The Best Snow Shovels of 2024-2025

We tested nine of the best snow shovels on the market to help you find the right one for your abilities and climate. Our expert testers are year-round residents in some of America’s snowiest mountain towns. During the last few historic snowfall winters, we spent hundreds of hours (yes, hundreds!) shoveling driveways and sidewalks in Crested Butte, Colo., Lander, Wyo., and South Lake Tahoe, Calif.

Many of us live for the excitement of a powder day, but of course, living in a ski or mountain town in the winter isn’t all fun and games. As temperatures drop and the white stuff starts to pile up, residents start preparing for the added seasonal challenges of heating their homes and keeping their driveways and walkways clear of snow.

While snowblowers can help clear large zones, owning a high-quality snow shovel is essential. Check out the Suncast 20″ Combo Shovel & Pusher for a simple, versatile, and affordable shovel, or the two-handle Snow Joe Shovelution for a more ergonomic design.

Editor’s Note: We updated this Guide on November 27, 2024, with the addition of the The Snowplow “The Original Snow Pusher” snow shovel.

The Best Snow Shovels of 2024

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Best Snow Shovels Comparison Table

How We Tested the Best Snow Shovels

Testing snow shovels is pretty straightforward. We gathered the best snow shovels we could find and set our testers loose in all the different snow conditions. 

We noted the durability of each shovel and how the shovel handled in different snow conditions. We also paid particular attention to how we felt using the shovel. Did the ergonomic design actually help? How did the length feel, and was the grip usable when wearing bulky gloves?

Then, we considered the best use of the shovel. Not all shovels serve the same purpose. Some work better for lighter snow, some for heavy wet snow, and some for smaller areas versus large driveways. 

Our testers love to play outside. That means living in some of the snowiest places in the US. When you like winter activities, snow shoveling is part of the game. Solid shovels are critical whether used for shoveling out houses, cars, or testing avy conditions. 

Contributor Constance Mahoney lives in the heart of the Colorado Rockies and is not a stranger to epic snowfalls. A self-proclaimed “snow farmer” in the winter, Constance knows the value of a dependable snow shovel; her winter snow removal job depends on it. Whether she is up on a roof or digging out sidewalks, she is an expert on shovels.

With our most recent update of this Buyer’s Guide, Lake Tahoe resident Nick Bruckbauer contributed some feedback after withstanding one of the snowiest winters on record. After growing up in Wisconsin and eventually migrating out west, Nick likes to say, “You haven’t really lived in a ski town until you do your own snow removal!“

Buyer’s Guide: How to Choose a Snow Shovel

Variables such as climate, type and amount of snowfall, and the area you have to keep clear should be considered when choosing the best snow shovel for you. There’s no universal answer for everybody. Many folks build an arsenal of shovels to tackle everything Mother Nature throws at them throughout the winter season. Below are just a few things to consider.

Your Location and Snow Type

The type of snow you get makes a big difference in the type of shovel that works best. For colder climates, with lighter, drier snow, a snow pusher is a great option. Basically, anything with a blade over 24 inches isn’t meant for lifting, it’s instead designed for simply pushing snow away.

If you live in a location that gets large amounts of wet snow (hello, Sierra Cement), then you’ll want a true shovel. You’ll need something that you can lift to move heavy snow out of the way. Also, consider if you regularly shovel off a deck or other structure that may need to fit in a smaller space or offer improved maneuverability.

Shovel Style

When choosing between shovels, perhaps the most apparent distinction is the overall style. Here, we’ve subdivided shovel styles into three categories — traditional shovel, pusher, and combination — and each serves its purpose.

Traditional Shovel

Traditionally shaped snow shovels have been around for a long time and have maintained their popularity for decades. These tools generally have a simple bucket design that allows users to scoop and toss snow away easily.

Generally speaking, traditional shovels have a wood shaft and plastic blade — though some heavier-duty options are made of aluminum, steel, or another metal alloy. The AMES Aluminum Scoop is an example of a traditional snow shovel. You can find traditional snow shovels in all lengths, and the longer the shovel, the more leverage it has.

