Which windshield wiper blades are better to choose - framed, frameless, hybrid wipers

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Need new windshield wiper blades, but don't know which ones to choose? The advantages and disadvantages of frame, frameless and hybrid wipers are in our article. Let's figure out which type is better according to reviews from car enthusiasts and how to select according to size, type of fastening and season.

Types of windshield wipers

Windshield wiper blades are consumable parts of the car. The reasons for replacement may be different:

• frame failure due to mechanical impact;
• freezing of brushes;
• erasing rubber bands and poor quality glass wiping. As a consequence of this, the driver has poor visibility;
• theft.

The choice of windshield wiper blades must be approached seriously and responsibly. In order not to make a mistake and purchase the right parts, it is important to pay attention to the following criteria:

• windshield wiper blade design;
• size of driver and passenger wipers;
• fastening type;
• brush material.

By design, there are three types of windshield wiper blades: framed, frameless and hybrid. The most common are the first two of them.

Types of car wipers

In auto stores, windshield cleaning brushes are available in several types:

1. Frame wipers are the most common classic wipers, the rubber blade of which evenly adheres to the surface of the triplex. They are distinguished by their rigid design and low cost. However, such mechanisms do not last long, as they wear out quickly. They are prone to freezing, so they are not suitable for use in winter. Today, manufacturers produce frame car wipers with plastic axles and bushings, due to which they are more mobile and are able to clear the glass of ice.

2. Frameless auto brushes are a mechanism with a rubber-plastic body, inside of which there is a rubber blade between thin metal plates. This design has good aerodynamic characteristics and does not have fast-wearing hinges. It moves along the surface of the glass almost silently and is able to cope with icing. The disadvantage of frameless wipers is their rather high price and lack of versatility. That is, for a specific machine you will need to select a specific brush model.
3. Hybrid windshield wipers are universal, have a small frame height and have all the best properties of frame auto wipers. They fit tightly even to a convex surface, almost do not freeze and are suitable for any car. The only downside of hybrid mechanisms is the high price, but they will last a long time.
4. Winter auto wipers are the same summer brushes for cleaning glass, on top of which there is a special cover that protects the elements of the mechanism from freezing. They have all the positive qualities of frame wipers. It is recommended to use this version of wipers only in winter, since in the warm season at speeds above 90 km/h the blades begin to vibrate and jump on the windshield.

Which option of car brushes to choose is decided only by the car owner.

Pros and cons of frame wiper blades

Frame brushes are often called “classic”. They are in first place in terms of prevalence.

This is a metal frame on which the brush blade is attached. The frame is a set of rocker arms and hinges, and the blade is a rubber band. The frame evenly presses the tape against the glass, thereby ensuring complete cleaning. The quality of the tape is affected by dimensional accuracy, the use of special coatings, and the composition of the rubber mixture.

Advantages of frame wiper blades:

1. Possibility of replacing the tape if it is erased or unsuitable for use. The design allows you not to change the entire part, just the rubber rim.
2. High quality glass cleaning due to tight fit.
3. Availability of winter models. In such brushes, all elements are “dressed” in a rubber cover. This prevents freezing, water and snow.
4. Low price. Frame wipers are cheaper than frameless counterparts.

In addition to the positive aspects, frame brushes have some disadvantages:

• freezing of ice and snow in frosty weather on rocker arms and hinges;
• time is wasted on cleaning the wipers;
• winter models adhere less well to the glass, so cleaning is not ideal.

The frame wiper blades can be equipped with a spoiler. This is a curved plate; when exposed to wind pressure, it presses the wipers against the glass better.

Advice. The spoiler reduces noise when the brushes operate due to its good aerodynamic properties.

Frameless wipers adhere better to the glass

Denso brushes

The Japanese company Denso has taken, according to experts, one of the leading positions among manufacturers of car wipers. This is not surprising, because the products of this concern are truly distinguished by excellent aerodynamics, high-quality cleaning of both wet and dry windshields, as well as high resistance to changes in temperature conditions. This means that Denso makes windshield wiper blades for use in both winter and summer.

