Best Snow Shovel • Reviews & Buying Guide (September 2024)

Best Overall

Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel

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Best Inexpensive

Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel

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	Product	Price	Overall Rating	Quality	Ease of Use	Maneuverability	Maintenance	Value for Money	type	ergonomics	dimensions	color	blade width	blade material	wear strip	handle	handle material	handle design	stick resistant	pushes snow	lifts snow	weight	warranty
	Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel	Check Price	4.4	5.0	4.5	4.0	4.0	4.5	Shovel / Pusher	Classic	51 x 18 x 3.34 in	Green	18 in	Polycarbonate	Galvanized steel	Single	Plastic	Straight ribbed grip	Yes	Yes	Yes	6.67 lbs	3 years
	Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel	Check Price	4.5	5.0	4.5	4.0	4.0	5.0	Scoop	Spring-assisted	50 x 18 x 3.9 in	Gray	18 in	Polypropylene	Aluminum	Dual	Metal	Curved grip	Yes	No	Yes	5.25 lbs	2 years
	Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel	Check Price	4.6	5.0	4.5	4.0	4.5	5.0	Shovel / Pusher	Bent shaft	52.5 x 18 x 5 in	Gray / black	18 in	Polycarbonate	Galvanized steel	Single	Plastic	Straight ribbed grip	Yes	Yes	Yes	3 lbs	3 years
	Snow Joe SJ-SHLV02 18-Inch Poly Carbonate Snow Shovel	Check Price	4.8	5.0	4.5	4.5	5.0	5.0	Scoop	Spring-assisted	50 x 18 x 3.9 in	Blue	18 in	Polycarbonate	Aluminum	Dual	Metal	Curved grip	Yes	No	Yes	3.6 lbs	2 years
	Bigfoot Shock Shield 25-Inch Poly Pusher Snow Shovel	Check Price	4.9	5.0	5.0	4.5	5.0	5.0	Pusher	Classic	50 x 25 x 4 in	Black	25 in	Polyethylene	None	Single	Plastic	Straight grip	Yes	Yes	No	4.55 lbs	1 year

The National Safety Council has several practical recommendations when heading out to shovel snow. They suggest that where possible, it’s better to push the snow – don’t lift it to throw it. It may take more time but it’s safer to use a smaller shovel, and you don’t need to fill it all the way. Try to use your thighs more than your back to lift.

But the shovel itself has a lot to do with your comfort and safety while clearing snow. Snow removal tools have evolved greatly since your grandparents’ era.

There are now different types of snow shovels to suit a range of needs and body types. Materials have changed to make them lighter and more effective. Handles have changed shape, and various blade sizes often come with wear strips and resist sticking to surfaces.

Whether you’re shopping for the best snow shovel for driveways or the best snow shovel for car trunks, it’s best to consider all the shovel types and uses before making a choice.

Most shovel types fall into one of three varieties, so it’s a sensible plan to consider snow shovel reviews that cover the pluses and minuses of each type. You’re sure to find one style that’s suitable for you.

Selection Of The Best Snow Shovels

Here are the best snow shovels for most people according to Outlinist:

Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel

(rated 4.4 / 5)

Quality

Ease of Use

Maneuverability

Maintenance

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With winter getting into full swing, finding the best snow pusher shovel is necessary for those who live in colder climates.

Having a good combination snow pusher shovel is generally the most efficient and cost-effective way to remove snow from your sidewalk this winter.

A shovel/pusher combo will give you the best of both worlds, allowing you to easily push snow out of the way or lift it and throw it, if necessary.

While commercial snow shovels are very efficient, they’re also quite expensive. Thankfully, you can still get efficient quality for your home.

A pusher/shovel combination provides great efficiency for home use.

Information

The ribbed steel core handle is relatively durable and should be able to stand the test of time with moderate use.

The Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel is a push snow shovel that gives you a design that can handle any moderate job around your home. The combo design of the blade makes it not only one of the best snow pushers on the market, but also one of the best snow removal tools, period. Whether you’re looking to lift and throw snow to remove it entirely, or simply push it out of the way, this product has you covered.

The galvanized steel wear strip at the bottom of the blade makes cutting throw thick, icy snow much easier than with shovels that have blades made strictly of plastic, and it helps to give this product a much longer life than many of its competitors.

It’s 51 inches tall with a straight handle, providing you with all of the leverage you’ll need in order to either push or lift snow with ease. The blade is 18 inches wide and 12 inches long, which is big enough to move a decent amount of snow but small enough for easy use.

type	Shovel / Pusher
ergonomics	Classic
dimensions	51 x 18 x 3.34 in
color	Green
blade width	18 in
blade material	Polycarbonate
wear strip	Galvanized steel
handle	Single
handle material	Plastic
handle design	Straight ribbed grip
stick resistant	Yes
pushes snow	Yes
lifts snow	Yes
weight	6.67 lbs
warranty	3 years

The ribbed steel core handle is relatively durable and should be able to stand the test of time with moderate use.

The fact that this is a combo pusher/shovel is the best feature. If you’re unsure whether you want to push or shovel snow, this product gives you both options and does them both well.

All in all, the Suncast SC1350 shovel offers plenty of convenience and makes clearing snow quite simple.

Pros

This is far lighter than fully metal pushers and shovels, yet it’s still got an excellent build quality.

