Expert consulted: As a Southerner who packed it all up and moved to the Midwest after college, I quickly learned the art and science of shoveling snow. Now that the snow has started to fall in some parts of the country (as evidenced in part by the storm that hit the Northeast recently), it's important to have a snow shovel that lets you clear walking paths and your driveway efficiently without putting too much strain on your body–especially your back. I’ve felt the pain of using a sub-par tool, and the lingering effects that can last for days afterward.
Though shoveling will always be hard work, a great shovel can make the job a little easier and minimize the toll on your body. To find the best snow shovels for clearing snow and ice, I talked to a number of experts in the field, including ergonomists, landscapers, and snow removal professionals. Picking the right one comes down to a number of factors—including your body type–so we've gathered a wide array of options to suit as many people as possible.
Read quick info below on the best snow shovels from our testing. Then keep scrolling to find buying advice, safety tips, and in-depth reviews.
The Best Snow Shovels
- Best Overall: True Temper 18-inch Ergonomic Mountain Mover Snow Shovel
- Best Value: Emsco Group Bigfoot 18-inch Combination Snow Shovel
- Best Lightweight: Garant Yukon 18-Inch Ergonomic Snow Shovel
- Best For Heavy-Duty Jobs: The Snow Dominator
- Best For Back Pain: Ergieshovel 48 in. Steel Shaft Impact Resistant Snow Shovel
More Gear to Get You Through The Winter: Best Snowblowers ● Best Winter Coats ● Best Heated Gloves
The Expert: I'm a longtime professional writer that's recommended hardware and tech products for a variety of outlets, including Popular Science, USA Today's Reviewed, and (of course) Popular Mechanics. I lived in the Midwest for almost a decade, and spent more than my fair share of wintry days digging out with many different shovels.
What To Consider When Choosing A Snow Shovel
How We Selected The Best Snow Shovels
We picked the best snow shovels based on recommendations from a small panel of experts, including snow removal specialists and an ergonomics consultant:
JP Sanieski is the vice president of operations at East End Group, a snow removal and commercial maintenance firm in the Long Island, New York area. He's worked in the snow removal industry for more than 20 years, including blowing, shoveling, and operating commercial equipment.
Martin Tirado is the CEO of the Snow & Ice Management Association, a trade association that focuses on training and establishing best practices for the snow removal industry. He has worked in organizational management for over 25 years.
Marnie Downey is a certified professional ergonomist with ERGO Inc., a Canada-based ergonomics consulting and training firm. She is a Certified Canadian Professional Ergonomist with over 28 years of ergonomics consulting and training expertise.
In addition, I combed reviews from product testers, average users, and message boards for professionals like Snowblower Forum, to find the right shovels for all kinds of scenarios.
Pros
- Versatile blade shape
- Ergonomic design
- Encourages good form
Cons
- Smaller blade isn't great for large jobs
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Width | 18 in. |
| Length | 54 in. |
| Blade Material | Polypropylene (Plastic) |
| Weight | 3 lb, 12.8 oz |
The True Temper 18-inch Mountain Mover checks many of the boxes that our experts recommend for clearing snow. Its ergonomic design features a curved shaft and solid handle, so it's great for scooping and pushing without straining your back. The 18-inch blade will pick up a manageable amount of snow, and excels at all snow removal tasks.
It’s made from lightweight plastic, which is durable enough to stand multiple seasons of clearing an average walk and driveway. It may not last so long if you plan to go around and help shovel around the neighborhood, but the mountain mover should easily help most of us dig out through a few winters.
Pros
- Lightweight
- Metal handle
Cons
- No ergonomic curve
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Length | 49 in. |
| Weight | 2.74 lb |
While you can find very, very cheap snow shovels, our experts say spending at least $20 to $30 dramatically reduces the risk of picking out a lemon. If you're looking to spend as little as possible on a shovel that can clear your porch or driveway, you should consider the Emsco Bigfoot. Its combination blade works well for scooping and pushing, and it has earned great reviews from consumers.
