Want to find the best silicone wiper blades? Look no further!
In this ProperMechanic.com guide, you'll learn:
- What silicone wiper blades are
- What the different types of silicone wiper blades exist
- What to look for when selecting your silicone wiper blades
And much more!
When inclement weather sets in, but you still have places to be, a quality set of silicone wipers blades are the only thing standing between you and potentially treacherous driving conditions caused by limited visibility.
In the absence of functional wipers, it takes only moments for your windshield to become saturated in water in even a modest rain, leaving you essentially blind to the road ahead.
Which is why we decided to compile this amazing guide of the best silicone wiper blades on the market!
So, if you want to learn what to look for in your next wiper blade purchase, I recommend reading through our guide below to learn what you need to know!
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Our Top Pick
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Our Top Pick
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Bosch ICON Wiper Blade-Top Pick
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Best Budget
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Best Budget
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San Auto Windshield Wiper Blade-Best Budget Blade
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Best High End
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Best High End
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PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blade -Best High-End Blade
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Rain-X Latitude 2-in-1 Water Repellency Wiper Blade
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Silblade Premium Black Silicone Wiper Blade
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Overall #1 Rated Pick
Updated As of 4/17/2020
Top Rated Overall:
Bosch ICON Wiper Blade-Top Pick
- Long-lasting
- Dual rubber
- Holds firm at high wind-speeds
The FX dual rubber that is used in every Bosch Icon wiper blade also carries the distinction of lasting 40% longer on average than other similar blades on the market.
This leads to a fine mix between efficiency and longevity, thereby minimizing the frequency of replacement and maximizing overall effectiveness.
Top 5 Best Silicone Wiper Blades
Check out our below list for a summary of our results. Keep on reading to learn more about your other options!
What Are Silicone Wiper Blades?
With every passing year, wiper blade technology continues to advance.
Fewer and fewer vehicles now feature the standard blades of old, instead opting for windshield hugging, silicon blades that clean a windshield free of water with their squeegee like operation.
However, today’s premium wiper blade market has become saturated by a long list of products by various manufacturers.
So how is an individual to know which wiper blades truly are the best on the market?
Luckily, we were faced with the same question, and have conducted all of the necessary research to assist you in making an informed buying decision.
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Why Silicone Wiper Blades?
Silicone wiper blades are windshield wipers that utilize silicone as a medium for water removal.
These wiper blades differ from standard wiper blades that use basic rubber within their construction. Silicone wiper blades are renowned for their ability to thoroughly wipe water away from any windshield leaving an effortless, streak-free finish.
Silicone wiper blades are superior to standard wiper blades in several ways. One of the most prevalent examples of this superiority comes in the form of temperature resistance.
While standard rubber blades do adjust to changing temperatures to a certain extent, it is nowhere near to the degree that is common of silicone blades.
This tolerance for varying temperature extremes allows a silicone blade to perform flawlessly in any weather condition. Silicone is also naturally UV resistant and suffers little to no ill-effects from consistent exposure to the sun’s harmful rays, thereby enhancing durability.
Another advantage of silicone wiper blades over their standard rubber counterparts comes in the form of cost-effectiveness.
Because silicone blades are naturally far more durable than standard rubber blades, they will require replacement less frequently, and lead to less financial expenditure in the long run.
What Are The Different Types Of Silicone Wiper Blades?
While most silicone wiper blades are similar in nature, some subtle differences can be found in the exact composition of one blade to another. The two main variations of silicone wiper blades are pure silicone and dual rubber. For more information on types of wiper blades, read this article.
Pure Silicone
As their name suggests, pure silicone wiper blades are composed solely of silicone. These blades offer gentle and thorough cleaning of any windshield and are extremely durable due to their natural resistance to the elements.
Dual Rubber
Dual rubber wiper blades generally consist of a hard rubber core, surrounded by a silicone shell. These wipers are naturally more robust than their pure silicone counterparts. This comes as an advantage when attempting to rid your windshield of heavy rain and ice build up, even when wipers are operating at higher speed. However, they will seldom last as long as pure silicone blades.
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How Do Silicone Wiper Blades Work?
Silicone wiper blades clean the exterior of your windshield by skimming its surface in an attempt to remove all forms of moisture. This process is facilitated by the blade's contour, which naturally hugs the windshield’s surface. As a wiper is drawn across the windshield, rainwater is shed through a squeegee-like action.
Silicone wiper blades accomplish this task more efficiently than standard blades. Silicone naturally resists premature wear due to the effects of weathering. Silicone blades also drastically cut down on surface drag as they cycle through their range of travel, thereby minimizing noise.
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What To Look For When Selecting Silicone Wiper Blades
When searching for the perfect silicone wiper blade to keep your windshield free of all obstructions, several factors come into play. By keeping these factors in mind, you are better equipped to make an informed buying decision.
Wiper Length
When attempting to select the best silicone blades to meet your needs, it is important to consider your vehicle’s OEM wiper length. Every vehicle has a designated wiper length that provides ample windshield coverage, without overlap onto painted surfaces.
