The best snow shovels, according to snow and appliance experts
Our roundup includes both metal and plastic options with ergonomic handles.
Ergie Steel Shaft Impact Resistant Snow Shovel
$undefined
$37.94
There are a few important aspects to consider while shopping for a snow shovel. Here’s what I kept in mind, per expert guidance, when making this list:
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All of the snow shovels on this list have at least a 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon, or, at least 100 reviews on their brand sites or the sites of other major retailers, such as Home Depot, Lowe’s and AceHardware. All but one of the shovels on this list have an ergonomic, D-shaped handle and a handful of them have a curved body toward the bottom.
This snow shovel is perfect for shoveling, hauling and moving relatively light and powdery snow around your lawn or yard. It has two D-shaped handles on the body, which provide a great amount of support, meaning you can use it without a ton of strain. The shovel only weighs around 4 pounds and is a great option for someone who doesn’t have a strong back.
This snow shovel has a tall blade and a D-shaped handle to make lifting and throwing snow on the ground easy. The blade is also 14 inches wide, meaning it holds a decent amount of snow with each scoop, ultimately saving you time on lawn maintenance.
This snow shovel has a unique bent shaft at the bottom, which can help provide support to your body as you shovel snow and prevent you from having to bend down as far since the blade is sitting at a lower angle. It also has a nylon attachment that runs along the blade to help the shovel last longer, as it comes in contact with the hard concrete and other surfaces.
This shovel has a metal shaft and a plastic blade that is over a foot in length, making it easier to push powdery snow across the ground and out of the way. Rather than a D-shaped handle, it has a more unique form, though you can still use it to hang the shovel on a sturdy hook in your home or storage room, since it’s only around five pounds.
This snow shovel is an ideal choice when you need to shift snow, like from the sidewalk to the curb, for example, without having to actually lift or carry it. It has a curved handle which provides support to the body and a D-shaped handle to make it easy to grasp when pushing snow along the rough concrete. To help the edge of the blade from getting damaged as you work, it has a strip of nylon material attached to it.
Bringing together the space consciousness of a snow push-style shovel and the power of a snow blower, the Earthwise battery-powered snow shovel makes it substantially easier to move snow (up to 300 pounds) across surfaces such as a driveway, sidewalk or street. It has wheels in the back so you smoothly push it across snow-covered surfaces — as it moves, it pushes snow out of the way to create a clear pathway. The wheeled shovel is equipped with a 40-volt brushless motor (similar to a vacuum) and comes with a charger, according to the brand.
Think about the following factors as you consider your options:
According to both Manfredini and Canete, snow that is soft, powdery and light in texture and weight is logically easier to move, so a plastic-blade snow shovel is an appropriate choice. Powder-like snow is also easy to maneuver with a snow pusher-style shovel, says Canete. On the other hand, heavier snow may require the use of a metal snow shovel given its weight. Depending on the weather, it may be best to have both a metal and plastic snow shovel on hand.
If you are older and/or have issues related to back, hand or wrist pain, it’s especially important to look for a shovel with an ergonomic handle, according to Manfredini. “There are ergonomic handles on some snow shovels that basically help you from needing to bend as far when grabbing the snow and throwing it,” he says. “The battery [operated] snow shovels are a great solution for someone with back issues.”
Both plastic and metal snow shovels have their benefits and drawbacks. Plastic snow shovels are more lightweight than metal ones but they aren’t always as sturdy. Metal options are heavier, making it potentially harder to lift and throw snow around. Plus, certain types of shovels are more appropriate for handling different textures of snow, according to Canete.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about several subjects related to home and lifestyle. I’ve written about the best fertilizer to use for every type of garden, how to clean grout in your bathroom and how to shop for a pressure washer. I also write about home appliances like vacuums and leaf blowers. I spoke with a snow and ice management expert as well a home appliance expert for their snow shovel guidance.
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