By Stacey L Nash and Glenda Taylor | Updated Jun 29, 2023 2:39 PM
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Windows seem to attract water spots, smudges, and smears, making the view outside look like a hazy mess. Immaculate windows can transform living spaces, but chances are you’re not excited about cleaning them. Window squeegees, handy tools that scrub away spots and remove water for a streak-free shine, can make the job much easier.
While we’re not fans of cleaning windows, we do like making around-the-house chores as quick and efficient as possible, so we decided to test some squeegees. We ordered the best-selling models on the market and put them through their paces on windows, mirrors, and shower doors. We tackled tall windows and small windows, taking note of which squeegees were best suited for each cleaning task. Some came with additional scrubbers, and others featured telescoping poles.
We scored the tools as we tested them and analyzed their pros and cons to come up with the following lineup of the best window squeegees for most glass-cleaning tasks. Spoiler: Not all the window squeegees we tried earned a spot on our list. Ones that didn’t make it can be found under “Also Tested” below.
ALSO TESTED: Tyroler Bright Tools Glider Window Squeegee
We researched more than 20 different window squeegees before selecting various types and sizes to test. We considered the brand to an extent—both Unger and Ettore are well known in the industry. Still, we didn’t automatically eliminate squeegees from small or niche brands if they had features we felt were valuable and if consumers liked them.
During testing, we sprayed interior windows and mirrors with glass-cleaning solutions and then used the squeegees to pull off the liquid. We noted how well the flexible blade cleared away the water and whether it left any streaks behind. We also noted the weight and how comfortable it was to hold the handle.
Outdoors, we sprayed automobile windows and house windows with water from the hose and then used the squeegees to remove water. If the tool came with an additional scrubbing pad, we wet it down and used it to scrub the glass before using the squeegee side. We tested extension poles to see how easy they were to lengthen and whether they sagged when fully extended.
Throughout, we awarded points based on a rubric for each tool’s quality, function, and features. The better a squeegee performed, the higher the points. After testing, we added the points and used them to help categorize the squeegees for their best use.
After cleaning a great deal of glass, indoors and out, we’re confident that the following lineup of window squeegees contains the best picks available today. The squeegees come in various sizes for cleaning any windows—tall ones or small ones. Each one we’ve selected earned a spot on this lineup by excelling in removing water without leaving streaks and runs. One is sure to speed up any shopper’s window-cleaning chores.
We tested Unger’s 12-inch stainless steel window squeegee and found it excellent at pulling water and glass cleaner off mirrors, windows, and ceramic tile without leaving streaks. It came with a smooth, flat rubber blade already installed and an additional replacement blade.
We sprayed a mirror thoroughly with glass cleaner and then used the Unger squeegee to pull the solution off, working from the top down and overlapping each stroke about 1 inch. The squeegee didn’t leave any streaks or runs. We also tested the Unger squeegee on windows and ceramic shower tiles, and it made quick work of removing the water from all surfaces.
The steel-handle squeegee can be used with an Unger extension pole, but we didn’t have one, so we slipped a universal wood pole into the handle, and it held snugly. One downside is that a screwdriver is necessary for changing the rubber blade. While that doesn’t affect the high-quality water-removing ability of the squeegee, it means users will need to track down a screwdriver if they need to change the blade.
Get the Unger Pro window squeegee at Amazon or a rubber replacement blade at Grainger.
The Ettore’s compact 8-inch silicone blade is a nicely priced option that seals well to windows and removes water efficiently. It’s designed to fit an Ettore extension pole (not included), but we slipped a standard extension pole into the handle, and it fit nicely without slipping. We also used the squeegee head without the extension pole for small jobs and cleaning windows, mirrors, and shower tile. Its 8-inch blade, not as wide as some other models, actually made it easy to maneuver in the narrow areas around the faucets in the shower.
This affordable squeegee features a sturdy plastic handle, an aluminum channel, and a streak-free silicone blade. It’s lightweight and doesn’t take up much storage space on a shower caddy or in a drawer. While we were somewhat disappointed that the blade is not replaceable, the flexible blade is made from high-quality silicone and should last for years.
Get the Ettore 8-inch window squeegee at Amazon or Zoro.
This is the first time we’ve used a squeegee vacuum, and we were initially a little skeptical. After cleaning a few windows, however, we were sold. The vacuum on the Karcher squeegee does a great job of sucking up the water and cleaning solution that might otherwise run down and pool on the sill or trickle down a wall, leaving unsightly spots. Typically when using a squeegee on windows, we use paper towels to sop up the puddles at the bottom, but with the Karcher, there were no puddles.
