Best Snow Shovels of 2024

Winter’s arrival brings with it picturesque snowy landscapes, but it also comes accompanied by the inevitable task of snow removal. As the snow piles up on driveways, sidewalks, and around our homes, the necessity for an effective snow shovel becomes evident. At Forestry, we understand that not all snow shovels are created equal. That’s why we’ve embarked on a journey to find the very best snow shovels tailored to your needs.

But why is having a quality snow shovel so essential? For starters, a well-designed snow shovel can significantly reduce the time and effort required to clear a path, ensuring that your daily routine isn’t heavily disrupted by the winter weather. Additionally, with the right ergonomic design, a shovel can minimize the strain on your back and muscles, turning a potentially strenuous activity into a more manageable, even enjoyable, chore. More than just a tool, a snow shovel is your winter ally, ensuring safety by preventing slippery surfaces, allowing access to essential areas like your car or front door, and even protecting surfaces like wooden or composite decks from damage.

List of Best Snow Shovels:

• True Temper 18-inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover Snow Shovel
• Emsco Group Bigfoot 18-inch Combination Snow Shovel
• Garant Yukon 18-Inch Ergonomic Snow Shovel
• The Snow Dominator
• Ergieshovel 48 in. Steel Shaft Impact Resistant Snow Shovel
• Voile Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel
• True Temper 20-inch Aluminum Combo Snow Shovel
• Snowplow Original Snow Pusher
• Bully Tools Combination Snow Shovel
• Yeoman BustR Snow Shovel

As winter approaches, or even in the midst of it, equip yourself with the best. Dive into our curated list, where we’ve sieved through countless options to present you with snow shovels that stand out in durability, design, and functionality. Prepare to face the snow with confidence!

Its blade is crafted from plastic but is reinforced with a nylon wear strip, ensuring a balance between functionality and longevity. This wear strip not only enhances the blade’s lifespan but also ensures that common surfaces, such as decks and patios, remain unmarked.

One of the shovel’s standout features is its ergonomic handle, which, at 37.4 inches, promises comfort during prolonged use. This is further complemented by an oversized D-grip, tailored for those wearing gloves in the icy winter months, adding to its practicality. In terms of versatility, the shovel’s blade is uniquely structured, being flat at the front for effective snow pushing and deeper at the back, making it suitable for scooping.

This design makes it versatile enough to handle an array of snow types, from the fluffiest to the heaviest and wettest. Its dimensions, a manageable weight of 3 lbs and a total height of 54.125 inches, ensure it is neither too cumbersome nor too lightweight, striking a good balance for the user.

Diving deeper into True Temper’s offerings, this shovel is but a part of their broader snow tool collection, which caters to a wide range of snow removal needs. This diversity speaks to the brand’s commitment to providing solutions for both everyday users and professionals. On the warranty front, while the product comes with a brief 30-day manufacturer’s guarantee, potential buyers might find solace in the 90-day return policy.

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Material choice is another commendable aspect of this product. Unlike the traditional metal shovels, the Bigfoot Combination Snow Shovel opts for a high-density polyethylene blade. This choice confers several advantages: the material is lightweight, making the shovel easier to handle, and it doesn’t stick to the snow, ensuring a smoother snow removal experience. Moreover, the blade’s sturdiness doesn’t compromise due to the lightweight material, promising durability even after prolonged use.

Emsco further fortifies the shovel’s durability with a steel-core handle, ensuring it withstands the rigors of multiple hard winters. The choice of a bright orange color for the shovel is both functional and safety-conscious. In the white backdrop of snow, the shovel is easily visible, making nighttime shoveling safer by making the user more visible to passersby.

A glimpse at the product description and it’s evident that Emsco has put thought into its design. The shovel is adept at clearing driveways and backyards. Its unique blade design allows users to push snow effortlessly, scoop it up in large quantities, and lift and throw it with ease. This versatility ensures that regardless of the snow type or amount, the Bigfoot Combination Snow Shovel is up to the task.

The manufacturer, Emsco, underscores the product’s prowess with its description. The Bigfoot Snow Dozer isn’t just a shovel; it’s a combination of a shovel, pusher, and scoop, all built into a single robust snow removal tool. The improved, reinforced blade measures 13 1/2 x 18 inches and is designed to resist snow sticking, further enhancing its usability.

