This page is actually NOT devoted to the best replacement windows by Consumer Reports. Why? Because Consumer Reports tests windows that are available for purchase at retail stores (which constitutes a TINY percentage of available windows and frankly they aren’t the best replacement windows available to homeowners). Here is a page link to the best replacement windows Consumer Reports has to offer — BUT if you want to discover much better options, check out our recommendations below.
Have a question about an upcoming project? Send us your questions and/or price quotes for free advice —
Bill — Site Editor
Please Note: We are not affiliated by ANY window company. Our sole purpose is to help homeowners find great replacement windows at a fair price.
Best Replacement Windows For The Money
Here are our picks for the best replacement windows for the money (not to be confused with the best vinyl windows overall)
1. ProVia Endure
2. Ideal Majestic
3. Okna 500
4. Polaris UltraWeld
5. Soft-Lite Pro (through Zen)
6. Vytex Potomac-HP
Best Vinyl Windows
Here are 6 great vinyl options that are superior to anything sold at the big box stores and will beat the best replacement windows by Consumer Reports. Often, by a LOT.
1. Okna 800 DX Series
2. Soft-Lite Elements Series
3. Sunrise Restorations Series
4. ProVia Endure Series
5. Ideal Majestic Series
6. Sunrise Verde
Best Fiberglass Windows
Here are 5 great fiberglass options that are superior to anything sold at the big box stores and will beat the “best replacement windows by Consumer Reports”.
1. Marvin Infinity Series
2. Inline Window Series
3. Alpen 925 Series
4. Marvin Essentials Collection
5. Milgard Ultra Series
Best Wood Clad Windows
Here are 5 great wood clad options that are superior to anything sold at the big box stores.
1. Marvin Ultimate Series
2. Andersen 400 Woodwright
3. Pella Architect Series
4. Loewen Cyprium Collection
5. Jeld Wen Aurlast
Best Replacement Windows Consumer Reports
1. Best Wood Clad Window – Marvin Clad Ultimate. Consumer reports rated this wood window the highest in its category, giving it an 88 out of 100. You will pay $400 for the window itself.
See what past customers say – Marvin windows reviews.
2. Best Vinyl Window – Survivor Reliabilt 5600. CR rated this vinyl window the highest in its category, giving it a 73 out of 100.
Explore all of our Reliabilt window reviews.
3. Best Fiberglass Windows – Pella Impervia CR rated this one of their best fiberglass windows in its category, giving it an 87 out of 100. This was the only fiberglass frame tested.
Find out what other customers say – Pella Window Reviews.
Replacement Windows Reviews
Hello Bill, I’m helping my daughter and her husband decide on some vinyl windows for their home in northern Virginia. I used to work in marketing for a window manufacturer that no longer exists, so you would think I would know everything there is to know about window manufacturers. There are so many factors to consider. I mean no disrespect to you when I ask this, but are you in any way compensated by the manufacturers?
I have no idea what is true and what is not true about the information I’ve been reading on your web site. Actually, I really liked what you wrote about Consumer Reports replacement windows — I agree with what you wrote there. If my daughter completes one of the forms on your web site, will that result in her information going to multiple window manufacturers (or more likely the companies that sell their products)? I am very much interested in coming up with a list of maybe three to five mid-level vinyl manufacturers that are known for their quality and durability (backed by a decent warranty). Thanks in advance for any help you can provide.
Dennis Homeowner – from 2023
Site Editor’s Reply
Hi Dennis, all fair questions! I am compensated when homeowners fill out the form, but I am not tied to any manufacturer so I will be completely honest in my opinions of what bids you receive. And how to get the best replacement windows cost quotes from them. What area/city does your daughter live in — I am happy to provide you with my list of quality brands and we can make sure she collects a number of quality bids and then makes the best decision based on her budget and timeline in the home!
Bill – Site Editor – from 2023
Best Vinyl Windows From Consumer Reports
Consumer Reports reviews many more vinyl windows than other materials for the simple reason that vinyl windows account for well over 50% of the replacement market. Here is the complete Consumer Reports ratings, including the retail price, which is comparable to a car’s msrp – meaning the base price before any upgrades are added.
Survivor Reliabilt 5600 (from Lowe’s)
CR Window Ratings: 73
Cost: $180
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Conveniency Level: Excellent
Alside UltraMaxx Replacement
CR Window Grade: 70
Price: $395
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Good
Durability: Excellent
Conveniency Level: Excellent
More on Alside windows
American Craftsman 9500 Series (from Home Depot)
CR Window Ratings: 69
Cost: $220
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
How Durable: Very Good
Conveniency Level: Excellent
American Craftsman Reviews
CertainTeed Bryn Mawr II
CR Window Grade: 63
Price: $250
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
How Durable: Very Good
Conveniency Level: Excellent
CertainTeed Windows Reviews
CertainTeed New Castle XT (Similar to Bryn Mawr II)
CR Window Ratings: 63
Cost: $250
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Conveniency Level: Excellent
Crestline CrestFit Vinyl
CR Window Grade: 61
Price: $255
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Good
How Durable: Excellent
Convenience: Good
Additional Crestline windows reviews
Pella ThermaStar 25 Series
CR Window Ratings: 44
Cost: $215
Resistant (0°): Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Poor
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Very Good
More reviews of Pella windows
Best Wood Frames
In general, the Consumer Reports top rated replacement windows were wood clad. They were significantly more expensive than vinyl, (although more comparably priced to fiberglass) but they performed better in testing. They kept out air and water better when new and maintained their performance better over the long run.
Marvin Clad Ultimate
CR Window Grade: 88
Price: $400
Resistant (0°): Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
How Durable: Excellent
Convenience: Good
More On Marvin window prices
Marvin Wood Ultrex Integrity
CR Window Ratings: 87
Cost: $315
Resistant (0°): Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Very Good
Andersen 400 Series Tilt-Wash
CR Window Grade: 85
Price: $350
Resistant (0°): Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
How Durable: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Andersen Windows Reviews
Pella ProLine
CR Window Ratings: 82
Cost: $215
Resistant (0°): Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Additional Pella pricing and costs
Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash
CR Window Grade: 80
Price: $235
Resistant (0°): Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
How Durable: Good
Convenience: Good
Find more Andersen costs and prices
Pella Designer Series Precision Fit
CR Window Ratings: 79
Cost: $600
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
Durability: Very Good
Convenient: Good
Peachtree 500 Series
CR Window Grade: 76
Price: $350
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
How Durable: Very Good
Convenience: Very Good
Crestline Select Clad
CR Window Ratings: 66
Cost: $340
Resistant (0°): Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Fair
Durability: Very Good
Convenient: Good
Weather Shield Weather Shield
CR Window Grade: 56
Price: $395
Resistant (0°): Poor
Resistance At 70 Degrees: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
How Durable: Good
Convenience: Good
Weather Shield
Weather Shield Custom Shield
CR Window Ratings: 56
Cost: $395
Resistant (0°): Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenient: Good
Weather Shield Reviews
JELD-WEN Premium Wood Tradition Plus
CR Window Grade: 50
Price: $360
Resistant (0°): Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
How Durable: Very Good
Convenience: Very Good
Jeld Wen
Best Fiberglass Frames
Pella Impervia
CR Window Ratings: 87
Cost: $255
Resistant (0°): Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Visible Transmittance: Very Good
Durability: Excellence
Convenient: Very Good
