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Winter preparation means different things in different homes—not just stocked for a snowstorm. Maybe you have an older house with drafty windows, your basement never seems to warm up, or your long driveway turns every snowfall into a struggle and a sore back.
Our inaugural Winter-Ready Awards recognize the products we’d reach for to solve these problems and more. We tested every winner on this list in the last several years to find the best, most reliable gear for the season. Space heaters, snow blowers, power stations, humidifiers, and more have all gone head-to-head for this moment. Together they cover everything from winterizing your home ahead of a cold snap to keeping essential devices powered during multi-day outages.
Winter Power Outages
Best LED Lantern
Keep the house lit when the power gets knocked out by a snowstorm using the Lepro LE Super Bright rechargeable lantern. Its 360-degree illumination spreads light in every direction, leaving your hands free to prepare food or gather supplies. As the best overall pick in our best LED lanterns guide, it offers adjustable brightness and warm or cool light, plus top and bottom hooks for hanging overhead. A splash-resistant, rubber-coated body protects it from water and falls, while up to 12 hours of runtime and a USB power-bank port help keep light within reach.
Read our full review: Lepro LE Super Bright LED Lantern
Best Inverter Generator
Keep essential appliances running when winter storms knock out power with the DuroMax Dual-Fuel Generator. Our best overall pick in the best inverter generators guide delivers up to 9,000 running watts on gasoline and also runs on propane, giving you flexibility when fuel supplies are limited. Stable inverter output supports sensitive electronics alongside larger appliance loads, while electric start spares you the pull-cord routine. Built-in CO Alert adds a layer of protection.
What our tester says: “In operation, the generator is quieter than conventional models of similar size, and when we were powering a light load, it was easy to carry on a conversation without raising our voices.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Emergency Radio
Stay ahead of winter storm warnings with the Midland weather alert radio, which delivers local updates at the touch of a button. Named best overall in our best emergency radios guide, it uses Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) to focus alerts on your selected area, with siren, voice, or flashing-light notifications. Household power with battery backup keeps weather information accessible during outages.
Best Flashlight
Check the yard or find a shutoff valve during a winter outage with the Fenix PD36R V2.0. It tops our best flashlights guide thanks to five brightness levels, waterproof construction for for snowy outdoor checks, and a 1,299-foot beam that reaches the far corners of the yard or long pathways. A low-output Eco mode conserves battery power, while USB-C fast charging and a battery-level indicator help keep it ready before storms arrive.
What our tester says: “This is the kind of flashlight you buy once, take care of, and keep using for years to come. It has everything you need for camping, emergencies, or everyday use.” —Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer
Snow & Ice
Most Versatile Electric Snow Blower
Ego Power+ 24-Inch Self-Propelled Snow Blower
Buy at AmazonFor big driveways and bigger storms, the Ego Power+ 24-inch snow blower brings a two-stage clearing system and adjustable self-propelled drive to battery-powered snow removal. Our favorite for its versatility in the best electric snow blowers guide, it handles large snow accumulations and plow piles without stalling. Convenient controls adjust drive speed, throwing power, and chute direction.
Read our full review: Ego Power+ 24-Inch Self-Propelled Snow Blower
What our tester says: “We tested it with both batteries running, and the output was substantial. The self-drive and auger never faltered or stalled once during operation.” —Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Ice Melt
Natural Rapport The Only Pet-Safe Ice Melt You Need
Buy at AmazonWalkways, steps, and driveways clear fast with Natural Rapport’s ice melt, our best overall pick in the best ice melts guide. It starts melting quickly and keeps working to prevent refreezing. Plus, the easy-to-see green granules make it simple to spread evenly without overapplying. The pet-safe formula is intended to be gentler than conventional rock salt, so it’s a good fit for households where four-legged family members share the space.
Read our full review: Natural Rapport The Only Pet-Safe Ice Melt You Need
What our tester says: “We really loved this ice melt’s shaker container for easy spreading. The larger granules also minimized our need to reapply.” —Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Roof Rake
Snow on reachable roof edges comes down easily from the ground with the True Temper telescoping roof rake. Push-button adjustments extend the lightweight aluminum shaft without assembling separate pole sections, and a wide polyethylene blade clears a sizable swath with each pull. Its approachable design and value earned it best bang for the buck in our best roof rakes guide.
Best Snow Shovel
Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel
Buy at AmazonGive your next driveway cleanup a little extra leverage with the Snow Joe Shovelution, our best overall pick in the best snow shovels guide. Its secondary lift-assist handle helps you raise a loaded blade with less bending, whether you’re scooping snow off a walkway or tossing it over a deck railing. The 18-inch combination blade handles both pushing and lifting, while lightweight polypropylene construction and an aluminum shaft keep the shovel itself from adding unnecessary heft.