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The blade’s design is another noteworthy aspect. At 18 inches, it’s wide enough to push significant amounts of snow and possesses the depth needed for lifting. This duality in function, effectively blending the capabilities of a shovel and a scraper, ensures the tool is versatile in handling various snow situations. The choice of aluminum for both the handle and blade offers a combination of sturdiness and lightness. Aluminum ensures the tool is resistant to very low temperatures, an essential feature for a snow shovel. Moreover, its lightweight nature ensures that even with intensive use, the user won’t feel overly fatigued.

Another convenience feature is the tool-free, easy-to-assemble knockdown system, which can be particularly beneficial for storage or transport purposes. The shovel’s clear color, while not as striking as other options, offers a clean and straightforward appearance.

A look at the technical specifications reveals that the shovel has dimensions of 5.5 x 18 x 53.5 inches and weighs a mere 3 pounds. This lightweight design, combined with the ergonomic grip, ensures that the shovel is user-friendly, even for extended periods.

Garant’s confidence in the product is further evident from the 1-Year Limited Warranty they offer. While not the longest in the market, it still provides users with a degree of assurance regarding the product’s quality and durability.

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The shovel’s durability extends beyond just the blade. The ergonomic fiberglass handle, which is extra-long for added leverage, boasts a wall thickness that is twice as thick as typical industry snow shovels. The manufacturers further reinforced its strength by integrating plug inserts, ensuring a sturdier and longer-lasting handle.

Efficiency meets comfort in the design of the D-Grip handle, a trusted configuration known for providing superior control and comfort. This grip ensures users can push, scoop, chop, and scrape with utmost ease. An added advantage is the quick assembly feature; with clear instructions and standard tools, users can have the shovel ready for action in under 5 minutes.

A mark of pride for the Snow Dominator is its origin. This shovel is designed, sourced, and produced in the USA. This domestic production, combined with glowing reviews from professionals dealing with snow, churches, and property managers, serves as a testament to its quality and efficiency.

Speaking of specifics, the Snow Dominator measures 54 x 18 x 4 inches and weighs in at 5 pounds. Its industrial style is evident in its robust build, and the ergonomic design promises ease of use. The ability for it to be foldable adds a dimension of convenience, especially for storage purposes. The entire package arrives at a size of approximately 58 x 12 x 4 inches with a weight of 1361 grams.

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One of the most distinctive features of the Ergieshovel is its extra handle. This design innovation provides users with more leverage, allowing them to clear more snow with minimal effort. The 18-inch wide blade plays a pivotal role in this by facilitating more clearance, enabling users to tackle large volumes of snow in fewer scoops. A significant concern with many shovels is their susceptibility to breakage, especially during rigorous use. The Ergieshovel addresses this by incorporating a steel shaft, which not only adds strength but also provides impact resistance, greatly reducing the chances of the shovel snapping mid-use.

Practicality is balanced with user comfort. The shovel is designed to reduce strain on one’s back – a common complaint among those who shovel snow regularly. An 18-inch blade ensures that users can scoop up a considerable amount of snow, reducing the number of repetitions and, by extension, fatigue. Further enhancing the user experience is the large D-grip, which offers extra control, especially when handling heavy loads of snow.

Despite its robust design, the Ergieshovel is surprisingly lightweight, a feature that many will appreciate, especially during extended snow-clearing sessions. The durable design ensures longevity, giving users the confidence that their shovel will last for many winters to come.

To delve into specifics, the blade length and width both stand at 18 in., with the handle stretching to a length of 48 in. The overall dimensions of the shovel are 18.7 in. in-depth, 15 in. in height, and 5.1 in. in width. The blade is crafted from aluminum, known for its durability and lightweight nature. The shovel weighs in at a manageable 4 lbs.

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What sets the Telepro M apart is its precise engineering and attention to detail. While it incorporates elements found in the full-size version, it does so in a compact and travel-friendly size. One of its most significant features is the extended telescoping handle. This addition is crafted thoughtfully to offer enhanced efficiency during shoveling sessions and significantly reduces strain on the user’s lower back. For those on the move or engaging in downhill adventures, the handle can be collapsed effortlessly, removed from the scoop, and stowed in a pack, making it a traveler’s delight.

However, the true essence of the Telepro M lies in its scoop. Cold-forged to the signature Voilé shape, the scoop is crafted from 6061 aluminum. Further ensuring its durability, the aluminum is heat-treated to a T6 temper. For those wondering about the technicalities, T6-tempered 6061 aluminum boasts an impressive tensile strength of 42,000 psi and yield strength of 35,000 psi. This formidable strength ensures that the scoop performs at par, if not better, than the heavy steel scoops one might associate with regular shovels.

