Bosch

Although beam wiper style blades are pretty set in terms of design (rubber blade attached to a concealed bracket frame), the Bosch Icon wiper blade line is one of the cleanest in terms of simplicity and our pick for the best overall windshield wiper blade out there. This set of Bosch rubber blade wipers is also one of the better performing ones compared to more expensive blade competitors.

According to Bosch, its Icon wiper blade with ClearMax 365 holds up against cracking up to 40% longer than competitors, which makes it even more appealing to the value-minded shopper. And thanks to a double-lock connector, the Bosch Icon beam blade is easy to install on the wiper arm. There is a catch, however: An adapter (disappointingly not included) is required to make the Bosch blade fit with hook system wipers found on most vehicles, unless they're German luxury cars for which Bosch is considered OEM equipment.

Nevertheless, if there's plenty of rain and snow where you live, this Bosch wiper blade works wonders in keeping your windshield clear. And because of the spring design, pressure is applied equally across the blades so there's no skips or smearing. The blades even stay flush at highway wiper arm speeds, which isn't always the case for other wipers.

Anco

Specializing only in the manufacturing of wiper blades and related parts, Anco has been offering premium blades for nearly a century. Its 31-Series rubber blade line is a top performer and available at a competitively affordable price compared to other traditional-style wiper blades.

The blade is made of a proprietary rubber compound, which provides a streak-free wipe with conventional washer fluid on most windshields and is coated in a no-wax solution to prevent degradation. Affixed to a vented bridge, the Anco 31-Series blade uses the company's exclusive KwikConnect system for easy installation.

The blades offer a universal fit, but an adapter may be needed for installation on some models. Even so, replacement is simple and with the sound of a "click," you'll know that the wiper was installed correctly. Available in many sizes, the Anco 31-Series is possibly one of the most budget-friendly OEM replacement wipers on the market and comes in single- and multipack bundles.

These aren't the quietest wiper blades we've tested, but they're not obtrusively loud and are only compatible with newer models. If you have a car with a high-curvature windshield, you will also want to look elsewhere as the blades don't conform and will lead to streaking and skipping.

Goodyear

Goodyear has been in the rubber business since the 1800s and is now a global behemoth, producing tires for more than just passenger vehicles (think aviation, commercial and motorsports). Its windshield wiper business is a relatively recent off-shoot by comparison, with rubber blade products made under license by Saver Automotive. But the Goodyear name has long stood for innovation, and even the wiper blade is an example of that.

Goodyear wipers feature the industry-only round-hinge squeegee. This not only extends the life of the blade but also provides an optimal wipe angle of 45 degrees. Just be aware that they are noisy at the onset before eventually tapering off with use.

The Goodyear 770 Hybrid blade has a basic overall design, but installation is relatively easy even if a bit clumsy for the conventional J-hook. Still, unless you own a high-end luxury car (as if you would change your own wipers), the Goodyear Hybrid rubber blade fits up to 97% of the vehicles on the road thanks to its universal adapter system and it's affordably priced.

PIAA

Established in 1963, PIAA is an industry-leading manufacturer of driving lights, but the company's dedication to helping you see clearly extends to windshield wiper blades as well. Offering a model for traditional, beam and hybrid blades, all PIAA wipers feature pure silicone blade inserts instead of a rubber compound. Silicone wiper blades are known for their long-lasting durability and higher level of performance, but their softer composition (compared with natural or blended rubber) might lead to some issues clearing heavy snowfall.

The PIAA Super Silicone wiper blade is a conventional frame-style wiper that isn't the sleekest in design, but makes up for its lack of fashion in durability and well-balanced pressure points along the heavy-duty metal frame. Because the silicone blade conforms easily to the windshield, wipes are smooth, quiet and streak free.

The silicone also provides a slight coating to your windshield, which adds a beading effect to make raindrops clear off on their own. After installation of the wiper blade use the included moistened prep pad on a clean windshield to further ensure it's free and clear of debris. Then you need to run the wipers for 3 minutes to let the silicone effectively coat the windshield.

PIAA

The PIAA Aero Vogue solves the fashion problem of its traditional-style brethren above by having one the most linear, aerodynamic windshield wiper designs. The minimalist style of this premium blade is partly due to vents built within the cover to increase air flow while minimizing chatter of the silicone wiper and wind lift at high wiper arm speeds. Basically, they work exactly like the vents, ducts and hood scoops you see on performance vehicles.

In addition to the water-beading effect of the silicone coating for the windscreen, the material is highly resistant to sun and UV exposure. The pliability of the silicone also allows the silicone rubber blade to have superior contact with the curvature of the windshield glass. However, this same flexibility might make it difficult to sweep away fast-falling flakes during a winter snowstorm.

Installation of these pricey silicone blade wipers, including blade replacement, is quick and easy. And these silicone wiper blades come with a nice one-year warranty, too.

