A car glass cleaning formula that’s been used by generations of car detailers.
Two different glass cleaning formulas that combat fog with streak-free results.
A high-quality car glass cleaner that excels in rainy weather and snow.
A soap-, scent-, and dye-free glass cleaner suitable for tinted windows.
An alternative method to quickly cleaning car glass on the go.
Dealing with smudges on your windshield that won’t seem to ever go away? Our auto detailing team researched, ordered, and tested the top-rated car glass cleaners. From interior glass to cleaning grime, we tested the five car window cleaners to find the best of the best.
Before grabbing your favorite cleaning tool, we recommend investing in new microfiber towels to ensure a streak-free finish once you’ve utilized your automotive glass cleaner of choice.
How We Tested
The car glass cleaners in this article went through two rounds of reviews. We started by searching retailers like Amazon, RealTruck, and Advance Auto Parts for top products, looking at factors such as interior vs. exterior glass cleaners, ease of use, customer ratings, and prices.
Our product testing team then ordered the car glass cleaners that best met these standards. A team member tested each product on a 2003 Ford Focus ZX3, taking note of how powerful the car glass cleaner was, how quickly it could clean up our test vehicle’s glass, and the overall clarity it leaves behind. Each car glass cleaner was given a rating out of 5 stars based on these criteria.
Testing Criteria
As noted above, power, speed, and clarity were the three categories of testing for car glass cleaners. But what exactly does that mean?
Below, we detail how we evaluated and judged each category of our testing process:
- Power: Simple and straightforward, we took note of how powerful each car glass cleaner was that we tested. Did the glass cleaner exhaustively remove all dirt, debris, grime, and fingerprints? Or were their obscuring bits of road debris still left on the windshield? In this case, power can be used synonymously with effectiveness.
- Speed: This category of testing involved our team members recording how quickly a car glass cleaner would begin to take effect without using a microfiber cloth.
- Clarity: After thoroughly cleaning our testing vehicle’s windshield, we took a step back to observe clarity. We compared how clear each patch of windshield was to other patches of our vehicle’s windshield that were treated with other car glass cleaners.
Why You Can Trust Us
Each year, we test over 350 auto products on vehicles and in our testing lab. Our team of product testers thoroughly researches top products, unboxes and puts our hands on each component, and tests the items on real vehicles before making recommendations to readers.
We publish hundreds of product and service reviews to bring car enthusiasts detailed guides on automotive tools, detailing kits, car seats, pet products, and much more. For more information on our testing methodology and how we evaluate every product, check out our methodology page here.
5 Best Car Glass Cleaners
- Best Overall: Windex Glass And Window Cleaner
- Runner-Up: WeatherTech Auto Glass Cleaners
- Best for Rain: Rain-X 2-In-1 Glass Cleaner
- Best for Tinted Glass: Stoner Car Care Invisible Glass
- Best Glass Wipes: Armor All Car Glass Wipes
#1 Best Overall: Windex Glass And Window Cleaner
The Windex Glass and Window Cleaner is a household brand and for good reason. This premium glass cleaner starts working on smudges and fingerprints even before you wipe your windshield down.
Windex offers a streak-free shine for your windshield, greatly improving visibility. It can also be used on household appliances as well as glass furniture, home windows, and much more.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $3
- Size: 23.0 fluid ounces (fl. oz.)
- Cleaning method: Spray
Our Experience
In our experience, the tried and true Windex Original Blue cleaned our testing vehicle’s windshield better than any of the other car glass cleaners we tested. This shocking discovery contradicted the assumption that you can’t have the best quality and price in one package.
| Overall Rating | 5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Power | 5 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Clarity | 5 |
After a couple sprays of Windex Glass and Window Cleaner, it was apparent that their formula is powerful and effective. We let the car glass cleaner marinate on our testing vehicle’s windshield before wiping it down with a clean microfiber cloth.
Out of all the auto glass cleaners we tested, none will work as well as Windex on your car’s glass.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.8 out of 5 based on over 33,000 ratings
Customers rave over the original formula of Windex. It’s been used for generations because it works so well. Reviewers note that it’s a great value car glass cleaner that leaves a streak-free finish on their car’s windshield and mirrors every time.
Some customers with negative feedback complain that it left streaks when used with paper towels. However, the streaks on their windshield were caused by using a paper towel rather than a microfiber cloth – not due to the effectiveness of Windex.