In addition to its primary function, the Telepro M shovel scoop also includes two slotted holes. These “deadman” holes are not merely decorative. In the hands of someone experienced with snow terrain, these can be utilized to create an emergency rescue sled or even a snow anchor. While the latter may sound adventurous, it’s recommended not to use it as a rappelling point into deep abysses.

Concluding the specs, the Telepro M has an approximate weight of 1 lb. 9 oz., with a length of 28 inches, which can be extended to 33.5 inches. The handle and scoop have lengths of 17.5 inches and 13.5×10 inches, respectively. The material used for the scoop is the aforementioned 6061-T6 Tempered Aluminum.

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What makes the True Temper Aluminum Snow Shovel stand out is its fusion of tradition with innovation. The product is the proud culmination of the brand’s extensive snow tool collection, designed meticulously to address every winter challenge head-on. A salient feature of this shovel is its patented blade, uniquely crafted to encompass the capacity of a scoop and the functionality of a pusher. Reinforced with a steel wear strip, the blade promises durability and longevity, challenging even the harshest winter conditions.

The ergonomic handle of this shovel is another noteworthy highlight. Skillfully designed to minimize back strain, it exemplifies user comfort and efficiency. Adding to the user’s convenience is an oversized poly D-grip, ensuring that those shoveling with gloves can do so with ease and comfort.

Breaking down the specifics, the shovel stretches to a height of 53.3 inches, spans a width of 20.1 inches, and weighs approximately 5.5 lbs. The blade and handle materials consist of high-quality aluminum, ensuring lightweight functionality and sturdiness.

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The first thing that grabs attention is its expansive 36-inch wide UHMW poly blade. This blade isn’t merely broad; it’s crafted from revolutionary UHMW polyethylene, a material renowned for its durability and impact resistance. This ensures the blade’s longevity, even when faced with the harshest snow conditions. Such a wide blade is purpose-built to enhance snow removal efficiency, ensuring that vast areas like driveways, sidewalks, patios, and decks are cleared almost half the time than with conventional shovels.

Beyond its primary function of pushing snow, the Snowplow Snow Pusher boasts a unique dual-purpose design. By flipping the tool over, users can utilize a specialized cutting angle, making it particularly adept at breaking apart stubbornly packed snow and even chipping away at ice. This feature is further enhanced when dealing with footprints and tire tracks, which the Snowplow effortlessly peels up and pushes away.

The tool’s ergonomic design ensures user comfort and efficiency. The 49-inch reinforced fiberglass handle is both sturdy and lightweight, accompanied by a ‘D’ style grip handle, designed meticulously for operational control. The construction integrity is reinforced with the Tuff brace support system, offering impeccable blade support, and the simple bolt-together design ensures easy assembly.

But what sets the Snowplow apart is its versatility. While its rugged design allows it to tackle the toughest snow conditions, it’s gentle enough for delicate surfaces. Whether it’s concrete, blacktop, pavers, aggregate, wood, composite decks, or even roofs, the Snowplow ensures effective snow removal without causing damage.

Offering variations in 24″, 30″, 36″, and 48″ widths, J&M ensures there’s a Snowplow model suitable for every need. With additional conveniences like wall hanger clips for easy storage, this snow pusher effortlessly blends functionality with practicality.

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Constructed with precision, this 22” snow shovel/pusher showcases its prowess in both scooping and transferring snow, ice and even wet leaves. Whether it’s your driveway, walkway, porch, or composite deck, its specialized design ensures you’re well-equipped. The shovel’s long handle, paired with a comfortable D-grip, not only offers impressive leverage but also efficiently transfers your force with a simple push. What’s more, the extra-thick edge of the shovel ensures smooth and safe gliding across varied surfaces, from composite to concrete, ensuring the elimination of any potential damage.

One might wonder about the durability of such a lightweight tool, but the Bully Tools Combination Snow Shovel surpasses expectations. The scoop, crafted from top-grade polypropylene, ensures longevity without compromising on weight, making it perfect for heavy snow. The handle, a blend of strength and sophistication, is constructed from high-quality fiberglass, further coated in a protective polyester veil. This design choice ensures splinter prevention and enhanced strength. The D-shaped poly grip, with its no-slip texture, is meticulously designed to combat hand fatigue while being spacious enough to accommodate work gloves.

