Our Snow Shovel Tests: Here Are the Top Choices

Top Pick

The Yeoman BustR Poly Snow Shovel makes snow removal effortless. In our tests, we found its handle to be easy to grip, with a tilt that made heavy snow shoveling more comfortable. While the shovel lacks wheels or advanced features, we appreciated the sharp steel plate at the tip, perfect for breaking and clearing ice on stairs or walkways where slipping could be a danger. At under $50, this is a solid, no-frills choice for those seeking a reliable, durable tool for the job.

Materials: Steel, polyethylene | Weight: 4.8 pounds | Length: 55 inches | Width: 18 inches

Top Choice for Budget-Friendly Options

For those not seeking anything too elaborate and aiming to keep costs low, the True Temper 18-Inch Steel Snow Shovel is an excellent choice. It excels at clearing snow and ice, and its high-quality construction—evident from the hardwood handle and steel scoop—is clear from the moment you hold it. The blade is sharp and narrow, making it ideal for cutting through stubborn snow and ice. However, it is somewhat heavy, and prolonged use can lead to fatigue. Additionally, the handle lacks the most ergonomic design, offering only a standard grip.

Nevertheless, it remains a solid, no-frills shovel that gets the job done as expected. Furthermore, it is built to last. For the price, it represents a great value. It does require assembly if purchased outside of Home Depot, but the included instructions are straightforward and easy to follow.

Materials: Steel, wood, and poly D-grip handle | Weight: 5.4 pounds | Length: 37 inches | Width: 18 inches

Top Choice for Snow Shovels

The Garant Nordic 24-Inch Steel Blade Snow Pusher comes fully assembled with a metal scoop designed to cut through both snow and ice. Even on harder surfaces like brick pavers and concrete sidewalks, it only took one or two passes to completely clear the path.

We appreciated the robust and long-lasting nature of this shovel, even after numerous uses. The wooden handle is made from premium quality wood and is coated to prevent damage from snow and rain (no concerns about rotting or warping). Additionally, the handle was comfortable to hold. However, with a 2-foot width, it's broader than a typical shovel and might not be ideal for stairs.

Materials: Steel, wood, and poly D-grip handle | Weight: 6.6 pounds | Length: 52 inches | Width: 24 inches

Top Ergonomic Design

The Suncast 18-Inch Snow Shovel/Pusher Combo is both lightweight and easy to handle. The curved ergonomic steel handle makes it simple to push and maneuver on snowy pathways. The ridged plastic grip ensures a secure hold and helps prevent fatigue when lifting heavy snow. Although the shovel is fairly basic, it does feature a metal blade that aids in breaking up snow and ice stuck to hard surfaces.

Keep in mind that due to its lightweight construction, this shovel required three passes to fully clear a 3-inch layer of packed snow from the driveway and sidewalk. While the ergonomic curve of the handle helps reduce strain, it also means the process takes longer than with other models. This design is beneficial for preserving the plastic scoop, preventing chips and wear over time, though it may take more time to clear several layers of snow.

Materials: Durable resin plastic, steel D-grip handle | Weight: 4 pounds | Length: 52 inches | Width: 18 inches

Ideal for Large Areas

For heavy snowfalls, this pusher is the perfect tool. Its extra-wide shovel head lets you move more snow with each push. The blade is sharp enough to break through thick ice, making it a great option for clearing layers of packed snow and ice after multiple days of snow accumulation on your driveway.

We found the materials to be top-notch and built to last. The durable polypropylene construction is both lightweight and strong. The D-grip handle provides a comfortable grip, though adding a curved shaft could make pushing snow even easier. This 27-inch-wide shovel costs more than smaller models (still under $50), but its exceptional quality and performance are well worth the investment.

Materials: Polypropylene, triple-wall fiberglass handle | Weight: 4 pounds | Length: 57 inches | Width: 27 inches

Best for Sleighing

By applying a little downward pressure on the ergonomic handle, the Garant Sleigh Shovel becomes both a practical snow removal tool and a fun ride. We found that adjusting the handle’s position allowed us to control the depth of the shovel’s movement, making snow clearing effortless without lifting. This feature is particularly beneficial for those with back pain or anyone who prefers not to lift their shovel.

