Finding and buying replacement windscreen wipers for your car, truck or four-wheel drive can sometimes be a daunting task. You may be stuck asking yourself which wiper blade do I need? or how do I know which blades fit my car? or how do I install wiper blades?
This article will hopefully provide a bit of background in the mystical world of the windscreen wiper blades and allow you to make the right choice when it comes to ordering your replacement windscreen wipers for your car.
How do you know you can trust us? Well, we’ve sold more than 15,000 replacement wiper blades in Australia, and fitted replacement wiper blades for over 3500+ vehicles. We’ve got a team of passionate Wiper Experts who are involved day in and day out with replacement wiper blades, and they know their stuff.
So you might be wondering if you need to bother changing your wiper blades. Well, wiper blades are an often overlooked part of the safety of your car on the roads. A wiper blade will be responsible for removing water from your cars windscreen in the rain and can affect your ability to see clearly on the road even in light rain. Also, wiper blades are actually a big part of your vehicle’s roadworthy or pink slip inspection and your vehicle can fail if your front or rear wiper blades have perished or need replacement.
Ordering the wrong wiper blades can lead to streaking, noise, and poor visibility on the Aussie roads. That’s why today, we’re going to take a look at the best wiper blades of 2023. We’ll cover everything from what wiper blades are, to how to choose the right ones for your car, and why you should choose the best wiper blades for the job. So, let’s get started with the basics.
What are Wiper Blades?
Wiper blades are an essential part of your car’s windscreen cleaning system. They are made up of a thin strip of rubber, which is attached to a (sometimes) metal frame. This frame is then attached to a wiper arm, which is what moves the wiper blades across the windscreen. The wiper arm is attached to the wiper motor which drives your wiper blades across your cars windscreen. The wipe motion clears water away from your vehicles windscreen so the driver or passenger has a better view of the road ahead.
The structure of a wiper blade is similar for wipers blades on the front and the back of your car, truck or van. Wiper blades are used in all countries around the world and are a legal road requirement for new vehicles.
All modern vehicles will have a pair (or single in some cases) front wiper blade which will clear your windscreen from dust and debris. Yes, even Electric or EV vehicles use wiper blades. Elon Musk and his engineers haven’t removed the need for wiper blades (yet).
Traditionally, wiper blades come in a variety of lengths, sizes and types depending on the type of car you drive. Each wiper blade arm will have a specific connector or adapter that will connect to the wiper blade.
In most cases when replacing your wiper blades you only need to change the wiper blade and the wiper arm is fine. However, if your wiper arm is old, perishing or rusty it might be a good idea to replace that also (see your car dealer for replacement wiper arms).
Do Wiper Blades need changing or replacement?
Unfortunately yes, wiper blades do need replacing from time to time. We usually recommend you change your wiper blades every year (depending on your cars use, storage and care). Sometimes (depending on climate) wiper blades are replaced every 6 months.
As wiper blades are generally made from a soft rubber compound, they wear out as time goes on. Things like acid rain, dust, debris and UV from the sun can cause wiper blades to deteriorate over time and lose performance. We’ll touch on the classic signs your wipers need replacing below. We also did a write up on why you should replace your wiper blades here.
How do I know if my wipers need changing or replacement?
When a wiper blade is getting close to the end of life and is due for replacement. You might start to hear or see some of the following signs:
- Squeaking or screeching
- Knocking or clicking
- Smearing of water
- Poor visibility and excessive noise
- Missed water spots
We generally recommend you replace your windscreen wipers before they get this bad as you never know when you might drive into a storm or downpour of water. It is always better to be safe on the roads (especially in Melbourne with 4 seasons in 1 day).
While wiper blades will wear differently on each vehicle make and model, generally the warning signs are all the same. Sometimes poor quality wipers will wear out faster than those produced by better-quality brands.
Different Types of Wiper Blades
When it comes to wiper blades, there are a few different types of wiper blades. We will outline below:
- Traditional wiper blades: These are the original style of wiper blades that have been used on cars for many years. They have a rubber strip connected to a metal winged frame which is usually black. On vehicles up to around 2006 you’ll find this style of the wiper blade. Some vehicles still use this style today.
- Beam or Flat wiper blades: These are a newer style of wiper blades and they offer many benefits over traditional wiper blades. They are usually made with either rubber or silicone blades with a long smooth top side with an aerodynamic spoiler to apply even pressure onto a window. Most new vehicles come equipped with this style of wiper blade from the factory.
- Hybrid wiper blades: Hybrid wiper blades are very popular overseas in snowy environments. They are a combination or evolution of traditional wiper blades as they still have the metal winged frame but it is now covered with a plastic or rubber cover. They certainly look cleaner than traditional wiper blades. They can be made with either rubber or silicone
Traditional wiper blades explained
The traditional wiper blade is made up of a metal frame and arms which push down on the rubber to deliver pressure on your windscreen.