What our tester says: “The additional lift-assist handle seemed like a gimmick, but it required much less bending over compared to a traditional shovel and plenty of leverage for scooping.” —Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Electric Snow Shovel
Skip the repeated lifting and tossing on snowy walkways with the Greenworks 80V snow shovel. Its powered auger clears a 12-inch-wide path through snow up to 6 inches deep and throws it as far as 20 feet ahead, making it a practical fit for decks, narrow paths, and smaller driveways. Up to 45 minutes of runtime helps you finish longer cleanups, while a rapid charger replenishes the battery in just 30 minutes if there’s more ground to cover. The combination of power and battery performance earned it a best overall award in our best electric snow shovels guide.
Best Outdoor Doormat
L.L.Bean Heavyweight Recycled Waterhog Doormat
Buy at L.L.BeanGive snowy boots and muddy shoes a designated stopping point with the L.L.Bean heavyweight recycled doormat, our upgrade pick in the best outdoor doormats guide. Its textured polyester surface helps scrape away dirt and absorbs up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard, keeping more winter mess from reaching your floors. A raised border helps contain muddy runoff, and the rubber backing keeps the mat in place as you wipe your boots.
What our tester says: “The description says this mat can hold up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard, so I put it to the test. I poured over 1.5 gallons onto the mat, and it did eventually soak it all up.” —Stacey L. Nash, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Non-Slip Boot
Icebug Pace3 BUGrip GTX Boots
Buy at IcebugGet dependable footing on icy sidewalks and slushy paths with the Icebug Pace3 BUGrip boots. Embedded carbide-steel studs grip slick surfaces, and a Gore-Tex membrane and a high gusset keep snow from slipping inside. Their lightweight feel makes it easier to move through winter chores, whether you’re shoveling the driveway, hauling firewood, or trekking out to the shed.
Read our full review: IceBug Non-Slip Boots: Serious Traction Without the Bulk
What our tester says: “During several hours of testing, my husband’s feet stayed dry and warm, even when he was shoveling snow and chipping ice.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer.
Fireplaces, Heaters, & Keeping Cozy
Best Creosote Remover Log
The Creosote Sweeping Log
Buy at AmazonKeep up with winter chimney maintenance through fireplace season with the Creosote Sweeping Log, which burns like a standard firelog while releasing a creosote-treating formula. Named the best log in our best creosote removers guide, it helps existing deposits become brittle and easier to remove over the following days. The simple burn-in-place application makes it a convenient addition to your winter chimney-care routine.
Best Fire Starter
Skip the crumpled newspaper with the Superior Trading Co. Fire Starters. Made from wood shavings and food-grade wax, these easy-light pods burn for 10 to 15 minutes, giving logs time to catch without repeated relighting. As the best overall pick in the best fire starters guide, these odorless starters also work with charcoal, making them just as handy for winter cookouts as cozy nights by the fire.
What our tester says: “These Superior Trading Co. fire starters are safe, easy to use, and effective. We found that just one pod was typically all we needed to get a log fire lit and burning.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Axe
Turn massive cut-wood rounds into fireplace-ready fuel with the Fiskars X27 Axe. Its 36-inch handle helps you build momentum for powerful splitting strokes, and the sharp splitting blade does the rest. Named best overall in our best axes guide, it has a shock-absorbing composite handle that eases the impact on your arms, and a textured grip and flared end to keep your hold secure as you work through the season’s woodpile.
Best Ash Vacuum
Winter fires leave plenty of ash behind, and the PowerSmith PAVC101, best overall in our best ash vacuums guide, makes cleanup quick. A metal canister, metal-lined hose, and fire-resistant filter collect cool ash while helping contain the fine dust that makes fireplace maintenance messy. Rolling casters, extension wands, and brush attachments bring out-of-the-way stove and hearth corners within reach.
Read our full review: PowerSmith PAVC101 Ash Vacuum
What our tester says: “The PowerSmith was a joy to test, starting with caster wheels that snapped on quickly. The vacuum rolled smoothly, which is a nice convenience, but it also has a top handle, and at just 10.8 pounds, it’s relatively simple to carry.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Electric Stove Space Heater
Make a chilly basement more inviting for winter movie nights with the Duraflame electric stove heater. Our best stove pick in the best space heaters for basements guide pairs infrared quartz warmth with adjustable 3D flames and glowing logs for a fireplace-style view. A digital thermostat maintains your selected temperature, while a remote and 8-hour timer simplify adjustments. There are even independent flame controls that let you enjoy the cozy glow when you don’t want any heat.
