Snow Tools Buying Guide
The Differences Between Shovels, Pushers, Specialty Tools & More


Forecast looking frosty? Don’t wait until there’s already a foot of fresh powder on the ground to brush up on the tools you need to keep your home and family safe.
What Are the Best Snow Tools to Keep Your Home and Family Safe?
Snow tools come in all shapes and sizes. From simple shovels and graceful pushers to ice scrapers, roof rakes, and beyond, gearing up with the right set of tools and knowing how to use them is essential if you want to weather winter without breaking a sweat. Below, we’ve assembled a comprehensive guide to help you tackle snowy season in style while protecting your property and the people you care about!
Why Is Picking the Right Snow Tool So Important?
Successful snow removal is about working smarter, not harder—in other words, using a minimum amount of energy without straining your body. A wide range of snow removal tools are available today, specially designed for different environments and situations. Choosing the right shovel for the job goes a long way, but using your shovel correctly is just as important. Be sure to read the safety section below for more tips!


Snow Shovel
A standard snow shovel features a flat blade and short shaft specially designed for lifting lighter snow. Shovels are incredibly versatile and ideally suited for small- to medium-sized areas of your home. If you need to clear a driveway or create a path larger than the width of the blade, a shovel is the perfect tool to help with the heavy lifting. Keep in mind, snow shoveling is serious exercise! You need to be able to bend down to scoop up snow and toss it aside to get the full benefits of using a shovel.
Key Features:
- Flat 18”-20” blade
- Short Shaft
Perfect For:
- Lighter snow
- Small- to medium-sized areas
- Sidewalks and Driveways


Snow Pusher
Pushers are designed to slide along the surface of the ground, driving dry snow to either side of the blade to create a path. Naturally, this technique spares you a lot of heavy lifting but works best when used on a smooth paved surface like a sidewalk, as uneven pavement can catch the blade and cause problems. Another factor to consider is that pushers are most effective for snow accumulation of around three or four inches max.
Key Features:
- Curved 18”–27” blade
- Long shaft
Perfect For:
- 3”–4” of dry snow
- Concrete sidewalks
- Pathways


Combo Shovel
Combo shovels are designed to balance the benefits of a pusher with the utility of a standard snow shovel. The lightly curved blade allows for easy pushing, while the lipped sides of the blade and shorter shaft facilitate the legwork of lifting. While combo shovels are not purpose-built for either activity, they provide great versatility and are well suited to handle almost all annual snow removal needs.
Key Features:
- Lightly curved, lipped blade, 18”–20”
- Short shaft
Perfect For:
- Moderate snowfall
- Light pushing and lifting


Car Scrapers, Sweepers & Shovels
Specialized snow tools are a must-have for most drivers, as they are compact, convenient, and designed to clear snow and ice that has accumulated on and around your vehicle. A sweeper helps clear snow from the roof and sides of your car, while a portable scraper can break up ice and compressed snow stuck to your windshield. A smaller and more portable car shovel is also worth keeping in your trunk in case a snow squall sneaks up on you while away from home.


Car Scraper
Key Features:
- 4.5” wide blade
- Includes chipper to remove stubborn ice
Perfect For:
- Freezing rain, hail, and ice


Car Sweeper
Key Features:
- 180-degree pivoting head
- Telescoping handle
Perfect For:
- Any car owner, especially those without a garage


Car Shovel
Key Features:
- Telescoping handle
- 11” blade
Perfect For:
- Cars that may get plowed in, pop-up snowstorms
Ice Scrapers
Ever find that beneath the snow there’s a thin layer of ice that your shovel just can’t crack? Don’t dull your blade—use a specialized tool instead! Ice scrapers are ideal for breaking up and removing solid ice and compressed snow from the surface of a sidewalk, driveway, or garden. Unlike the compact ice scrapers many drivers keep in their cars, this long-handled tool features a steel blade designed to crack through accumulated ice.
Key Features:
- 7” galvanized steel blade
Perfect For:
- Chopping and removing ice from areas such as a sidewalk or garden