As a pusher/shovel combo, this Suncast shovel provides all you need to easily move or remove snow from your sidewalks, walkways, and driveway this winter. Here are some of the most important features it provides.

• Combination of a shovel and a pusher: The blades of shovels are generally flat, whereas the blades of pushers are more curved. This Suncast model combines the two in order to give you the best of both worlds, working as an excellent pusher when that’s what you need, and a great shovel if you’re looking to lift snow.
• 51 inch height: At 51 inches, few people are going to have to bend down in order to use this combo pusher/shovel. Because of this, you’ll be less likely to strain your back while shoveling. Avoiding bending over while moving snow will likely reduce the risk of injury as well.
• Galvanized steel wear strip: The galvanized steel wear strip makes cutting through heavy, icy snow a whole lot easier. This strip is extremely strong, and it can cut through even the hardest, iciest snow with relative ease. This is how you work smarter rather than harder during the winter.
• Ribbed steel core handle: The ribbed steel core handle is another feature that those who want a product to last a long time will love. This handle can generally take a bunch of pressure, making it a product that should last multiple seasons without breaking.
• 18 inch by 12 inch blade: The 18 inch blade isn’t the widest that you’ll find on the market, but what it lacks in size it makes up for in maneuverability. Larger blades are more difficult to control. This one is small enough to be easy to move but not big enough to be unwieldy.
• Quite sturdy for its weight: This is far lighter than fully metal pushers and shovels, yet it’s still got an excellent build quality. While the blade is plastic aside from the metal strip, it’s a very quality plastic, giving you the strength you need to cut through even hard snow.

Cons

As a combo pusher/shovel, this Suncast model provides you with excellent versatility. However, that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. Here are few of the problems some might have with this particular product, and they should be noted before you make a purchase.

• Blade might catch on uneven surfaces: This works perfectly for smooth pavement or asphalt, but uneven surfaces could cause the blade to get caught, causing a ton of headaches. If you’re using it only on smooth surfaces, this shouldn’t be an issue, but uneven surfaces could cause problems.
• Heavy snow could bend handle: Be aware that the heavier the load you’re trying to lift, the more quickly the handle will begin to bend or warp. Your best bet is to avoid overfilling the blade when you’re trying to dig so as to avoid ending up with a bent handle.
• Steel wear strip has been known to bend: While the steel wear strip does work well for breaking up heavier, harder snow, when using it repeatedly on ice, it has been known to bend. While it will cut through icy snow, using it for this purpose repeatedly will cause wear and tear over time.

	Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel	Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel Review »	Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel Review »
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
type	Shovel / Pusher	Scoop	Shovel / Pusher
ergonomics	Classic	Spring-assisted	Bent shaft
dimensions	51 x 18 x 3.34 in	50 x 18 x 3.9 in	52.5 x 18 x 5 in
color	Green	Gray	Gray / black
blade width	18 in	18 in	18 in
blade material	Polycarbonate	Polypropylene	Polycarbonate
wear strip	Galvanized steel	Aluminum	Galvanized steel
handle	Single	Dual	Single
handle material	Plastic	Metal	Plastic
handle design	Straight ribbed grip	Curved grip	Straight ribbed grip
stick resistant	Yes	Yes	Yes
pushes snow	Yes	No	Yes
lifts snow	Yes	Yes	Yes
weight	6.67 lbs	5.25 lbs	3 lbs
warranty	3 years	2 years	3 years

Summary

When all is said and done, this Suncast snow shovel works perfectly for most jobs pushing or removing snow around the home and should last for some time.

The Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel provides the convenience of being both a pusher and a shovel in a great combination. It’s lightweight, yet sturdy, and can handle most jobs so long as you’re not dealing with a whole lot of ice.

If you’re trying to break up ice with this on a regular basis, the steel wear strip will eventually bend on you, and lifting excessive weight in the blade could cause it to bend. Still, for those who get moderate snowfall in their area, this combo design should work well.

When all is said and done, this Suncast snow shovel works perfectly for most jobs pushing or removing snow around the home and should last for some time.

Buy Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel

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Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel

(rated 4.5 / 5)

Quality

Ease of Use

Maneuverability

Maintenance

Value for Money

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While no one enjoys shoveling snow, it is an essential part of living in an area that gets a lot of snowfall in the winter.

A high quality snow shovel can make all the difference on those cold mornings when you’re shoveling out to get to work.

Many people underestimate the snow shoveling process.

But when they shovel snow one time after a snowstorm, they realize the physical strain involved in the process.

A heavy duty snow shovel is a must buy if you live in an area that gets more than a couple inches of snow at a time.

Information

The strain is lowered through a combination of ergonomic d-ring handle grips, a sturdy main handle and a back saving, energy absorbing spring-loaded second handle.

Shoveling snow can be a lot of work, especially if you live in an area where it snows often. Since the average snow removal cost in residential areas is so high, most homeowners tend to try and remove snow from the driveway themselves.

While a snow blower or thrower is great to have, there will always be areas that cannot be properly cleared by a blower. A high quality, lightweight snow shovel is needed to get into corners, clean off the steps and deck, as well as sidewalks.

The Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel fits the bill. It is the best snow shovel for seniors, or anyone else who does not want to experience intense muscle strain and other physical problems from shoveling snow.

type	Scoop
ergonomics	Spring-assisted
dimensions	50 x 18 x 3.9 in
color	Gray
blade width	18 in
blade material	Polypropylene
wear strip	Aluminum
handle	Dual
handle material	Metal
handle design	Curved grip
stick resistant	Yes
pushes snow	No
lifts snow	Yes
weight	5.25 lbs
warranty	2 years

Snow Joe has produced a new type of shovel with the Shovelution. It features a snow-clearing technology that is said to reduce strain on the back from shoveling snow by up to 30 percent.

The strain is lowered through a combination of ergonomic d-ring handle grips, a sturdy main handle and a back saving, energy absorbing spring-loaded second handle. Using the two handles to pick up and throw snow is much less strain on your back and the rest of your body.

If you find yourself clearing snow more than a few times a month during the winter, the Snow Joe Shovelution is exactly what you need. It is an affordable, durable shovel that uses the latest technology to reduce the strain on your body from the shoveling process.

Pros

It has a heavy-duty aluminum wear strip, ensuring durability. The poly material is very strong; strong enough to collect and throw away even the wettest snow without buckling.

Snow Joe makes some of the best snow removal equipment, and the Shovelution SJ-SHLV01 proves that statement to be true. It is the type of heavy duty snow shovel that will never let you down. Here are its six best features.

• Comfortable handle grips: The handle grips on this 18-inch snow shovel are designed with comfort and ergonomics in mind. They are a d-ring style and are comfortable to hold for extended periods, reducing the strain on your hands while shoveling snow.
• Designed to reduce the strain of shoveling snow: With two handles, the shovel is designed to reduce the strain of shoveling snow. It is done through a typical handle, along with a spring-assisted handle. Using the two in conjunction reduces strain on the back by around 30 percent.
• Lighter than a typical heavy duty steel snow shovel: The advantages of having a blade made out of polypropylene is that it results in a much lighter product. The whole shovel weighs around two pounds, which is a lot lighter than a comparable heavy duty shovel that has a steel blade.
• Has a large blade: Measuring 18 inches wide, the polypropylene blade is a good size. It has a heavy-duty aluminum wear strip, ensuring durability. The poly material is very strong; strong enough to collect and throw away even the wettest snow without buckling.
• Spring loaded to absorb energy: Not only does the second handle allow for grabbing snow by exerting less energy, but it is also spring loaded. The result is a handle that will absorb the excess throw energy, which would typically be absorbed by the body.
• Comes with a full, two year warranty: The Snow Joe Shovelution shovel is backed by a full, two year warranty from the manufacturer. That is much more generous than the typical, one year warranty that normally comes with most shovels in this price range.

Cons

There is no doubt the Snow Joe Shovelution is among the top rated snow shovels on the market today. But it is not a flawless product. Understanding its shortcomings will help you make a smart purchasing decision.

• Lower handle can be awkward for taller people: The back-friendly lower handle works great for people who are an average height. If you are over 6 feet tall, however, using it may involve a lot of bending that could negate its positive benefits.
• Works better when the snow is fresh: As with any shovel, it’s best used on newly fallen snow. Fluffy, new snow is always easier to clear before it has a chance to start melting. The second handle will help with heavier, wetter snow, but with a big storm it’s best to get out and shovel a few times while the snow is falling.
• Spring handle design makes storage a little awkward: Since the second handle is sticking out from the shovel when it is all set up, it takes up more space than a typical shovel. The spring handle does not fold in and cannot be removed.

	Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel	Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel Review »	Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel Review »
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
type	Scoop	Shovel / Pusher	Shovel / Pusher
ergonomics	Spring-assisted	Classic	Bent shaft
dimensions	50 x 18 x 3.9 in	51 x 18 x 3.34 in	52.5 x 18 x 5 in
color	Gray	Green	Gray / black
blade width	18 in	18 in	18 in
blade material	Polypropylene	Polycarbonate	Polycarbonate
wear strip	Aluminum	Galvanized steel	Galvanized steel
handle	Dual	Single	Single
handle material	Metal	Plastic	Plastic
handle design	Curved grip	Straight ribbed grip	Straight ribbed grip
stick resistant	Yes	Yes	Yes
pushes snow	No	Yes	Yes
lifts snow	Yes	Yes	Yes
weight	5.25 lbs	6.67 lbs	3 lbs
warranty	2 years	3 years	3 years

Summary

It reduces the strain put on your body from the shoveling process, while it is durable enough to last more than a decade of winters.

The Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel is an ergonomic snow shovel that is going to change your life if you live in an area with a lot of snow. It is the type of lightweight, heavy duty shovel that will make the process of removing snow from a driveway or walkway a lot more bearable.

It reduces the strain put on your body from the shoveling process, while it is durable enough to last more than a decade of winters. You will not have to worry about buying another shovel for a very long time.

If it snows a lot where you live, and you routinely need to clear it out from the driveway or sidewalk, the Snow Joe Shovelution is exactly what you need.

Buy Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel

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Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel

(rated 4.6 / 5)

Quality

Ease of Use

Maneuverability

Maintenance

Value for Money

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If you live in a cold climate but don’t have a local snow plowing service, you know all about shoveling. You might even have an obligation to remove snow from the sidewalk in front of your home.

Because this can be a difficult task, a good snow scoop is necessary.