Best Energy-Efficient Space Heater
The Dr. Infrared DR-968, which we crowned best overall in our best energy-efficient space heaters guide, makes cold-weather comfort a set-it-and-forget-it job. Low, high, and eco modes work with thermostat control to maintain the selected temperature; a remote simplifies everyday adjustments; and a timer adds a layer of safety. Its wood cabinet gives the heater a furniture-like appearance that fits nicely into living rooms and home offices.
What our tester says: “My favorite function of the Dr. Infrared was the thermostat control. I could just select the desired temperature, and the heater would go on and off as needed to keep the room at a consistent temperature.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Bathroom Heater
You don’t have to get out of bed to start warming the bathroom with the Dreo wall-mount heater—just use the smartphone app to turn up the heat before your feet hit the floor. Our best overall pick in the best bathroom heaters guide can bring a 65-square-foot bathroom from 58 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit in about 20 minutes. Wall mounting keeps floor space clear, while a splash-resistant housing and a safety plug that cuts power when it detects abnormal electrical flow add bathroom-ready protection.
What our tester says: “On winter mornings, I love being able to turn on the heater in the bathroom without having to get out of bed. Just 15 minutes and the bathroom is warm and comfortable for my shower.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Propane Heater
No outlet? No problem. The Mr. Heater Portable Buddy, our best overall pick in the best propane heaters guide, brings radiant warmth to cold-weather outings and indoor spaces. Two heat settings deliver 4,000 or 9,000 BTUs, letting you dial in the right amount of heat. A swivel connector simplifies attaching a propane bottle, and a folding handle makes carrying convenient. Low-oxygen shutoffs add safeguards if it tips over.
Read our full review: Mr. Heater MH9BX Portable Buddy Heater
What our tester says: “We tested it in a 180-square-foot room, and on high, it raised the temperature from 70 to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in just 30 minutes.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Garage Heater
Comfort Zone Ceiling-Mounted Industrial Heater
Buy at AmazonKeep winter projects moving with the Comfort Zone ceiling-mounted heater, which delivers forced-air warmth without occupying workbench or floor space. Adjustable louvers direct heat toward the work area, while straightforward controls and an easily removed cleaning grille simplify use and upkeep. Its substantial output helped it earn best overall in our best garage heaters guide, so it’s sure to be a useful upgrade in virtually any 240-volt workshop.
Best Heated Vest
Keep your core warm without burying your arms in extra layers with the Ororo lightweight heated vest. Our best overall pick in the best heated vests guide pairs a soft, wind-resistant nylon shell with four heating panels that warm the lower front, mid-back, and collar. Three heat settings let you dial back the warmth as chores pick up, and the included rechargeable battery provides up to 10 hours of heat on low for long stretches outdoors. The heated collar adds extra comfort where cold air tends to sneak in at the back of your neck.
What our tester says: “When I tried on the Ororo vest, the first thing that struck me was how supple and comfortable it was. I had expected it to be slightly stiff or scratchy—with unbending internal wires—but that wasn’t the case at all.” —Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Heated Gloves
The Savior battery-heated leather gloves, our best overall pick in the best heated gloves guide, warm the backs of your hands and fingers with three heat settings and up to 7 hours of battery-powered warmth. Nonslip leather palms help you keep a secure grip on a shovel, while soft insulation and a water-resistant exterior keep hands comfortable in cold, damp conditions. Touch-screen compatibility lets you check your phone without taking off a glove and losing that hard-earned heat.
What our tester says: “We found them comfortable, appreciated their touch-screen compatibility, and were impressed by their water resistance.” —Amber Guetebier, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Smart Thermostat
The fourth-generation Google Nest Learning Thermostat, best overall in our best smart thermostats guide, learns your preferred temperatures and builds a schedule around your routine, reducing daily adjustments. The Google Home app provides remote control from anywhere, while Adaptive Eco helps save energy when you’re away. The included temperature sensor lets you prioritize comfort in a bedroom or other frequently used space, and a customizable display puts the temperature or weather forecast within easy view.
