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Clearing driveways, walkways, and decks with a snow shovel might not be fun, but it’s a good-for-the-Earth way to keep these spaces safe and clean. While chloride contamination caused by salt treatments is toxic for wildlife, agriculture, and people long after the snow has melted, shoveling snow by hand causes no harm to the environment—and it’s great exercise. Plus, thanks to today’s high-quality, well-designed snow shovels, you can clear driveways and paths more quickly than ever.
To determine which of the thousands of shovels available are worth their price and your effort, we carefully researched top snow shovel models and tested them on driveways, paths, decks, and gravel. We shoveled fresh snow and drove a vehicle over sections of snow to test how these tools would do on compacted snow and ice. We also spoke with a snow removal expert for their insights on what to look for when choosing a snow shovel.
Based on our expert’s experience and our test results, we chose the Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel as our top pick. It’s easy to use on all types of snow, and its unique design makes it safe for all ages and fitness levels. If that’s not the right shovel for you, read on for more on how each snow shovel performed in our tests and details on which features matter most when choosing from among the best snow shovels.
- BEST OVERALL: Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel
↓ Jump to Review - BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: True Temper 18-Inch Aluminum Snow Shovel With D-Grip
↓ Jump to Review - BEST SNOW PUSHER: The Snowplow 36-Inch The Original Snow Pusher
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR PACKED SNOW: Manplow RevolutionX 24-Inch Snow Pusher With U Handle
↓ Jump to Review - BEST FOR WALKWAYS: Emsco Group Bigfoot Poly Snow Shovel
↓ Jump to Review - BEST ELECTRIC SHOVEL: Snow Joe 24-Volt IONMAX Cordless Snow Shovel Bundle
↓ Jump to Review - BEST PORTABLE SHOVEL: Trazon Portable Folding Snow Shovel
↓ Jump to Review
Product Comparison
| Style | Material | Blade Size | |
| Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel | Combo | Polypropylene blade, aluminum handle, plastic D-grip | 18 inches |
| True Temper 18-Inch Aluminum Snow Shovel With D-Grip | Traditional | Steel handle with aluminum blade | 18 inches |
| The Snowplow 36-Inch The Original Snow Pusher | Pusher | Fiberglass handle, polyethylene blade | 36 inches |
| Manplow RevolutionX 24-Inch Snow Pusher With U Handle | Pusher | Aluminum handle and polyethylene blade | 24 inches |
| Emsco Group Bigfoot Poly Snow Shovel | Traditional | Poly blade, metal handle | 17⅞ inches |
| Emsco Group Bigfoot Poly Snow Shovel | Electric | Plastic auger | 13 inches |
| Trazon Portable Folding Snow Shovel | Telescoping handle | Plastic blade, metal handle | 16 inches |
Our Top Picks
Based on our research and hands-on testing, we’re confident at least one of these shovels will suit your needs. After comparing their features and reviewing what we like (and what we don’t), you’ll be able to find the right tool to make scooping snow easier.
Best Overall
Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel
What We Like
- Integrated lift handle
- Assembly is quick and straightforward
- Lightweight yet durable construction
What We Don’t Like
- Lift handle sometimes gets in the way
Product Specs
- Style: Combo
- Materials: Polypropylene blade, aluminum handle, plastic D-grip
- Blade size: 18 inches
This Bob Vila Approved product carries our brand’s highest level of recommendation.
Bob Vila Approved recognizes the household and DIY products that impressed us most in our real-world testing and that exemplify core values of the Bob Vila brand, including craftsmanship, innovation, and value for the dollar. Winners of this designation come recommended by our professional review team and are personally approved by Bob Vila.
Anyone on the hunt for a solid overall snow shovel will want to give the Shovelution from Snow Joe a look. This combo-style shovel features an 18-inch-wide polypropylene blade with a metal lip and an aluminum handle that snaps together. Its lightweight construction and unique lift-assist handle make scooping and pushing heavy snow across a driveway and lifting snow over a deck railing easy—so much so that even children can help.
Beyond being incredibly lightweight and user-friendly, we also liked that the Shovelution was easy to assemble, especially considering it came in the smallest box. Even though we were pretty uncertain about this shovel before we used it, in the end, our only complaint was that the additional handle was a little awkward when we turned the shovel over for chipping. Even that’s a pretty minor qualm since there’s a convenient strap that holds the handle in place; you just need to take a second to secure it.
What our tester says: “During testing, we didn’t want to like the Snow Joe. 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
Get the Snow Joe snow shovel at Amazon.