Among the best models of the manufacturer it is worth highlighting:

• Soft frame brushes Denso NDDS series, costing from 450 rubles. The products do not scratch the windshield, and the mounting points of the hinge joints are selected in such a way that the wipers fit tightly to the surface. The brushes in this series received a rating of 8 out of 10, only because of the short-lived rubber, which, under the influence of reagents generously scattered by utility workers in winter, begins to creak.
• Frameless brushes from the Flat Blade series withstand both winter cold and summer heat. The wipers come with adapters that allow you to install the products on almost any car. These brushes cost from 700 rubles apiece.
• Hybrid Hybrid Wiper Blades are breaking all records for popularity and have not yet been able to win a single negative review from car enthusiasts. The brushes are highly effective. Thanks to the elastic tape and metal frame, the products remove water and dirt well. The working edge practically does not wear out under the influence of ice. At the same time, brushes cost from 760 rubles apiece.

Features of frameless wiper blades

Frameless (spineless, reinforcement-free) wipers are a plastic body (or plastic-rubber), inside of which metal plates are inserted. The shape of the brushes fully corresponds to the shape of the glass of a particular brand, this ensures a tight fit and quality of glass cleaning. If the brushes do not display the shape of the glass, they need to be replaced. Therefore, frameless wipers need to be selected only for a specific car make and glass curve.

Synthetic rubber and graphite are used to produce frameless brushes. Rubber provides elasticity, and graphite provides wear resistance and sun protection. Graphite reduces squeaking when the wiper operates.

Advantages of frameless wiper blades:

• beautiful appearance, in harmony with the appearance of the car;
• uniform pressing of the cleaning element against the glass, and, as a result, high quality cleaning throughout the entire working area. This is ensured by preliminary bending of the spring strips;
• increased aerodynamic properties. The resistance pressure is reduced and the noise level is reduced. Some manufacturers integrate the spoiler into the brushes, increasing downforce at high speeds;
• Frameless brushes are less susceptible to icing. If ice forms on the rubber bands, the quality of cleaning will decrease, but getting rid of ice and snow is much easier and faster;
• Low profile improves visibility.

Frame wipers are suitable for winter use

The main disadvantage is one of the advantages of frameless brushes - the need for individual selection for a specific brand and model. Not every store offers the option you need. Among the disadvantages is the high price of the product. Cheap, low-quality brushes may not reflect the shape of the glass and may not wipe it well.

Alca brushes

The German company Alca, whose wiper blades are of good quality and efficiency, does not offer consumers many models that are in demand, but the following can be distinguished from them:

• Alca Winter wipers, which cost from 520 rubles, are deservedly considered one of the best products for use in winter. Frameless brushes are equipped with a medium-hard rubber blade that can withstand long-term use in difficult conditions (at very low air temperatures). The products do not require special processing. However, it is worth noting that during tests Alca Winter performed much worse under the influence of ultraviolet radiation, so it is better to purchase another set of wipers for the summer.
• Alca Super Flat series brushes are popular among car owners who purchase a summer set of wipers. Despite the fact that this model is more often used in the summer, they also work well in the winter. Super Flat Grafit products are treated with graphite, resulting in superior performance. The cost of wipers starts from 350 rubles.

Hybrid wiper blades

Hybrid models combine some features of both frame and frameless brushes. They have a frame with rocker arms and hinges and a plastic casing (spoiler). The frame provides good pressure of the brush to glass of any shape and height. The pressure is applied along the entire length. The plastic casing not only improves the clamping force, but also protects the brushes from moisture and dust.

The advantages of this type of wipers include:

• versatility. There is no need for individual selection of brushes;
• tightness of contact with glass;
• the brushes are low and do not affect the driver’s visibility;
• original and beautiful appearance.

