Winter is not always fun, especially when the temperatures start dropping, snow and ice start piling up. Anyone living in a winter locale should get ready with the necessary tools to keep their driveways and sidewalks clear. It is essential to own a high-quality snow shovel even though the snowblowers help clear the large snow areas. Whether it's almost winter time and you are looking to purchase the best snow shovel, or you are looking to upgrade to the latest tools, this article will help you figure out what you should get.
We have listed five of the best snow shovels and have included a detailed buying guide to determine which features are essential and why they are crucial. Also, we have recommended what jobs the snow shovels are suitable for.
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1. Snow Joe Shovelution Snow Shovel SJSHLV01 - Our Pick & Best Ergonomic Snow Shovel
- [DURABLE]: Impact-resistant blade
- [COMFORTABLE]: Ergonomic D-ring handle grips
- [SPRING-ASSIST HANDLE]: Acts as a fulcrum –...
- [EASY TO USE]: Gives lifting leverage to the...
- [ERGONOMIC DESIGN]: Helps to improve posture...
Snow Joe Shovelution is one of the best snow shovels we have in the market today and has an 18-inch plastic blade that efficiently handles heavy snow while not making the overall weight unmanageable because of its spring-assisted handle. It is the best overall not only because it reduces any back strain and has an ergonomic two-handle design that improves your posture but also because of the impact-resistant blade. The blade shovel is made from the aluminium blade, and the design enables you to lift it with your lower second handle.
The shovel features a straight handle which, combined with a curved blade, helps you easily collect large amounts of snow. The spring-assisted handle enables you to throw wet snow aside with minimum effort and reduce shock at the end of each toss. Notably, this shovel's grip and body design can be a bit awkward for first-time users and might need a user to get used to but packs a two-year warranty and responsive customer service.
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2. True Temper 18-inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover - Best Shovel with a Wear Strip
True Temper 1603400 Poly Snow Shovel/Pusher with Ergonomic D-Grip Steel Handle 18 Inch
True Temper 18-inch mountain mover is a lightweight snow shovel made of hard plastic with a gently curved handle that reduces the strain from your back while shovelling snow because of its ergonomic steel handle. An 18-inch blade is one of the best scoop shovels that also features a nylon wear strip on the blade's edge, increasing durability by preventing scraping or scratches. It has a big and wide D-grip for the best grip and comes with an aluminium shaft that can be gripped easily by gloved hands.
True Temper combo shovel has been built to last you and your driveway through any winter and, besides, features a curved shaft and a unique design that enables you to put minimum effort into every swing. However, if you are looking for a wide-mouthed True Temper shovel, the right shovel for you would be the True Temper Snoboss. This is an alternative for users looking for affordable snow shovels with an ergonomic handle to clear their driveway.
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3. Garant Yukon Sleigh Shovel - Best Push Shovel
- For heavy snowfalls, no tool is faster or...
- The deep blade moves large quantities of snow...
- It's the ideal tool for large areas of snow...
- Large blade allows for maximum coverage in...
- Steel wear strip extends blade life and clear...
Garant Yukon Sleigh Shovel is the best snow pusher to clear your sidewalks and driveways thanks to its 24-inch blade and the steel wear strips. Compared to other push shovels and with a slanted steel blade, this 24-inch clears areas up to several inches of snow more and is comfortable and easy to use. With the ergonomic handle, this snow pusher shovel ensures any user does not suffer posture problems or any back strain.
This True Temper push shovel model has a steel edge on the bottom that protects the main blade from any damage. Even though the 24-inch snow pusher has a traditional shovel design, the blade is durable and convenient enough to glide through the snow. Also, these high-quality snow shovels are not beginner-friendly as they need a substantial amount of muscle to get it to work and therefore, it is suitable for capable users.
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4. SunCast Snow Shovel/Pusher Combo SC3250 - Best Combination Shovel
- SNOW SHOVEL WITH 18" BLADE: Features an...
- ANGLED CHANNELS: Angled rib pattern on the...
- DURABLE CONSTRUCTION: Heavy duty resin...
- ERGONOMIC HANDLE: Ergonomic D-grip and curved...
- 52" TOTAL LENGTH: Measures 52" long to...
Suncast snow shovel/pusher combo is among the best snow shovels you can use to maintain and clear light snow on your sidewalk and driveway and clearing dog paths. The snow pusher combo handles light duties correctly because it is a heavy shovel, and carrying can be tiresome to any user. To reduce any back strain and help ensure a proper posture, this snow pusher combo has an ergonomic bent arm and an S-shaped handle.
