We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn more ›
Wiper blades are something we should all routinely service but are guilty of letting go until they start screaming as they ride along our windshields. To add insult to injury, the affordable but “reliable” wiper blades we grab at the local parts store are no better than the battle-worn blades they’re replacing. Thankfully, avoiding this is easy. All you have to do is do a little research into what’s actually worthwhile. To start, you want to look for silicone wiper blades. These offer far better performance and longevity than their rubber counterparts. But since even the shadiest manufacturers know that, you still need to take a little time to sift through the pile. That’s what this buying guide is here for. By the time we’re through, you’ll have a killer set of wiper blades to throw on your car and put this all behind you.
Summary List
- Best Overall: PIAA Super Silicone
- Best Value: Silblade Premium
- Honorable Mention: Rain-X Silicone Endura
- Best Budget: Meto T6 Silicone Windshield Wiper Blades
- Best for Snow and Ice: PIAA Si-Tech Silicone Wiper Blade
- Best Premium: PIAA Aero Vogue Premium Silicone Wiper Blade
Our Methodology
When it comes to choosing the best silicone wiper blades available, I wanted to provide you with a well-rounded list that features a solid variety of reputable manufacturers with a history of providing high-quality, long-lasting products. I wanted to include a range of price points to suit any budget. Lastly, I wanted to feature silicone wiper blades that use the latest in construction technology and innovative materials that are not only efficient and effective at removing water, but also durable and long-lasting. There’s literally something for everyone. For more info on our selection criteria, go to The Drive’s Gear About page, which explains our methodology further.
Best Silicone Wiper Blades Reviews & Recommendations
Best Overall: PIAA Super Silicone
Pros
- Simple, sleek frame design
- Offers budget-friendly blade refills versus replacing the entire unit
- Performs well in a variety of temperatures and weather conditions
Cons
- Time-consuming pre-treatment process
- May not include a connector compatible with your vehicle
The PIAA Super Silicone wiper blade came with its own windshield pre-treatment package. Cleaning the windshield first and applying the pre-treatment added water-beading protection over the entire surface, and set the glass up for the silicone wiper blades. The simple yet effective frame design was a perfect match to the factory satin black trim, and a small PIAA logo on each frame was a premium finishing touch. The PIAA Super Silicone wiper blades performed well on the test rig and out on the road. The windshield treatment helped the wipers get the job done, and the Super Silicone blades were silent into the dry transition.
PIAA is the only company in the test that offers wiper blade refills. At roughly half the full wiper assembly price, refills can offset the initial high cost over time. The inexplicable lack of a bayonet wiper arm connector bumped the proven performer out of a top slot. The extensive pre-treatment procedure was also somewhat time-consuming.
Best Value: Silblade Premium
Pros
- Six-point frame design maintains even pressure across the length of the silicone blade
- Premium powder-coat finish outshines the competition in style
- No special break-in period required
Cons
- Slightly heavier than its conventional frame-style silicone wiper competitors
- Glossy finish and dual logos might not be for everybody
The SilBlade Premium is the company’s conventional frame style product. The traditional steel chassis wears a powder-coated finish for durable good looks, and the six-point structure maintains even blade pressure on the windshield. SilBlade’s patented silicone rubber formula adds graphite and PTFE for improved performance from the same stuff that makes fried eggs slide out of the pan.
Hooking the Silblade up to the wiper arm was uneventful, and the pre-installed connector fit firmly on the bayonet arm with a positive click. No special break-in was required, and the Silblade delivered excellent performance minutes after installation. The connector kept the wiper in the zone across the entire sweep with no deflection.
The Silblade Premium and its frame-type PIAA contender developed a slight squeak at the bottom right of the passenger side wiper arm sweep. We made a few adjustments to the Starlet’s wiper arms and dialed it out. The same noise in the same spot across two sets of windshield wipers means that the wipers are not the problem. Suspect wiper arms or a greasy windshield if your new wipers chatter and squeak worse than the old ones.