The blade on this shovel isn’t as sharp as some others, making it harder to remove packed snow and ice. This wasn’t an issue during our test on a gravel driveway, but it could be a problem on paved surfaces where snow and ice have more grip. Those with paved driveways may find the dull blade to be more frustrating.

Materials: Plastic, aluminum handle | Weight: 10.5 lbs | Length: 40 in | Width: 18 in

Top Choice for Compactness

The Birdrock Home Folding Emergency Snow Shovel boasts a full aluminum scoop, making it both robust and lightweight. Its foldable design allows for easy storage, fitting comfortably in your car until you need it, and it locks securely when expanded. We found the metal blade to be highly effective for scooping snow and clearing it from parked cars and other areas with packed snow.

Thanks to its compact size, this shovel is perfect for stowing in tight spaces, making it ideal for snowy drives, ski trips, and winter hiking. However, its short length means it’s not ideal for extended periods of shoveling, as the constant bending can lead to back discomfort. Still, it’s a great option for families with young children who want to help clear the driveway.

Materials: Aluminum | Weight: 2 lbs | Length: 34 in | Width: 9 in

Our Testing Method

To identify the best snow shovels, we tested 24 models throughout the winter season, covering various materials and styles. The first step was assembling the shovels, if necessary, and clearing a small patch of snow. Then, we tackled two larger areas, such as sidewalks and driveways, assessing each shovel’s strength, durability, performance, and efficiency in removing both snow and ice.

We recorded the ease of use for each shovel, evaluating their ergonomics and assessing how challenging or effortless it would be to consistently use them for long durations. Additionally, we observed their performance, noting how efficiently they cleared packed ice, fresh snow, or a mix of both.

We also factored in the price of the shovels, comparing these elements to their cost. Would we purchase them at full price? Maybe slightly more? Only if they're on sale? Or would we pass entirely? With these considerations, we compiled our selection of the best snow shovels.

Additional Factors to Consider

True Temper 20-Inch Aluminum Combo Blade Snow Shovel: This straightforward shovel is user-friendly and ready for action right out of the box. The metal scoop works well for breaking up ice left by snowplows, though it’s narrower than typical pushing shovels, meaning you’ll need to make more passes to clear all the ice from your driveway.

Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel: This compact shovel is perfect for portability and maneuvering into tight spaces, such as behind snow-covered car tires. However, its smaller size isn’t ideal for those with back issues as it requires more frequent bending compared to other shovels. It’s great for emergency use when you’re in a pinch.

How to Choose the Right Snow Shovel

Shovel Types

Standard Shovel: This is the typical snow shovel, a no-frills, reliable tool. It usually has a straight handle and a flat, shallow scoop designed for lifting and tossing snow effortlessly.

Push Shovel: Instead of lifting snow, push shovels are designed for pushing it aside. This type of shovel is ideal for those with back pain since there’s no lifting involved, and you won’t tire as quickly. They feature a wide, curved blade that’s perfect for moving large amounts of snow. Sleigh shovels belong to this category—they have a deeper scoop and a much larger handle, similar to a push mower, allowing users to leverage their body weight to push the shovel forward.

Combination Shovel: This versatile option combines the functionality of pushing and lifting. It has a blade that’s wider and more curved than a traditional shovel but not as much as a push shovel. Many of these models come with an ergonomic shaft and handle, like the Suncast SC3250 18-Inch Snow Shovel/Pusher Combo.

Portable Shovel: When you’re caught in a snowy situation, portable shovels, such as the Birdrock Home 34-Inch Folding Emergency Snow Shovel, are a lifesaver. They’re small enough to store in your car, on an ATV, or in a backpack, always ready for use in emergencies.

Blade Material

The most common materials for shovel blades are plastic, steel, and aluminum. As Cheryl Higley, director of education and content at the Snow & Ice Management Association, explains, the key factors to consider when choosing a blade material are the snow density, ice presence, and the type of surface you're clearing.

