What is the Best Windshield Protection Film?

If you’ve ever heard that ping from a rock on I-5 or watched a tiny chip turn into a full crack overnight, you already know why windshield protection film is a thing. And, it can be a very expensive thing. With new cars, windshields now average between $1,200 and $1,500 per windshield replacement — some costing as much as $4,000 in some high-end electric vehicles. 

At Benchmark Auto Salon, one of the most common questions we here is: What’s the best windshield protection film?

The short answer is XPEL Windshield Protection Film. Here’s why.

History of Windshield Protection Film (WPF)

First developed in the early 2000s, WPF was designed to prevent chips and cracks from road debris. As with any new technology, it wasn’t without its hiccups. Early iterations were known to bubble, discolor, interrupt cellular signals and/or simply fail to provide adequate protection.

XPEL Revolutionized the WPF Market

As with all of its products, XPEL was not the first to market with a WPF. In fact, the first XPEL windshield protection film was released last year in 2025. This is not a manufacturer that rushes to market. They scientifically develop and test each product to ensure it’s the best available.

The first iteration of XPEL WPF was praised for its impeccable clarity and insane durability. In one year alone we installed nearly 100 windshield protection films and we haven’t had a single complaint. We’ve even heard from customers that they’ve been struck by significant rocks without any damage.

Never satisfied, XPEL continued to refine this product and at the beginning of 2026 they released an updated film. While version one was practically imperceptible, this new version boosts even more clarity, along with blocking up to 99% of all harmful UV rays.

What Windshield Protection Film Actually Does

Windshield protection film is a clear, optically advanced layer applied to the exterior of your windshield. It’s designed to:

• Absorb impact from rocks and road debris
• Reduce chips and spider cracks
• Extend the life of your windshield
• Maintain clarity and visibility
• Save you from costly windshield replacements

It’s not magic. You can still break a windshield. But, it dramatically lowers the odds and severity of damage.

What Makes a Windshield Film “The Best”?

Not all windshield films are created equal. When we evaluate products, we look at four big things:

1. Optical Clarity

If it distorts your view even a little, it’s a non-starter. The best films are virtually invisible once installed.

2. Impact Resistance

Good film absorbs energy instead of letting it transfer straight into the glass.

3. Durability & Longevity

A windshield sees more abuse than any other glass on your car—wipers, rain, sand, road grime, heat, cold. The film has to survive all of it.

4. Installer Confidence

We only install products we trust enough to put our name on.

That’s where XPEL consistently stands out.

Why We Recommend XPEL Windshield Protection Film

As with all other XPEL products, the XPEL windshield protection film has proven to be the best available.

Exceptional Clarity

XPEL’s film is engineered for optical precision. Once installed, most drivers forget it’s even there—which is exactly how it should be.

Real-World Impact Protection

We’ve seen XPEL take hits that would normally result in chips or cracks, especially from freeway debris. It won’t stop everything, but it dramatically reduces damage.

Designed for Daily Driving

From Seattle rain to dusty summer roads, XPEL holds up without turning hazy or peeling.

Backed by a Trusted Brand

XPEL is one of the most respected names in automotive protection worldwide. That matters when you’re protecting something as critical as your windshield.

Is Windshield Protection Film Worth It?

For many drivers—especially here in the Pacific Northwest—the answer is yes.

Windshields today are expensive. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), cameras, and sensors make replacement costly and calibration-heavy. One good rock strike can turn into a four-figure repair.

Windshield protection film helps you avoid:

• Frequent chip repairs
• Premature windshield replacement
• Recalibration headaches

If you drive highways, commute daily, or just want peace of mind, it’s one of the smartest protective upgrades you can make.

Professional Installation Matters (A Lot)

Even the best film won’t perform if it’s installed incorrectly. Windshield film requires precision—proper alignment, clean edges, and careful curing.

At Benchmark Auto Salon, windshield protection film is installed by experienced professionals who understand glass curvature, sensor placement, and long-term performance. Every installation is completed from start to finish inside our sterile shop to ensure no foreign particles are introduced. And, our staff is expertly trained in-house to provide the best service in the industry.

Does Windshield Protection Film Require Special Maintenance?

XPEL windshield protection film comes with a 1-year warranty. Its lifespan depends on environmental conditions and maintenance.

One thing we strongly recommend is installing new silicone wipers when your film is installed. If you bring these to the shop, we can install them for your free of charge. This greatly reduces the chance of the film being scratched by old wiper blades that may have cracks and imperfections.

Another critical step is regular cleaning and care. For instance, using your wiper blades to clean off dirt, bird droppings, or other debris could scratch the film. We recommend using XPEL WPF Restore (2 oz.). This product helps increase the hydrophobicity of the windshield protection film and extend the life of the product. Save your windshield wipers for wiping away rain.

Schedule a Windshield Protection Film Install Near You

As we said, XPEL Windshield Protection Film is the best overall choice for clarity, durability, and real-world protection. It’s the film we trust, the film we install, and the film we’d put on our own vehicles.

If you want to protect your windshield before the next rock finds it, we’re always happy to talk through options and see if it’s right for your car.

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