The Karcher comes with an internal battery and a charger. It also includes a glass-cleaning solution, a spray bottle, and a pad that fits on the sprayer for scrubbing away gunk before using the 11-inch rubber blade. We filled the spray bottle, fitted the pad on top, and scrubbed the surface of the window before using the vacuum squeegee to pull off excess solution. The vacuum sucked up all the water while the silicone blade left a streak-free finish.
A slight downside is the weight. The Karcher vacuum squeegee weighs in at 1.68 pounds (empty), so it started to feel a bit heavy after we’d sucked up a few additional ounces of water and solution. Still, the solution tank snaps off easily for quick dumping. The squeegee didn’t come with an extra rubber blade, but replacement blades can be ordered from the manufacturer.
Get the Karcher window squeegee at Amazon, The Home Depot, or Karcher.
No more teetering on a ladder to clean high windows. One of the biggest reasons two-story homes often have less-than-pristine windows is they’re just too difficult to clean. We’ve cleaned our share of upper windows with spray cleaner and newspapers—a potentially dangerous ladder-balancing act—so we were excited to test Eversprout’s 10-inch squeegee/scrubber combo that came with an extendable 18-foot pole.
The pole and squeegee head together weigh 2.1 pounds, and the pole boasts soft rubber grips, making it easier to get a good hold. The head itself also has a rubber grip for secure handheld use. We liked the easy-adjust extension levers—just open the lever, lengthen or shorten the handle, and then push the lever back down to lock the pole securely. A button on the head allowed us to swivel the angle of the head, which made it easier to clean an upper window that was close to a large pine tree—we could stand to the side of the window and still reach it with the squeegee.
We sprayed glass-cleaning solution on the soft scrubber pad and used it to rub the windows before turning the squeegee around and using the flexible silicone blade to pull the solution off. It worked well, but we did get a couple of light streaks, primarily because it’s challenging to pull the squeegee uniformly from that distance. Still, this method definitely beats cleaning windows from a ladder. The only downside is that while the Eversprout blade is replaceable, an extra isn’t included.
Get the Eversprout window squeegee at Amazon.
For our highest windows, we appreciated the DocaPole, which extends up to 30 feet in length. The squeegee head swivels, making it possible to reach tight spots, and it features a combination scrubber/squeegee that cleans the windows and then pulls the water off.
The biggest downside is that at 6.44 pounds, the pole gets heavy after a few minutes of use. It’s challenging to control that much weight when cleaning a third-story window. The pole also sags—but only slightly—when extended to its full length. However, we found it very sturdy when cleaning second-story windows (about 18 feet high). The blade is replaceable, and the DocaPole comes with three rubber blades: 10 inches, 12 inches, and 14 inches.
The adjustment levers on the pole made it easy to adjust the length to suit windows of different heights, and the pole features nonslip grips for secure handling. We sprayed the scrubber side with window cleaner, scrubbed the high windows, and then employed the rubber squeegee to pull off the solution. Despite the weight of the tool, we got a nearly streak-free finish.
Get the DocaPole window squeegee at Amazon or The Home Depot (pole only).
Anyone who’s ever grown frustrated cleaning the sidelights in an entry door or narrow transom windows by scrubbing each pane by hand might appreciate this 6-inch Ettore squeegee. We used the little wonder to clean mirrors, tiles, and small windows, and now we’re big fans. Its small size and light weight (less than 3 ounces) make it a breeze to use and then store in a drawer, car trunk, or on a hook in a garage.
We sprayed down the surfaces with glass-cleaning solution and then used the Ettore squeegee to pull off the excess, leaving a beautiful streak-free finish. We also cleaned our tile backsplash with this small squeegee, which proved much handier and faster than leaning over the countertop to scrub and then dry the backsplash.
This little squeegee has no bells and whistles, but it will connect to an Ettore extension pole (not included); we found it also fits snugly on our standard wood pole. It’s just too bad this model doesn’t have a replaceable blade.
Get the Ettore 6-inch window squeegee at Amazon.
The high-quality rubber blade and the broad squeegee head on the Unger ErgoTec Ninja squeegee allowed us to clean large windows and mirrors quickly. We found that it took just two or three strokes to remove all the cleaning solution from expansive windows—that’s fast work, and fewer strokes mean less chance of streaks as well. We cleaned indoor and outdoor windows, including those on our automobiles, and we were happy with the results.
The Unger ErgoTec Ninja comes with a nonslip grip and will fit an Unger extension pole (not included), but we were able to slip it on our standard wood pole, which fit snugly. While the squeegee handle swivels, it only locks into place when it’s in the upright position. The blade is replaceable on this model, but additional blades must be purchased separately.
Get the Unger ErgoTec window squeegee at Amazon.
