Though Bosch Clear Advantage offers more visibility by repelling water and ice and is affordable, the Bosch Icon is more durable and offers better performance.
Key Takeaways
- The Bosch Clear Advantage is made with natural rubber and has a patented beam design that clears everything off the windshield.
- Bosch Icon is made with ClearMax 365 technology and dual rubber that minimizes friction and offers more visibility.
- Bosch Icon is more durable and also more expensive than the Clear Advantage blade.
The Bosch Clear Advantage and Icon are two of the premium wiper blades that are meant to withstand all weather conditions. But do they?
I tested and compared the Bosch Clear Advantage vs. Icon to find the answer. So feel free to check out the rest of the article.
Read More: Bosch Pure Vision Vs. Icon
Bosch Clear Advantage Vs. Icon Wiper Blades
Overview of Bosch Clear Advantage Wiper Blade
The Bosch Clear Advantage wiper blades are one of the most popular ones in the market.
Made with graphite-coated rubber, these blades are capable of repelling dust, water, and snow with smooth swipes.
This wiper blade is easy to install, does not produce a lot of noise, and is quite affordable.
Overview of Bosch Icon Wiper Blade
The Bosch Icon wiper blades are more popular and 40% more durable than Bosch Clear Advantage.
The blades are made with ClearMax 365 dual rubber, and the patented beam design helps clean the curviest windshields without leaving any water beads.
The material of the blade is UV-resistant and glare-free. As a result, this wiper blade is more reliable for optimal visibility.
Comparison Table
| Features | Bosch Clear Advantage | Bosch Icon |
|---|---|---|
| Material | Natural Rubber | ClearMax 365 Dual Rubber |
| Coating/Finish | Graphite Coated | Graphite Coated |
| Spoiler Design | Symmetrical Aerodynamic | Asymmetrical Aerodynamic |
| Visibility | Clear Visibility | Better than Clear Advantage |
| Durability | Decent | Longer |
| Cost | Affordable | More expensive |
Read More: Bosch Icon vs. Evolution
A Detailed Comparison Between Bosch Clear Advantage And Icon
Wiper Frame and Blade Material
Both Bosch Clear Advantage and Icon have frames made of alloy steel, which offers hardness that helps the blade clean smoothly.
However, the blade material of both wipers is quite different.
The Clear Advantage blade is made with natural rubber, and the Icon blade is made of ClearMax 365 technology rubber.
That means the blade is made of a hard rubber core and a soft polymer shell.
So, the quality of the Bosch Icon wiper blade is more advanced than the Clear Advanced wiper blade.
Coating/Finishing Efficiency
Both Bosch Clear Advantage and Icon have graphite-coated blades.
This type of coating is highly efficient when it comes to 100% cleanliness of the windshield.
However, the FX technology used in the Bosch Icon’s blade makes the powder coating more effective and offers better protection against ozone deterioration.
Advanced Spoiler Design
The Bosch Clear Advantage has aerodynamic spoiler and flat blade technology.
The combination helps the blade maintain a downward force, which is handy when you want a 100% clean windshield through dust, snow, or storms.
The spoiler of the Bosch Icon wiper is made with a patented bend beam design.
The advantage of such an asymmetrical aerodynamic design is that it distributes pressure evenly across the blade.
As a result, it eliminates friction even when the car is on uneven, bumpy roads or during the most harsh weather conditions.
The beam design helps the blade stay firm over the windshield and ensures the most effective wipings.
Vehicle Fitment
Don’t worry about the wipers not fitting your vehicle because they fit 96% of US vehicles. So your vehicle model can easily fall into the fitment list.
Another reason is the universal adapter and multiple connector systems that come with these wipers, making them compatible with most vehicles.
You just have to figure out which connector will help fit the wipers to your vehicle.
Visibility and Weather Performance
Compared to the previous wiper blades I have used, I liked how both Bosch Clear Advantage and Icon did a better job.
In fact, the Bosch Icon, with its ClearMax 365 rubber and curved beam design, was even better in ensuring optimal visibility even at night.
Moreover, the frameless construction of both blades prevents ice or snow buildups no matter how bad the weather is.
And the permanent protective layer over Bosch Icon blades prevents corrosion as well.
Noise Level
Thanks to the premium-quality material and high-tech spoiler design, the weight distribution keeps the blades stable and secure.
Since there is no lift-off issue, the blades stay in their places without making unnecessary noises.
That’s why I don’t have any noise complaints about either of these blades.
Installation
Like I mentioned before, both wipers from Bosch come with a universal adapter system (pre-installed) and are assembled.
As a result, you won’t have to go through the hassle of doing anything other than installing them directly to the wiper arm.
Once you figure out the right hook or connector, installing the wiper will take only a few minutes.
Cost
The Bosch Clear Advantage is the more affordable of the two.
And as the Bosch Icon is made of high-quality material and high-tech design, it naturally costs more.
Value
I would say both Bosch Clear Advantage is worth the value when it comes to good visibility, effective performance, and durability.
The Bosch Icon is certainly more advanced than Clear Advantage, but the price was too high for the quality.
Read More: Bosch Focus vs. Icon
Which One Is More Durable?
Due to their material differences and depending on their usage, the longevity of the wiper blades can be different.
However, the Bosch Clear Advantage can last up to 20% more than most wiper blades.
The Bosch Icon, with its high-tech material and design, can last 40% longer than other wiper blades.
Some users sometimes experienced the opposite, which is not unexpected either.
Nevertheless, from my experience, I found the Bosch Icon more durable than Clear Advantage.
What Benny Thinks
When it comes to Bosch Clear Advantage vs. Icon wiper blades, nothing can go wrong.
They are the best when you need something reliable. The quality of both wipers is top-notch, without a doubt.
However, the Bosch Icon is more reliable for extreme weather conditions.
Also, as it resists contamination, you can rely on it longer than Bosch Clear Advantage.
