Best snow shovels and ice melt (2026)
A good shovel and a bag of ice melt get you out of the driveway and keep the steps safe after a storm. Shoveling is also hard work: Ready.gov says to reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow. This page compares three shovels and pushers and two ice melts on Amazon by what their listings say. We haven't tested them ourselves.
By Tom Calder · Updated October 30, 2026 · 5 products, prices indicative
Our picks
Snow Joe assist shovel
Less bending on a long driveway
The Snowplow 30" pusher
Pushing light snow off a wide driveway
Safe Paw ice melt 35 lb
Homes with pets
All 5 compared
| Pick | Type | Size | Material | Good to know | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Shovel · 18-inch blade · Impact-resistant blade · Second assist handle and D-ring grip to reduce bending (listing) Less bending on a long driveway | Shovel | 18-inch blade | Impact-resistant blade | Second assist handle and D-ring grip to reduce bending (listing) | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched An 18-inch shovel with a second, assist handle partway down the shaft, so you lift with your arms and legs rather than your back. It's the best-rated shovel here for everyday driveways and paths. Best for Less bending on a long driveway Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you mostly push light snow off a wide driveway. | |||||
Pusher · 30-inch blade · UHMW polyethylene blade · Patented brace for sturdiness; for concrete, blacktop and pavers (listing) Pushing light snow off a wide driveway | Pusher | 30-inch blade | UHMW polyethylene blade | Patented brace for sturdiness; for concrete, blacktop and pavers (listing) | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A 30-inch pusher clears a wide strip in one pass, which suits the frequent light snowfalls most people actually get. Pushing rather than lifting is easier on your back; for heavy, wet snow you'll still want a shovel. Best for Pushing light snow off a wide driveway Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your snow is usually deep and heavy. | |||||
Ice melt · 35 lb · Salt-free (crystalline amide core, maker) · Sold as safe for pets, kids and landscaping (maker) Homes with pets | Ice melt | 35 lb | Salt-free (crystalline amide core, maker) | Sold as safe for pets, kids and landscaping (maker) | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched The best-known pet-friendly ice melt: salt-free, so it's gentler on paws, lawns and concrete than rock salt, going by the maker. It costs more per pound than salt, so most households use it on the paths pets walk and salt elsewhere. Best for Homes with pets Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you need to treat a long driveway cheaply. | |||||
Shovel and pusher · 18-inch combination blade · Poly blade, nylon wear strip · Wear strip protects decks and patios (listing) One shovel for lifting and pushing | Shovel and pusher | 18-inch combination blade | Poly blade, nylon wear strip | Wear strip protects decks and patios (listing) | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A combination blade that both scoops and pushes, with a nylon wear strip along the edge that's kind to decks and patios. A simple, sturdy all-rounder sold by Amazon. Best for One shovel for lifting and pushing Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want help with the lifting. | |||||
Ice melt · 50 lb · Blended deicer (maker) · Sold as safer for concrete; works on contact (maker) A bigger bag for driveways | Ice melt | 50 lb | Blended deicer (maker) | Sold as safer for concrete; works on contact (maker) | |
Our verdictOur verdictResearched A 50-pound bag of blended ice melt that Snow Joe says is safer for concrete than plain rock salt. A good-value choice for treating a whole driveway and steps. Best for A bigger bag for driveways Good
Worth knowing
Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if pets walk on the treated paths. | |||||
ⓘ As an Amazon Associate, PreparedStates earns from qualifying purchases. We may earn a commission when you buy through our links. It never changes what we recommend. Amazon prices come from Amazon's own product data and can change at any time.
Before you buy
Push where you can.
A wide pusher moves light snow without lifting; keep a shovel for the heavy, wet stuff and the end of the driveway the plow leaves behind.
An assist handle or a bent shaft means less bending.
Snow Joe's second handle lets you lift with your arms and legs.
Pick ice melt for your paths.
Pet-friendly, salt-free melts cost more per pound than rock salt; many households use them where pets walk and something cheaper elsewhere.
Store the ice melt somewhere dry and handy before the first storm, not in a shed you'll have to dig out.
We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →
Related gear comparisons
Guides that go with this
A plain-English winter storm checklist: watch vs warning, home prep, supplies, staying warm, shoveling and car…
How to winterize your home before cold weather: seal drafts, insulate, service the furnace and chimney, protec…
Common questions
What's the best snow shovel for bad backs?
One that lets you push rather than lift, or one with an assist handle so you lift with your arms and legs. Small loads and breaks matter more than the shovel; Ready.gov advises avoiding overexertion when shoveling.
Is shoveling snow dangerous?
It can be hard on your heart. Ready.gov says to reduce the risk of a heart attack by avoiding overexertion when shoveling snow and walking in the snow.
Is ice melt safe for pets?
Some ice melts are sold as pet-friendly, like Safe Paw, which is salt-free. Those claims are the makers'. Wiping your pet's paws after a walk on treated paths is a sensible habit with any ice melt.
Snow pusher or snow shovel?
A pusher clears light snow fast across a wide driveway; a shovel lifts and throws heavier snow and does steps and tight spots. Many households keep one of each.