However, do not confuse traditional wiper blades with beam or flat wipers as they are not the same.
Due to the design, a traditional wiper blade struggles to deliver a nice consistent and even pressure onto a windscreen which can cause streaks or smears.
Some customers choose to upgrade their traditional wipers to the beam or flat style blades as they will most likely fit.
Benefits of traditional metal wiper blades
Generally, you’ll find traditional metal wiper blades to be very affordable and readily available at auto parts stores both in-store and online.
On most traditional wiper blades you can replace just the small rubber piece on the bottom of the blade, instead of the whole wiper blade (unlike beam or hybrid wipers). However, this is not recommended as the frame generally wears out and needs replacement roughly every 3-5 years.
Beam or flat wiper blades explained
Beam or flat windscreen wipers are an advancement in windscreen wiper technology. They have only been around from the early 2000’s and has become a standard choice on modern vehicles. They no longer require the old-style metal frame with 4-6 pressure points and utilise a pre-tensioned beam or spline to generate even and consistent pressure on your windscreen. Moreover, they are aerodynamic due to the shape of the wiper blade and will generally create less wind noise than traditional wiper blades.
Benefits of beam or flat wiper blades
As a general rule, beam wiper blades are far superior to traditional wiper blades in design and performance.
The streamlined design of the casing and the pre-tensioned beam spine ensures a streak-free wipe even at high speeds (traditional wipers perform poorly at speeds). Beam wiper blades are low-noise blades and do not whistle or whine.
Beam or flat wiper blades are generally more durable than traditional blades and are rust or corrosion-resistant as the metal parts of the wiper blades are protected by an aerodynamic casing
Compatibility is excellent on beam or flat wiper blades and they can be retrofitted to older vehicles and replaced easily on newer cars (most of our wiper blades are high-performance aerodynamic beam wipers).
Good looks is another benefit of beam or flat wiper blades. The wiper blade looks much nicer on your windscreen and will make your vehicle look newer than traditional wiper blades can.
Lastly, beam or flat wiper blades are much easier to maintain and clean on your vehicle as you can easily wipe them down with a clean damp cloth.
Hybrid wiper blades explained
The last type of wiper blades are hybrid wipers. These blades have been around since the late 2000’s and are another alternative to traditional or beam wiper blades. The hybrid blade is made up of a hidden or enclosed metal frame like traditional wipers with an aerodynamic plastic cover on top which helps to improve performance.
They are called hybrid wiper blades as they are traditional blades that have basically been updated with an aerodynamic spoiler to improve performance and design.
Quite a few Japanese, Korean and Chinese vehicles use the hybrid style wiper blade from factory like Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi just to name a few makes.
They are not actually fitted to many Euro vehicles from factory unlike popular opinion.
Benefits of Hybrid wiper blades
Hybrid wiper blades are designed to perform in extreme weather conditions like snow and ice due to their metal frame constructions. They are most beneficial in colder climates.
Hybrid wiper blades look much nicer than traditional wiper blades do their aerodynamic spoiler and shaped design. However, they do not look as sleek as beam or flat wiper blades.
They perform well in longer lengths of 30″ or more due to their sturdy construction and metal frame backbone.
They are a tough choice of wiper blade and are very strong due to their metal frame design and plastic spoiler.
Silicone vs Natural Rubber Wiper Blades
Another element of wiper blades is the material used in the construction of the wiper blade. At the moment there are three main types of windscreen wiper blades including natural rubber, graphite infused natural rubber and silicone coated rubber.
Before stocking our high performance range of wiper blades we did a great deal of research on the benefits of each which we will outline below.
Natural rubber wiper blades are very soft and deliver an exceptional wipe on your windscreen. You will find natural rubber on older vehicles as this technology proceeds graphite infused natural rubber wiper blades. Natural rubber wiper blades are soft and thus do not withstand the harsh Australian sun and tend to not be as durable as graphite infused natural rubber wiper blades.
Graphite infused natural rubber wiper blades are made from high quality natural rubber and are then infused with graphite for protection, durability and high performance. You’ll find graphite infused natural rubber on most modern vehicles from factory and this is why we prefer this type of wiper blade.
There is a myth about silicon wiper blades being superior. We’ve completed a lot of research around this technology and although they can perform well in some climates, Australia isn’t one of those.
Silicon wiper blades are rubber wiper blades that have been coated or embeded with a silicone compound, however this silicon compound wears out and is not durable in the Australian climate thus leaving squeaks and misses on your windscreen after a short amount of time.
Most manufacturers in Australia do not use silicone wiper blades and stick with graphite infused wiper blades on most vehicles.
All of our Wipers Direct blades are natural rubber wiper blades infused with Teflon® to deliver a silent and streak-free wipe on your vehicle. We also did a write up here on silicon vs rubber wiper blades.