If you’ve used a shovel to move snow before, you probably know that using it for long periods of time can cause strain in your arms, shoulders, and back.

Thankfully, an angled snow shovel could give you the ergonomic design necessary to make the job easier.

With the right shovel, even the most difficult snow removal jobs become a lot easier.

Information

The metal at the bottom of the blade will easily cut through even hard snow, and the plastic used in the blade is high-quality, making this a product that you ought to be able to use for years to come without it breaking down on you.

The Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel is an 18-inch snow shovel with an ergonomic handle design to help alleviate the stress that shoveling for long periods can place on your arms, shoulders, neck and back. The 18-inch blade is large enough to cover a relatively large area in a single scoop without being too heavy.

It is the ergonomic design, however, that makes this possibly the best wide snow shovel on the market right now. At 52.5 inches in height, even those who are taller than average won’t have to slump over in order to use this shovel.

Weighing in at only 3 pounds, this is one of the lighter products of its type, making it easy to use and store. It’s much easier to use than heavier, more unwieldy models.

type	Shovel / Pusher
ergonomics	Bent shaft
dimensions	52.5 x 18 x 5 in
color	Gray / black
blade width	18 in
blade material	Polycarbonate
wear strip	Galvanized steel
handle	Single
handle material	Plastic
handle design	Straight ribbed grip
stick resistant	Yes
pushes snow	Yes
lifts snow	Yes
weight	3 lbs
warranty	3 years

The handle diameter is only 1 1/8 inches, which makes it easy to handle for those with big and small hands. It’s designed to make shoveling snow simple and easy for just about anyone, and it definitely succeeds in this regard.

The metal at the bottom of the blade will easily cut through even hard snow, and the plastic used in the blade is high-quality, making this a product that you ought to be able to use for years to come without it breaking down on you.

Overall, this is an excellent shovel for home use, making the removal of snow much easier than with similar products. There’s certainly plenty to love about this particular shovel.

Pros

The weight of a product like this is extremely important, as a heavier product will be much more difficult to use.

Those who need to manually remove snow from their driveway or sidewalks will find that using this Suncast shovel is an excellent way to do it. Here’s a quick list of some of the best features that this product has to offer.

• Ergonomic handle design: The handle is bent in a way that makes grabbing it easy, and because it’s unlikely that you’ll have to bend over, it’s very unlikely that using this shovel for long periods of time will cause stress or strain on your arms, shoulders, neck, or back.
• 52.5 inches in height: The height of this product also adds to the ergonomic design. At 52.5 inches tall, even taller users are unlikely to have to bend over in order to use this product. If you have a lot of snow to move, you probably won’t have to worry about aches afterward.
• 18-inch blade: The 18-inch blade is large enough to cover a lot of area in a single scoop without making the product difficult to handle. While larger blades will cover more area, they can be a bit unwieldy. If you want something that’s efficient and easy to handle, this is a great choice.
• Incredibly lightweight design: The weight of a product like this is extremely important, as a heavier product will be much more difficult to use. This Suncast shovel only weighs 3 pounds, making it one of the easiest to use even for children. You’re never going to struggle to lift this.
• Durable mix of metal and plastic: The build quality is quite good. The lower part of the blade is made out of a strong metal, and the upper part is made of a durable plastic. If you want something that will last you multiple winter seasons, this should do the trick.
• Comes fully assembled: Unlike similar products, you won’t have to worry about securely fastening bolts when this arrives at your home. It comes fully assembled, ready to use from the moment that you take it out of the box. This is just another level of added convenience.

Cons

The Suncast SC3850 is the type of shovel that ought to be handle most of the jobs you throw at it, but that doesn’t mean that it’s perfect. Here are a few of the issues that you might find in comparison to similar products.

• Some jobs require a wider blade: The lightweight design is one of the biggest selling points of this product, but it also means that the blade is smaller than some similar products. 18 inches should handle most jobs, but if you have to cover larger areas, you might want to find a bigger blade.
• Not built for asphalt: This should work just fine and last a very long time when you’re using it on regular concrete like your sidewalk, but if you’re looking to shovel on a street or asphalt, the blade could get damaged. Most people will use it on smooth concrete, however, so this is a minor concern.
• Curved handle could make tossing snow difficult: Although the curved handle makes this product ergonomic and limits the amount of bending you’ll have to do, it can also make it difficult to toss snow as you won’t have as much leverage as you get with straighter handled shovels.

	Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel	Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel Review »	Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel Review »
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
type	Shovel / Pusher	Shovel / Pusher	Scoop
ergonomics	Bent shaft	Classic	Spring-assisted
dimensions	52.5 x 18 x 5 in	51 x 18 x 3.34 in	50 x 18 x 3.9 in
color	Gray / black	Green	Gray
blade width	18 in	18 in	18 in
blade material	Polycarbonate	Polycarbonate	Polypropylene
wear strip	Galvanized steel	Galvanized steel	Aluminum
handle	Single	Single	Dual
handle material	Plastic	Plastic	Metal
handle design	Straight ribbed grip	Straight ribbed grip	Curved grip
stick resistant	Yes	Yes	Yes
pushes snow	Yes	Yes	No
lifts snow	Yes	Yes	Yes
weight	3 lbs	6.67 lbs	5.25 lbs
warranty	3 years	3 years	2 years

Summary

The lightweight design makes it easy for just about anyone to use, so if you want to put your kids to work this winter, this product should help them to easily remove the snow from in front of your home.

The Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel is definitely a great shovel for moving snow off of your sidewalk or driveway during the winter. It’s built perfectly for sidewalk shoveling, and the ergonomic design means that you’ll never have to worry about muscle strain.

The lightweight design makes it easy for just about anyone to use, so if you want to put your kids to work this winter, this product should help them to easily remove the snow from in front of your home. While it’s not built for rougher surfaces like asphalt, it works wonders when removing snow from concrete surfaces and should last for years.

All in all, it’s a great snow shovel, and one that can certainly be a huge help this winter season.

Buy Suncast SC3850 18-Inch Ergonomic Handle Snow Shovel

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Snow Joe SJ-SHLV02 18-Inch Poly Carbonate Snow Shovel

(rated 4.8 / 5)

Quality

Ease of Use

Maneuverability

Maintenance

Value for Money

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Even if you already own a snow blower with all the bells and whistles, a quality snow shovel is still needed.

The size of a snow blower can be excessive for clearing sidewalks, decks, and other narrow surfaces. They’re best suited to shovels.

Homeowners suffer thousands of injuries each winter related to snow removal. Ask any emergency room personnel.

More than half of these are related to muscle injuries and throwing out one’s back. Add the risk of heart attack from overexertion, and you can understand why not just any shovel will do.

Protect your back, shoulders, and heart by choosing a mechanically sound shovel.

Information

A heavy duty aluminum wear strip is added to the bottom edge. This is important since wear strips add durability, protect the leading edge of the shovel, and make it easier to slide over uneven surfaces.

The Snow Joe SJ-SHLV02 18-Inch Poly Carbonate Snow Shovel fits that description perfectly. It’s a back-saver and effectively reduces impact on the body in ingenious ways. A built-in fulcrum (also known as a lever) provides the person using it with the advantages of physics.

Its lower spring assist handle multiplies the speed at which you can remove snow from a surface. Two handles, one at the top along with a lower one, completely changes the mechanics of shoveling to reduce strain. This design gives your lower hand added lifting leverage.

You’re able to clear away larger loads more easily and more quickly. There’s also no need to shovel bent over, the action that causes back injuries. The ergonomic D ring handle grips on this dual handle tool are comfortable for pushing, lifting and throwing snow.

type	Scoop
ergonomics	Spring-assisted
dimensions	50 x 18 x 3.9 in
color	Blue
blade width	18 in
blade material	Polycarbonate
wear strip	Aluminum
handle	Dual
handle material	Metal
handle design	Curved grip
stick resistant	Yes
pushes snow	No
lifts snow	Yes
weight	3.6 lbs
warranty	2 years

The transparent blade of this ergonomic snow shovel is superior to an aluminum snow shovel since it’s made of polycarbonate. Polycarbonates are strong, with high impact resistance. A poly snow shovel typically isn’t as brittle as many plastics and it flexes more without breakage.

A heavy duty aluminum wear strip is added to the bottom edge. This is important since wear strips add durability, protect the leading edge of the shovel, and make it easier to slide over uneven surfaces.

The Snow Joe SJ-SHLV02 is 50 inches in length and weighs just 3.48 pounds. The blade is 18 inches across, an optimum size for most people. It’s no wonder Snow Joe refers to this item as a “Shovelution”.

Pros

Two handles with grips, one at the top and one on the lower spring-assisted handle providing leverage, are shaped for comfort even with continuous use.

It’s high time the mechanics of snow shovels got an upgrade. With its many ergonomic and time-saving features, this Snow Joe shovel is a dream come true. Not only is it the best snow shovel for a bad back, but it’s also made of tough, lightweight materials.

• Reduces effort and strain involved in shoveling: With the Snow Joe-SHLV02, you’ll avoid potential injury to your back, shoulders, and heart. The design uses more powerful muscles of your upper body instead of the susceptible lower back muscles to lift and throw snow. Lifting leverage is given to the lower hand.
• Ergonomic D ring handles for added comfort: Two handles with grips, one at the top and one on the lower spring-assisted handle providing leverage, are shaped for comfort even with continuous use. Placement of the two handles creates a natural movement of scooping and throwing without strain.
• Well built and well planned: The quality can be felt when handling it. This shovel arrives in a box and must be assembled, but assembly and disassembly are quick and simple enough to merit buying an extra snow shovel for a car trunk to have for emergencies.
• Durable polycarbonate blade with aluminum wear strip: Polycarbonate is a great material for the blade since it’s tough but also has some give without breaking easily. That’s especially important in areas where temperatures fall into the teens, single digits, or even lower. A wear strip prolongs blade life.
• Perfect complement to a full-size snow blower: Sidewalks, decks, and other small areas are best cleared with a shovel or a small electric snow blower (narrower than gas-powered blowers). You may want to get into corners, and many snow blowers leave up to an inch of snow on surfaces.
• Snow Joe is well-known with reliable products: This company is committed to producing high-quality tools at affordable prices and is known for outdoor power equipment. Winter chores and garden tasks are specialties. This Snow Joe shovel can also be used to move much in the spring.

