Best Rear Windshield Wipers
Rear wipers are the most neglected part of most vehicles. People replace their front wipers regularly and completely forget the rear exists—until they can’t see out of the back window in a rainstorm. If your rear wiper is leaving streaks or barely clearing water, it’s time. Here’s what to buy.
The Challenge with Rear Wipers
Rear wipers are different from front wipers in a few important ways:
- Non-standard connections: Unlike front wipers that mostly use J-hook arms, rear wiper arms vary wildly between manufacturers. Many use proprietary clip or pin connections.
- Smaller sizes: Rear wipers typically range from 10" to 16", much smaller than fronts.
- More sun exposure: Rear glass gets constant UV exposure, which degrades rubber faster. The blade is also exposed to more direct sunlight than front wipers tucked under the hood.
Our Top Picks
Bosch Rear Wiper Blade — Best Overall
Bosch makes rear-specific wiper blades with the correct connector for each vehicle. No adapters, no fiddling—it clicks on exactly like the OEM blade but with better rubber. They make rear blades for most popular SUVs and hatchbacks. Look up your exact vehicle on Amazon and filter by your year/make/model.
Check Price on Amazon →Trico Exact Fit Rear — Best Budget
Trico’s Exact Fit line includes rear wipers with OEM-matched connectors for hundreds of vehicles. Quality is solid for the price—not as long-lasting as Bosch, but when a rear wiper costs $10 and lasts 6-8 months, replacement isn’t painful. Their online fitment guide is good too.
Check Price on Amazon →Rain-X Rear — Best Value
Rain-X makes rear wipers with their water-repelling coating, which is arguably even more useful on the rear than the front. Rear glass gets dirty fast from road spray, and the hydrophobic coating helps water bead off between wiper passes. Available for most popular vehicles.
Check Price on Amazon →Common Rear Wiper Sizes by Vehicle
- Jeep Wrangler JL: 14"
- Ford Bronco: 12"
- Toyota 4Runner: 12"
- Toyota RAV4: 12"
- Honda CR-V: 12"
- Subaru Outback: 14"
- Tesla Model Y: 14"
- Chevy Tahoe/Suburban: 12"
When to Replace Your Rear Wiper
If it streaks, chatters, or leaves a film, replace it. Most rear wipers degrade faster than front wipers because they’re exposed to more UV light and rarely get used (so the rubber dries out). A good rule: replace your rear wiper every time you replace your front wipers. At $10-14 per blade, there’s no reason to skip it.
Check Price on Amazon →Check our size guide for your complete vehicle wiper specs, or see our main rankings for front wiper recommendations.