Best Bang for the Buck
True Temper 18-Inch Aluminum Snow Shovel With D-Grip
What We Like
- Aluminum and steel construction is lightweight but durable
- Blade chips ice with little effort
- No assembly required
What We Don’t Like
- Traditional shape limits it to moving lighter loads
Product Specs
- Style: Traditional
- Materials: Steel handle with aluminum blade
- Blade size: 18 inches
This reliable and durable shovel from True Temper might be the perfect choice for those with smaller driveways or who live in areas that don’t see a ton of snow. Designed to be a light-duty yet long-lasting shovel, it combines a traditionally shaped 18-inch-wide aluminum blade with a strong steel handle.
During our tests, we found the True Temper aluminum snow shovel to be a great choice for small snowfalls or lightweight snow. It was tough yet light, and we appreciated that we could flip the traditional-style shovel over and chip ice off steps with ease. Also, it doesn’t require assembly, which is a definite benefit if a storm has already dropped a few inches of snow. A few inches is probably all it can handle since the traditional blade shape does make it difficult to carry heavier loads.
Get the True Temper aluminum snow shovel at The Home Depot.
Best Snow Pusher
The Snowplow 36-Inch The Original Snow Pusher
What We Like
- Heavy-duty construction is built to last
- Extra-wide blade effectively throws snow
- Tough and thick blade
What We Don’t Like
- More of a pain to assemble than other options
Product Specs
- Style: Pusher
- Materials: Fiberglass handle, polyethylene blade
- Blade size: 36 inches
As the “original” snow pusher, the Snowplow is beloved for its straightforward performance. It can move more snow than a traditional or combo shovel, making short work of large driveways. The fiberglass handle lessens weight without sacrificing strength, and the sleek blade, which is made of advanced polyethylene, delivers extreme resistance to abrasion and wear.
The Snowplow was a joy to use during testing. With a little bit of force, the blade efficiently threw snow forward, making clearing our large driveway and surrounding walkways a breeze. The heavy-duty polyethylene blade was thick and tough, and it provided plenty of chipping power when turned over for use in snow-packed tire tracks. The only issue we had was that it was a little bit of a pain to assemble, but we think it’s worth it.
Get the Snowplow snow shovel at Amazon, Ace Hardware, or Northern Tool + Equipment.
Best for Packed Snow
Manplow RevolutionX 24-Inch Snow Pusher With U Handle
What We Like
- Wide-handled U-shape design
- Minimizes bending over to prevent back pain
- Insulated padded grip adds comfort
What We Don’t Like
- Not practical for lifting snow
Product Specs
- Style: Pusher
- Materials: Aluminum handle and polyethylene blade
- Blade size: 24 inches
Anyone who’s ever driven over fresh snow and then tried to scoop it afterward knows this can be an impossible task—but the Manplow RevolutionX Snow Pusher is up for the challenge. This two-handled snow shovel features a pusher-style, U-shaped design with a padded grip, a polyethylene blade, and a durable metal handle. This combination allows you to generate some serious force, making it easy to chip up hard-packed ice and snow. Not only that, the design also minimizes bending, which helps prevent both fatigue and back pain.
Though the Manplow has a long list of features and benefits in its pros column, our tests also revealed the shove’s con. When it came time to scoop and toss the snow we’d unstuck, we found the task nearly impossible. Though there’s a handle attachment to make the job easier, we found it was actually easiest to simply grab another shovel. To be fair, though, that one never could have lifted such packed-down snow.
Get the Manplow snow shovel at Amazon or Manplow.
Best For Walkways
Emsco Group Bigfoot Poly Snow Shovel
What We Like
- Lightweight design is easy to lift and maneuver
- Blade is slick so snow slides right off
- Large D-shaped handle provides great grip
What We Don’t Like
- Small blade isn’t adequate for heavy loads
- Not ideal for large driveways
Product Specs
- Style: Traditional
- Materials: Poly blade, metal handle
- Blade size: 17⅞ inches
A heavy-duty snow shovel with a big bucket and metal-edged blade is great, but it won’t be right for every task. When it comes to clearing walkways, this lightweight Emsco Group Bigfoot poly snow shovel is a perfect fit. Simple in form, durable, and easy to grip and lift, it can handle reasonable snowfalls without fuss. During testing, it was our favorite option for clearing our sidewalks and back patio area.
Those who live in condominiums or apartments where small areas need occasional clearing will also appreciate this option. It’s compact, stores easily, and comes in other blade shapes and styles should you need something smaller or larger. Though we found the linked version perfect for clearing light-to-moderate loads without working too hard, a bigger shovel capable of pushing through more volume would be better after big storms.