Tyroler Bright Tools Glider Window Squeegee
A magnetic squeegee that cleans windows inside and out simultaneously? While that sounds great in theory, in practice, the Tyroler Bright Tools Glider Window Squeegee failed to measure up. However, if Tyroler goes back to the drawing board and does a bit of tweaking, this innovative product may have a promising future. This squeegee comes in two matching magnetic sections and is designed to stick to both sides of a glass window and then be moved using just the section on the inside.
We followed the instructions, wet down the microfiber cloths designed to cover both sections, and sprayed glass-cleaning solution on the outside of the window. We tested the Glider on a casement window we could open from the inside and then reach around and attach the outside sections. The tool includes a safety string to catch the outdoor unit in case it falls off—and fall off it did. Repeatedly. We couldn’t slide the squeegee more than a few inches before the outer part fell. We tested the D3 model, which claimed to work on double-glazed windows up to 1.1 inches thick. It didn’t. The magnets simply did not prove strong enough to hold the two sections together.
We then moved to a single-pane window in a shop door. Here, we could move the Glider without it falling, but it didn’t do a good job of removing the water without streaking. However, we like the idea of a magnetic-type squeegee, especially as a way to clean windows when it’s impossible to reach the outside safely. We hope Tyroler continues to improve this tool, and we look forward to testing it again at that time.
Squeegees come in various designs, from small handheld models for the shower to long-handled designs that reach the tops of tall windows. The best window squeegee creates a seal against the window to remove water or cleaning solution completely with each stroke. Models that scrub and squeegee offer two-in-one benefits and are highly convenient for those with a house full of windows to clean.
A squeegee blade is the flexible silicone or rubber strip that fits into a channel on the head of the tool. Most squeegees (but not all) have replaceable blades. Over time, or as a result of an accident, the blade of a squeegee may warp, harden, or tear, which damages its flat edge and destroys its ability to remove water completely. If the blade is replaceable, it’s usually a quick process to remove the old one and install a new one.
Some users prefer silicone blades to rubber blades and vice versa, but both work well and are found in high-end squeegees used by professionals. The question isn’t so much about which material to use but whether the blade contains high-quality rubber or silicone. Low-quality rubber and silicone tend to become brittle or crack more easily.
The squeegee’s channel is a groove into which the blade is secured. Typically, the channel is a metal rod with a preinstalled rubber or silicon blade. To replace, the user slides the old channel and blade out of the squeegee’s head and slides a new one in. Older types of squeegees often came with built-in channels, and the user could cut a desired length of rubber from a roll to fit the channel. While those types are still available, they’re less popular today.
Handle length helps determine what sort of chore a squeegee will be best for. Short handles (less than 12 inches from the end of the handle to the blade) are the handiest for cleaning most first-story indoor windows, as well as the windows and windshields of a vehicle. But outdoor windows can be too high to reach with a short handle, and balancing on a step ladder for the chore simply isn’t safe. The best bet for cleaning outdoor windows is an extension pole.
Some window squeegees come with long extension poles, while others feature threads inside the handle that allow them to be used with matching poles. Just keep overall weight in mind when shopping for extra-long poles. The heavier the pole, the more strenuous and difficult it will be to clean tall windows effectively.
Most window squeegees are simple—just a handle and a flexible blade for pulling water off glass. However, some boast a few bells and whistles that can come in handy, such as microfiber scrub pads on the other side of the squeegee head for scrubbing away dirt or smears before using the squeegee blade to pull the water off. We also tested some different features, including a magnetic squeegee and one that vacuumed up the water as we pulled the squeegee along the glass.
Forget that roll of paper towels—it’s more likely to leave streaks than a window squeegee. In general, users will want to use a liquid, whether it’s water from a hose, glass-cleaning spray, or a bucket of soapy water, and wipe down the glass first if it has noticeable dirt or smears. Then, they can pull off the water by placing the flexible blade of the squeegee in an upper corner of the window and pulling straight down. They can repeat the pull-down process on the rest of the window. Check out these additional tips for windows that will look professionally cleaned.
Window squeegees quickly remove water and cleaning solution from glass and tile, and they will almost always make the job quicker and easier. Those new to the benefits of window squeegees may have a few more questions.
Just rinse the tool with clean water to remove any residual cleaning solution and then wipe it dry before storing it with other household tools, such as brooms and mops. Freezing temps may shorten the life of the flexible blade, so store indoors if possible.
Squeezing the shower after each use can eliminate water spots and reduce the risk of mold and mildew growth.
Squeegees with either rubber or silicone blades are both favorites of window-cleaning pros. They prefer high-quality blades to cheap ones, however.
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