The Different Features of Wiper Blades
When looking for a pair of replacement wiper blades for your vehicle, you really want to look for a pair or set of wiper blades that offer the below features to get the best performance for your money:
- Aerodynamic high performance spoiler – to help reduce wind lift, noise and misses on your windscreen
- Exact fit OEM fitment connectors – to ensure that your replacement wipers are easy to install and fit perfectly on your vehicle
- Dual carbon steel memory splines – the backbone of your wiper blade to ensure a uniform curve on your vehicle
- Strong base mount – to reduce rolling or twisting of the wiper blade on your wiper arm when in use at high speeds
- Graphite and Teflon® infused natural rubber – for a silent and clean wipe on your windscreen
it is important to remember that not all wiper blades are created equal and some will outperform others. However, as a general rule, you should look for the above features when ordering replacement wiper blades for your vehicle and avoid ‘multi-fit’ wiper blades which we will touch on shortly.
Moreover, some wiper blades are also branded with a logo or icon, many customers would prefer them to be unbranded so they match the original look of the vehicle. Our wiper blades do not have a visible logo, thus matching the original look of most vehicle makes and models.
How to Choose the Right Wiper Blades for Your Car
Choosing the right wiper blades for your car has traditionally been difficult. Previously, you would have had a hard time picking and selecting the correct wiper blades from an auto parts store (if they actually stocked wipers that fit some of your more exotic European or Japanese vehicles). The introduction of Wipers Direct has made it much easier and more efficient to order the correct wiper blades for your vehicle, which we will touch on later.
When choosing the right wiper blades, you must consider the following:
- Wiper blade length of the driver, passenger or rear wiper blade
- Wiper blade connector and how it will fit on your car
- Wiper blade type and if you are happy with the look and performance of the wiper blade type
- Rubber material and if the specific type fits your environment and or driving habits
- How you will install the replacement wiper blades on your car
- If the wiper blades come with warranty or any guarantee
You must also be careful of ‘multi-fit’ wiper blades which are a generic wiper blade with different connectors you can manually attach to the wiper blade. These wipers do not perform as well as exact fit blades and are often very difficult to install on your vehicle as you have to spend time finding and attaching the correct adapter. Moreover, the connectors are often flexible on these wiper blades and they simply do not last due to excessive moment of the connector. Lastly, ‘multi-fit’ wiper blades do not look nice and often have bulky adapters to connect to your windscreen wiper arm. If you want to know more about ‘multi-fit’ wipers you can read our article here.
It is clear that choosing the correct wiper blades was quite difficult before Wipers Direct. Now, all you have to do, is enter your vehicle make & model online and we do all the hard work for you. Our team of wiper experts have picked up the exact wiper blades that fit your vehicle and will send you premium quality high-performance replacement wipers at a fraction of most dealer costs. Our wiper blades are super easy to install and can be installed at home in under 30 seconds (in most cases) with our easy-to-follow video instructional guides. It has never been easier to order replacement wiper blades for your car.
Where to Order Replacement Wiper Blades
Wiper blades can be ordered from a variety of sources. Most commonly, customers will go directly to their mechanic or dealer who will most likely add a premium to the price to source and install them for you. For some people this is fine and they are happy to have them pre-installed on their vehicle.
Some customers will go to auto part stores and spend time picking out the right length, connector, rubber and wiper blade type (which can take a while) and install them at home themselves without instructional guides or tips.
A new generation of drivers are ordering their wiper blades online from businesses like Wipers Direct (the smarties) and are enjoying a stress-free experience with our Perfect Fit Guarantee and 1 Year Warranty that applies to all wiper blades.
Why You Should Choose the Best Wiper Blades
You must choose the best wiper blades for your vehicle and your safety. The best wiper blades are long-lasting, high-performance wiper blades that deliver a smooth and silent wipe on your windscreen.
By investing in the best wiper blades, you can ensure that your windscreen stays clean and streak-free and that your visibility is never compromised. This makes driving safer and more comfortable. Basically, you want wiper blades that you can depend on when the weather turns bad.
For some background, we’ve sold over 20,000 wiper blades to customers all around Australia. Our wiper blades are fitted to Holden, Ford, Toyota, Haval, Porsche, Range Rover, Audi, Mercedes, BMW, Ferrari and Teslas all around Australia. Our customers love our wiper blades and we’re confident in providing you with the best wiper blades around. Our reviews speak for themselves and our customers praise our:
- Fast and free delivery after ordering online
- Our ease of installation with included video instruction guides
- After-sales support and quick resolution of any issues
- High-quality wiper blades that are easy to install
- Silent and smooth operation
- Exact fit connectors that make installation simple
The Best Wiper Blades of 2023
We believe the best wiper blades for 2023 are high performance exact fit aerodynamic beam or flat wiper blades with grapite and Teflon® infused rubber. These wiper blades are designed to provide a smooth, streak-free even sweep, and are made from durable materials that are resistant to fading and cracking which are common under the Australian sun.
