Find the best replacement windows by Consumer Reports for wood clad, vinyl and fiberglass window options.

While Consumer Reports is a trusted source of information (and well deserved), homeowners need to understand that there are some serious limitations in terms of the actual products tested. CR only tests windows that are available for purchase at retail stores. And while this an awesome testing system for dishwashers and refrigerators, it is pretty limiting for replacement windows because most companies only sell through distributors and showrooms.

For additional options and recommendations (especially if you are in the market for vinyl windows), also check out our top rated replacement windows.

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 fiberglass window the highest in its category, giving it an 87 out of 100. This was the only fiberglass frame tested.

Find out what other customers say – Reviews & Opinions Of Pella.

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
Price: $180
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellence

Alside UltraMaxx Replacement
CR Window Grade: 70
Price: $395
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Good
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Excellent
More on Alside windows

American Craftsman 9500 Series (from Home Depot)
CR Window Ratings: 69
Price: $220
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellent
American Craftsman Reviews

CertainTeed Bryn Mawr II
CR Window Grade: 63
Price: $250
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellent
CertainTeed Window Reviews

CertainTeed New Castle XT (Similar to Bryn Mawr II)
CR Window Ratings: 63
Price: $250
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Excellent

Crestline CrestFit Vinyl
CR Window Grade: 61
Price: $255
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Good
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Good
Additional Crestline windows reviews

Pella ThermaStar 25 Series
CR Window Ratings: 44
Price: $215
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Poor
Rain Resistance: 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
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Good
More On Marvin window prices

Marvin Wood Ultrex Integrity
CR Window Ratings: 87
Price: $315
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Excellent
Convenience: Very Good

Andersen 400 Series Tilt-Wash
CR Window Grade: 85
Price: $350
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Andersen Windows Reviews

Pella ProLine
CR Window Ratings: 82
Price: $215
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good
Additional Pella pricing and costs

Andersen 200 Series Tilt-Wash
CR Window Grade: 80
Price: $235
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenience: Good
Find more Andersen costs and prices

Pella Designer Series Precision Fit
CR Window Ratings: 79
Price: $600
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good

Peachtree 500 Series
CR Window Grade: 76
Price: $350
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Very Good

Crestline Select Clad
CR Window Ratings: 66
Price: $340
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Very Good
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Fair
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Good

Weather Shield Weather Shield
CR Window Grade: 56
Price: $395
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenience: Good
Weather Shield

Weather Shield Custom Shield
CR Window Ratings: 56
Price: $395
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Excellent
Durability: Good
Convenience: Good
Weather Shield Reviews

JELD-WEN Premium Wood Tradition Plus
CR Window Grade: 50
Price: $360
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Poor
Resistance At 70 Degress: Very Good
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Very Good
Convenience: Very Good
Jeld Wen

Best Fiberglass Frames

Pella Impervia
CR Window Ratings: 87
Price: $255
Resistance At 0 Degrees: Excellent
Resistance At 70 Degress: Excellent
Rain Resistance: Very Good
Durability: Excellence
Convenience: Very Good

Consumer Reports Windows Testing

The Consumer Reports windows findings offer objective ratings based on testing and actual findings, a welcome option compared with the many sales pitches delivered by the variety of installers and manufacturers all vying for our business.

Window Ratings From Consumer Reports

For each test they perform, they look at a selection of wood, vinyl and fiberglass window frames. Factors tested include durability, air and rain resistance, convenience of installation and use, and overall value. The magazine requires that replacement window brands be submitted anonymously, so if a manufacturer is not willing to do so, their windows cannot be included in the testing. Windows tested typically cover a wide price range and offer a variety of different options.