Being from Florida and attending college in Syracuse, New York, one of the snowiest towns in the nation, I have had my share of weather shock, particularly during periods of significant snowfall. I was forced to quickly familiarize myself with some winter necessities, such as a salt spreader and a blower.
Another essential equipment for handling heavy snow accumulation and maintaining the cleanliness of your home’s exterior is a snow shovel. I sought advice and recommendations from experts in snow and ice management and lawn appliances to identify the finest ones.
GO Ahead and SkipWhy should I trust NBC Select? How did I choose the best snow shovels? Top-rated snow shovels? How do I shop for snow shovels?
Selected.
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Best overall snow shovelErgie Steel Shaft Impact Resistant Snow Shovel
$undefined$42.91Amazon
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Best metal snow shovelAshman Aluminium 48 inch Snow Shovel
$undefined$57.99Amazon
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Best plastic snow shovelTrue Temper Snow Pusher with Versa Grip
$undefined$59.84Home Depot
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How I picked the best snow shovels
When purchasing a snow shovel, there are a few crucial factors to take into account. According to professional advice, I considered the following when creating this list:
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Shovel type:
Different types of snow shovels exist, and each one is best for a specific task. A
scooping shovel
is best for lifting light or heavy snow and throwing it out of the way, according to Tom Canete, the CEO and president ofCanete Snow Management
. These shovels typically have a deeper, narrower blade, making them suitable for small or irregular spaces, or for moving snow longer distances, says Canete. Another common type is the
push shovel
(also known as a plowing shovel or snow pusher), which is best for hauling light fresh snow, according to Canete. These shovels often have a curved blade and are designed to push snow to the side, he says. I ve included both shovel types below.
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Handle shape:
Prioritize ergonomic snow shovels with an angled handle, as it can help you maintain balance when you scoop, and prevent pain to your body, particularly your back, hands and wrists, according to Canete. I included shovels with a handle shaped like a capital letter D, which offers better grip and control while shoveling, especially with scooping shovels, he says.
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Blade type:
Canete also recommends considering both blade and edge type. Blade refers to the scooping mechanism of the shovel it s usually either plastic or metal, according to Canete. Plastic is lightweight and resists rusting, he says. Though, in some cases, it may be more practical to use a metal-edged snow shovel because it can help scrape off snow more efficiently, though it can make scooping more difficult, Canete says. With that said, Canete recommends using metal blade snow shovels for very heavy piles of snow or for scraping hardened ice on the ground. I included snow shovels with both plastic and metal blades.
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Snow type and texture:
The texture and weight of snow will determine which type of shovel is best to use, which means it may be helpful to have both types in your arsenal. For lighter snowfalls, a [snow] pusher allows you to move the snow like a plow on a truck, says Lou Manfredini a home expert atAce Hardware
. A scooper lets you grab the snow and throw it out of the way.
(The inclusion of products sold by Ace Hardware in this article was made independently of Manfredini.)
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Top-rated snow shovels
Every snow shovel on this list has at least 500 reviews on Amazon with an average rating of at least four stars, or at least 100 reviews on their own websites or those of other well-known shops like Home Depot, Lowe’s, and Ace Hardware. A few shovels on this list feature a curved body near the bottom, and all but one have an ergonomic D-shaped handle.
Ergie Steel Shaft Impact Resistant Snow Shovel
Ergie Steel Shaft Impact Resistant Snow Shovel
- Two handles
- Long blade length
- Lightweight
- Nothing to note at this time
This snow shovel is ideal for shoveling, hauling, and moving relatively light and powdery snow about your lawn or yard. It has an average rating of 4.5 stars based on 3,995 Amazon reviews. Its two D-shaped handles on the body offer a lot of support, so using it won’t put you under a lot of pressure. The shovel is an excellent choice for someone with a weak back because it only weights about four pounds.
Type of shovel: scooping; material of blade: plastic; length of blade: 18 in.; total length: 48 in.
Ashman Aluminium 48 inch Snow Shovel
Ashman Aluminium 48 inch Snow Shovel
- Sturdy metal blade
- Tall blade
- D-shaped handle
- Body could be longer
The large blade and D-shaped handle of this snow shovel, which has a 4.6-star average rating based on 2,584 reviews on Amazon, make it simple to lift and toss snow onto the ground. Additionally, because the blade is 14 inches wide, it can handle a good amount of snow with each scoop, which will ultimately save you time when maintaining your lawn.
Shovel type: scooping; material of blade: metal; length of blade: 18 in.; total length: 48 in.