Delving deeper into its construction, the shovel stands out for its absence of a metal wear strip. This intelligent design choice ensures that it’s gentle on surfaces and prolongs the tool’s life compared to its counterparts. Moreover, with minor assembly required, setting up the shovel is a breeze, requiring just a Philips head screwdriver and pliers.

Founded in 1994, Bully Tools has a reputation for producing 100% USA-made tools that are not only reliable but also adaptive to the ever-changing needs of their consumers. This shovel, with its stress-tested construction, is no exception.

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The BustR Snow Shovel showcases a robust blade made of heavy-duty poly material, ensuring longevity and resilience against the harshest of snowfalls. Measuring 18 inches in both width and length, its rectangular blade is designed to move significant volumes of snow efficiently. Its standout feature, however, is the heavy-duty steel wear plate that fortifies the blade’s edge, offering enhanced strength and preventing wear and tear during rigorous shoveling sessions.

Complementing its formidable blade, the shovel boasts a robust steel handle, renowned for its sturdiness and resistance to bending, ensuring a firm grip and efficient shoveling. The handle stretches to a length of 42 inches, culminating in an overall tool length of 55 inches. This thoughtful design provides users with an extended reach and added leverage during snow-clearing tasks. Moreover, with the inclusion of a cushion grip and a Poly D-handle, users can expect a comfortable and ergonomic shoveling experience. The comfort grip not only offers a firm hold but also minimizes fatigue during prolonged usage.

Aesthetically, the shovel radiates a sleek black color, adding a touch of elegance to its robust design. The blade’s poly construction ensures that it remains lightweight yet sturdy, ensuring a balanced weight distribution for the user.

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BEST SNOW SHOVEL ACCESSORY

Its standout feature, the ergonomic design, offers tangible health and productivity benefits. Allowing users to remain more upright with a 30% reduction in back-bending strain, makes tasks like shoveling or raking significantly less taxing on the body. This design is especially beneficial for those with existing health concerns such as back problems or arthritic conditions. The option to adjust the handle along the shaft means that users can customize the tool according to their height and arm length, ensuring an ergonomic fit for everyone.

In terms of durability, the handle is constructed from a UV-stabilized resin, promising longevity and resilience even in extreme conditions, from the cold Arctic to the scorching desert. Its universal compatibility is another feather in its cap, ensuring it can be used with various brands from Fiskars to Craftsman.

Comparison Table

Brand/Product Name	Blade Width	Blade Material	Handle Length	Handle Material	Special Features
Suncast SC1350	18 in.	Poly	40 in.	Steel	Galvanized steel wear strip
Snow Joe SJ-SHLV01	18 in.	Poly	48.4 in.	Aluminum	Spring-assisted handle
Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility	11 in.	Aluminum	32 in.	Aluminum	Collapsible design
Suncast SC2700	20 in.	Poly	51 in.	Steel	Galvanized steel wear strip
AMES 2672100	18 in.	Poly	37.5 in.	Steel	Antifreeze agent
Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche	13.5×10 in.	6061 Aluminum	28-33.5 in.	Telescoping	Avalanche shovel, T6-tempered
J&M Snowplow Original Snow Pusher	36 in.	UHMW Poly	49 in.	Fiberglass	Non-abrasive, tuff brace system
Bully Tools Combination Snow	22 in.	Polypropylene	56 in.	Fiberglass	No metal wear strip, ergonomic D-grip
Yeoman BustR Snow Shovel	18 in.	Poly	42 in.	Steel	Heavy-duty steel wear plate

What To Consider When Choosing A Snow Shovel

Snow shoveling might appear to be a simple winter task, but it carries significant risks. According to the Nationwide Children’s Hospital, an estimated 11,500 injuries resulting from shoveling snow require hospital treatment annually. Surprisingly, this seemingly innocuous activity results in dozens, if not hundreds, of deaths each year in the US. One of the main reasons people get injured is the underestimation of the effort and physical strain that goes into shoveling.

When it comes to snow shovels, there are three primary types differentiated by the design of their blades. The kind of snow you’re dealing with can dictate which shovel is best. Light and fluffy snow is easily cleared with pusher shovels, while heavier, wetter snow calls for scoop shovels.

The typical scoop shovel has a slightly curved blade, enabling easy scooping and lifting of snow. While these are common, combination shovels, which blend the benefits of both scoop and pusher shovels, are often recommended due to their versatility.

Push shovels focus on displacing snow, using short, broad blades to direct snow to the sides. They’re not meant for lifting. Combination shovels, on the other hand, come with deeper, curved blades that can both push and scoop snow effectively, though not as efficiently as dedicated push shovels.