However, it is important to note that some customers will prefer the traditional or hybrid wiper blades which is fine too. Wipers Direct will select the correct wiper blade type, length and connector for your vehicle and deliver them directly to your door if you order from us.
Features of Wipers Direct Replacement Wiper Blades
Here at Wipers Direct you’ll find high performance replacement wiper blades for less. We stock wiper blade replacements for more than 3000 vehicles and have invested in sourcing the best wiper blades for the Australian market.
Our wiper blades have these features:
Exact fit connectors: You won’t find ugly “multi-fit” adapters here. Our wipers are sent pre-sized and installed with the correct exact fit adapter for your vehicle.
High Performance Aerodynamic Spoiler: Wiper blades have an aerodynamic lip that deliveres even and consistent pressure across your windscreen at high speeds.
Dual Carbon Steel Memory Splines: A strong backbone of memory steel that enables equal pressure across the windscreen in both forward & backwards strokes.
Teflon® Infused Natural Rubber: A mixture of natural rubber, graphite and Teflon® ensures your wiper blades are completely silent.
All-season Performance & Durability: Tried and tested and deliver exceptional all-season performance.
The Wipers Direct replacement wiper blades are designed to provide a smooth, uniform sweep, and are made from durable materials that are resistant to fading and cracking.
In addition, Wipers Direct replacement wiper blades include a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. If you’re not happy with the performance of your wiper blades, simply contact Wipers Direct and we will provide you with a refund or replacement set.
Our wiper blades are also covered by a Perfect Fit Guarantee. If they do not fit your vehicle, contact us and we’ll send you another set of wiper blades free of charge.
Lastly, our 1 Year Warranty on all wiper blades has been a hit with our customers. If you have any issues with your wiper blades within the first year, simply contact us and we’ll arrange a replacement set or refund.*
How to Care for Your Wiper Blades
It is also important to care for your windscreen wiper blades. The better you look after them, the longer they will last on your vehicle. We recommend the following tips to care for your wiper blades:
- Keep them clean: If your wipers are leaving streaks or starting to get a little noisy we recommend you give your wiper blades a quick clean. Lift your wiper blade and gently run a wet cloth across the edge of the blades to remove any dirt or grime that has built up. This is common in Australia as we have dusty roads and quite a bit of dirt builds up on the wiper blades after a storm
- Use the correct washer fluid: We recommend you don’t just run your cars washer fluid bottle with plain water or dish washing soap. You should order an appropriate or specifically designed washing fluid to prolong the life of our wiper blades. Some detergents will dry out the rubber or silicone surface so it is important to buy a high-quality solution like Rain-X to ensure prolonged performance
- Don’t park in direct sun: Not always possible to avoid, however parking in direct sunlight for long periods can deteriorate your wiper blades over time. To help extend our their life, we recommend fining some shade to park your car during the day (unless this is under a tree that drops dust, sap and debris)
- Don’t wipe dry: Wiping dry is never a good thing in life and the same applies to your windscreen wipers. Always squirt some water on your windscreen first before turning on the wiper blades. Some cars will spray a little prior to wiping but some older vehicles will allow you to spray seperately to wiping which allows you to wet the windscreen before use
- Replace your wiper blades if they are getting loud: If your wiper blades are squeaking or missing spots on your windscreen and you’ve completed all the steps above, it is time to replace your wiper blades with a new pair
You can learn more about wiper care here.
Conclusion – The Best Wiper Blades of 2023: A Comprehensive Buyers Guide
Choosing the right wiper blades for your car is an important decision. The wrong wiper blades can lead to streaking, noise, and poor visibility, making driving more of a chore than it needs to be.
That’s why today, we took a look at the best wiper blades of 2023. We covered everything from what wiper blades are, how to change them, the different types of wiper blades, how to choose the right ones for your car, and why you should choose the best wiper blades for the job.
If you’re looking for the easiest way to replace your wiper blades, you should check out Wipers Direct. We take the hard work out of ordering and fitting replacement wiper blades on your car. We also offer free shipping and a 100% Perfect Fitment Guarantee, so you can be sure you’re getting the best quality wiper blades for your car.
So, there you have it, the best wiper blades of 2023. Now that you know what to look for in a wiper blade, you can make an informed decision when it comes time to replace your wiper blades on your car, truck or four wheel drive.
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If you have any questions or want to know more about wiper blades, feel free to reach out to one of our friendly Wiper Experts at Wipers Direct and they’ll be able to assist.
If you want to keep up to date with the 2024 trends. You can review our updated buyers guide here.
