10 Walmart Finds To Help Prepare For Winter

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Depending on where you live, winter can be a real handful. Between colder temperatures, shorter days, and potential snowstorms, you can never be too prepared for the season. After all, the last thing anyone wants is to get caught in a winter storm without must-have essentials to stay warm and dry. Before the weather outside gets too frightful, it's helpful to take stock of what you already have and make note of which items you're missing that would make surviving winter a little more comfortable.

Luckily, you can get prepared quickly and affordably with some of Walmart's best budget-friendly home essentials. From cozy throw blankets to snow removal tools that make clearing the driveway a breeze, Walmart has long been a go-to destination for all kinds of products for winter prep. In addition to boasting a wide selection, the big-box store is also well-known for its budget-friendly pricing, so you can get ready for winter without breaking the bank.

If your favorite winter activity involves staying in and watching a good movie, then this Bare Home Microplush Fleece Blanket will be your favorite new companion. With a 4.6-star rating and over 4,000 reviews, this blanket appears to be every bit as comfy and warm as it claims to be. It's available in a wide range of sizes and colors. At the time of writing, the king-sized option, regularly $65.99, is on sale for $44.99.

If you don't have a garage and you're sick of having to wake up earlier than normal to shovel snow off your car before work, then Walmart's affordable carport might be the key to getting those extra minutes of sleep. The Sesslife 10-By-20-Foot Heavy-Duty Carport Canopy has a promising 4.8-star rating and can be used for keeping snow off of your vehicle in the winter or as a party tent for summer gatherings.

Shovelling snow manually is a tiring chore, but if electric snow blowers are out of your budget, then you might think the ol' plastic shovel is your only option. However, there's a good in-between alternative — cordless electric snow shovels. Walmart's VOLTASK 24V 13-Inch Cordless Snow Shovel Electric Snow Blower is highly rated, offers 25 minutes of battery life, and works to remove snow from walkways, sidewalks, and driveways. If you live in an area that gets heavy snowfall, this may not be the product for you. However, for light snowfalls under 6 1/2 inches, it does the trick.

If your home has old windows, odds are they let in a cool draft during the winter months. While upgrading to new windows is the ultimate solution, there are ways to block that draft if a full-on renovation project isn't in your budget right now. One option is hanging thick, insulated curtains. The Sun Zero Arlo 2-Piece Textured Thermal Insulated Curtain Panel from Walmart fits the bill and comes in a range of colors and sizes.

During the winter, your boots track in all kinds of snow and dirt that can make your entryway a mess. One easy way to combat this is with a mat or boot tray. Walmart's Mainstays Diamond Boot Tray is highly reviewed and boasts a large 15-by-29-inch size. The raised ridges around the edge of the tray should help keep all that melted snow and dirt from staining your floors.

Winter's dry air can lead to dry skin, irritated sinuses, and other issues. A humidifier can protect you by adding moisture back into the air. There are many humidifiers on the market, and you can even make your own with bowls of water. However, Walmart's Vicks 1-Gallon Filter-Free Cool Mist Humidifier has thousands of positive reviews, with several reviewers claiming the product is easy to clean and great for the price point (under $50). Something that sets this humidifier apart is that you can insert Vicks VapoPads to enjoy a range of calming scents.

Keeping your steps clear of snow and ice in the winter is about more than convenience; it's also a matter of safety. If you want to save yourself a little time and effort, investing in some outdoor snow melting mats is a great idea. These SunHearth Heated Snow Melting Mats are ideal for front steps, walkways, and outdoor decks. They boast a strong grip and measure 10 by 30 inches. To use them, all you need to do is roll out the mats and plug them in using the 6.56-foot power cord.

A warm cup of coffee, tea, or hot chocolate is a quick and easy way to warm yourself up in the winter. However, if you're the type to pour the drink, take a sip or two, then forget about it for hours, consider trying a heated mug. At Walmart, you can grab a 12-ounce ionMug & Charging Coaster that will keep your hot beverages at the perfect temperature for three hours. Available in white, black, or copper, the mug has thousands of good reviews that praise its looks and durability.

Although you won't be able to roast chestnuts on this fire, the realistic 3D flames produced by the Comfort Zone Electric Fireplace Space Heater certainly bring the cozy winter vibes. The heater's compact size makes it best for apartment renters or those with small homes. It comes in red or black and has two different heat settings. The largely positive reviews note that the heat output is quite efficient.

When looking for ways to make your home warmer and cozier for the winter, things like insulating the windows or adding a space heater often come to mind, but rugs can help on this front as well. A good rug acts like a layer of insulation that can make a room a little warmer and comfier, and Walmart's Mainstays Dylan Solid Diamond Olefin Indoor Area Rug is a great deal. The rug, which comes in all different colors and sizes, has 4.5 stars and over 2,000 ratings.

Before choosing products for this list, we considered what common winter issues people may be trying to combat this season. Things like dry skin, cold temperatures, snow removal, and wet boots all came to mind. From there, we set out looking for affordable products at Walmart that not only combat these issues, but that also have a high number of positive ratings and reviews online. At the time of writing, all products listed have above 4-star ratings with plenty of customer reviews on the Walmart website as well as on third-party sources like YouTube and Reddit. We also took into account product specifications, features, and availability.