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- Shoveling snow might not be much fun, but it need not be a loathsome burden, either. All you need is a great snow shovel to help you get the job done.
- The DMOS Alpha Shovel is our top pick because its serrated blade easily cuts into and lifts large blocks of snow and because the shovel disassembles and packs down small enough to fit in the trunk, in a closet, or even in a backpack.
Winter is great because of all the holidays, the seasonal beers, and of course the chance to romp about in the snow. But winter also has its drawbacks. On those days that are not holidays and on which we are not enjoying a few beers and romping, many of us are instead cursing our way through the frigid morning as we dig our car out of a snowdrift just so we can get to work. Shoveling snow is a task few people enjoy, but it's one that we can't well skip if we want to leave the house without snowshoes and/or a dogsled and team of huskies.
With the right snow shovel, removing all that wintry precipitation from your stoop, driveway, deck, and walkways need not be a daunting chore. A proper snow shoveling technique paired with a decent piece of hardware will make the process faster and easier, and will also reduce the chance of injury.
Which, by the way, is a concern not to be taken lightly: One major 2011 study concluded that during an average winter as many as 11,500 people end up in the emergency room after a snow shoveling-related injury. Lower back injuries are far and away the most common, representing more than a third of total injuries. Which is no surprise, really, because snow can be surprisingly heavy stuff.
An average cubic foot of snow weighs about 62 pounds. So after a heavy snowfall that dumps, let's say, a foot of snow on the ground, an average driveway alone (let's use 12 by 30 feet as our frame of reference or 360 square feet) might have as much as 22,300 pounds of snow piled up on it! So yeah, that's where the backache comes from.
How to choose the right shovel for you
When choosing the best snow shovel for your property, first think about yourself. If you have any physical issues caused by age, injury, or illness, then opt for a tool that uses wheels, focused leverage, or even a motor to help minimize the effort needed to move that snow. If you're healthy as a horse, a more traditional snow shovel might be fine, but you still need to consider the volume of snowfall you'll be facing and the terrain at hand.
Even a fit person can be overwhelmed by hours of shoveling and should consider a tool that gives them an edge even if it costs a bit more. And don't forget that a bigger shovel is not always better - a shovel that's too wide for your narrow stoop might be counterproductive, and so on.
When possible, don't forget to spread salt before the snow starts, and get out there as soon as possible after it stops, before the stuff can freeze into a more solid mass. Also, don't rule out spending the winters in Los Angeles. It never snows and there are lots of great museums, restaurants, and retail shops there.
Here are the best snow shovels you can buy:
- Best snow shovel overall: DMOS Alpha Shovel
- Best ergonomic snow shovel: Snow Joe SHOVELUTION Snow Shovel
- Best electric snow shovel: Toro Power Shovel Electric Snow Thrower
- Best small snow shovel: AAA Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel
- Best classic snow shovel: Suncast Snow Pusher Snow Shovel
- Best snow pusher: Manplow REV42 Revolution Snow Pusher
Updated on 01/07/2019 by Steven John: Added two new shovels, replaced older items, and updated prices and formatting.
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