Plastic: Plastic blades, such as those made from polyethylene or polypropylene (often called 'poly' for short), are known for being lightweight and flexible, which allows them to absorb the shock of heavier snow and uneven surfaces. However, as Higley points out, they can still break or suffer damage if they collide with obstacles, are used incorrectly, or when the snow’s weight becomes too much for them. While plastic struggles to break through packed snow or ice, many designs feature metal wear strips to enhance durability. Additionally, plastic is gentler on delicate surfaces like wooden decks. 

Steel: Steel and metal shovels are generally heavier and more capable of cutting through ice or tough, packed snow, according to Higley. Despite the inclusion of metal wear strips, plastic blades cannot manage heavy, icy snow as well as steel blades. The downside, however, is that steel is prone to rusting, and metal blades can scratch surfaces such as decks or wooden floors. 

Aluminum: Aluminum blades are a lighter, less durable alternative to steel, making them a good option for light-duty tasks like clearing lighter snow, as noted by Higley. While aluminum is more effective at cutting through ice and packed snow compared to plastic, it’s more prone to denting than steel blades.

Shaft

The shaft material and design are equally important as the blade. Ideally, look for a shaft made of lightweight yet durable materials like fiberglass. The design of the shaft also plays a significant role. Most shovels come with a straight shaft that’s better suited for pushing snow than lifting it. On the other hand, a curved shaft, such as that found on the Suncast SC3250 18-Inch Snow Shovel/Pusher Combo, minimizes bending and reduces strain on the lower back.

Handle 

Most snow shovels come with a D-shaped handle or grip. These handles are designed to be wide enough to comfortably fit large gloves and provide a more secure grip compared to traditional T-shaped handles. Additionally, many of these handles feature padded grips, which are softer on your hands and help insulate them from the cold temperature of the handle.

Questions You Might Ask

Are metal or plastic snow shovels better?

Both metal and plastic snow shovels offer distinct advantages, and your choice will depend on the specific task and weather conditions. Metal shovels excel at breaking through ice or clearing compacted snow due to their weight and strength, which allow them to crush through frozen surfaces and even bits of gravel. They are also typically longer than plastic shovels. On the other hand, plastic shovels are lightweight, making them ideal for clearing fresh, light snow, and they are more affordable. Many shovels are constructed with a blend of both materials, so opting for one of these will give you the durability of metal in the blade or scooper, combined with the ease of handling a plastic handle.

What is the standard length of a snow shovel?

A typical snow shovel is about 48 inches tall, which includes both the blade and the shaft. However, snow pushers are usually a bit longer. The ideal length for you will depend on your height. As a general guideline, a snow shovel should reach around chest height when placed on the ground, or at least to elbow height. A longer shovel reduces the amount of bending required while pushing or scooping snow, but a shorter shovel makes lifting and throwing snow easier. This is why some shovels come with adjustable shafts or secondary handles to help with both tasks.

What is the best width for a snow shovel?

Most traditional shovels have a width ranging from 18 to 30 inches. To choose the best width, consider the area you need to clear. For larger areas, opt for a wider shovel to move more snow in a single pass. For smaller areas or steps, a narrower shovel would be more practical.

Do wheeled snow shovels work?

Some snow shovels, particularly snow pushers, are equipped with wheels to assist in pushing snow. This feature can accelerate the snow removal process and reduce strain on your lower back. After testing several wheeled snow shovels, we found them effective for clearing snow from broad areas like driveways. However, they offer less control over the blade, making it harder to tackle layers of ice or compacted snow. We recommend wheeled snow shovels mainly for clearing fresh, powdery snow.

Take Our Word for It

This article was written by Michelle Mastro, who brings 10 years of writing experience, including reviews for products like air purifiers for Clever at Architectural Digest and grills for Living Etc. Jamie Fischer, a writer for Mytour, also contributed to this piece.

For this article, we tested various snow shovels and pushers across different hardscapes and landscapes, evaluating factors such as size, material, weight, durability, ease of use, efficiency, and overall value for money. We also consulted Cheryl Higley, the director of education and content at the Snow & Ice Management Association.