. Silicone all the way. Amazon is one source. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 4:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/9 "2013-08-27T16:38:58Z")
> [@toofs](#): > > Yes. > > PIAA is one brand. I put their silicone refills in the original blades on my wife’s car something like 8 years ago and the are still streak free. When I wash the car I wipe the edge that contacts the windshield to keep them clean. All of our cars have had silicone refills for many years. So far, they have been a one time purchase, rather than seasonal. > > Silicone all the way. Amazon is one source. It will also depend on the shape of the windshield. Windows with excessive curvature will often not work well with some types of blades. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/10 "2013-08-27T17:00:43Z")
The OP’s question is one I’ve wondered about, too, and I don’t think it has been satisfactorily addressed yet. For instance, the last time I was in K-mart shopping for wiper blades, I noticed I had a choice between Valvoline’s [Silver Series](http://winplus.com/wipers/products/silverseries) and [Gold Series](http://winplus.com/wipers/products/goldseries). The “Gold Series” blades were a couple dollars more, but I decided to splurge. So far, I’ve been perfectly happy with them, but I can’t help wondering whether the cheaper ones would have been just as good, or whether there really was a step up in quality. A bit of searching online reveals that Consumer Reports has tested and rated various brands of wiper blades, but the results are only accessible to subscribers. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/11 "2013-08-27T17:50:30Z")
The marketing departments push two things. Longevity and functionality. Answers have mainly addressed longevity–anyone know if Brand X will clear the windshield any better than either BrandX Premium or BrandY? I read the article that **Thudlow Boink** referred to, but it’s kind of threadbare on the question. They kind of report back a hodgepode of findings, saying that there is no strong correlation between brand, price and longevity. There are only two criteria they use to rate–cleaning (new) and cleaning (6 months). Every blade was rated excellent or very good new, with a lot of spread after 6 months (though mostly good). Their overall rating was based on clearing and ease of installation and removal (which is vexing, because unless I’m stuck at a gas station in a downpour, I don’t care that much about ease). But no insight into whether (heh) spoilers make a difference, the anti-snow interlocks help, if the spring-loaded fetzer valves help, etc. ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 5:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/12 "2013-08-27T17:51:23Z")
> [@Arrendajo](#): > > The wiper blades on my Honda Fit are the original blades from 2009. We don’t get a lot of hot hot sun around here, but it rains weeks at a time. They still work just fine, and I catch myself wondering how long are they are going to last. The car is garaged all the time, so that might have something to do with their long life. In the summer I ride my scooter most of the time, so the car will go unused for several weeks at a time. What’s odd is that every other car I’ve owned I had to change the wiper blades every year or so. Wiper blades work better (and therefore can go longer without replacement) on a nice fresh windshield instead of an old one that’s cracked and pitted and has however many thousand miles of road grime blasted into it. That could be what’s going on if up until buying the Fit you’d been driving older cars. ---
**Author:** ![phreesh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9fc29f/32.png) [@phreesh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/phreesh)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/13 "2013-08-27T18:35:29Z")
[This](http://thesweethome.com/reviews/the-best-windshield-wipers-for-your-car/) excellent article says there’s a difference and also references the Consumer Reports test from 2008, which apparently is the only good overall test ever done. ---
**Author:** ![Rhythmdvl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/85f322/32.png) [@Rhythmdvl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhythmdvl)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 7:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/14 "2013-08-27T19:10:46Z")
Great article, thanks. It really helps understand why finding info has been difficult. ---
**Author:** ![runningdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@runningdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runningdude)\ **Post date:** [August 27, 2013, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/15 "2013-08-27T22:26:15Z")
> [@Rhythmdvl](#): > > It seems every time I go shopping for windshield wipers, there’s Brand X’s ‘regular’ wipers and then Brand X’s SuperDuper wipers. Bosch, RainX … I’m sure there are more. > > When buying wipers I already _need_ wipers, so the old/new makes a huge difference. But I’ve never put one of each on to experiment. Anyone know if I can go with the $10 wipers and not worry that my family won’t be protected by the latest in rain-removal technology? For my first set of wipers, I spent perhaps 16 bucks on two wipers rather then the rock bottom 13. They seemed to work well, but got damaged in a heavy snow storm. I replaced them with the cheaper ones, and noticed more streaking that time around. ---
**Author:** ![Folacin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folacin/32/3195_2.png) [@Folacin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folacin)\ **Post date:** [April 29, 2018, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/premium-windshield-wipers-scam-or-not/667248/19 "2018-04-29T21:40:48Z")
Reported as potential spam - I’m certainly not clicking those links first. And I just learned that the ‘report’ button counts as a post for the 60 second timer.