Easier Than A Basic Shovel: The Amazon Tool That Makes Handling Heavy Snow A Breeze

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links.

Few chores are worse than clearing snow off your driveway or sidewalk one shovel-full at a time. Plus, in many scenarios, fresh-fallen snow will quickly reclaim the few rows you just worked so hard to clear. While electric or gas-powered snow blowers can make it easier to remove snow, they can also cost upwards of $1000. A snow pusher might be the way to go if you want something that works harder than a standard shovel without taking a chunk out of your savings. This snow shoveling solution has a wider blade that's designed to cover more surface area, and some manufacturers enhance the user experience further with built-in wheels and ergonomic push handles. With hundreds of snow pushers to choose from, here's one on Amazon that's worth a closer look.

The Best Choice Products Heavy-Duty 2-Wheel Snow Pusher Hand Plow has an Amazon's Choice label and a 4.4-star rating from over 1000 reviews. The majority of customers rave about the efficiency of this product and how it makes snow removal easier. For example, one reviewer claimed it "saved [their] back" when shoveling during a snowstorm. This might be because it features wheels and you can adjust the handle's height and angle (it can go from 33½ to 51 inches tall). Others praised how much time it saved them on shoveling their driveways thanks to the wide blade and the ability to angle it 30 degrees to the left or right, essentially helping to both gather snow and push it to the side with one maneuver. A customer who gave it 5 stars remarked, "If you need to shovel snow and it takes you more than 15 minutes, you need to get one of these."

Based on customer reviews, this pusher works best when used on fresh snow that's up to a few inches deep. Since the blade itself is 10 inches tall, it might not be practical for shoveling multi-foot snow drifts. You also won't have to use as much manual force if you prioritize shoveling often vs. waiting to shovel until the snow has piled up. Plus, if the snow is only a few inches deep, it may be less likely to spill over the top of the blade as it accumulates during shoveling. If you have more than a foot of snow, you may need to use a shovel to remove the top layers before using the snow pusher.

One customer made a good point that since the snow pusher gathers more snow than the average shovel, it can become harder to push the further you go. They recommended setting the blade to an angle and doing short, to-the-side movements to make it more manageable. This could also prevent you from creating a giant pile of snow at the bottom of your driveway when you're done. 

Lastly, it's important to note that this product doesn't replace the work of the classic snow shovel completely. You'll likely still need one to clear spaces that are too narrow for the snow pusher or to reduce snow layers that are deeper than 10 inches. 

This snow pusher comes in two size configurations:  The large option has a 36-inch-wide blade and costs $99.99, and the extra-large option has a 48-inch-wide blade and costs $129.99. The handle length and blade height are the same for both. Choosing the right blade width is important, however. The ultimate goal is to be able to shovel more snow in less time, but you also need to determine how the pusher's size could impact the price point and the amount of storage space it takes up.

The smaller of the two sizes may be more practical if you're limited on storage space or have a tighter budget. However, the extra-large option could be best for shoveling long driveways since it allows you to clear about an extra foot of surface area as you shovel. Maneuverability is also a factor, as the difference in blade width means that the extra-large size is slightly heavier (the difference is 25 versus 27½ pounds). This could be something to consider if you have to push snow uphill.