It lacks the ergonomic curve that might save your back some strain, and the materials may not be as robust as what you'll find with our other picks, but it's a good basic option that will work fine for light-to-medium snows.
Pros
- Lighter than similar shovels
- Durable aluminum handle
Cons
- Not good for scraping
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Length | 53.5 in. |
| Weight | 3 lb |
The Garant Yukon 18-inch ergonomic snow shovel has a lot in common with our top pick, but there are enough differences for it to earn its own recommendation. At merely 3 pounds, it's significantly lighter than most similarly sized shovels. The deep curve in the blade allows you to pick up a lot of snow with each heave.
This is both a positive and a negative, as you can quickly tire yourself if you routinely lift more than you can handle. On the plus side, its curved ergonomic handle will help you handle the weight a little better. If you avoid overdoing it, though, the Garant Yukon can make the process of shoveling a bit easier.
Pros
- Durable, professional grade construction
- Good at shattering ice
Cons
- Heavy
- No ergonomic handle
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Width | 18 in. |
| Length | 54 in. |
| Blade Material | Polycarbonate (Plastic) |
| Weight | 5 lb |
Sanieski recommends this shovel for professional shovelers, as it's particularly good at scooping and throwing a large volume in a short period of time. That snow-moving power comes at a cost: The snow dominator is heavier than most of our picks, making the process a little more taxing, and it lacks an ergonomic handle that will spare your back.
That could spell trouble for folks who overestimate their fitness and underestimate the job. If you’re going door to door, though, the Snow Dominator will help you move snow faster.
Ergieshovel 48 in. Steel Shaft Impact-Resistant Snow Shovel
Pros
- Reduces back strain
- Intuitive design
Cons
- Heavy
- Adjustable handle requires seasonal maintenance
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Width | 18 in. |
| Length | 48 in. |
| Blade Material | Polycarbonate (Plastic) |
| Weight | 4 lb |
If you have back pain or tend to strain it when you shovel, you may want to consider a dual-handled shovel that allows you to pick up snow without bending over. The Ergieshovel, as an example, features a second handle that extends from roughly halfway down the shaft, allowing you to grab the shovel from a standing position, which reduces the chance that you’ll lift with your back.
"I recommend shovels that are easy to grip and reduce bending," say Marnie Downey, our ergonomics expert. "If a shovel has a bent [ergonomic] handle, you should make sure it's not in an awkward location for you. Most importantly, you should make sure you aren't lifting too much snow at a time."
The shovel feels durable and well-made, though it is heavier than average for a snow shovel. Its polycarbonate blade has a slimmer-than-average curve, so you won’t be able to pack as much snow into each scoop. That may not be a bad thing, though: You should take a slower, steadier shoveling pace if you’re worried about your back. (That said, our experts and I recommend hiring professional shovelers if you experience back pain regularly or have any other injuries.)
Pros
- Extra-wide blade
- Durable and effective
- Easy to use
Cons
- Works best with light, fluffy snow
- Can’t replace a scoop/combination shovel
Key Specs
| Type | Push |
|---|---|
| Width | 36 in. |
| Length | 47 in. |
| Blade Material | Fiberglass/Polyethylene |
| Weight | 5 lb |
Having a push shovel around will save you a lot of time when you only need to move an inch or two of unpacked powder. If you find yourself clearing light dustings regularly, all of our experts recommended the Snowplow snow pusher as an obvious go-to.
Sanieski says the 36-inch snow pusher is ideal for clearing large amounts of light, fluffy snow quickly. Another snow removal company rep told me that it’s the only shovel that his teams use on most jobs. It's wide, it's sturdy, and it's reasonably priced. You can use it to push surprisingly large amounts of snow without having to scoop and lift it.
Push shovels, in general, have limitations: They can only plow lightweight layers of snow, and aren’t made to cut through the icy, hardened crust of a frozen snowbank. Realistically, this makes it a secondary tool that you'll use in tandem with a combination shovel, rather than a replacement for one. In the right situation, though, this is the fastest way to clear your driveway.