When selecting a shovel, it’s important to assess the grip. It should feel comfortable and sturdy in your hand, as poor quality handles can easily break. The majority of recommended shovels feature a “D-grip” because of its ergonomic benefits. This grip design curves outwards from the handle, forming a ‘D’ shape, providing a comfortable hold for extended periods. There are also “T-grip” designs, but these are often seen as less ergonomic.

Size and construction materials are equally critical. Larger shovels can clear more ground but may be weighty and challenging to handle. For most home uses, plastic-based shovels are advised over metallic ones since metal can rust and snag on uneven surfaces. Some shovels, however, might have a metal edge for breaking ice.

Experts often advise against purchasing oversized shovels. They can tempt users to lift heavier amounts of snow, potentially leading to injuries. For standard tasks like clearing driveways, a shovel blade width between 18- and 24-inches is ideal.

Always use proper form: lift using your legs while keeping your back straight. If you’re feeling pain or discomfort, take breaks and consider tools with ergonomic designs. If the task seems too demanding, think about hiring assistance or using machinery like snowblowers.

Post-shoveling, apply de-icing agents like rock salt or magnesium chloride to ensure paths remain slip-free. But be cautious, as some de-icers can damage plants or harm pets.

Lastly, remember that the best shovel for you might not be the best for someone else. Factors like height, physical ability, and the specific task at hand can all influence what shovel is most appropriate. Therefore, test out a shovel before committing to it and consider having different types on hand for varied needs.

FAQs

1. How often should you shovel snow?
   It’s recommended to shovel snow every few hours during a snowstorm to prevent accumulation, especially if it’s heavy or wet snow. By shoveling regularly, you reduce the amount of work at one time and prevent the snow from becoming compacted and icy. If the snowstorm is ongoing, try to shovel when the depth reaches about 2-4 inches.
2. What’s the safest way to shovel snow?
   Safety should always be paramount when engaging in physically demanding activities like snow shoveling. Before starting, it’s beneficial to warm up the body with some light stretching or walking. Using an appropriate shovel, one suited for an individual’s height and strength can reduce strain. Shovels with ergonomic designs, such as curved handles, can significantly decrease the need to bend and lift. When lifting snow, always prioritize using the strength of the legs rather than the back. Additionally, it’s essential to dress in layers, ensuring moisture-wicking materials are used to stay dry. It’s also crucial to remain hydrated and take breaks as needed.
3. What makes shoveling snow easier?
   Several methods can simplify the task of snow shoveling. Opting for a lightweight, preferably plastic, shovel can reduce the physical exertion involved. Ergonomically designed shovels can also be more comfortable to use over extended periods. To keep snow from sticking to the shovel blade, applying a silicone-based lubricant or cooking spray can be effective. In situations with deep snow, it’s helpful to remove snow in layers, rather than attempting to lift a heavy load all at once. Lastly, pre-treating areas with salt or other ice melt solutions can lessen future shoveling work by preventing ice buildup.
4. How a person should use a shovel to remove snow?
   For efficient snow removal, proper shovel usage is key. It’s advisable to stand with feet positioned about hip-width apart to ensure stability. Holding the shovel with one hand near the top and the other midway down the shaft can provide optimal leverage. Rather than lifting snow, it’s often more efficient to push it to the side. When lifting is necessary, use the legs, keeping the shovel close to the body, and avoid twisting or throwing snow over the shoulder.
5. How do you maintain a shovel?
   Shovels, like all tools, require regular maintenance to ensure longevity and efficiency. After each use, it’s essential to clean off any residual snow or debris. Once cleaned, the shovel should be thoroughly dried to prevent rusting, especially if it’s made of metal. Periodically, inspect the shovel for signs of wear, cracks, or damage, replacing parts as needed. For shovels with a metal edge, occasional sharpening can improve performance. To further protect against rust, consider applying a light coat of oil to metal surfaces or ensuring the shovel is stored off the ground in a dry location.

Hey there, snow warriors! I hope you found Best Snow Shovel of 2024 both fun and informative. We’re all on this wintery journey together, and each of us has our own cool story or hack when it comes to clearing that frosty blanket. Maybe you’ve stumbled upon a shovel that’s changed your snowy mornings, or perhaps you’ve got a hilarious snow-shoveling tale to tell. Whatever it is, we’re all ears! Drop a comment below, and let’s turn this article into a cozy winter chat. Your thoughts might just be the hot cocoa someone else needs. Stay warm, and keep sharing!