Windshield Wipers | Hybrid vs Beam style

[lucas01230]

Whats the difference between hybrid and beam style.
From what im getting is hybrid has the convention pressure points style blade but with a cover on top of it boasting aerodynamics.
Why is hybrid more expensive? Almost everywhere I am reading, it shows that beam is better. Why would conventional blades with a cover on top make it any better to make it more expensive?

 

[Johnny2Bad]

There are a lot of bad wipers in the market. I've tried most of the "innovations" and found them more wishful thinking than actual performance. The last five years I just buy BOSCH wipers. They work better than most, maybe all, of the others I've tried.

It's not a bad idea to buy replacements that are one size smaller than the manual says. Everything works much better and you won't miss the inch of swept area that isn't being wiped anymore.

 

[Billbert]

I recommend using whatever style was original equipment with your car

 

[skyactiv]

The cover could prevent snow, ice or sleet from getting in the frame making the performance suck.

 

[jim302]

The best type of wiper varies by car and windshield design - some people have better luck with fixed pressure points the conventional or hybrid style, and others find the beam style offers a cleaner wipe with less chatter. Your best bet is to try the different options and see what works best for your car. I have had good luck buying blades from Rock Auto - half the price of the auto parts store and usually less than Amazon too, so even with shipping it is a good deal.

The one piece beam style can be nice in the winter since it doesn't get jammed up with snow and ice like the conventional style, and doesn't have issues with lifting from the windshield at higher speeds like the old style winter blades (conventional frame with rubber boot).

They all degrade quickly, so paying full retail price for a top of the line blade (Bosch Icons were nearly $50 a set last time I looked locally but can be found cheaper online) seems like a waste of money and just encourages people to stretch the wipers for longer than they should.

My biggest wiper rant: Where are the refills? No auto parts stores around here stock them anymore, and only offer ship to home at absolutely insane rates. Not all dealers sell them either.

 

[Crusher]

Lucas01230
For years I thought that most wiper blades were pretty similar until I bought the Bosch Icon blades a few years ago. They are probably the best wiper blades on the market!

 

[JustinH]

Steer clear from the walmart supertech wipers. They smear all over the windshield after only a couple months.

I have had OK luck with ANCO or Trico wipers.

Just ordered a set of Denso wipers for my wifes toyota, have not tried them yet.

I think the heat kills blades faster down south than anything else.

 

[AIRJAC3]

I had a hard time finding good wipers for my Camaro after my OEM ones fizzled out. But the best so far has been the Rain X Latitude. The Camaro has a serious curve with the windshield and these are the only ones that stick to it without chattering.

Haven't tried Bosch yet, but the Rain X Latitude also has the Rain X treatment on the blades so that's a plus.

I try to stay from the hybrid/conventional blades. The never seem to last any longer than a season. Beam all the way for me.

 

[Slick17601]

I stay with the OE wiper blades and replace the refills. Trico refills are pretty cheap on Amazon.

 

[Garak]

Some vehicles simply have better results with different wipers. Traditional blades worked best on my Audi, and I suspect that examples like that helped push the hybrid blades. Some retailers stopped carrying hybrids up here because, while they are a good idea from a functional standpoint, there were too many returns on hybrid blades thanks to breaking at hinge points with freeze and thaw cycles.

 

[DoubleWasp]

I bought a bunch of Rain X latitude and Bosch icon for my trucks.

I'll never buy Rain X wipers ever again.

 

[Garak]

I never tried Rain X wipers. I did Bosch Icons for the Audi, the G37, and the F-150. They were great for the last two only.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

I stick with traditional wipers, as was standard equipment on most of my cars (MB, BMW) and just replace the insert (Bosch Micro or Excel)... Once a year, no complaints.

 

[AdRock]

Once I bought the first set of Bosch Icons I was sold. I've used them ever since with great results.