What our tester says: “I’ve tested a lot of smart home gear, but this is one of the few products that feels genuinely joyful to use every single day. From the display to the app, everything just works exactly how you want it to.” —Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Heated Mattress Pad
Sunbeam Water-Resistant Heated Mattress Pad
Buy at AmazonMake the bed a warmer place to land on cold nights with the Sunbeam water-resistant heated mattress pad. Multiple heat settings and dual controls on larger sizes let partners customize their own sides, which is one of the reasons why it’s the best overall pick in our best heated mattress pads guide. Quilted cotton adds extra comfort beneath the sheets, while machine-washable construction makes routine care straightforward.
Indoor Air Quality
Best Humidifier for Large Rooms
Dry winter air has met its match. Help spacious living areas feel more comfortable during the heating season with the Levoit Superior 6000S humidifier, the top pick in our best humidifiers for large rooms guide. Its large tank and evaporative system provide consistent humidity without the mineral dust associated with some ultrasonic designs. Quiet operation, a wheeled tank, and a faucet-filling hose make regular use and refilling more manageable.
What our tester says: “I was amazed at how quiet it was, and I’ve been using it for a week post-testing. I’ve got it set to auto to maintain about 50 percent humidity in my home, and it’s been on regularly.” —Amber Guetebier, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Air Purifier
Once the windows stay shut for the season, the Coway Airmega Mighty keeps the air in your home fresher. The best overall pick in our best air purifiers guide, it has no issue handling everyday dust, pet dander, and cooking-related pollutants, with a washable prefilter, deodorization filter, and True HEPA filter. Auto mode adjusts the air purifier settings to changing conditions, and a color-coded air-quality light shows its activity at a glance.
What our tester says: “Whether the wind is kicking up allergens and dust or we let something go too long on the stove, it quickly ramps up to accommodate the issue. And during our incense and vacuum-dust tests, it efficiently removed visible particles from the air.” —Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Furnace Filter
Filtrete MPR 1500 Allergen, Bacteria, & Virus Filter
Buy at AmazonThe Filtrete MPR 1500 helps keep dust and allergens from recirculating every time the heat kicks on. Our best overall pick in the best furnace filters guide uses electrostatic filtration to trap dust, pollen, pet dander, and mold spores as air moves through your heating and cooling system. Its MERV 12 rating delivers fine-particle filtration, and a wide range of sizes makes it easy to find the right fit.
Best Furnace Filter
Filtrete MPR 1500 Allergen, Bacteria, & Virus Filter
Buy at AmazonTrade lifting and tossing snow with a shovel for the Ryobi 22-inch snow blower. Its steel auger breaks through hard-packed snow, while a 22-inch clearing path helps you finish driveways in fewer passes. Named best overall in our best cordless snow blowers guide, its self-propelled drive with multiple speeds lets you match your pace to the conditions, and reverse makes backing out of tight spots easier. Adjustable chute controls direct snow where you want it, with enough power to send fresh powder more than 40 feet away.
What our tester says: “The combination of functionality, maneuverability, and the flexibility to work through different types of snow and surfaces made this model a joy to use. This thing felt as powerful as any gas or electric model we’ve tested.” —Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Winterization & Energy Savings
Best Budget Window Insulation Kit
Duck Brand Shrink Film Window Insulation Kit
Buy at AmazonMake drafty rooms more comfortable with the Duck Brand shrink-film kit, the best bang for the buck selection in our best window insulation kits guide. Clear film creates an insulating air gap and helps stop cold air from leaking into the room without blocking winter daylight. Installation is also easy: Simply cut the film to fit, secure it with the included double-sided tape, and tighten it with a hair dryer.
What our tester says: “This pick’s roll-out installation made it manageable to unravel, and it featured quality adhesive tape that stuck well and was easy to remove the backing from.” —Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Water Heater Blanket
A tank-style water heater works harder in a cold basement or garage, and the Frost King water heater blanket, named best overall in our best water heater blankets guide, gives your tank an extra insulating layer. Thick fiberglass reduces heat loss from the tank, making the blanket useful where the heater’s manufacturer recommends added insulation. You can even cut its wraparound design to maintain access to controls, valves, and openings.
Best Thermal Curtain
Best Home Fashion Wide Basic Thermal Blackout Curtain
Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot Buy at Best Home FashionThe Best Home Fashion thermal blackout curtain blocks light and cold winter drafts at the same time, which made it the best overall winner in our best thermal curtains guide. Its triple-weave polyester drapes well, blocks light effectively, and provides noticeable insulation on chilly days and nights. Multiple sizes and colors make it easy to coordinate with a room, and the machine-washable fabric makes upkeep simple.
