Best Snow Shovel 2018 – Buyer’s Guide

Winter is coming. With the chilly months fast approaching, the first snowflakes of the season will be here soon if they haven’t arrived in your area already. My family and I love watching the snow fall and then taking the kids out to play in it.

However, what we do not love is removing the snow, so we can get to school, work, or the million other places we need to visit.

If you live in an area with snow, you may already understand how difficult removing the snow can be. A snow blower may be a luxury you can’t afford, or perhaps you don’t get enough snow to make the investment worth it.

Selecting the Best Snow Shovel in December, 2018

1. Garant YPP24EAKDU Yukon 24-Inch Poly Blade Ergonomic Snow Pusher : Most Ergonomic Snow Pusher

The Garant Yukon Poly Blade Ergonomic Snow Pusher features a 24-inch blade. The wider blade will help you to clear larger paths in the snow, cutting down on shoveling time.

This version is marketed as a snow pusher, meaning it is used to clear the snow by pushing it out of the way.

The Garant Yukon 24-Inch Poly Blade Ergonomic Snow Pusher has taken steps to ensure that when using it, you will feel more comfortable than with other snow pushers or shovels. This is due to its ergonomic design.

2. True Temper SnoForce Ergonomic Snow Shovel : Best for Areas with Icy Winter Weather Conditions

The True Temper SnoForce Ergonomic Snow Shovel was crafted to withstand the toughest of winter conditions.

This shovel features a 20-inch blade with a higher capacity level than similar versions. You will be able to clear out larger amounts of snow in a shorter time frame.

Our testing team really enjoyed using this option from True Temper thanks to the high-quality resins used to create the blade.

3. Snowplow Snow Pusher 50548 : Best Snow Pusher

The Snow Pusher by Snowplow has been fitted with a blade that measures 48 inches in width. The blade is created from UHMW Polyethylene and is self-sharpening.

Our testing team was blown away by how effective the Snow Pusher is for breaking and chopping up harder, icier snow.

We also love the fact that Snowplow is the leading name in snow pushers and this is the same version used by the National Hockey League.

4. Suncast SC2700 20-Inch Snow Shovel Pusher Combo : Best All-Around Option

The Suncast SC2700 20-Inch Snow Shovel Pusher Combo is a wonderful option that can do it all. The 20-inch blade has been created from non-stick graphite and has a galvanized steel wear strip to increase the lifespan of the shovel and allow it to work efficiently on concrete or asphalt surfaces.

Our testing team was astounded at how well this combo version works at pushing, scraping, breaking up ice, lifting, and tossing snow.

The Suncast Snow Shovel Pusher Combo blew our team away in terms of durability.

5. Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel : Best Emergency Snow Shovel to Keep in Your Vehicle

The Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel has been crafted with a three-piece collapsible design. The shovel quickly breaks down for easy storage in your car, RV, SUV, or truck.

Our testing team loved keeping it with our roadside emergency kits, and several members made great use of it.

The Lifeline Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel has a compact design and is very lightweight. The shovel is adjustable from 26 inches to 32 inches to offer the best leverage and clocks in at a mere 1.6 pounds.

6. Snow Joe SHOVELUTION Snow Shovel : Most Comfortable to Use

The Snow Joe SHOVELUTION Snow Shovel is one of the most comfortable versions we tested. The shovel has ergonomic D-ring grips to ensure your hands to do not over-tire or cramp up.

The strain placed on your body by traditional shovels is non-existent with the Snow Joe SHOVELUTION thanks to this option’s smart design.

The SHOVELUTION acts as a fulcrum which offers a tremendous amount of support. You will also have lifting leverage due to a lower placement of the hand grip which means you can tackle larger loads with little stress or strain.

7. True Temper AutoBoss Emergency Car Shovel 1588400 : Budget Emergency Option

The True Temper AutoBoss Emergency Car Shovel folds in half for easy storage in your trunk. This shovel has been specifically created to assist you in clearing snow out from around tires and other hard to reach spaces.

It’s super lightweight and has multiple hand grips so you can find the perfect hand placement to maximize comfort while minimizing strain.

This offering from True Temper measures 16 inches when extended. The AutoBoss is inexpensive, making it a wonderful addition to your winter roadside emergency kit.

8. Bully Tools 92819 Combination Steel Snow Pusher : Best Heavy-Duty Commercial Grade Choice

The Bully Tools 92819 Steel Snow Pusher is a commercial grade option suited to tackling heavy snowfall. The blade on the Bully Snow Pusher measures 22 inches crafted from polyethylene.

It is built to allow for quick snow scooping and is guaranteed not to break even in the harshest and iciest conditions.

Bully Tool’s Combo Steel Snow Pusher has a straight handle with a no break polypropylene Co-Polymer D-grip.

9. Suncast SNFA2130 18-Inch Aluminum Snow Shovel with Fiber Core Handle : Longest Lasting Snow Shovel

The Suncast SNFA2130 18-Inch Aluminum Snow Shovel has been designed with an extremely lightweight aluminum blade.

The blade is 18 inches wide, allowing you to scoop snow or push it. This option also works well to break up and sweep away ice.

This offering from Suncast features a fiber core handle which will be lighter but stronger than other wooden or plastic versions.

10. Voile TelePro Avalanche Shovel : Great Collapsible Snow Shovel for Light Snowfall

The Voile TelePro Avalanche Shovel has a removable handle to collapse the shovel and store when not in use. This option would be a great choice to keep in your car or for people living in condos, apartments, or other spots that may be short on storage space.