Pros
- More durable than alternatives
- Easy assembly
- Perfect size for car storage
Cons
- Small blade limits its usefulness for clearing driveways or walks
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Width | 10 in. |
| Length | 33.5 in. |
| Blade Material | Tempered Aluminum |
| Weight | 1 lb, 9 oz |
As someone who lived in Minneapolis for years and parked on the street for years, I know how important it is to keep a good snow shovel in your car if you live in the city. Though you can buy a small shovel that's inexpensible and replaceable, I think it’s worth it to shell out for something nicer. (You don’t want to get stuck with a crappy shovel when you have to dig out after a snow storm.)
The Voile Telepro Mini Avalanche is perfect for small jobs or snow emergencies. It’s easy to assemble or disassemble, and will fit in your trunk or even under a front seat.
The aluminum blade is significantly better at cutting and scraping ice and heavy snow than that of other portable shovels. It certainly isn’t cheap–you can easily buy a small plastic shovel for less–but it's the kind of shovel you want to find in a car, or a shed, or anywhere that you might stash a “backup” shovel.
Pros
- Very good for ice
- Large
- Ergonomic design
Cons
- Heavy
- May cause damage to surfaces
Key Specs
| Type | Combination |
|---|---|
| Width | 20 in. |
| Length | 53 in. |
| Blade Material | Aluminum |
| Weight | 5.5 lb |
Generally speaking, our experts recommended that most people stick to plastic-bladed shovels, since metal ones tend to be heavier, and can damage soft surfaces like wood decks. That said, if you’re worried about breaking up large sheets of ice, True Temper's 20-inch aluminum combination shovel, a slightly larger metal version of our best overall pick, is easy to recommend.
It can shatter and cut through hardened snowbanks and ice more effectively than most plastic shovels. It is, of course, heavier than most of our picks, which may make shoveling a bit more arduous. Still, it’s a nice option to have around for tougher conditions.
Pros
- Works with your preferred snow shovel
- Easy to install
- Can help minimize back pain
Cons
- May cause shoulder strain
Key Specs
| Type | Accessory |
|---|---|
| Width | N/A |
| Length | N/A |
| Blade Material | N/A |
| Weight | 7.3 oz |
In addition to buying a new, more ergonomic snow shovel, accessories like the BackEZ ergonomic handle can make it a little easier for you to wield your snow shovel. The BackEZ is a secondary grip handle, similar to one you’d find on the end of a snow shovel: It clamps to the shaft of any shovel and allows you to lift heavy snow without relying as much on your back. (You can also attach it to a rake, or any tool with a long handle.) It encourages better form, helping you avoid twisting and bending, which Downey says can lead to back strain over time.
Keep in mind that, while sparing your back, lifting from the front handle may cause you to rely on your shoulders and arms more. That can lead to other injuries if you aren’t careful. Remember: No matter how you grip your snow shovel, you should always lift with your legs.
Snow Shovel Q+A With Our Experts
Steven T. Wright is a freelance writer based in Miami, FL. He has been a full-time writer of various things for around a decade, especially long-form features about tech and digital culture. He enjoys spending time with his wife and cat, hiking, and reading weird fiction. You can follow him on Twitter @MadCathedral.
JP Sanieski has extensive experience in the commercial snow removal business, having worked locally, regionally, and nationally with commercial customers and service providers for over two decades. As the Vice President at East End Group LLC, he has worked with some of the world's most recognizable brands to help them avoid winter-related issues and ensure seamless operations during the colder months.
Marnie Downey, owner of ERGO Inc., has earned a solid reputation as an expert in the field of Occupational Ergonomics. She is a Certified Canadian Professional Ergonomist with over 28 years of ergonomics consulting and training expertise.
Martin Tirado has been a leader in organizational management for over 25 years. He earned his CAE (Certified Association Executive) credential in 2004. He has experience as a public servant as an elected Trustee in the Village of Fox Point and a member of the Fox Point Audit Committee and Pool Committee.
