The 5 Best Windshield De-Icers

Andrea Cannon — Thu, 10 Mar 2016 10:00:07 +0000

In the middle of winter, it can be impossible to prevent the dreaded layer of ice or snow from building up on your car windows. Fortunately, a good windshield de-icer can clear away the ice and frost in no time, and even prevent it from returning.

There are a number of homemade remedies, including simple rubbing alcohol, vinegar, and water, which can reduce ice on your windshield. However, when you need more than a DIY remedy, try a professional windshield de-icer. (See also: “3 Cheap and Easy Formulas for Homemade Windshield De-Icer”)

What Is a Windshield De-Icer?

A windshield de-icer is an ice-melting liquid that can be applied to a frozen windshield. It will help melt the ice, frost, and snow, and can reduce your scraping time. It can also help reduce dangerous re-freeze, which in turn, will help increase visibility and driver safety.

Driving with a frosty window is dangerous, so you won’t want to be caught without this in harsh winter months. Most reviewers trend to agree that you need to use a lot of de-icer to get the results you’re looking for, so a bottle of windshield de-icer may only last you through two or three big snow days, depending on where you live.

Top 5 Windshield De-Icers

Prestone Windshield De-Icer

The Prestone Windshield De-Icer is made from a concentrated ice-melting formula that can quickly melt ice, snow, and frost, and prevent it from returning right away. The high-performance formula is effective at removing snow from your car doors, windows, wipers, and locks. You can feel good about using this because it won’t ruin your vehicle’s coating. This has a built-in ice scraper, which makes it a great value. Most auto stores recommend Prestone as the best windshield de-icer available. A number of independent online review sites also selected this as the best de-icer on the market.

This is very easy to use. Simply start your car and turn on the defroster. Then, use the easy-to-use trigger bottle to dispense the strong, wind-resistant spray on the icy area and wait 15 seconds. Then, you can use the windshield wipers or the scraper to clear off any ice. Reviewers agree that this solution is very effective and you likely won’t need a scraper, but in the event that you do, the attached scraper should work perfectly.

Currently $8.88 on Amazon

Rain-X De-Icer With Scraper

The Rain-X De-Icer can melt ice, snow, and frost from the windshield and wipers. The spray also includes a durable scraper on the bottom to help you break through any stubborn snow with ease. It will make your windshield ice, sleet, and snow repellent, so you won’t need to worry about re-icing. Rain-X also makes a popular rain repellent, so they know what it takes to keep your windshield clear and streak-free. Independent online review sites selected this as one of the best de-icers on the market.

It is so effective that you may not even need to scrape the windshield. To use it, you simply start the car, turn on the defroster, and spray the solution directly on the glass. Then, the windshield will begin de-icing itself, or you can use the scraper to remove the ice.

Currently $18.99 on Amazon

Splash Red Hot De-icer Windshield Trigger Spray

The Splash Red Hot De-icer Windshield Trigger Spray works by melting frost and ice on the windshield, wiper blades, locks, mirrors, and doors. It is very effective and some drivers won’t even need to scrape the windshield after using this easy-to-use trigger spray. This three pack of de-icers is a great deal, but if you only need one bottle right now, try the single Windshield Deicer.

Currently $23.41 on Amazon

einszett Eistau De-Icer Spray

The einszett Eistau De-Icer Spray can remove snow, ice, and frost from your vehicle. It is effective at defrosting mirrors, the windshield, wipers, and plastic headlight lenses. It can also help prevent re-icing, so you won’t need to deal with fog or glare from the cold. You can feel good about using this because it doesn't contain ammonia or toxic methanol and won’t harm your car’s paint, glass, or trim. It is also silicone-free, glare-free, and smear-free. Reviewers agree that this is so effective, you likely won’t need to use an ice scraper at all. Simply spray it on and watch the glass de-ice itself.

Currently $15.45 on Amazon

CRC Ice-Off Windshield Spray De-Icer

The CRC Ice-Off Windshield Spray De-Icer melts snow, ice, and frost on contact, so you won’t have to wait long before you can drive off. Along with defrosting your windshield, it can also thaw windows, frozen locks, and stuck doors. It is also very effective when you find a layer of film on your window from the cold. It will break through the fog and leave you with streak-free glass. This is extremely effective, can be used in sub-zero temperatures, and won’t harm your car finish. Many reviewers found that this is so effective that they don’t even need to use a scraper any longer. It has outstanding online reviews and is Amazon’s #1 bestseller in winter products.

Currently $5.93 on Amazon

And those are our recommendations for the best windshield de-icers. As always, be sure to check Wise Bread's Buying Calendar to learn when and how to buy just about anything!

This article is from Andrea Cannon of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread: