10 Best Human-Powered Snow Removal Tools

If you live in a snowy climate but have limited access to outlets, these human-powered snow removal tools easily and quickly clear driveways.

Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. We may earn a commission from your purchases.

10 Best Human Powered Snow Removal ToolsVIA MERCHANT

When it comes to the winter season, it pays to be prepared. Although pricey gas snow blowers and corded snow shovels make short work of seasonal flurries, not everyone enjoys the fumes or has access to an outdoor outlet. Our biggest winter tip is investing in some good human-powered snow removal tools that can be used when the gas runs out or electricity fails.

“The choice between hand-powered and powered snow removal tools largely depends on the area size, snow amount and personal preference,” says Gene Caballero, co-founder of GreenPal.

“Hand-powered snow removal tools are more environmentally friendly, quieter, and don’t require fuel or charging. Hand tools like snow shovels or pushers are great for light, fluffy snow and give you more control and precision in tight spaces. They’re also cost-effective and provide a good physical workout.”

What to Consider When Buying Snow Removal Tools

When shopping for snow removal tools, consider the areas that need to be cleared. While snow brushes and scrapers work well for clearing car windshields and front steps, larger areas—like driveways and sidewalks—typically require tools with wider reach and longer handles.

In addition, consider the type of snow the area typically receives. Some places see only a light dusting, whereas other areas expect a few feet of accumulation each season. A plastic snow shovel may be the perfect lightweight tool for the former, but the latter might require something more heavy-duty to scoop up those heavy, wet flakes.

The Best Snow Removal Tools

1 / 10
Manplow Snow Pusher
via merchant

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

Shop Now

2 / 10
Snow Joe Shovelution
via merchant

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

Shop Now

3 / 10
True Temper Snoboss
via merchant

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

Shop Now

4 / 10
Quickie Bulldozer
via merchant

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

Shop Now

5 / 10
Snow Joe Steel Ice Chopper
via merchant

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

Shop Now

6 / 10
Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt
via merchant

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

Shop Now

7 / 10
Handheld Seed Spreader
via merchant

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

Shop Now

8 / 10
True Temper Telescoping Snow Roof Rake
via merchant

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

Shop Now

9 / 10
Mallory Snow Brush With Foam Grip
via merchant

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

Shop Now

10 / 10
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel
via merchant

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

Shop Now

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.”

Rachel Brougham
Rachel Brougham spent years working in newsrooms, for television and newspapers, and has won several awards for her writing. In 2015, she left her full-time job as a newspaper editor to focus on freelance writing and editing. She has been a Family Handyman contributor since 2017.
In 2019, Rachel lived through a major remodeling project on her home, and she uses that experience to inform her Family Handyman content. She's also an avid gardener (both native plants and vegetables), enjoys keeping up with decor trends and spends a lot of time traveling, cooking and hanging out with her family and their giant dog.