Get the Emsco Group snow shovel at Amazon or Walmart.
Best Electric Shovel
Snow Joe 24-Volt IONMAX Cordless Snow Shovel Bundle
What We Like
- Electric auger removes snow without lifting
- Battery lasts up to 30 minutes per charge
- Clears decks and walkways quickly
- 2-handle design makes it easy to use
What We Don’t Like
- Short runtime for big clearing sessions
- Projects snow forward rather than to the side
Product Specs
- Style: Electric
- Materials: Plastic auger
- Blade size: 13 inches
Though it’s not a replacement for a full snow blower, this surprisingly lightweight and easy-to-handle battery-powered shovel makes short work of clearing walkways, decks, and other tight spaces where shoveling is typically done. During testing, it zipped right through the snow left on our driveway by a big storm, pushing through the accumulated inches with minimal effort. When it came to testing the unit on deeper and heavier snow, we could only remove a few inches at a time. Still, the unit worked down to the ground relatively quickly, and the battery lasted nearly 30 minutes.
When we first held this shovel, we expected more weight. But since its handles are strategically located to balance the head weight, it’s very easy to lift. It’s also easy to use: With the battery charged and installed, you simply push a button to activate the auger.
What our tester says: “Like our pick for Best Overall (also a Snow Joe product), we were initially skeptical about this electric snow shovel. However, just like with that pick, we completely changed our minds after testing.”—Zach Lazzari, Product Reviews tester and writer
Get the Snow Joe IONMAX snow shovel at Walmart.
Best Portable Shovel
Trazon Portable Folding Snow Shovel
What We Like
- Handle collapses for easy storage
- Locking mechanism expanded unit secure during use
- Lightweight but still strong and durable
- Ideal snow shovel for car
What We Don’t Like
- Foam grip will likely wear out and tear off
- Not ideal for big driveways or heavy snow loads
Product Specs
- Style: Telescoping handle
- Materials: Plastic blade, metal handle
- Blade size: 16 inches
While calling the Trazon a folding shovel is a bit misleading, this unit’s collapsing handle makes it as portable and easy to store as true folding shovels. Name aside, we prefer this design to one that folds for two reasons: It doesn’t have a weak point with a hinge, and its push button and locking mechanism hold the shaft securely in place during use.
Though it’s not intended for day-to-day scooping like the other tools on our list, we enjoyed using this shovel in our tests. Its compact design can heft reasonable amounts of snow because the blade is concave. It also has a metal edge for scraping ice, like you’d find on an ice scraper, which is a nice bonus. Scraping is a little harder on concrete, but we would rather clear slippery spots than shovel over them and leave that ice intact.
While we think this shovel is great for home use and especially nice for homes or apartments with limited storage, we like it most for those who travel backroads and sometimes encounter snow drifts that require digging. The collapsible handle makes it easy to stash behind the front seat or in the trunk of a car, and the locking mechanism makes the handle sturdy when expanded up to its full 48 inches. Though it has a nice foam grip that helps with handling, we do think the grip will wear or tear off after a season or two of use, but that’s not a deal breaker and won’t impact how well this shovel works.
Get the Trazon snow shovel at Amazon or Trazon.
Jump to Our Top Picks
How We Tested the Best Snow Shovels
We tested the above snow shovels in upstate New York and Montana. Once snow fell in each location, we set to work getting an idea how well these shovels performed.
We used each shovel to clear a sidewalk or other walkway, testing how thoroughly the shovels removed the snow and how easy they were to use. We tested them on a deck to see how well they could toss snow over the railing. We worked each one over a gravel driveway to evaluate whether they could push along an uneven surface.
We also drove over fresh snow before clearing the driveway, packing it down into hard, tire-width trails. We then used all the shovels to push or scoop snow from one side of the driveway to the other, testing how well they could remove packed snow before using the back side of the blade to chip up the icy tire tracks.
What to Consider When Choosing a Snow Shovel
Buying the best shovel for snow might seem like a basic task, but as Joe Palumbo, president of Ice Dam Removal Guys LLC, points out, a lot goes into choosing one. “Depending on how much snow you get and what type will determine your best course of action. There are scoops, pushers/plows, ergonomic, and even wheeled ones. One other thing to consider is material. Plastic/poly is my recommendation, and I’d even recommend that you check the lip’s edge and whether it is lined with metal or plastic. Reason being, metal can leave marks on certain pavers, flagstone, natural rock paths, and more.”
