From Cheap to Expensive – Which Windscreen Wipers Perform Best?

The wiper blades were tested in a controlled laboratory environment. Photo: Tobias Meyer
The wiper blades are tested in a controlled laboratory environment. Photo: Tobias Meyer

We tend to take wiper blades for granted as long as they work, but the day they stop cleaning properly, they can cause both frustration and accidents. That’s why it’s crucial to replace them on time. But what should you consider, and are the expensive ones really better than the cheaper options?

Published: 8 oct, 2024

Good visibility while driving is crucial for quick reactions and avoiding accidents. A pair of reasonably fresh, well-functioning windscreen wipers can make the difference between a clear view and impaired visibility, especially in poor driving conditions like darkness, rain, snow, or fog.

Windscreen wipers may seem simple at first glance, but their effectiveness depends on a balanced combination of design, materials, and functionality. A good wiper blade should clean efficiently and work quietly, while also performing well under different weather conditions and at various speeds.

When rain and slush are no longer easily swept away, it’s time to replace the wipers. But then comes the inevitable question: Is the most expensive always the best? Or will a cheaper pair suffice?

Testfakta commissioned the independent testing and research lab Dekra Automobil to test "flatblade" wipers that fit a relatively new VW Golf Mk7. The blades were evaluated based on factors such as ease of installation, performance, and durability.

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Finding the right type of windscreen wipers often depends on the vehicle model and year. You can find blades that fit by entering your car's registration number in-store or on retailer websites. Note that wipers are often sold individually, so you’ll likely need to replace both.

Easy Installation for Most Models

Replacing windscreen wipers can feel daunting since it’s often done so rarely that the process is forgotten. Fortunately, today’s wipers are relatively easy and intuitive to install, even if the instructions for several models in the test were lacking. Bosch and SWF provided clear instructions and could be mounted without issues. Only Hella’s wiper was tricky to attach, requiring force to remove the pre-installed adapter.

Performance Varies at High Speeds

All tested wipers performed adequately at low speeds, although Valeo, Mekster, Continental, and Hella didn't perform at their best. However, when tested at higher highway speeds, there were greater differences in cleaning performance. Bosch and SWF continued to perform very well, while Biltema and Trico had minor issues. Valeo, Mekster, Continental, and Hella showed significantly worse results at high speeds, with temporary streaks and water left in the field of vision. However, none of the wipers caused serious visibility impairment.

Minimal Impact from Cold and Road Salt

None of the tested windscreen wipers were notably affected by extreme cold. In one test, the rubber strip was frozen to -20 degrees and dropped onto the windshield, and all samples withstood it without damage. The wipers were also exposed to salt to simulate long-term road salt exposure. The products from Mekster, Biltema, and Hella showed minimal signs of corrosion at the edges of the supporting metal frame, but no impact was noted on the plastic strip itself, so there was no reduction in visibility.

Overall, Bosch received the highest rating of 9.5, closely followed by SWF at 9.4. The test's cheapest wiper from Biltema also performed well, securing third place with 8.7. Valeo, the most expensive wiper, showed worse performance at high speeds, just like Mekster, Continental, and Hella, landing them lower in the rankings.

Yanick Fuhrmann, the lead tester at Dekra Automobil, who conducted the test, was surprised by the results.

“Bosch and SWF delivered good results in terms of performance, instructions, and installation. But Hella and, to some extent, Continental were a big disappointment, which I didn’t expect given that they are well-known mid-range brands.”

There is a significant price difference between the products despite similar functionality. For example, Biltema's wiper costs just over 100 SEK per unit, while Bosch’s is priced at around 292 SEK per unit. Fuhrmann suggests that the price differences are likely due to marketing and packaging costs.

“Bosch, for example, seems to have many different packaging options tailored to specific car manufacturers and models. Handling that is probably much more costly compared to manufacturers who simply include all adapters in the packaging. Major companies like Bosch and SWF also likely invest more in development and testing, which other companies can then benefit from.”

About the test

The following windscreen wipers were tested:

  • Bosch AeroTwin
  • SWF Connect
  • Biltema Flatblade
  • Trico Force
  • Valeo Everguard
  • ProMeister Clearview
  • Continental AquaCTRL2
  • Hella Smarttech Aerodynamic

All wiper blades were purchased to fit a VW Golf Mk7, produced between 2012 and 2019. The lengths varied between 652 and 660 mm, compared to the VW original windscreen wipers with a length of 654 mm. Despite minor differences in length, all wiper blades fit the test vehicle.

The laboratory test included the following elements:

  1. Installation.
  2. Wiping performance at low speed/low air resistance.
  3. Wiping performance at higher speed/higher air resistance.
  4. Cold resistance.
  5. Salt resistance.

Installation
This test assessed the ease of installation and the clarity of the instructions.

Bosch and SWF performed the best with clear installation guides and easy mounting. Hella was notably negative, with unclear instructions and a pre-installed adapter that was difficult to remove from the wiper blade.

Wiping performance at low speed/low air resistance
The wipers were mounted on the test vehicle (VW Golf Mk7). The windshield was sprayed with a thin layer of water, evenly distributed over the entire surface. After several break-in cycles, the wipers were run through a full wipe cycle (back and forth), and the results were compared to a defined wiping pattern. The test was repeated several times to ensure consistent results. The outcome was evaluated on a ten-point scale, where streaks in the field of vision had the most significant impact on the score. Most wiper blades performed well, leaving no significant streaks in the field of vision.

Wiping performance at higher speed/higher air resistance
This test simulated how the wipers would behave under air resistance at high-speed highway driving. The tests were conducted during actual high-speed driving, where the windshield was sprayed with water via the car's washer fluid system.

Products from Bosch, SWF, and Biltema were not significantly affected by the increased air resistance. They left no streaks and wiped smoothly without skipping. Hella, Promeister, Valeo, and Continental left streaks and water residues in the field of vision, which could be irritating. None of the wipers caused serious visibility issues, but there were clear differences in wiping performance.

Cold resistance
This test simulated frozen wipers dropping onto the windshield. Test samples were conditioned to -20°C and dropped onto the windshield three times. All wiper blades passed the test without cracks in the rubber or damage to the structure. After warming to room temperature, the wiping performance was retested. None of the wiper blades showed any significant change in wiping performance.

Salt resistance
The wiper blades were exposed to salt spray for 240 hours. Wipers from Promeister, Biltema, and Hella showed minor signs of corrosion on the supporting metal frame, but it did not affect the functionality or performance of the wiper blades.

Scoring
The laboratory test results were interpreted and scored in collaboration with the testing laboratory. The scoring was done on a scale from 1 to 10, with 10 being the best. Scores below 6 were only given if the results were considered poor or significantly worse than the other products tested.

In the overall rating, the test components were weighted as follows:

  1. Wiping performance 50%
  2. Durability 30%
  3. Installation 20%

TABLE OF TEST RESULTS