#2 Runner-Up: WeatherTech Auto Glass Cleaners
Providing all you need to clean your car’s glass, WeatherTech Auto Glass Cleaners comes as a kit. The kit consists of one 18.0-ounce bottle of WeatherTech TechCare Exterior Glass Cleaner with Repel, one 18.0-ounce bottle of TechCare Interior Glass Cleaner with Anti-Fog, and a pack of four super white microfiber cleaning cloths.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $15 each
- Size: 18.0 fl. oz. each
- Cleaning method: Spray
Our Experience
In our experience, the exterior cleaner stood out to us. While the interior cleaner was effective, the exterior cleaner stole the show.
| Overall Rating | 4.8 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Power | 5 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Clarity | 4.5 |
As this package comes as a kit, we tested both the exterior and interior glass cleaner as well as the company’s microfiber towels. The exterior cleaner stood out to us as one of the most effective auto glass cleaners we tested.
While we didn’t find the interior glass cleaner as effective as the exterior one, it significantly cleared up our testing vehicle’s windshield. The company’s microfiber towels worked well for the job at hand, and it was nice to know you wouldn’t need to purchase microfiber cloths separately.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 3.9 out of 5 based on around 20 ratings
While WeatherTech Auto Glass Cleaner isn’t the most well-reviewed car glass cleaner in this buyers guide, it is one of the most effective. One woman says she’s very particular about what detailing products she uses on her car, and that this brand is one she can trust. Another reviewer notes this auto glass cleaner kit is much more effective than average cleaners.
#3 Best For Rain: Rain-X 2-In-1 Glass Cleaner
The Rain-X Glass Cleaner + Rain Repellent is quick and easy to use – simply spray on and wipe off. What makes this car glass cleaner stand out is that it not only cleans your car’s windshield but also adds a water-repelling coat.
Rain, snow, and sleet bead up and roll away due to Rain-X’s water-repellent properties. This maximizes a driver’s wet weather visibility and overall driving experience.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $7
- Size: 23.0 fl. oz.
- Cleaning method: Spray
Our Experience
We really like how clear Rain-X 2-In-1 Glass Cleaner left our testing vehicle’s windshield. That, and the fact that this glass cleaner has water-repellent properties make it a great choice if you simply want the clearest glass possible in all weather conditions.
| Overall Rating | 4.7 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Power | 4.5 |
| Speed | 4.5 |
| Clarity | 5 |
Our testing team loved Rain-X 2-In-1 Glass Cleaner for how clean and clear it made our testing vehicle’s windshield. Rain-X made it much easier to clearly distinguish other cars and hazards on the road when driving in the rain.
Our team’s greatest takeaway from using this glass cleaner was that it may not be the most powerful or quickest to clean glass, but it might provide the clearest windshield of any car glass cleaner on the market in 2023.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.5 out of 5 based on over 11,000 ratings
Customers love Rain-X 2-In-1 Glass Cleaner. Reviewers are quick to note this glass cleaner works on many other glass surfaces outside of those that are auto-related, including ceramic glass. Several reviews mention that the water-repellent properties of this glass cleaner helped their windshield wipers handle large amounts of rain.
#4 Best For Tinted Glass: Stoner Car Care Invisible Glass
Utilizing a unique ammonia-free formula, Stoner Car Care Invisible Glass is effective on both tinted and untinted glass. This car glass cleaner prides itself on leaving behind no residue, as it includes no soaps, scents, or dye in its formula.
The glass cleaner spray bottle itself sprays fine mist to evenly coat and clean your car’s windshield. Foaming action takes care of any free window space that doesn’t get touched by your windshield wipers.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $4
- Size: 22.0 fl. oz.
- Cleaning method: Spray
Our Experience
Our product testers really liked how Invisible Glass’s formula didn’t include any soap or scents, as it didn’t leave an overpowering aroma or streak marks like some other car glass cleaners do.
| Overall Rating | 4.5 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Power | 4.5 |
| Speed | 4.5 |
| Clarity | 4.5 |
Stoner Car Care Invisible Glass works better than advertised, as it quickly and effectively cleared up our testing car’s windshield. While none of our testing vehicles have tinted windows, it is widely known that this product excels at cleaning them.
As it stands, this is the only car glass cleaner our team has tested that is marketed as safe for tinted windows.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.6 out of 5 based on around 6,000 ratings
Customers are quick to point out how much cleaner their car’s glass and windshield were after using this product. A few reviewers even claim it’s better than Windex. Users report utilizing Stoner Car Care Invisible Glass on both their exterior and interior glass.
#5 Best Glass Wipes: Armor All Glass Wipes
Armor All Glass Wipes are specially made for automotive glass, designed to help DIYers remove the toughest stains that other cleaning products can’t. These wipes claim to leave behind no residue or lint and don’t streak or haze.
