In the cold winter months, snow, slush, and icing agents on the windshield can cause problems while driving. If you have used wipers in the past six months, it is time to check and possibly replace them with winter wiper blades. Which is better to choose?
To answer this question, we looked at the reviews on various specialized sites, studied the results of comparative tests and chose the best winter wipers for a car that deserved the highest ratings with a relatively small number of complaints. When ranking, such criteria as the popularity of the manufacturer in the Russian market and the price of the wipers were also taken into account.
5. Horse Acrobat
- Price - from 408 rubles.
- Length - from 41 to 65 cm
These all-weather wipers from the Russian manufacturer are suitable for both left-hand drive and right-hand drive cars. The creators maximally adapted the brushes to the Russian winter. They do not have hinges and cavities where ice can linger, which increases the product’s performance in cold and humid conditions. Acrobat is resistant to anti-icing reagents, due to its anti-corrosion properties. The wiper frame is protected by a silicone spoiler. To the brushes, you can buy replacement gum.
Disadvantages: when you change the direction of movement of the wipers, a click sometimes occurs, possibly due to the fact that they are too closely pressed to the glass. Many reviews have complaints about squeaks on dry glass. When driving at speeds above 120 km per hour, the brush moves away from the glass.
4. Alca Winter
- Price - from 483 rubles.
- Length - from 33 cm to 65 cm.
Continues the top of the best winter wiper blades in 2016, the Chinese model of the German brand in a rubber cover, designed for passenger cars.
Advantages: thanks to the protective cover, the ice does not clog inside the brushes, so you don’t have to constantly beat it off. In snowfalls and severe frosts, the wipers do not “freeze” very much. They can cope with adhering snow effortlessly, which reduces the consumption of non-freezing. In most reviews, a low price of brushes is noted.
Disadvantages: modest appearance, at a speed of more than 100 km / h, they cope poorly with the task, which threatens with an accident. So if you are a fan of driving in the snow on the highway, then this model is not for you. At a positive temperature, they may leave small stains on the glass.
3. TRICO Ice
- Price - from 590 rubles.
- Length - from 40 to 70 cm
The third position in the list is taken by Mexican-made brushes. They clean well and quietly, require a minimum of frost-free. The manufacturer’s thoughtful move: there are adapters included with TRICO Ice, which allows you to install them on various mounts. In cold and wet snow, glass cleaning is excellent.
Cons: there are user complaints that the right brush leaves an uncleaned area. This is due to its loose pressure on the glass. In heavy snowfall, adhering snow melts and ice forms, due to which the brushes begin to clean the glass with a pass.
2. Champion Winter
- Price - from 430 rubles.
- Length - from 41 to 60 cm
The second ranking number are winter wipers made in the European Union. Thanks to the tight waterproof cover put on a framework, snow does not stick on them. Very soft rubber perfectly adheres to the glass and cleans it.
Cons: with the advent of the second season of operation, the cover can begin to leak moisture, sometimes in the cold you have to “knead” the brushes. At a speed of 120 km per hour, poorly cleaned, which does not contribute to safe driving. And do not leave Champion Winter for the summer, because they stop cleaning well and leave an ugly “fan” on the glass.
1. Bosch Aerotwin
- Price - from 670 rubles.
- Length - from 34 to 80 cm
And in the first place among the best winter wiper blades was a model of Serbian production. How is it superior to competitors? Firstly, a wide size range. Secondly, it completely repeats the bends of glass and does not stiffen in frost (up to minus 10 degrees). Thirdly, it serves a very long time, from 2 seasons and more.
Not without drawbacks: high price, scratches, some car owners complain about thin stripes on the glass after Bosch Aerotwin.
A good wiper should smoothly remove water, snow and slush from the glass without squeaking, rattling or rattling. If you notice these shortcomings, or if the wiper regularly leaves streaks or passes strips of water, it is time to replace it with a new one.
Our winter wiper rating is designed to ensure that you do not end up in an unpleasant situation. For example, they were not stuck on the side of the road in a blizzard, because the janitors were unable to remove the ice formed on the windshield.
Tip: If you notice that the wipers are not working properly, first try cleaning the rubber blade. Sometimes this is all that is needed to achieve a few more weeks or months of janitorial service. Dampen a clean paper towel or cloth with a little water, washer fluid, or alcohol and wipe along the edge of the wiper. The edge should be sharp and smooth, without nicks, chips or gaps, and the rubber should be pliable, without cracks.
In winter, carefully scrape the ice from the windshield before using the wipers, as the ice can peel rubber or damage the edge of the wipers.