Hybrid wipers also combine the disadvantages of frame and frameless wipers:

• high price;
• possibility of snow accumulation.

Wiper parameters

Wipers come in different types. The most common of all are frame ones. In them, the wiper blade adheres to the glass surface due to rocker arms, as well as a hinge system. The hinges used to be metal, but the previous design had quite a few disadvantages. Due to constant temperature changes, as well as moisture, the hinged bases rusted a little. As a result, the brushes could no longer fulfill their purpose well enough.

Also, the metal type has another disadvantage - quick erasing. This affects the efficiency of the wipers. Modern models have gone further - they now use plastic structures. Thanks to this, glass cleaners have a chance to work many times longer. An undeniable advantage of the frame type wipers is good affordability.

There are also frameless cleaners - this type is quite new. As is clear from the name, there are no frames, especially metal ones, in it. This type uses a steel spring, which is protected by a rubber cover. The bending of such wipers is done thanks to a special plastic retainer. In some models, springs are replaced with steel bars. Brushes are clamped between a pair of these, and thanks to the thoughtful shape of the bend, they are pressed very tightly against the glass. The design of frameless type cleaners includes a pair of plugs that are attached to the sides, as well as a mounting bracket. An incredible advantage of this type is the ability to replace brushes many times.

Wipers are often rated by their aerodynamic properties. Based on this parameter, frameless ones have a significant advantage.

Their materials are also better in terms of the material’s resistance to various negative influences. If we talk about such a parameter as versatility, here the newer frameless bikes clearly lose. The special bend of the wipers is often designed for only one or two makes of car, in some cases even a model. But frame ones are not the most universal option. In this case, the leader can be called hybrid cleaners, which successfully combine all the advantages of both types of wipers.

An equally important parameter is the cost of wipers. In this case, frame ones are in the lead. Not everyone can afford frameless devices. This is especially important in relation to the rubber of the brushes.

Remember that it is the one that wears out first, as there is constant friction against the glass. At the moment, the best material for a brush is silicone, but it won’t be exactly cheap. When choosing wipers, you can rely on your own experience, the experience of other car enthusiasts, or different ratings. But there is no universally accurate method. When choosing wipers, you must pay attention to the quality of the materials from which they are made.

Selecting the size and type of fastening of wipers

When choosing new brushes, you need to not only decide on the desired type, but also choose the right size. This mainly applies to frame and hybrid wipers, since frameless ones are manufactured for a specific brand.

The size of the windshield wiper blades must be specified by the manufacturer in the vehicle's operating instructions. If such information is unknown, you just need to measure the length of the old brushes, each separately, because the dimensions of the driver and passenger are often different.

Attention! It is not recommended to install smaller wipers as the viewing area will be reduced. Brushes larger than those recommended by the manufacturer should also not be selected. Large blades can touch each other, scratch the car body and damage the windshield seal.

You can find out the required sizes in special catalogs and reference books. In most cases, they are available in auto parts stores; it is enough to name the make and model of the car, and the year of manufacture.

Progressive innovation - auto-heated wipers will quickly melt the ice on the glass

Manufacturers install different types of wiper mounts on cars. The most common type is “Hook” or “Hook”. Also popular fastenings are: “side pin”, “button”, “side fastening”, “side lock” and “bayonet lock”. When purchasing brushes, you need to make sure that they have the same mounting method as the car or are equipped with special adapters for any type.

The best among the best

After testing, where the main requirements were such characteristics as elasticity at a temperature of -20, cleaning quality and clamping pressure, 5 manufacturers were among the leaders. First place went to Maruenu AS brushes. The elastic band in this case is made of rubber and impregnated with graphite. It is worth noting that budget models almost always use spraying, which wears off quite quickly. There is also full impregnation, which ensures effective operation in all weather conditions. There are no vibrations or slipping on the glass. Also, such brushes are resistant to ultraviolet radiation and the aggressive environment of washer fluid. Overall, an excellent choice, although such pleasure will not be cheap (3,000 rubles).