The fact that Armor All Glass Wipes are ammonia-free means they’re safe to use on any automotive glass surface.
Key Features
- Cost: Around $4
- Size: 30 count
- Cleaning method: Wipes
Our Experience
In our experience, the Armor All Glass wipes are a good option if you need a quick fix for a dirty windshield. However, we do believe that spray bottles are more effective.
| Overall Rating | 4.3 out of 5 |
|---|---|
| Power | 4 |
| Speed | 5 |
| Clarity | 4 |
Quick and easy to use, Armor All Glass Wipes excelled in the speed category of our testing. We felt this car glass cleaner had the lowest barrier of entry to start cleaning your car’s windshield, while also being the most convenient to use.
Compared to spray-on car glass cleaners, these glass wipes simply weren’t as powerful and didn’t clear our testing vehicle’s windshield as well. However, we think there’s a time and place for glass wipes.
When you’re on a road trip or away from all your car detailing supplies, glass wipes can be a lifesaver in a pinch. Spray-on car glass cleaners are best used for a deep clean of your car’s windshield.
What Customers Are Saying
Amazon Review Score: 4.2 out of 5 based on over 3,000 ratings
Opinions on the Armor All Glass Wipes are split, with some customers claiming they’re as good as useless while others simply remark it takes a little bit of elbow grease. Several customers complain that their container of wipes supposedly comes with a freshness seal, but wasn’t present when they opened up the box.
Best Car Glass Cleaners Buyers Guide
There’s more to getting window cleaning right than grabbing a spray bottle and some towels. Here are some things our product review team recommends keeping in mind while shopping.
Interior Glass Vs. Exterior Glass
From road grime to trash build-up caused by passengers, make sure your auto detailing products are suitable for the part of the car you’re cleaning. Heavy-duty, commercial-grade car glass cleaners work on the toughest stains but may damage car upholstery and steering wheel leather if used carelessly.
If you’re cleaning tinted windows, we recommend using a weaker cleaner that won’t break down the tint.
Smart Formulas
Besides cleaning bird droppings off the windshield, the best auto glass cleaners are functional. Some are designed to have a residue-free drying process and a streak-free finish for improved visibility.
Others might advertise a rain-repellent formula, which might improve performance with the best windshield wipers.
Use The Right Tools
For the best results, our team members believe it’s imperative that you make sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Some car glass cleaners may recommend using a microfiber cloth, squeegee, or another cleaning tool to prevent smudges or streaks.
Keep in mind that if you do use a standard towel, it may not leave a lint-free finish.
Why Buy A Car Glass Cleaner?
Cleaning your windows, windshield, mirrors, and other auto glass is a great finishing step in your detailing process. It adds a showroom-ready look to your vehicle with minimal effort. Additionally, clean windows and windshields play an important role in your safety. Hazy, streaky, or water-spotted windows could impair your visibility while driving.
How To Use The Best Car Glass Cleaners
If you’re looking to clean your car’s windows, purchasing one of the best auto glass cleaners is only the first step. We recommend using a microfiber car drying towel, preferably a waffle-weave towel, when applying and drying the car glass cleaner. Unlike conventional paper towels, microfiber towels won’t leave debris on your windows. They also make it easy to buff and get a streak-free shine, depending on the cloth’s weave.
We also recommend drying your auto glass using the box method. The box method involves the following steps:
- Apply the car glass cleaner
- Wipe the perimeter of your car windows
- After wiping the perimeter of the window, follow with one pass of vertical wipes and one pass of horizontal wipes
- You may then clay bar your windows to remove industrial fallout, but this step is optional
Car Glass Cleaners Bottom Line
There are hundreds, if not thousands of car glass cleaner brands. It’s hard to distinguish what’s a good product and what isn’t. We physically tested several of the top-rated glass cleaners, but recommend doing your own research to find the best car glass cleaner for your needs. Below, we highlight our picks for the best car glass cleaners on the market in 2023.
Car Glass Cleaners At A Glance
| Model | Cost | Size | Item Form |
|---|---|---|---|
| Windex Glass and Window Cleaner | $3 | 23.0 fl oz. | Spray |
| WeatherTech Auto Glass Cleaners | $15 - $37 | 18.0 fl oz. | Spray |
| Rain-X 2-In-1 Glass Cleaner | $8 - $15 | 23.0 fl oz. | Spray |
| Stoner Car Care Invisible Glass | $4 - $7 | 22.0 fl oz. | Spray |
| Armor All Glass Wipes | $4 - $8 | 30 pack | Wipes |
Car Glass Cleaners: FAQ
*Data accurate at time of publication.