Roof Rake
Probably the most overlooked item in the entire snow tool arsenal is also one of the most important! Snowfall can put a lot of strain on both the roof of your home and your gutter system. Melting snow can also fall and present risk of injury. A roof rake is designed to help reach and remove the pressure on these delicate areas of your home—no ladder necessary! Pro tip: Clearing the roof should usually be your first task so you don’t accidentally pull snow down onto an area you’ve already cleared!
Key Features:
- Telescoping handle
- Wide non-stick blade
Perfect For:
- Second-floor roof
- Garage or shed roof


With so many options available to you, it can be hard to compare one shovel to the next. Be on the lookout for these key features so you know you’re getting a quality tool built to stand up to whatever winter has in store—for many years to come.
Blades
You can’t afford to compromise on quality when it comes to your snow tool’s blade. The material must be strong enough to stand up to repeated collision with impacted snow and solid ice without wearing down over time.
- Resin: Known for their strength and resilience, resin blades are stronger than conventional polypropylene plastic shovels.
- Non-Stick: Non-stick blades are designed to prevent the adherence of wet snow for easy tossing.


Shafts
The long pole-like section of the tool connects the blade to the grip and provides leverage when pushing or lifting snow. Both durability and ergonomics are incredibly important, so be sure you seek out options built for both performance and comfort!
- Steel Core®: Steel shafts encased with a vinyl covering combine the strength of steel with the longevity of resin.
- Fibercore®: A fiberglass shaft with a durable resin sleeve helps reduce impact while providing lightweight strength.
- Ergonomic: Ergonomic snow tools are engineered to minimize back strain. snow tools are engineered to minimize back strain.
- Aluminum: This lightweight material is easy to use when shoveling fluffier snow.


Handles and Grips
This is where you come in. The handle and grip of a snow tool work together to ensure the tool is comfortable and easy to use while also reducing stress on the blade.
- D-Grip: This unique shape is available with a range of cushioned handles for added comfort and easy use.
- Double Grip: Two handles provide a higher lifting point and reduce stress on the blade.


How Do You Safely Shovel Snow?
The easiest way to prevent dangerous falls while shoveling snow is easy: Play it safe and follow these simple snow removal strategies.
- Stretch it out: Basic athletic stretches for your back, shoulders, and hamstrings will help prepare your body for the task at hand—and save you some soreness later!
- Layer up: Dress warmly in removable layers so you don’t overheat.
- Practice proper posture when lifting snow:
- Bend at the knees and lift with your legs.
- Keep your back straight.
- Keep one hand close to the blade for better lifting leverage.
- Alternate between shoveling left-handed and right-handed.
- Don’t twist your upper body to toss the snow aside.
- Bring a buddy: It’s safer, faster, and more fun to work as a team. Why not get the whole family involved?
- Drink up: Stay hydrated and take breaks as needed.
- Work in shifts: If you’re expecting a large snowfall, shovel smaller amounts throughout the storm instead of waiting for it all to fall.
- Reward yourself: When the work is done, cozy up with a cup of hot chocolate and relax (Don't forget the marshmellows)


What’s the Easiest Way to Remove Snow from a Driveway?
When shoveling a 2+ car driveway, try this strategy to make quick work of the job:
- Start shoveling from the middle of the driveway and walk snow to either side. Clear the end of the driveway of snowplow buildup if necessary.
- Return to your starting point and start a new path along the sides of your original path, working outward toward the edges of the driveway. Throw snow closer than your first piles.
- Finish the edges of the driveway, placing snow just off to the side.


What’s the Best Way to Clear Snow and Ice off of a Vehicle?
Keep a cool head if your car is caught in a snow drift. Follow these quick tips to dig yourself out like a pro:
- Start the engine and let the car warm up for a few minutes. This will make the snow easier to remove. Be sure to turn on defrosters to help melt ice on the windows.
- Always start from the roof and work your way down. Snow from the roof can slide down onto your windshield and block your view if you don’t clear it before driving away.
- Next, clear the windows and side mirrors using an ice scraper.
- Check for any snow or ice that may be stuck around the wheels. Keep a car shovel in your trunk just in case!


Get Out There and Show That Snow Who’s Boss!
Once you’ve got the right tools for your space in place, it’s time to put your knowledge to the test! Keep an eye on the forecast and your tools close at hand so you’ll be ready to spring into action at a moment’s notice. While you wait for the next big blizzard, why not browse some of our other articles on snow day prep? Study up and you’ll be set for whatever this winter has in store!