The shovel is very light, weighing just under 2 pounds, so it is perfect for those individuals with less upper body strength or that have mobility concerns.

The Voile TelePro Avalanche Shovel is easy to break down as opposed to some versions with handles that are difficult to take off.

Best Snow Shovel – Buyer’s Guide

Finding the best snow shovel for your needs can be a chore that seems as unappealing as well, shoveling snow. A quick trip to your local big box store will most likely end in you staring at a plethora of shovels, uncertainty creeping in as you wonder which one is the perfect one for you. Finding a snow shovel that not only works well in removing snow but that makes the job easier on you is frustrating, to say the least.

Our testing team performed a huge amount of research on shovels, leading us to pick up some extremely helpful tips and tricks. As a result, we want to share this knowledge with you to assist you in understanding the ins and outs of snow shovels, so you are able to make an informed decision on which one to buy. Let’s get shoveling!

Do I really Need a New Snow Shovel?

If you plan on removing snow this winter, the short answer is yes. As snow accumulates on your driveway or sidewalk, its weight increases exponentially. Shoveling the heavy snow can create a tremendous strain on your back, legs, arms, and hands. Since most folks haven’t been properly trained in the art of shoveling snow, they tend to remove the snow quite aggressively which can lead to injuries.

One foot of fresh snow can range in weight from 3 pounds for light, powdery snow to well over 20 pounds for wetter, heavier snow. The simple act of shoveling a path measuring 3 feet by 15 feet winds up being around 400 total pounds of snow that you have lifted up and tossed away. Emergency rooms and urgent care clinics see thousands of snow-shoveling related incidences each winter. Purchasing a new snow shovel can assist you in alleviating many of these concerns.

Key Considerations when Buying a Snow Shovel

There are a few key points that will make finding the best snow shovel for your needs much easier. By gaining some valuable insight on these topics, you will understand the basic characteristics that make for a terrific snow shovel.

• Durability: Durability is a hallmark of a great snow shovel. After researching and spending your hard-earned money on a new snow shovel, you want to be certain that it will last through many winter seasons. Less durable options may last only a season or might even break during their first use. Our best advice is to pick a durable option and spend a little extra now, or you face the possibility of needing a pricey replacement sooner rather than later.
• Lightweight: Heavy shovels may seem like a perfect option as they are bound to be more durable. However, the best snow shovels are lighter in weight. A heavy shovel will quickly become cumbersome to use as your body tires from shoveling the heavy snow.
• Base Size: To expedite the removal of snow, select a snow shovel with a wider base. A wider base equates to a greater amount of snow being picked up or pushed away at a time. Keep both the weight and durability in mind when selecting a wide-based option.
• Handles with a Sheath: Since shoveling snow is a labor-intensive task, selecting a snow shovel that includes a sheath on the handle is helpful. The sheath will help protect your hands and makes pushing and lifting snow easier.
• Handle Length: Snow shovels with longer handles will reduce the amount of force needed to push or lift snow. The reasoning behind this fact lies in physics. A longer handle allows for longer arm movements which in turn will reduce the amount of force necessary to clear the snow. You will be done faster and with less stress on your body.

The Different Types of Snow Shovels

Snow shovels fall into three main types or categories. The different types include pushers, shovels, and combos. Let’s take a closer look at what makes each version unique.

Pushers

Pusher snow shovels are crafted with blades that measure over two feet in width. This version is not meant for tossing or scooping up snow. As the name “pushers” implies, this model assists the user in pushing the snow out of the way. Pushers are terrific for clearing up smaller snowfalls in driveways and are very popular in Canada.

Shovels

Shovel style show shovels consist of a basic blade on a stick. They are the “traditional” snow shovels that you most likely saw your parents or grandparents using when you were a child. A flat scoop rests in line with shaft, making a great tool for lifting and throwing snow. This version is not good at pushing snow, however.

Combos

Combo snow shovels offer the highest level of versatility as they offer the best of both models. You can use your combo snow shovel to scoop, toss, and push the snow. For this reasoning, most people decide to choose a combo snow shovel.

Snow Shovel Shafts

There are three distinct types of shafts found on snow shovels. The styles include bent, curved, and straight. A curved shaft snow shovel offers an ergonomic benefit over bent or straight shafts. Due to the curve, your hand positioning will be higher than where you would place your hands with a straight shaft snow shovel. This ergonomic detail will allow you to keep your back straighter, alleviating risk for injury and back pain.

Icy areas will need a combo or snow pusher while areas that receive powdery snow can use a traditional style shovel.

Bent shaft snow shovels have the ability to swing, similar to a pendulum. This feature requires you to put forth a greater amount of effort to keep the shovel stabilized while clearing the snow. A bent or a straight shaft snow shovel may be more difficult to work with and take longer to clear out the snow.

When looking for the best snow shovel for your needs, understanding the typical winter weather patterns in your area is of utmost importance. Icy areas will need a combo or snow pusher while areas that receive powdery snow can use a traditional style shovel. Don’t forget to keep mobility and comfort in mind and choose an ergonomically designed option if you are prone to straining your back, hands, or shoulders.

We hope you learned some helpful information regarding the best snow shovels and enjoyed reading our reviews of our top models. We care deeply about our readers and love hearing from you! Please leave us a short note below with your best snow removal tips and tricks or your favorite shovel.