If you live in a snowy climate, a good snow shovel is a must-have item.
We looked at hundreds of snow shovels and compared their durability, design, and price. The Snow Joe Shovelution Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel, our best overall option, stands out for its ergonomic design, heavy-duty build, and low pricing.
The best snow shovels are listed here.
The Snow Joe Shovelution Stain-Reducing Snow Shovel is one of the greatest snow shovels you can use, whether you’re digging out after a blizzard or just clearing a few inches of snow from your walkway. It boasts a unique design that makes shoveling more comfortable. Customers claim it works! This unusual shovel has a spring-loaded second handle that helps you lift and fling snow while avoiding back strain.
This shovel has an 18-inch aluminum impact-resistant blade, and its ergonomic shape helps to enhance posture by reducing the amount of bending required. The Shovelution Snow Shovel’s two-handle design allows you leverage to lift with your lower hand, and it can minimize back strain by up to 30%.
If you simply need to shovel snow every once in a while, the Temper True 18-inch Snow Shovel will suffice. The 18-inch blade is supported by a 36-inch straight steel handle in this no-frills model, and the steel wear strip helps to extend the blade’s life and break through difficult areas of ice. The Temper True Snow Shovel may not have all of the bells and whistles of other shovels, but customers say it is strong, durable, and will get the job done.
You can get a simple snow shovel for $15 or $20 at any home improvement store, but it won’t be as good as the Garant Sleigh Shovel. Although it is more expensive than you may anticipate for a shovel, customers claim this one-of-a-kind tool is well worth the money because it is pleasant to use and efficiently moves big amounts of snow.
To assist clear your driveway, sidewalks, and other surfaces, this sleigh-style shovel includes a 24-inch blade with a steel wear strip. Because you can simply push and dump snow, the deep blade is suitable for usage in deep snow, and the ergonomic grip helps decrease back fatigue. The Garant Sleigh Shovel is strong and remarkably easy to use, according to consumers, and it clears huge tracks that make rapid work of enormous driveways.
Wide snow shovels aid in the creation of broader paths, allowing you to clear huge areas more quickly. With a 26-inch wide blade and a 32-inch ergonomic aluminum handle, the Ames True Temper Poly Snow Shovel is a wonderful choice for individuals with big walkways or driveways to clean.
A steel wear strip is included on the high-capacity blade, and a footstep on the back provides leverage in heavy snow. The shovel is also reversible, so you can use it to scrape down confined spots like your steps or porch. Customers claim that this True Temper shovel allows them to cover a lot of land rapidly, and that the design is easier on their backs than a traditional snow shovel.
You know why it’s necessary to carry a portable shovel in your car if you’ve ever left work for the day only to discover your vehicle blanketed in several inches of snow! The Suncast Telescoping Auto Shovel is a great item to keep in your trunk because it doesn’t take up a lot of room but still comes in handy if you need to dig your car out of the snow.
This shovel’s handle expands from 30 to 38 inches thanks to a button-lock slider that’s specially intended to be easy to use while wearing gloves. The shovel boasts an 11-inch wide blade with graphite construction that prevents snow from sticking, as well as a cushioned foam shaft for added comfort.
When Buying a Snow Shovel, Keep These Things in Mind
Types of Snow Shovels
Understanding the distinctions between the three types of snow shovels can help you choose the finest tool for keeping your driveway and walkway clear.
A long, straight shaft constructed of wood or plastic is typical of traditional snow shovels. The shovel’s blade is rectangular and has a modest slope to assist it reach beneath the layers of snow. Traditional snow shovel blades are typically constructed of plastic, while metal blades are also available.
Push snow shovels are designed to push the snow rather than lift and throw it. Use these shovels to quickly remove huge amounts of light snow. Push shovels are great for cleaning roads and pathways, but heavy packing snow or frozen snow can make them difficult to operate.
Because combination snow shovels are designed to push, lift, and fling snow, the blades of these shovels will be larger and curved than a regular shovel blade. A combination snow shovel is a wonderful idea if you only want one shovel in your garage, shed, or sitting on your front porch waiting for the next snowstorm.
Design of the blade
A snow shovel’s blade is the portion that is used to push, lift, and throw snow. It has a curved shape that allows the shovel’s edge to slip under the snow. The design also aids in the collection of snow and prevents it from falling off the shovel while pushing, lifting, or throwing it. The width of a snow shovel blade typically ranges from 12 to 30 inches.
Smaller blades are good for scooping and tossing snow to the side rapidly, making them ideal for shoveling narrow walkways and paths. Larger blades are more effective at pushing huge amounts of snow across a flat surface, such as a driveway or deck. Combination snow shovels often have a broad blade with a steep bend, allowing them to push enormous amounts of snow while also lifting and tossing it.
Type of Shaft
When shopping for a new snow shovel, the shaft type should also be examined. Straight shafts allow the user to lift, carry, and throw snow in the greatest possible position. They can also be used to cut thin ice and remove frozen snow.
Curved shafts are more effective in pushing snow. When pushing a heavy load of snow, the curved form improves user control while also reducing stress on the lower back. You should be able to avoid bending over as much as possible, enabling your legs, arms, and the rest of your body to do the work instead of your back. However, this shaft isn’t ideal for lifting or tossing snow.
Material of the blade
A shovel’s blade can be made of a variety of materials, including steel, aluminum, and plastic.
Steel is the most durable material for a shovel blade since it can chip through hard ice or packed snow, as well as lift heavy, wet snow, without bending or breaking.
Aluminum blades are an excellent, lightweight alternative to steel blades, but don’t expect them to last as long as steel blades. When slicing ice or firmly packed snow, avoid using metal snow shovel blades.
Because they are affordable and lightweight, plastic snow shovel blades are the most widely utilized. In most circumstances, plastic will not bend or warp, but these blades are prone to chipping and splitting.
FAQ
How do you go about shoveling snow?
It’s critical to understand how to shovel properly in order to avoid injuring yourself. Always bend your knees and lift with your legs rather than your back. You can hold the shovel closer to you while lifting the snow by grabbing it near the blade. This will lessen the weight on your back. Switching between a right-handed and left-handed stance to work different muscles is also a good idea. Keep in mind that the shovel does not have to be completely filled all of the time. Toss half a blade if the weight is too much. You’ll take longer, but you’ll be less likely to get hurt.
When is the best time to shovel snow?
If it is still snowing, it is recommended that you shovel the snow early in the morning and on a frequent basis throughout the day. This aids in the prevention of snow accumulation and makes snow shoveling more convenient.
What’s the best way to keep snow from adhering to your snow shovel?
While shoveling, snow can stick to a shovel, making it harder to dump the snow or pick up a new load. Coat the blade of the shovel with cooking spray or vegetable oil to keep the snow from clinging to it. This will create a barrier between the water and your shovel, preventing it from freezing and sticking.
What is the best way to shovel frozen snow?
After snow falls and piles on the ground, the top layer of snow can melt beneath it, then freeze when the sun sets. Because breaking up and removing frozen snow is much more difficult, you might consider using a deicing solution before shoveling. These products lower the melting point of ice, allowing frozen snow to be broken up and moved more easily. Consider putting kitty litter or salt on the ground at your feet if you need more traction while working.
Why Should You Trust The Spruce?
Timothy Dale, a long-time home improvement specialist specializing in plumbing, building, and product recommendations, among other issues, contributed further reporting and research for this piece.
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