The following sections on blade design, materials, handle features, and wheels and maneuverability go into further on what to consider when choosing a snow shovel.
Blade Design
There are three types of shovels intended for snow removal: traditional scoop shovels, pushers, and combination shovels/pushers. The difference mainly comes down to blade design.
- A traditional shovel has an almost flat, 18- to 24-inch rectangular blade. In contrast, a pusher has a longer, narrower curved blade.
- Pushers are excellent for driveways because they clear snow faster and with less effort. A traditional shovel is better suited to walkways and smaller areas where a push shovel may have trouble maneuvering.
- A combo shovel has a slightly wider, curvier blade than a traditional shovel for both scooping snow and pushing it away. For driveways and larger areas, either a push shovel or a combo is typically faster and easier to use.
Materials
Snow shovel blades, which need to be lightweight yet rugged, are routinely made from one of three materials: poly plastic, steel, or aluminum. Each has pros and cons.
A steel or aluminum blade is best for clearing off ice and hard-packed snow because these metals are light yet extremely strong with sharp edges. Metal blades, however, can scratch decking and other wooden or stone surfaces. A plastic blade works well for those spaces and for light to medium snow. Hardy handles typically consist of steel, aluminum, fiberglass, or wood.
Handle Features
Many snow shovels have straight handles, so learning the right grip is important to prevent strain. To shovel safely, place one hand as close to the blade as possible and the other on the handle grip. Some snow shovels boast ergonomic handles, which are curved to lessen the natural tendency to lean over and lift with the back (instead of lifting with the legs).
Another option is an extra “assist” handle closer to the blade, which increases leverage and lifting power. These handles can be a big boost for children (or adults with bad backs), but they’re also all-around helpful for anyone who wants a more ergonomic snow shovel.
Some handles are even cushioned with foam to lessen hand fatigue. Many models feature wide D-grip handles, which, as their name suggests, are shaped like the letter D and provide a firmer and more comfortable grip than a straight handlebar.
Wheels and Maneuverability
If snowfall is particularly heavy where you live, or you have larger areas to plow, a snow removal service might make sense, or you might want to consider a snow pusher or shovel with wheels. Unlike snow blowers, wheeled snow pushers don’t require any gas or engine upkeep, just old-fashioned elbow grease. The wheels make moving and depositing larger quantities of snow a bit easier, while the blade may be made of steel for greater strength, stability, and weight.
FAQs
In most cases, a plastic shovel for snow will be ideal. They’re generally lightweight, affordable, and durable enough for the heaviest storms—if you purchase a good one.
It depends on the type of snow shovel and application, but the following can serve as a guide:
– Traditional shovels should be between 18 and 24 inches wide.
– Combo shovels should be around 24 inches wide, though folks with strength concerns will want to go smaller (18 inches).
– For push-style shovels, consider the surface. Driveways can benefit from a 36-inch-wide push shovel for snow, while walkways might be easier to clear with a 24-inch-wide snow shovel.
The best time to salt is before the snow falls or after you’ve cleared it away. If you’ve allowed snow to accumulate and become hard-packed or icy, you may need to salt it to melt the ice before you can scoop the slush away, but that’s not ideal. If you don’t have salt on hand but still need help softening snow before shoveling, there are other ways you can melt ice without salt.
Generally speaking, the best time to shovel is after a few inches have fallen. For safety reasons, however, it’s likely best to wait until the morning after the storm to start clearing accumulation. For more tips, see our guide on how to shovel snow.
Snow shovels are an inexpensive and eco-friendly way to clear away snow before it becomes dangerous ice. According to Joe Palumbo of Minneapolis, Minnesota’s Ice Dam Removal Guys LLC, “It’s always good to have a shovel. Clearing the snow allows any sun exposure to melt and dry the surface, which is much better than having ice there tomorrow.” If you don’t have a shovel but still need to clear away snow, you can try these tricks to remove snow without a shovel.
It depends. A curved or angled snow shovel can reduce the need to bend over and the force required to push snow, which could decrease back strain. Straight shovels are often preferred when lifting or throwing snow, as it’s easier to position your hands on them for optimal power.
Meet the Tester
Zach Lazzari is a freelance writer splitting time between the great outdoors, travel, and DIY projects ranging from camper builds to home renovations and maintenance. His home base in Montana is the perfect testing ground for winter products and snow equipment. With more than a decade of professional writing experience, he covers a variety of other projects and maintenance topics for BobVila.com.
Additional research provided by Tom Scalisi and Andreana Lefton.