Cons

Anytime a product is labeled as “revolutionary” you know there will be great qualities to consider. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be any negatives to think about. Take a broad approach to make realistic selections when buying home products.

• Not effective on hard-packed or icy snow: When the snow gets packed down or rain enters the mix, ice quickly forms. You’ll need to switch to a coal shovel or other tool to break through and remove it. Don’t risk damaging your Snow Joe shovel for this condition.
• Aluminum wear strip would be better if plastic: Metal wear strips don’t always work as well as plastic ones which are slightly rounded for sliding over rough or bumpy areas. Plastic is also less likely to scratch surfaces like decks. Metal strips encountering hard surfaces can catch and bend.
• Can present challenges for people 6 feet or taller: The ergonomic design and two handles with fulcrum action do a lot to eliminate strain and bending. But if you’re over 6 feet tall, the lower handle will likely be a bit too short and somewhat uncomfortable for you to use.

	Snow Joe SJ-SHLV02 18-Inch Poly Carbonate Snow Shovel	Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel Review »	Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel Review »
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
type	Scoop	Shovel / Pusher	Scoop
ergonomics	Spring-assisted	Classic	Spring-assisted
dimensions	50 x 18 x 3.9 in	51 x 18 x 3.34 in	50 x 18 x 3.9 in
color	Blue	Green	Gray
blade width	18 in	18 in	18 in
blade material	Polycarbonate	Polycarbonate	Polypropylene
wear strip	Aluminum	Galvanized steel	Aluminum
handle	Dual	Single	Dual
handle material	Metal	Plastic	Metal
handle design	Curved grip	Straight ribbed grip	Curved grip
stick resistant	Yes	Yes	Yes
pushes snow	No	Yes	No
lifts snow	Yes	Yes	Yes
weight	3.6 lbs	6.67 lbs	5.25 lbs
warranty	2 years	3 years	2 years

Summary

The use of a transparent polycarbonate blade instead of aluminum or more brittle forms of plastic assures homeowners they’ll have a long-lasting tool in the harsh winter environment.

Many are rejoicing that someone finally came up with new and innovative ideas for removing snow with a shovel. After many years of basically the same design, Snow Joe SJ-SHLV02 18-Inch Poly Carbonate Snow Shovel makes it possible to avoid the strain and injuries perpetrated by awkward snow shoveling.

Along with this Snow Joe shovel’s revolutionary new design, the use of an 18″ transparent polycarbonate blade instead of aluminum or more brittle forms of plastic assures homeowners they’ll have a long-lasting tool in the harsh winter environment.

Advantages include its low weight (under 4 pounds) and reduced effort needed for lifting and throwing. You’ll find that you’re able to lift more and throw farther using the two ergonomic handle grips on this innovative snow shovel.

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Bigfoot Shock Shield 25-Inch Poly Pusher Snow Shovel

(rated 4.9 / 5)

Quality

Ease of Use

Maneuverability

Maintenance

Value for Money

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It’s widely assumed that the only right way to use a snow shovel is to lift and throw the snow out of the way.

But have you ever studied the way an industrial snowplow removes tons of the stuff from roadways?

Snowplows don’t throw snow and ice – they simply push it off to the side. There are snow shovels available that use the same principle.

Since snow weighs anywhere from 7 to 30 pounds per cubic foot, lifting and throwing just one shovelful can be upwards of 45 pounds!

Clearing a standard size driveway means you’re literally moving several tons of snow.

Information

The Bigfoot can be the best snow pusher to roll snow out of the way on driveways, decks, and walkways without the lifting and throwing associated with other types of shovels.

A different way to approach snow removal is by using a snow shovel pusher. You can imagine these as smaller handheld versions of an industrial plow. The Bigfoot Shock Shield 25-Inch Poly Pusher Snow Shovel clears flat surfaces in much the same way as a snow plow.

The Bigfoot can be the best snow pusher to roll snow out of the way on driveways, decks, and walkways without the lifting and throwing associated with other types of shovels. With a curved plastic blade and a plastic handle, it’s lighter than many other snow shovels offered – under 5 pounds.

Snow pushers prevent stress to your body compared to older style shovels. Overexertion and repetitive movements of muscles you don’t use regularly set you up for health issues when shoveling. The best snow pusher shovel is designed to help avoid lifting with your back.

type	Pusher
ergonomics	Classic
dimensions	50 x 25 x 4 in
color	Black
blade width	25 in
blade material	Polyethylene
wear strip	None
handle	Single
handle material	Plastic
handle design	Straight grip
stick resistant	Yes
pushes snow	Yes
lifts snow	No
weight	4.55 lbs
warranty	1 year

The high-density polyethylene used to construct this Bigfoot shovel has strong intermolecular forces and tensile strength, making it lightweight and durable in winter temperatures.

The surface of the shovel resists sticking snow. At the contact edge is a hard metal blade. This prevents damage to the main curved blade and provides a durable edge to push through patches of ice and heavy snow.

Using a snow pusher is good for the budget. The average cost of a snow removal service that uses a plow (not the kids down the street) runs from $30 to $45 for a standard driveway. Multiply that by the number of storms your area gets in a typical winter and it becomes a burdensome expense.

Pros

The generous 25-inch width of the Bigfoot blade will help you to do sidewalks with just one pass, and decks can be quickly cleared too.

