Best Hand Plow
Manplow Snow Pusher
Sicks of gas fumes, cords and forgetting to charge up plow batteries? Save time by pushing the Manplow, an extra wide snow removal tool that clears sidewalks and driveways in a single pass. A U-shaped handle offers the ease of pushing a shopping cart.
The Manplow quickly and safely removes snow by cutting up to a 60-inch path in the snow, depending on the size chosen. When the bottom edge wears down, simply rotate the blade top-to-bottom and double the lifespan.
Pros
- Blades rotate for an extended lifespan
- U-shaped handle for ease of use
- Replaceable blades
- Made from sturdy, high-density polyethylene
Cons
- Works best in under 4 inches of snow
Best Snow Shovel
Snow Joe Shovelution
Shovel smart, not hard and save yourself the backache. The Snow Joe Shovelution snow removal tool uses an ergonomic, spring-loaded grip to harness the energy from your upper body movement to make shoveling easier. By concentrating the leverage on the lower hand, it also keep you from having to stoop, saving strain on the back too.
Pros
- Lightweight at under four pounds
- Handle acts as a fulcrum, reducing strain
- Aluminum wear strip on blade
- No bending required
Cons
- Lightweight material feels flimsy, but doesn’t bend
Best Snow Scoop
True Temper SnoBoss
If you’ve got the muscle, choose a snow removal tool with a high-capacity scoop and foothold for digging into heavy snowfalls. The True Temper SnoBoss isn’t just a snow shovel, pusher or scraper—it’s all of the above in a lightweight, 5.6-pound package. A sturdy steel wear strip on the blade ensures longevity, and we love the wide ergonomic handle.
Snow removal isn’t easy work, but the curved blade helps scoop snow without the added effort of bending and scooping manually. Better yet, it easily stows away next to other shovels on a rack or against the wall.
Pros
- Reversible for tight steps and stairs
- Foot step for leverage
- Wide aluminum handle for better grip
- Blade features steel wear strip
Cons
- Snow sticks to the blade in freezing weather
Best Snow Broom
Quickie Bulldozer
Keep a standard shop broom handy to sweep light dustings off walkways before they turn into a dangerous icy glaze. The Quickie Bulldozer arrives ready to shove snow out of the way, even on rough surfaces like gravel. Natural palmyra fibers scrape against uneven surfaces, pulling snow and ice out of crevices it’s otherwise difficult to get to.
A resin head offers more structure than plastic, and the sturdy steel handle offers additional strength against heavy snow.
Pros
- Sturdy steel handle
- Natural palmyra fibers for rough surfaces
- Swivel hang-up feature on handle
- 5-year limited warranty
Cons
- Not suited to heavy snowfall
Best Ice Cutter
Snow Joe Steel Ice Chopper
An icy sidewalk is a major hazard. Use a straight-edged root-cutting snow removal tool like the Snow Joe Steel Ice Chopper to break and scrape ice in the wintertime. It absorbs the impact thanks to the spring-loaded design, meaning less strain on your hands and wrists.
A seven-inch carbon steel chopper blade easily slices through ice and crusty snow, making it easier than ever to deice the driveway.
Pros
- Shock-absorbing, spring-loaded handle
- Lightweight at under four pounds
- Inexpensive
Cons
- May need to salt ice before use
Best Ice Melt
Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt
Reduce your yearly snow removal by preparing ahead of time. Lay down salt or brine on high-traffic areas before any winter storms to melt light snow and break up ice as it accumulates. Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt offers a fast, effective way to melt down ice—even in -15°F.
These magnesium chloride ice melt pellets don’t damage concrete or pose a risk to pets, so they’re ideal for families. It’s also not harmful to plants, so it’s perfectly suited to use in the garden, too.
Pros
- Pet safe
- Won’t harm plants
- Doesn’t damage concrete
- Works in as low as -15°F
Cons
- Pricey
Best Ice Melt Distributer
Handheld Seed Spreader
Simplify the task of laying sidewalk salts by refilling a handheld seed spreader and covering smaller areas more frequently. This prevents an uneven spread and reduces the amount of wasted snow melt. It’s also easy to fill—just twist off the top, add ice melt and replace the top. Then, turn it over and shake it like a salt shaker for full coverage.
Pros
- Durable plastic construction
- Various hole sizes prevent clogs
- Holds up to 80 ounces
- Ergonomic handle
Cons
- Heavy when filled
Best Roof Rake
True Temper Telescoping Snow Roof Rake
Prevent damaging ice dams by removing roof accumulation with a roof rake. Look for a model with a telescoping handle like the True Temper roof rake. Unlike roof rakes with static poles, the telescoping pole offers additional length for larger, two-story homes. We also appreciate the addition of a wide, 24-inch poly blade that speeds up the chore.
Pros
- Extends up to 17 feet
- Lightweight at 6.8 pounds
- Oval pole shape ensures stability
Cons
- No roller wheels
Best Vehicle Brush
Mallory Snow Brush with Foam Grip
Keep a scraping and brushing tool in your winter car survival kit to keep snow and ice at bay all winter long. Look for an ice and snow remover that has both a scraper and a brush to tackle whatever winter throws at your windshield. The Mallory Snow Brush offers both, plus a comfortable, contoured foam grip for added ergonomics.
Pros
- 26-inch long
- Contoured foam grip
- Four rows of thick, strong bristles
Cons
- Colors vary
Best Collapsible Snow Shovel
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel
Don’t get caught unarmed on the go. Keep a few car snow removal tools—like this space-saving shovel that collapses or pulls apart in your car for emergency bailouts. Not only is it fully collapsible down from 25 to 32 inches, but it also breaks down into three separate pieces that are easy to store in a trunk or under a seat.
Pros
- Adjustable handle
- Collapsible design
- Variety of color choices
- Lightweight at under two pounds
Cons
- Requires gloves in freezing weather
Why You Should Trust Us
I lived through a major home renovation in 2019, know the ups and downs of home improvement and love sharing tips with readers. A veteran journalist of both print and television, I have won several awards for my writing and have covered everything from the environment and education to health care, politics and food.
Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece. Way consulted Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal and someone with over 25 years in the landscaping industry.
How We Found the Best Snow Removal Tools
Our editors take snow removal seriously. We first spoke with snow-clearing experts, learning what they consider the most important snow removal tools. Then, we combed through dozens of snow removal tools, focusing on tools that include handy features and rave reviews. No matter how you decide to say goodbye to snow in the driveway, we’re confident that the tools on this list will get the job done right.
FAQs
How do I get rid of snow without shoveling?
“If shoveling isn’t an option, you can use a snow blower, which comes in hand-powered, electric, and gas models,” says Caballero. “They are efficient for clearing large driveways or walkways.”
“Another option is to use a liquid de-icer before snow falls to prevent it from sticking and forming ice. After snowfall, you can apply a granular ice melt product to help break down the snow and ice, making it easier to remove. For roof snow, use a roof rake with an extendable handle to safely pull snow off without climbing onto the roof.”