Before choosing a particular brand and style of wiper, you must first verify that the manufacturer offers wipers that are a direct fit for your vehicle. Original equipment wiper length figures can typically be found in your vehicle’s owners manual.
Wiper Fitment
It is also important to assess how your wipers are attached to their corresponding wiper arms. While all wipers use one form of clip or another for this task, not all are the same.
The vast majority of wiper arms come in a standard j-hook configuration, that easily receives most any silicone blade on the market. However, some foreign makes of vehicles require the use of specialty clips. This fact must be considered when selecting a wiper blade for purchase.
Silicone Composition
When selecting the best wiper blade for purchase, it is often helpful to consider the climate that you live in. If you reside in a southern climate that sees very little annual snowfall and frozen precipitation, pure silicone blades are likely your best bet.
However, if you live in a cooler climate where snow is common and extreme heat is fairly uncommon, you might consider opting for a more rigid dual rubber blade.
Overall Quality
The final, and perhaps most vital factor for consideration when selecting a silicone wiper blade is that of overall quality. This often comes down to the grade of materials that are used in the manufacturing process, and overall fit and finish.
The easiest way to assess quality when purchasing on the internet is to carefully study reviews. See what other consumers are saying about a particular blade, and pay special attention to those that reference quality.
This article has more on choosing wiper blades.
Our Reviews of The Best Silicone Wiper Blades
Pick #1 - Bosch ICON Wiper Blade
Bosch is a name that has been around in the automotive industry for an extensive period of time, having built quite a reputation for producing products of the finest quality.
The company’s Icon line of wipers carries forward this tradition of excellence, making use of an enclosed tension spring that regulates windshield to blade tension.
This makes quick work out even the most stubborn of wintry precipitation.
Pros
Cons
San Auto Windshield Wiper Blade-Best Budget Blade are an excellent choice for those looking to upgrade their vehicle’s wipers, without spending more than is necessary.
However, don’t be fooled by this blade’s modest price point.
The San Auto Wiper Blade offers many of the same features that are found on a number of the market’s most premium offerings.
These wipers feature a U-curve pattern design that hugs the contour of your windshield, wiping your windshield free of rain, sleet, and snow in a thorough and streak-free manner.
Many consumers also report that San Auto Wiper Blades can be installed in a matter of minutes, with minimal difficulty, saving you time and aggravation over many competitor’s offerings.
Pros
Cons
PIAA has quickly gained quite a reputation for excellence in the silicone wiper market.
These wipers are feature-rich and are sure to leave consumers with a smile of satisfaction on their faces upon the first rainfall after installation.
PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blades utilize an aerodynamic, metal frame to provide uniform, noise and streak-free operation under even the most demanding of operating conditions.
Another unique, and often well-received feature that can be found on the PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blades is their ability to apply silicone-based water repellent upon every use.
This causes water to bead on the windshield’s surface, where it is then swept away as if it was never there. When this is combined with PIAA’s patented blend of silicone wiper medium that lasts twice as long as that of competitors, you have a blade that is truly hard not to love.
Pros
Cons
Rain-X is another name that has been around in the automotive water elimination and wiper manufacturing industry for nearly as long as anyone can remember.
During this lengthy tenure, they have been at the forefront of silicone wiper technology, offering consumers nothing but the best from their Latitude line of wipers.
These long life wipers feature Advanced Beam Blade Technology that allows them to conform to any windshield contour to provide a streak-free clean.
Rain-X Latitude Wiper Blades also apply the company’s flagship brand of water repellent to your windshield with every use.
This coating lasts for months, allowing water to bead rather than run, providing excellent all-season service. The blade’s aerodynamic spoiler also promotes efficiency, eliminates lift, and assists in minimizing operation noise.
Pros
Cons
Silblade Premium Black Silicone Wiper Blades take durability to the next level, even in extreme weather.
They are tested and rated for satisfactory use in temperatures ranging from -80 degrees to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Silblade wipers also utilize a Teflon coating to effortlessly glide across contoured windshield surfaces, leaving no moisture in their wake, as well as a tough steel frame that makes them inherently rugged.
These blades also shed a hydrophobic repellent with every use, allowing water to bead in a fashion that eliminates any consumer concerns over visibility.
After approximately 90 days of use, this coating will build to an optimum level, providing months of trouble-free water repellency.
Silblade Wiper blades also come with a universal adaptor, making installation a breeze.
Pros
Cons
Our Top Pick: Bosch ICON Wiper Blade
If you are searching for a set of silicone wiper blades that fit in almost every application, last longer than you would have ever thought possible, and work to a high degree of efficiency, look no further than Bosch Icon Wiper Blades.
Busch’s Icon series of wiper blades utilize a universal fitment clip that makes them inherently simple to install.
These wipers blades also feature a dual composition design. Because both silicone and standard rubber are used, even wet snow and sleet are no match for Bosch Icon Wiper Blades.
This process is further assisted by the wiper’s frameless composition, which promotes a higher degree of windshield to wiper blade contact.
These blades also offer longevity that far exceeds many of its competitors. In fact, Bosch cites a 40 percent increase in service life over average silicone wiper blades. This ensures that you will receive an excellent return on your investment when purchasing a set of Bosch Icon Wiper Blades.
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