Bosch Aerotwin comes in second place. The brushes are made of composite rubber with the addition of rubber. Everything here is done with high quality, there is no hint of creaking or poor fastening. The kit includes a special adapter for non-standard connections. Our rating of windshield wiper blades for 2020 is completed by Denso DF. Acoustic comfort is ideal, which was achieved thanks to the fit to the windshield profile.

What wipers to install on a car in winter

At subzero temperatures, there is a risk that the brushes may freeze to the glass, snow will stick to them, or the rubber will become oak and will not cope with its function. Therefore, the choice of wipers in winter should be approached with particular seriousness.

The oldest and most common type of winter brushes can be called frame brushes in a case. The cover prevents ice and snow from freezing on the brush elements. The rubber composition is completely suitable for winter conditions. The mobility of the wipers is maintained, and the rubber itself does not harden.

A progressive type of winter blades is heated wipers. The heating element will prevent the brushes from freezing and maintain their elasticity. To function, they must be connected to the vehicle's electrical network. It is better to install such wipers at a service station.

Advice. If special blades for winter are not used, it is necessary to raise the wipers during a long stop in snowy and frosty weather.

If the decision on the design and size has already been made, then the final choice can be made with the help of reviews from other motorists. Real reviews will help you evaluate the quality of a product from a particular manufacturer. As practice shows, original spare parts or brushes from leading companies, which constantly introduce new technologies and materials to improve the final product, perform better in use.

High-quality windshield wiper blades will help you avoid accidents in bad weather and will not fail you at the most inopportune moment.

Do the brushes need to be heated?

Recently, special kits have appeared that are equipped with heating. For this purpose, an elastic heating element is installed. This system serves to maintain the elasticity of the elastic even in severe frosts. The function is quite useful, but such a kit will not be cheap, and problems may arise during installation.

Currently popular manufacturers of heated brushes are Burner and Consul Winter. In the first case, upon purchase you will receive a thermal relay with a fuse and a power button. Additionally, you can purchase a special radio key fob for remote start of the system. The second set is more budget-friendly, but does not lag behind in quality. You can do the installation yourself, although it has its own peculiarities.

Champion

The Belgian was also on this list. Again, good packaging, but a complete lack of instructions in Russian. Although for such a simple product it is quite forgivable. The interesting thing begins after editing, because strange marks remain on the hands. It’s still not clear whether it’s silicone grease or just soot; it’s still not very pleasant. Also, be careful because the brushes, although new, are prone to chipping. The price is quite low (355 rubles), but the quality fully justifies it - the brush does not completely adhere to the glass.

Tips and tricks

As a rule, you can find a large number of models of windshield wipers for cars with replaceable rubber bands (blades). According to sellers, this allows you to quickly change the rubber band if necessary.

In practice, these solutions are largely inferior to high-quality brushes, where such a replacement is not provided for by the wiper manufacturer itself. Often, good brushes last 7-8 months or more, while replaceable cheap rubber bands do not last even 2-3.

Of course, it is possible to change the wiper rubber (if possible), but this option is more suitable in cases where it is difficult to find replacement fasteners, the car has original factory wipers, etc. If there are no problems with the selection of wipers for replacement, it is better to immediately buy a new product rather than change the rubber bands on the old one.

In a car that has a wiper on the rear window, it is optimal to install frame wipers or original ones. The fact is that such glass is often flatter; frameless wipers (especially cheap ones) do not fit so tightly and rub worse.

Anco Сontour

The manufacturer of such windshield wipers is Mexico. It’s worth mentioning right away that the installation instructions are on a special insert included in the package. When installing such wipers, no unnecessary questions arose, everything is quite convenient and simple, in addition, they come with special adapters and clamps that allow you to attach them to any type of car glass cleaning levers.

Among the disadvantages are operational properties. Such a windshield wiper copes with its duties very poorly, which does not justify the rather high cost - 910 rubles.