True Temper Mountain Mover Snow Shovel
True Temper Mountain Mover Snow Shovel
- Has a bent handle
- Wide blade
- Long body length
- Less durable than metal blade
Because the blade is positioned at a lower angle, the True Temper Mountain Mover snow shovel’s distinctively bent shaft at the bottom can help support your body while you shovel snow and reduce the amount of bending you must do. In order to extend the shovel’s lifespan when it comes into touch with hard concrete and other surfaces, it also features a nylon attachment that runs along the blade. Based on 1,468 reviews, it has an average rating of 4.4 stars at Home Depot.
Type of shovel: scooping; material of blade: plastic; length of blade: 18 in.; total length: 54 in.
True Temper Snow Pusher with Versa Grip
True Temper Snow Pusher with Versa Grip
- Has a wide blade
- Slender design
- Easy to store
- Doesn’t have curved handle
It is easier to push powdery snow across the ground and out of the way with the True Temper Snow Pusher’s metal shaft and plastic blade, which is more than a foot long. It has a more unusual shape instead of a D-shaped handle, but because it weighs only about five pounds, you can still hang the shovel from a strong hook in your house or storage area.
Shovel type: pushing; material of blade: plastic; length of blade: 8.5 in.; total length: 56.5 in.
Garant Poly Ergonomic Snow Shovel
Garant Poly Ergonomic Snow Shovel
- Curved handle
- Wide blade
- Nothing to note at this time
When you need to move snow—for example, from the sidewalk to the curb—without actually lifting or carrying it, this snow shovel is the perfect tool. It has a D-shaped grip that makes it simple to hold when pushing snow along rough concrete, a curved handle that supports the body, and an average rating of 4.8 stars based on 87 reviews at AceHardware. The blade includes a strip of nylon material attached to it to assist prevent damage to the edge while you operate.
Type of shovel: scooping; material of blade: metal; length of blade: 19 in.; total length: 56.5 in.
Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel
Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel
- Battery powered
- Has wheels
- Has two handles
- Pricey
Moving snow (up to 300 pounds) across surfaces like a driveway, sidewalk, or street is made much easier with the Earthwise battery-powered snow shovel, which combines the space-consciousness of a snow push-style shovel with the might of a snow blower. Its rear wheels allow you to push it over snowy terrain with ease. As it moves, the snow is pushed aside to make room for it. According to the brand, the wheeled shovel contains a 40-volt brushless motor (like a vacuum) and a charger. It has an average rating of 4.1 stars based on 2,869 reviews on Amazon.
Electric thrower kind of shovel | Material of blade: n/a| Length of blade: n/a| Total length: 43 in.
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How to shop for snow shovels
When you weigh your options, keep the following things in mind:
Snow texture
A plastic-blade snow shovel is a suitable option as, according to Manfredini and Canete, snow that is soft, powdery, and light in texture and weight is logically easier to move. According to Canete, a snow pusher-style shovel makes it simple to work with powder-like snow. However, because of its weight, a metal snow shovel can be necessary for heavier snow. It can be wise to keep both a metal and a plastic snow shovel on hand, depending on the conditions.
Orthopedic health
According to Manfredini, it’s crucial to look for a shovel with an ergonomic handle if you’re older and/or suffer from wrist, hand, or back problems. According to him, certain snow shovels include ergonomic handles that essentially reduce the amount of bending required to scoop up and toss snow. For someone with back problems, battery-operated snow shovels are an excellent option.
Frequently asked questions
There are advantages and disadvantages to both metal and plastic snow shovels. Although plastic snow shovels weigh less than metal ones, they aren’t usually as durable. Because metal choices are heavier, they could be more difficult to move and toss snow around. Additionally, according to Canete, some shovel types are better suited for working with various snow textures.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we collaborate with professionals that possess specific expertise and power derived from pertinent education and/or job experience. Additionally, we take precautions to guarantee that all professional counsel and suggestions are given impartially and free from unreported financial conflicts of interest.
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Tom Canete
is the CEO and president of snow and ice management companyCanete Snow & Ice Management
based in Wayne, NJ. The company is ranked in the top 15 snow contractors nationwide.
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Lou Manfredini
a home expert at home and landscaping retailerAce Hardware
.
Why trust NBC Select?
I write about a variety of topics pertaining to homes and lifestyles as an NBC Select acommerce editor. I’ve written about how to clean bathroom grout, how to buy a power washer, and which fertilizer is ideal for each kind of plant. I asked a home appliance specialist and a snow and ice management specialist for advice on snow shovels.
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