The best snow shovels are designed to help you clear away snow so that you have a safer path or drive to walk along. After a light snowfall, shoveling snow can seem like good fun for all the family to get involved with. However, when the ground becomes buried under a thick coating of snow and ice, the task becomes far more laborious, and you’ll soon know if your snow shovel isn’t up to task.
A snow shovel that’s too narrow, for example, will double the length of time it takes to clear your path. So if you want to avoid injury and get back to the more important things, like propping your feet over a warm fireplace, investing in one of the best snow shovels is essential. Nowadays there are plenty of snow shovels designed with comfort in mind. Most measure between 18 and 24 inches too, and some are handy push versions that are good at clearing large areas. Likewise, electric snow shovels give an extra kick of power to get the job done.
For an easier snow shoveling experience, you’ll want to strike a balance between an affordable price tag and an efficient design. Whichever is your priority, we’ve sifted through some of the best snow shovels out there to find the models that get the job done, from spring loaded ergonomic designs to help soften the blow on your lower back, to comfortable snow shovels with curved shafts and nylon grips.
If you’re dealing with very deep or compacted snow, consider calling in the best snow blowers to clear it faster. For further garden maintenance jobs, also take a look at our guide to the best chainsaws. For now, here are the best snow shovels available to buy now…
The best snow shovels you can buy in 2024
Why you can trust Top Ten Reviews Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.
We're on a mission here at Top Ten Reviews to review everything that we feature in our buyer's guide. While we haven't been able to test every model in this guide in person, we've instead honed in on top-rated brands and used our knowledge what to look out for when choosing a snow shovel to help you make the right decision for your home, all for the best price.
The best snow shovel over all
As the name would suggest, the True Temper 18-inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover is a powerful snow shovel that will truly do it all. It has a sturdy build that will stand the test of time, with a curved aluminum shaft and strong steel handle that is comfortable to use. However, it is still lightweight thanks to the plastic scoop. It measures 18-inches wide - big enough to significantly clear snow but not intrusive.
The scoop has a nylon edge that minimizes damage to the material you're working on, whether this is a patio, deck, or driveway. You can use this to scoop up snow, move it, or flip it over and the ergonomic design will keep the strain off your wrists as you work.
The bright yellow design might not be a selling point to some, but it works well if you've left the shovel buried under snow. The low price of this shovel also makes it an accessible and high-quality choice.
Best snow shovel on a budget
A fantastic budget option for those who are looking for a snow shovel and scoop all-in-one, this Bully Tools Combination shovel will fit the bill. Due to the combi-nature of this choice, it has a straight fiberglass shaft and D-grip handles in lieu of an ergonomic shaft, which comes well even when working without gloves.
Larger than other models, the scoop is a grand 22-inches wide. This means that it's a fast-working scraper that can move lots of snow at once if you have the arm power to use it to its full potential. The shaft is longer than usual too, which does help take the load off your back as there's less need to bend over.
What's more, this shovel has a limited lifetime warranty, offering peace of mind that it will last, despite the low price.
Best snow shovel for reducing back strain
The Snow Joe SJ-SHLV01 Shovelution is the snow shovel to use if you want to take it easy on your back. This is thanks to a unique spring-loaded ergonomic design which uses dual handles to allow for a more even spread of the weight when shovelling. It does take a little getting used to but is worth it if protecting yourself is important to you. Essentially, less bending over is required, meaning a lot less strain on your back as you shovel.
The 18-inch scoop helps to keep weight loads down while those handles stop excessive leaning, for a fast and efficient action for snow moving. Somehow, this also comes it at a very low price, offering you lots for your money.
Best electric snow shovel
This Greenworks 8 Amp 12 inch Electric Snow Shovel is a great option for anyone who wants to clear their driveway with the least amount of effort possible. It can be used on sidewalks, patios, steps, decks, and driveways and works by sucking up snow and then firing it out up to 20-ft away.
It is corded, so bear in mind that you'll need access to mains power in order to use this shovel. It does, however, have a simple electric start thanks to a push-button. It's lightweight and convenient to maneuverer. The handle also folds down to half it's length, so you can find a spot to store it both inside or out, more easily.
At around $100, it's on the pricier side for a snow shovel however the 8-amp electric motor and lightweight design will turn the hassle of shovelling into a pain-free task. It claims to clear up to 300 lbs. of snow per minute, so you'll be able to completely transform your driveway quickly.
Best snow sleigh
The Garant True Temper 24-inch is a snow shovel in the sleigh style which means it's built to move huge amounts of snow at a time more easily. The 24-inch scoop is attached to a handle built for two handed use, much like a mower, allowing you to scoop and push around the snow. A push-and-clear style can be faster but does mean more weight on each move.
This is great for clearing large amounts of snow at a time but does require some effort making this an option for those that don't mind putting their back into the work for a faster end result. That said, the ergonomic handle shape should help to keep effort to a minimum without strain on the wrists.
The scoop is solid plastic with a metal blade on the front to help cut through the snow and ice while protecting the scoop bucket itself.
Best car snow shovel
The Hopkins Subzero Auto Emergency snow shovel is the ideal companion for a potentially snowy car trip. This snow shovel is made to live in the car, but equally can be used at home on the driveway to clear a path. Featuring a telescopic shaft this is able to pack down to 6.8-inches but extends out to a back-friendly 36.5-inches, making it one of the larger portable models out there.
The handle is D-shaped to give good purchase and there is a foam grip on the shaft to allow for supported and comfortable two-handed snow shoveling. Everything feels strong from the twist extender to the thick plastic scoop, making this a fully functional snow shovel despite its compact and car-friendly portability.
