How To Choose The Perfect Snow Shovel That Meets All Your Needs

The first snowfall of the year is always beautiful, but when it's time to clear the driveway, that magic quickly disappears and gets replaced with sweat and a sore back. You might think that it doesn't make a difference what type of shovel you use, but that's what leads to aches and pains and spending too much time in the cold. Picking the right shovel for the job and your physical condition can completely change your winter. Understanding the different types of shovels can make choosing the one that meets your needs easier, and knowing the best time to shovel snow for easier removal is just as important.

The three most common types of snow shovels are designed for different jobs. The classic standard shovel is intended for all-around use, the ergonomic shovel is built to save your back, and the pusher shovel is made for speed. Realizing which of these works best for you will save you time and effort when it's time to clear your sidewalk.

When winter weather leaves behind a fresh layer of just an inch or two of powder, or when you have a large area to clear, you don't want to waste time lifting and throwing the snow. This is where a pusher shovel becomes the best type to use. Pusher shovels work exactly like the name suggests, acting like a miniature snow plow to clear a path quickly — it's one of the best items to have to make driveway snow removal easier. They have a wide, rectangular blade, sometimes reaching more than 36 inches across. This design, which doesn't have the higher sides that a scooping shovel has, allows you to clear wide sections of your driveway or sidewalk with fewer passes. Because you're pushing the snow to one side, you don't have to lift any of the weight, which makes this shovel a good choice for those who can't take the physical strain of lifting heavy snow.

Pushers are generally most effective in snowfall up to about two inches deep. Any more than that, and the snow may be too heavy to push and will spill over the sides. Most pusher shovel blades are made from high-density polyethylene, which is gentle on all types of surfaces, like wood decks and concrete. Some even feature a unique blade angle that allows you to flip the shovel over to scrape packed snow or ice.

Dealing with wet, heavy snow or deep drifts requires a shovel designed for lifting without causing injury. The ergonomic shovel is designed for this, with a focus on user comfort and safety. Its distinctive feature is a bent or curved shaft that allows you to stand more upright while shoveling snow, rather than stooped over. This design repositions your hand and arm, which reduces the need for bending forward. Some models even feature a second handle on the shaft to give you better leverage when tossing heavy snow. When picking one of these out, look for a model that feels the best for your height to get the full benefit of the design.

For really heavy snow — the kind that feels like cement — the classic standard shovel with a scoop blade is typically the best choice. Standard shovels are the best at cutting through deep snow without it spilling over the blade's sides. Since lifting heavy snow is when many people injure themselves, using a standard shovel with a smaller blade, around 18 inches wide, is recommended. This will limit the weight you lift with each scoop. Regardless of the shaft design, look for a blade material like metal or durable plastic with a metal edge for scraping packed-down snow or ice. Overall, the best snow shovels are the ones that match your physical needs and the type of snow you need to remove.