Gone are the days of only one choice for a snow shovel. Welcome a new generation of ergonomically designed tools to eliminate health risks. Whether you’re young or old, tall or short, out-of-shape or not, this Bigfoot shovel has much to admire.

• Saves your back and muscles: The idea of pushing snow instead of lifting and throwing is not a new one. Snow plows have been doing it for years. You’ll avoid lower back pain and protect your heart by pushing snow to the side instead of lifting hundreds of pounds.
• Light in weight due to modern materials: The manufacturers of the Bigfoot Poly Pusher have chosen to use a strong polyethylene plastic to create this snow pusher. In addition, the joining of a metal blade protects the outer edge of the main shovel for help in removing icy or hard accumulations.
• Leverage provided by location of handle: The plastic handle is attached partway down the shovel, instead of right at the top of the blade. This prevents snapping the handle off and generates more leverage to more easily push the snow.
• Wide size makes quick work of walkways and decks: The generous 25-inch width of the Bigfoot blade will help you to do sidewalks with just one pass, and decks can be quickly cleared too. Driveways are much easier with this than typical lift and throw shovels which are almost always narrower.
• Absorbs shock better than other shovels: With its patented Shock Absorbing D-Grip handle you won’t experience the jarring that comes when you encounter cracks, uneven surfaces and icy portions. Your wrists and hands will be protected from the strain, and there’s less potential of injury to your forearms.
• The EMSCO GROUP company is a trusted name: EMSCO has been around for 150 years. The products they manufacture have evolved over the years but they are still recognized for quality and customer service in the homeware and landscaping industries. They are an American manufacturer.

Cons

Discovering new approaches to old challenges has a great appeal, but a new idea alone should not convince you that a product is going to suit your circumstances. Even a new idea can come with its own set of negatives.

• Not a device to keep in the car: Although this snow pusher is wonderful for moving snow aside, this is not a shovel you’d choose as a collapsible snow shovel for a car trunk. Its wide 25-inch blade and 50-inch long handle are not intended for dismantling and storage.
• Heavy use could break handle: Plastics are great for keeping tools lightweight but the handle of a snow removal device takes a lot of abuse. Heavy consistent use and pressure could crack or break the handle. Some homeowners report they have replaced it with a wooden one.
• Best for less dense snowfall: Snow that’s very wet or heavy can be too much to make pushing easy. Consider going out a few times when significant depth is predicted. Remove several inches at a time instead of waiting to push a deep snow all at once.

	Bigfoot Shock Shield 25-Inch Poly Pusher Snow Shovel	Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel Review »	Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01-GRY 18-Inch Snow Shovel Review »
Price	Check Price	Check Price	Check Price
type	Pusher	Shovel / Pusher	Scoop
ergonomics	Classic	Classic	Spring-assisted
dimensions	50 x 25 x 4 in	51 x 18 x 3.34 in	50 x 18 x 3.9 in
color	Black	Green	Gray
blade width	25 in	18 in	18 in
blade material	Polyethylene	Polycarbonate	Polypropylene
wear strip	None	Galvanized steel	Aluminum
handle	Single	Single	Dual
handle material	Plastic	Plastic	Metal
handle design	Straight grip	Straight ribbed grip	Curved grip
stick resistant	Yes	Yes	Yes
pushes snow	Yes	Yes	No
lifts snow	No	Yes	Yes
weight	4.55 lbs	6.67 lbs	5.25 lbs
warranty	1 year	3 years	2 years

Summary

Pushing snow to the side can be a much better and healthier alternative to the weight of lifting and throwing snow.

Pushing snow to the side can be a much better and healthier alternative to the weight of lifting and throwing snow. The health benefits are major – less stress on the lower back, less risk of straining muscles, and easier on the heart.

Walkways, driveways, and decks can be cleared using the same principle as professional snowplow operators use. Snow doesn’t have to be lifted to get it out of the way since pushing alone can effectively remove it.

Overexertion by lifting hundreds of pounds of snow makes the alternative of a pusher like the Bigfoot Shock Shield 25-Inch Poly Pusher Snow Shovel appealing. Once you understand the advantages of a shovel for pushing instead of lifting, you’ll agree this is the best snow shovel for a driveway and other surfaces.

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Buying Guide

Types of Snow Shovels

Snow shovels, snow pushers, and snow scoops are three tools that remove snow manually. A combo shovel/pusher for more general use is becoming common, too. All function a bit differently

The snow shovel has a nearly flat blade meant for tossing snow. Second choice, a snow pusher, could be termed “snowplow on a stick”. It has a curved, wide blade; when snow is light you simply push it out of the way. The third, a scoop, is often narrower to handle wet, heavy snow.

Ergonomics of Shovels

Ergonomics is a term we hear used frequently these days. It’s the idea that poorly designed products cause strain or injury. The science of designing products to work effectively with the human body has taken on considerable importance, especially where repetitive movements are involved.

Various shapes of handles, as well as dual handles, have been developed to create more ergonomically designed shovels. Even so, having two or more types depending on various loads you’ll encounter throughout the winter makes sense.

Overall Dimensions

You only need snow shovels a few months per year but you need a place for storage during the remaining months. Shovels take up far less room than a gas snow blower, but it’s still helpful to have an idea of their size.

