Quick answer
Heated windscreens are excellent but can't be fitted to most cars. IceWave works on any car with no wiring and costs far less.
A heated windscreen is one of the best frost-fighters there is. Press a button, and the screen clears in minutes. Searches for “heated windscreen” rise every winter. But most cars don't have one, and you usually can't add one. Here's how IceWave compares.
Side-by-side comparison
| Heated windscreen | IceWave | |
|---|---|---|
| How it works | Fine heating wires in the glass | Ultrasonic vibration aimed at the glass |
| When it works | When you switch it on in the morning | Overnight, automatically below 0 °C |
| Fits your car? | Only if built with one | Any car, van or SUV |
| Fitting | Factory-fitted | Sits on the dashboard |
| Engine needed? | Yes | No, solar or USB |
| Replacement cost | Usually higher than a normal screen | N/A |
| Snow | Melts it on the glass | No, brush it off |
What is a heated windscreen?
It is a windscreen with very fine wires or a clear heating layer built into the glass. It runs off the car's electrics with the engine on. Some makers have offered them for years; for many models they are an option on new cars only.
Can you add one to your car?
In most cases, no. The car needs the right wiring and switch from the factory. If your car wasn't built with it, a heated screen usually isn't a practical upgrade. Ask your dealer or a windscreen specialist for your exact model.
Replacement and running costs
Heated screens tend to cost more to replace after a crack or stone chip, and some insurers have higher excesses for them. They also need the engine running to work. IceWave is a one-off £59 and runs on daylight or USB.
Where a heated screen wins
- Speed on thick ice and snow on the glass.
- Clears the inside mist too.
- No device on the dashboard.
If you're buying a new car and it's offered, it's worth considering.
Our verdict
If your car already has a heated windscreen, you probably don't need IceWave. If it doesn't, IceWave gives you a no-effort, overnight helper for any car, at a fraction of the cost, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. See IceWave prices · how it works.
Common questions
Can I get a heated windscreen fitted to my car?+
Usually only if your car was designed with one. Ask a dealer or windscreen specialist for your model.
Is a heated windscreen worth it?+
On a new car where it's offered, many drivers think so. Bear in mind replacement costs after a chip or crack.
Does IceWave heat the glass?+
No. It uses ultrasonic vibration designed to stop frost gripping the windscreen. It doesn't melt ice or snow.
Do I need IceWave if I have a heated windscreen?+
Probably not. IceWave is for the many cars without one.
Does IceWave need the engine running?+
No. It runs on its own charge from solar or USB.
Sources
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