Best Cellular Shade
Windowsandgarden Cordless Honeycomb Cellular Shades
Buy at AmazonBalance winter daylight, privacy, and window comfort with the Windowsandgarden cellular shades. Top-down, bottom-up operation lets you uncover the upper window while maintaining coverage below, and honeycomb cells trap air to create an insulating layer. Cordless adjustment, light-filtering fabric, and a broad selection of sizes helped make them the best overall pick in our best cellular shades guide.
What our tester says: “These shades have a lovely color and build quality. They filter a good amount of light during the day to let natural light in without causing any glare on my computer screen.”—Paul Rankin, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Water Leak Detector
Keep an eye on leak-prone areas during winter trips with the Shelly Flood Gen4, our best overall pick in the best water leak detectors guide. Its flexible sensing cable detects moisture along its entire length, covering more ground around a water heater, washing machine, or basement plumbing than a single-point sensor. Audible and app alerts help you respond promptly, while battery power keeps local detection working if an outage interrupts electricity.
Read our full review: Shelly Flood Gen4 Smart Water Leak Detector
What our tester says: “When you look at what you get for the price, the Flood Gen4 is hard to beat. I love the app functionality for peace of mind when I’m away from home, and the fact that it uses a sensing cable to detect water over a large area just makes sense.”—Michelle Larson, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Pipe Insulation
Frost King Foil Backed Fiberglass Pipe Wrap
Buy at AmazonExposed pipes in unheated basements, crawl spaces, and garages can benefit from an extra layer of insulation before temperatures drop. Frost King’s foil-backed fiberglass pipe wrap, recommended in our winterizing your home article, wraps around plumbing to help slow heat loss during cold snaps. The flexible material also reduces wasted heat from hot-water lines and helps control condensation on cold-water pipes.
Best Door Draft Stopper
Maxtid Adjustable Door Draft Stopper
Buy at AmazonThe Maxtid Adjustable Door Draft Stopper keeps winter drafts from slipping beneath doors thanks to a foam-filled sleeve that creates a barrier against cold air. Our best overall pick in the best door draft stoppers guide is easy to trim to fit smaller doors and simple to attach with adhesive-backed hook-and-loop tape. The attachment keeps it moving with the door, making it especially useful in busy entryways.
Best Exterior Caulk
DAP Dynaflex 230 Premium Elastomeric Sealant
Buy at Amazon Buy at The Home Depot Buy at Ace HardwareSmall gaps around trim and other exterior joints are worth addressing before winter weather settles in. The DAP Dynaflex 230 sealant earned best overall in our best exterior caulks guide for easy application, smooth tooling, and a flexible, paintable finish. Its latex formula also simplifies cleanup.
Best Expanding Foam
Great Stuff Gaps and Cracks fills openings up to 1 inch wide, sealing out winter drafts where caulk alone may not do the job. Our best overall pick in the best expanding foams guide has a rigid, tapered dispenser that helps direct foam into tight spots, with even expansion for controlled application. It bonds to wood, metal, masonry, glass, and most plastics, and excess foam trims smoothly once cured for a tidy finish.
Best Weather Seal Tape
Frost King’s clear weather seal tape covers small air leaks and secures plastic storm windows, keeping cold air outside with a simple adhesive seal. Its transparent backing makes repairs less noticeable, while waterproof construction suits both indoor and outdoor use. The cold-weather adhesive allows application in temperatures as low as minus 10 degrees Fahrenheit, so you can tackle overlooked leaks even after winter settles in.
Best Garage Door Insulation Kit
Make your garage more comfortable for winter projects with the Reach Barrier 3009 insulation kit, our best overall pick in the best garage door insulation kits guide. It adds lightweight insulation to a compatible garage door by sandwiching a bubble layer between reflective faces to help reduce heat transfer. Eight precut panels attach to a garage door with included adhesive squares, making installation a straightforward upgrade.
What our tester says: “We noticed an immediate decline in the sound transfer through the door, and the temperature measurements on the insulated side were higher than on the uninsulated side.”—Tom Scalisi, Product Reviews tester and writer
Best Frost-Free Hydrant
A low-profile faceplate and quarter-turn hose connector make the Aquor House Hydrant V1+ a streamlined alternative to a protruding outdoor spigot. Marine-grade stainless-steel construction provides durability, while the connector makes attaching and disconnecting a hose quick and leak-free. When properly installed, the hydrant self-drains after the connector is removed to help prevent freezing as temperatures drop.
Read our full review: Aquor House Hydrant Review
What our tester says: “For my money, Aquor is a shoo-in. It’s the highest-quality hydrant I’ve ever had on my home, and I love the look.”—Glenda Taylor, Product Reviews tester and writer