Honorable Mention: Rain-X Silicone Endura
Pros
- Flexible beam resists ice buildup
- Time-proven Rain-X windshield treatment technology with every wiper sweep
- Lasts up to 2X longer than standard rubber wipers
Cons
- Universal connector is a compromise in some applications
- Modern beam-style can look out of time on older vehicles
The Rain-X Silicone Endura beam style wiper is an excellent choice in the silicone wiper category and silently dispatched water as it left a coating of time-proven Rain-X windshield treatment. The synthetic silicone blade material is formulated for use from a teeth-chattering minus 20 degrees up to rubber-deforming 194 degrees, and Rain-X claims the Endura can outlive its conventional beam wiper blades two to one. Proprietary graphite treatment helped the wiper blades glide across the windshield, and the Rain-X Endura remained silent in the crucial transition from wet to dry. The flexible leading edge resists ice buildup.
The only fault with the Rain-X Silicone Endura was with the Uniclick connector. The design was far better than most, but like so many other beam-style wipers, the mounting position left the wiper arm riding too high off the windshield. The resulting deflection was minimal but would have only worsened with time in an ongoing metal vs. plastic war of attrition that neither side would win.
Best Budget: Meto T6 Silicone Windshield Wiper Blades
Pros
- Affordable; get two for the price of one
- Universal fitment
- Backed by a one-year warranty
Cons
- Tend to squeak over time
- Connector can be difficult to switch out
A solid contender from a lesser-known competitor, the Meto T6 Silicone Windshield Wiper Blades scores points for being a durable silicone wiper blade at an uber affordable price point. It also comes backed by a one-year warranty, to help outweigh the risks of this lesser-known option. These blades are compatible with fewer vehicle models than others but will still work with 96 percent of vehicle makes out there.
One common complaint is that the blades come with one of the adapters already affixed to them, so if that’s not the adapter that suits your car, it can be difficult and frustrating to remove it and install the right one. These blades encompass a streamlined shape designed to help eliminate wind noise and streaking, as well as minimizing snow and ice accumulation on your windshield. These silicone wiper blades also lose some love because they do tend to start streaking at some point and when used with very little rain on the windshield, they tend to be a bit squeaky.
Best for Snow and Ice: PIAA Si-Tech Silicone Wiper Blade
Pros
- Modern, frameless design cuts down on ice build-up
- UV and heat resistant blades
- Fits up to 98 percent of vehicles
Cons
- Pricey
- Difficult to install compared to some other models
This is a straightforward and understated silicone wiper blade that encompasses a modern, frameless design that creates multiple pressure points throughout the entire length of the blade to eliminate streaky wiping. This type of design helps to cut down on snow and ice build-up along the blade as a bonus.
Patented silicone impregnated rubber blades deliver reliable all-season performance. This blade is also UV and heat resistant, helping to give it a longer lifespan. It’s designed to fit with 98 percent of vehicles, but you’ll still need to double-check before purchase.
Unlike the PIAA Super Silicone Wiper Blade, this model doesn’t come with a windshield pre-treatment, but the silicone rubber that the blade is constructed from continually reapplies an active coating to your windshield to help water bead up and allow for streak-free wiping. Couple that with a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee for one year from the date of purchase, and what have you got to lose by trying out these well-designed wiper blades?
Best Premium: PIAA Aero Vogue Premium Silicone Wiper Blade
Pros
- Quiet, smooth operation
- Maintains solid contact with windshield througout arc
- Uses the same blade refill as the PIAA Super Silicone
Cons
- Expensive
- Not the most effective at removing dirt, dust, and pollen
The PIAA Aero Vogue Premium Silicone Wiper Blade actively coats your car’s windshield with a water repellent barrier with each swipe. It delivers a quiet and streak-free, pristine wiping action that lasts up to two times longer than standard windshield wipers.
What is unique about this wiper blade versus other offerings is that it features a unique aerodynamic design with patented pass-through technology that incorporates two vents. One vent forces air up and over the top of the wiper, while the other one pushes trapped air under the blade out the rear of the wiper to ensure a snug and tight contact with the windshield.