Shafts are typically a bit over 4 feet in length and suitable for average arm length and height. Kids or extra-tall people may find them awkward to use. Blade size determines the overall width, and that varies by shovel type.

Weight

Today’s materials for shovels are durable and light compared to shovels made years ago. When you’re lifting and tossing hundreds of pounds of snow, you’ll be glad the shovel itself is lightweight. Many models weigh in at under 6 pounds!

Some homeowners opt instead for an electric snow shovel with an auger for scooping snow, or an electric snow blower with wheels to minimize physical demands. Those could both be a good choice for those with limitations or medical issues that preclude shoveling.

Single or Dual Handle

If you’re young and strong, don’t mind a hard workout, or your plan is to hand off the shovel to the first teenager looking for pocket money, the issue of one or two handles won’t matter much to you.

Some swear by the innovative dual-handled styles. They say that lifting and tossing the snow using both the long handled shaft and the lower handled shaft lessens the need to bend over and makes snow removal faster with less strain on the back and shoulders.

Shaft Material

For many decades shovels only had wooden shafts, or handles as they are sometimes called. Now fiberglass, metal (usually lightweight aluminum), and plastic have been added to the options. Each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

Wood is durable and easily replaced if necessary. Check fasteners occasionally since wood expands and contracts. Fiberglas is the most durable but is often heavier than others. Aluminum is lightweight but susceptible to bending although ribs can prevent that in heavy snow conditions. Plastic is light but becomes brittle over time.

Shaft Design

Straight, bent or curved shafts are available. Straight shafts have been around forever and still work well for many users. But as people age and back issues become a concern, a curved shaft helps eliminate the need to bend over as much.

A flexible handle and a curved shape are more ergonomic. If you live in an area with frequent snowfall, it’s worth doing a test run on a few shovels to see which fits your body and fitness level the best.

Blade Width

Wide blades, like a 30-inch snow shovel, give you the ability to push or scrape a lot of snow out of the way with each pass. If you’re lifting that snow to toss it though, instead of simply pushing it, you may find that a blade of that size is just too heavy.

When your ability to lift is limited, stick with a narrower blade. An 18-inch shovel might take a bit longer but could save your back and shoulders from injury in the long run.

Blade Material

Similar to shafts, you’ll discover a broad range of blade materials being offered. A metal snow shovel blade made of aluminum is rustproof and lightweight, but the corners can get bent with use, and metal blades can scratch surfaces like decks. Steel is sometimes used, but those models are quite heavy.

The plastic snow shovels for sale have blades made of various viscoplastics like polycarbonates, polyethylene, and polypropylene. They’re strong but are more susceptible to damage than some metals.

Wear Strip

An attached wear strip does exactly what it sounds like. It helps to extend the life of the shovel by preventing excess wear on the blade. They’re usually aluminum, galvanized steel, nylon or even rubber, and some are replaceable. Not all shovels have one.

Many wear strips are metal and so they are helpful when you need to scrape frozen surfaces or break up icy spots. But use caution on any facades prone to scratching or wooden surfaces like porches or decks.

Resistance to Sticking

The best snow shovels glide over surfaces or roll snow much like a snowplow, and snow doesn’t stick to accumulate on them. Some new finishes are plugged as “nonstick”. That quality is especially welcome when snow is wet and heavy.

Wax or sprays can be added to blades to improve their ability to resist sticking. Car wax works similarly to ski or toboggan wax but has to be reapplied after a while. Even cooking sprays like Pam work!

Pushing Snow for Removal

If pushing appeals to you more than scooping and throwing, then concentrate on the category of snow pushers. They operate on the same principle as snowplows that displace the snow as they move forward rather than picking it up and dumping it elsewhere.

These models have blades that are wide but not very tall and have a slight curve to help roll the snow. They’re best for lightweight snow but not so helpful when the snow is wet and heavy.

Lifting Snow for Removal

Lifting snow in order to remove it is not recommended for everyone. It’s best for those in good physical shape who live active lifestyles unless the snow is fluffy and easy to move. Shoveling has been blamed for shoulder and back pain, heart attacks and other injuries.

You can use a shovel safely to lift snow by taking precautions. Don’t fill the blade all the way, and pay attention to repetitive movements that cause discomfort. Take frequent breaks and stay hydrated.

Color

If you’ll be taking a shovel to a jobsite or need to go back and forth between a snow blower and a shovel, you’ll be grateful to have a shovel color that contrasts with snow, especially when the snow is piling up quickly.

There’s a good reason for making shovels black, dark shades of green, blue or gray, or even glossy, vibrant bright colors. They’re easy to spot against a pure white background so you don’t have to wait until spring to find it!

Warranty

Warranties vary on snow shovels. As materials have improved creating more durable shovels, the length of warranties has lengthened. A few are even limited lifetime warranties! More commonly you’ll find one-year to three-year warranties.

A one-year warranty won’t give you much opportunity to see how well a shovel is going to hold up, especially if you purchase it partway through the snow season. Hold on to receipts in case you need to prove exactly when you found the best snow shovel for your needs.

Our pick for the best snow shovel is: Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel. This choice was made after spending 39 hours researching snow shovels.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Our pick for the best snow shovel is: Suncast SC1350 18-Inch Combo Pusher Snow Shovel. This choice was made after spending 39 hours researching snow shovels.

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