Rain-X

The Rain-X name is synonymous with keeping glass clear. It's no surprise that, in addition to the water repellent sprays the company is famous for, windshield wipers are also in the product catalog. Rain-X offers a selection of wipers, but its Latitude Water Repellency 2-in-1 blades take the cake in beam-style performance (if not also a gold star for longest name ever).

The 2-in-1 refers to -- no surprise -- Rain-X water-repellent coating on the blades. So, not only do you get the performance and efficiency of a beam wiper, but also the water-beading glass coating to help during heavy rain. To get the most out of the Latitude blades, you'll need to run the wiper blades on a clean and dry windshield for 2 minutes. According to Rain-X, this activates the water-repellent coating, which should last for a few months.

The Latitude Water Repellency 2-in-1 blades are designed to act like a squeegee for optimal windshield clearing and its contoured blade fits well against the glass. Also, thanks to the universal adapter, the Latitude wipers fit on 96% of the vehicles out there without requiring any special tools.

As good as they are with rain, the Rain X Latitude blades aren't great for snow and ice buildup. The casings are big, bulky, prone to clogging and can be a noisy winter weather blade. Also be careful because the blades aren't true-to-size, but actually a bit longer than indicated, so you might need a smaller size.

Rain-X

What's in a name? Well, with Rain-X, there is truth in advertising and the Weatherbeater wiper blade lives up to the hype. Sure, it's a value-minded, traditional-style windshield wiper blade, but as this list has shown, performance doesn't have to come at a cost.

The Rain-X Weatherbeater winter blades hold up against weary wintry weather thanks to a galvanized steel frame that prevents rust and corrosion. And like the aforementioned Latitude Water Repellency 2-in-1, the Weatherbeater features the same squeegee material that wipes clean and clear with every swipe. The natural rubber is resistant to cracking and splitting, even in extreme conditions. For all those reasons, it's our best winter wiper blade pick.

But unlike the 2-in-1, which is a beam blade, the Weatherbeater might not conform as well to heavily contoured windshields. But it is designed with multiple pressure points and should do the job for most vehicles, providing clear visibility while battling old man winter.

Trico

True to its name, the Trico Exact Fit is designed as an OEM replacement. Each wiper blade assembly comes with a preinstalled connector, so no additional adapters are required. Trico introduced its first mass-produced wiper blade in 1917, so it's a good bet the company knows a thing or two about fitment and quality.

But the Exact Fit line is not fancy in any way. Available in all three blade types, the Exact Fit Conventional wiper is as plain and standard as you can get when it comes to design, bordering on a look so cheap it might've been purchased at a discount dollar store. Yet as they say, looks can be deceiving. The steel frame provides the right amount of pressure to give you a streak-free wipe. Its operation is relatively quiet as well and can pretty much handle whatever nature throws at you.

The Trico Exact Fit Conventional wiper blade comes in sizes for front and rear use. Its rear-fit blades are sized from 8 to 16 inches. There isn't any vehicle Exact Fit won't be compatible with and it's readily available in stores and online.

Aero

Aero is another only-makes-windshield-wipers company. It also advertises that it doesn't advertise in order to pass the savings to customers. Not that Aero premium wipers need the PR as it's also an OEM supplier.

The Aero Voyager J-Hook Wiper (sometimes referred to as "Premium All-Season") is a dependable beam-style wiper. The blades are constructed of blended rubber so they're flexible and have good contact against the car's windshield for crisp wipes. Aero Voyager wipers also are sold in pairs for a budget-friendly front wiper replacement.

Although labeled as all-season, this wiper has a shorter life span in wintery conditions. There is no question as to its performance with regards to preventing snow and ice buildup. It's simply a general observation that, overall, it just doesn't like the cold. But who does?

Michelin

Like Goodyear, Michelin is a brand better known for its tires. But the company offers a slew of windshield wipers covering all types, and its Stealth Ultra Hybrid ranks near the top. There's also the Stealth XT Hybrid, but go Ultra or go home, right?

All Michelin hybrid wipers feature Smart-Flex technology, which, in company jargon, "hug the glass like Michelin tires hug the road." Ha. To put it simply, the bracketless casing has different pressure points that allow the Michelin Stealth blade to adjust to debris on the windshield surface. So it clears the gunk off while maintaining constant contact with the glass. Its segmented hard-cover design (the non-Ultra has a soft one) also prevents accumulation of said debris and remains durable in extreme weather like heavy rain or excessive heat.

The Stealth Ultra Hybrid blades also feature a blended graphite rubber coating that reduces friction (i.e., smearing) and minimizes noise. The Michelin blades perform well, particularly in winter, so there's little question as to its durability. But although the Michelin blades come with adapters, 22-inch and larger sizes might not be compatible with your vehicle. And even if they do fit, Michelin Stealth blade installation isn't as easy as it is with other brands.