This combo shovel has a coated plastic resin blade and a durable steel handle, while the shovel blade is made of an angled, ribbed pattern. The ribbed pattern helps prevent ice and snow from sticking to the shovel, and the poly-coated galvanized steel edges help the shovel not break but cut through effortlessly. Unfortunately, even with an ergonomic handle, the shovel's length can be short for tall users and may need to bend slightly.
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5. Snow Joe 24V SS10 Electric Snow Shovel - Best Electric Snow Shovel
- [POWER SOURCE TYPE]: Battery Powered
- [IONMAX 24-VOLT BATTERY SYSTEM COMPATIBLE]:...
- [VERSATILE]: Quick, easy and CORD-FREE snow...
- [MAINTENANCE-FREE]: No pull cords, gas, oil,...
- [DURABLE]: 2-blade high-impact,...
Snow Joe snow shovel is among the best electric snow shovels on the market to clear light snow from your driveway. A cordless battery-powered shovel has featured a dual-blade paddle auger that draws in snow and tosses it up to 20 feet away while clearing a 10-inch wide and 6-inch deep path. The electric shovel battery holds the charge for less than 30 minutes, and you can fully recharge it in 2.5 hours.
It is not the best for a large project because of the battery, but you can get good service from it when clearing sidewalks or walkways. This electric model is ideal if you don't get a lot of snowfall but don't want to bother throwing and scooping, and the 6-inch rear wheels make it easy to move around. It packs a two-year limited warranty.
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What to Consider Before Buying the Best Snow Shovel
The amount of snow, the type of climate, and the area to clear are essential to consider when shopping for the best snow shovel in the market.
1. Shovel Style
There are different types of shovel styles, and they include:
- Traditional Shovel
Traditional shovels have been around for many decades and are made of simple designs that users easily scoop and toss snow. They are mostly made of a plastic blade and a wooden shaft, but heavy-duty alternatives are made of steel or aluminium blade, and they also come in different lengths. Suitable for lifting snow from sidewalks and small areas that push shovels can't access.
- Pusher
These are shovers designed to push snow, which is easier on the back than lift and toss. Pushers work better for light around three inches of snow or less and can be a bit difficult to push heavy and wet snow.
- Combination
Like the name, they combine both the two above, lifting and tossing snow and pushing snow. The Combination-snow shovels are an excellent middle ground for shovels, and it is suitable if you are looking to have only one shovel.
2. Blade Design/Size
The size is determined by the job you intend to use the shovel for. Thicker snow beds are ideal with a wide blade and light snow beds; it's better to go with a narrow blade. A wide blade carries more snow, but it's heavier than a narrow one.
3. Blade Material
The blade material plays a significant role because the shovel blades range from plastic to heavy-duty steel with a few in-between options, and they are ideal for different snow jobs. If you go for metal or plastic, the question depends on how heavy the shovel will be, especially when you carry or push several pounds of snow.
- Plastic blades
A plastic blade is suitable for large shelling jobs and light snow, and they are the most popular and available one.
- Steel blades
They are perfect for chipping hardpack or ice and also handling wet and heavy snow.
- Aluminium blades
They are a lightweight option but work just like plastic blades because they don't do well with wet, heavy snow.
4. Straight Vs. Curved Shaft/ Handle
There are different shaft designs in the market and mostly curved or straight options where both designs create a mechanical advantage for different situations. How you plan to use your shovel determines the suitable handle design you should pick. Also, choose a handle that has a comfortable handle diameter to minimize any risks of blisters. Shovels have different handles, some steel, others a hardwood handle, a telescoping handle which can make good car shovels, and even a fiberglass handle.
- Straight-handle shovels
These are ideal for lifting, tossing, and chopping snow because the straight handle gives the user the best position to lift, carry and throw snow. Straight handle shovels are suitable for clearing areas filled with hardpack snow or chopping blocks.
- Curved Shaft Shovels
Curved shaft shovel types are suitable for pushing snow because the curve prevents a user's ability to efficiently and safely lift damp snow. They prevent users from excess bending or straining the back when moving snow from the ground as they limit lower back stress when the push force is applied forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the difference between a snow shovel and a snow pusher?
The main difference is in the blade design. A traditional shovel comes with an almost flat rectangular blade that ranges between 18 inches and 24 inches. On the other hand, snow pushers have longer and more narrow curved edges that are ideal for driveways because they enable any individual to use minimum effort and clear snow faster.
2. When should you shovel snow?
The best time to shovel snow is when you can safely do it because safety comes first. However, it would be best if you did not let snow accumulate to great heights. You can choose to shovel the snow every few inches, or you can wait until the end of the winter storm and snow shovel in layers as much as you are comfortable lifting. Avoid overexerting yourself to reduce the risk of any injuries.
3. Which brand makes the best snow shovels?
Snow Joe makes the best snow shovels, and you can check why in the ones we have listed above. Bully Tools is another reputable brand you can check out.
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