For even greater incentive, the Aero Vogue wipers use the same blade refills as the Super Silicone wipers, so it’s easy to update them. And, of course, you get the same 100 percent satisfaction guarantee that PIAA offers with its other products. These wiper blades do fall short when it comes to cleanly removing dirt, dust, and pollen, so if you live in a desert climate, they may not be your best option.
Our Verdict on the Best Silicone Wiper Blades
Again, our top pick goes to the PIAA Super Silicone. The performance and function are hard to beat. For an excellent value option that will perform well and last a long time, check out the Silblade Premium Silicone Wiper Blades.
What to Consider When Buying Silicone Wiper Blades
While the difference in silicone wiper blades may seem subtle, there are several key factors to pay attention to in order to get the pair that best suit your particular vehicle make and model, as well as your driving style and climate.
Silicone Wiper Blade Key Features
Frame or Beam Type
Take the type of wiper that came with your vehicle into consideration when choosing which type of silicone wiper is best. Beam-type wipers are not attached to a metal frame, so they adhere to the curve of your windshield more naturally and are more flexible. This generally helps to reduce ice and snow buildup. That said, your vehicle generally works best with its stock wiper style. The majority of blade wiper connector adapters place the arm too high and can result in unwanted deflection.
Connector Type
The connection between the wiper arm and the windshield wiper blade is the most important consideration when choosing aftermarket replacements. The best wiper blade in the world is also the worst if it doesn’t fit. Universal connectors can be too much of a one-size-fits-all compromise and sometimes don’t fit all. All of our test wipers are 16-inch, so
so make sure to check out the manufacturer catalog and get the right fit for your year, make, and model.
Warranty/Replacement Options
Since many silicone wiper blades are a greater financial investment at the outset, many reputable companies will back their product by offering a warranty or hassle-free replacement period should you have any issues. In fact, you should be wary of a company that doesn’t back its product with a solid warranty that provides its customers with added protection and peace of mind.
Silicone Wiper Blade Pricing
A large majority of decently functioning and reliable silicone wiper blades can be found for between $20 to $30. These are generally the lower-end silicone models offered by reputable name brands, or they could also be good options from lesser-known companies that lack the familiarity of longer-standing competitors. For premium, high-quality, extra durable silicone frames, expect to spend between $35 to $40 per blade.
FAQs
You’ve got questions. The Drive has answers.
A: Durability is the main advantage to silicone windshield wipers, but inspecting your windshield wiper blades, arms, and washer fluid system in the spring and fall is a good habit to have. Replace any cracked, worn, deformed, or just plain worn out wiper blades or refills as needed. Don’t forget to put winter windshield washer fluid before the deep freeze and road salt season.
A: That depends on what you’re looking for from a windshield wiper. Silicone wiper blades deliver excellent performance, but the real advantage is durability and longevity across a wide temperature range. If a better wiper blade is the one you only have to change once every few years, then yes, silicone wiper blades are better than natural rubber equivalents.
A: If your wiper blades require windshield prep prior to use and you neglect that important step, your silicone wiper blades are more prone to squeaking. Read the installation instructions thoroughly prior to use to ensure you’ve done the process correctly. Also, as wiper blades age, they can become dry or brittle, which can also cause them to squeak. Regular cleaning of the wiper blade can help prevent this.
A: About the same way you would clean a silicone kitchen spatula. The idea is to remove oils that can cause streaking and noise. Hand dish soap and water is a grease removing safe bet, and household isopropyl alcohol on a cotton ball is another winner. Silicone wiper blades may require specialized care depending on the manufacturer, so read up on any cleaning restrictions. Clean the windshield while you’re at it.
A: In this case, yes, especially if your stock windshield wipers accept refills. PIAA offers a wide range of premium silicone wiper blade refills so you can experience the advantages of silicone wipers without the steep entrance fee. Head over to PIAA for a complete wiper blade refill rundown.
A: Silicone rubber is extremely resistant to cold or heat, with most being able to reliably function in temperatures ranging from 190 to minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes them last 2 to 4 times longer than traditional rubber wiper blades.