Our top overall pick, the Snow Joe Shovelution, has a fairly traditional blade shape, but is combined with an ergonomic dual-handle, improving comfort and efficiency.

Pusher

In recent years, people have gravitated more toward shovels designed for pushing snow, referred to as “pushers.” For some, it’s easier to push piles of snow than to lift and toss, especially because pushing is easier on the back. The Snowplow “The Original Snow Pusher” is our top choice for a pusher snow shovel with its strong and durable poly blade and solid construction. The Garant Nordic 24-Inch is another good choice if you prefer an all-metal blade.

This shovel style is designed to place under a pile of snow and slide forward, clearing a path in its wake. Pushers work great for light snow — even in large quantities — but can be a real hassle when the precipitation is wet and heavy. Snow sleighs like the Garant 24-Inch Sleigh Shovel are the newest addition to this category.

Combination

Combination snow shovels are precisely what they sound like: suitable for both pushing snow and lifting and tossing. The Suncast 20″ Combo Shovel & Pusher is our top choice in this regard. While it may not do either as well as a shovel dedicated to a specific job, combo shovels are an excellent middle ground, and are very versatile for a variety of snow conditions.

Many people welcome the versatility of combo shovels, as it’s rare for a winter storm to cater perfectly to a specific type of shovel. People find themselves pushing, lifting, tossing, and even chipping following a snowfall in most cases. If you only plan on having one shovel in your quiver, a combo shovel like the Suncast or the Bully Tools Combo may be the right move for you.

Straight vs. Curved Shaft

If you’ve spent any time shopping for shovels, you’ve likely noticed a stark difference in shaft design — notably straight and curved options. Each design is meant to create a mechanical advantage in different situations, and the correct shovel shaft design for you depends on how you plan to use it.

Straight-Handle Snow Shovels

Shovels with straight handles are optimized for chopping, lifting, and tossing snow. A straight handle allows users to achieve the best hand position to lift, carry, and throw snow. In addition, shovels with this design better lend themselves to chopping blocks or clearing particularly stubborn areas of hardpack snow.

Curved-Shaft Snow Shovels

When you need to push snow around, reach for a curved-shaft shovel. Whereas the shaft’s curvature hinders one’s ability to safely and efficiently lift a heavy shovelful of snow, it’s perfectly designed for pushing. Bent handles are specially designed to limit lower-back stress when a push force is applied moving forward. Curved-shaft shovels generally prevent users from excessive bending and overuse when moving snow on the ground.

Blade Material

Like shovel style, shovel blade material plays a major role in determining the best snow shovels for any given situation. In general, shovel blades range from heavy-duty steel to lightweight plastic, with a few options in between. As if choosing a shovel for design, consider climate and snow type when looking at blade materials.

Plastic blades, like the Bully Tools One Piece Poly Shovel, work incredibly well for light snow and large shoveling jobs.

Steel blades are an excellent option for wet, heavy snow or chipping hardpack and ice.

Aluminum blades are a perfect lightweight option but won’t hold up to the challenging task of moving large quantities of wet precipitation.

Generally speaking, plastic blades are the most common blade available, and for good reason. They can handle most jobs and are the most efficient at doing so. If you have only one shovel in your garage, a strong plastic-blade option will probably suffice.

Price & Value

Besides the electric Snow Joe 24V SS10 ($180), pretty much all of the snow shovels that we tested fall within the $40 to $60 price range. Spending a little more to the upper end of that price range can sometimes yield slightly better materials and construction, like in the case of The Snowplow “The Original Snow Pusher” ($60).

But, we’ve also had great success with less expensive shovels, like the Suncast 20″ Combo Shovel & Pusher ($34). We’ve used this shovel for four seasons now in the wet and heavy snow of Lake Tahoe, and have hardly any noticeable wear and tear.

In lieu of the price tag, we’d recommend you prioritize the shovel style, the shaft and blade design, and the materials that best suit you and your local snow conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions