The best snow shovels for 2027 include traditional shovel-and-pusher combos, wide snow pushers, and heavy-duty steel options for different winter jobs. The True Temper 18-inch Poly Snow Shovel/Pusher is a versatile choice for everyday driveways and sidewalks, while The Snowplow Original 30-inch model is designed to push snow efficiently across larger flat areas. Bully Tools offers both a rugged 30-inch steel pusher and a lighter 22-inch combination shovel, while the Suncast 18-inch ergonomic combo provides another practical option for residential snow clearing. The right choice depends on how much snow you normally receive, the surface you clear, and whether you prefer pushing, scooping, or both.
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Quick Verdict
- Best Overall: True Temper 18-inch Poly Snow Shovel/Pusher — a balanced option for pushing and scooping around typical homes.
- Best for Large Flat Areas: The Snowplow Original 30-inch — a wide UHMW pusher designed to move snow without repeated lifting.
- Best Heavy-Duty Steel Pusher: Bully Tools 30-inch Steel Snow Pusher — a rugged 16-gauge steel option for paved driveways and packed snow.
- Best Push-and-Scoop Combo: Bully Tools 22-inch Combination Snow Shovel/Pusher — a polypropylene design that handles both pushing and lifting.
- Best Ergonomic Residential Combo: Suncast 18-inch Steel Core Ergonomic Combo — combines an ergonomic shaft with an 18-inch blade and wear strip.
Quick Comparison of the Best Snow Shovels for 2027
| Snow Shovel | Blade | Best For | Main Advantage | Check Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| True Temper Poly Snow Shovel/Pusher | 18-inch poly combo blade | Everyday residential use | Push-and-scoop versatility | Check on Amazon |
| The Snowplow Original | 30-inch UHMW polyethylene | Large, relatively flat areas | Wide push-only design | Check on Amazon |
| Bully Tools Steel Snow Pusher | 30-inch, 16-gauge steel | Heavy-duty paved-surface clearing | Strong scraping and pushing edge | Check on Amazon |
| Bully Tools 22-inch Combo | 22-inch polypropylene | Pushing, scooping, and transferring snow | Lightweight combination head | Check on Amazon |
| Suncast 18-inch Ergonomic Combo | 18 × 12-inch combo blade | Driveways, sidewalks, and pathways | Ergonomic Steel Core shaft | Check on Amazon |
True Temper Poly Snow Shovel with Ergonomic Handle
Best Overall: The True Temper 18-inch Poly Snow Shovel/Pusher is a practical choice when you want one tool for both pushing and lifting snow. Its 18-inch poly combination blade includes a nylon wear strip, while the ergonomic steel handle and oversized D-grip are designed to improve leverage and accommodate gloved hands.
The relatively moderate blade width makes this model easier to maneuver around sidewalks, steps, patios, and residential driveways than an extra-wide snow pusher. The nylon wear strip also helps protect the blade edge while reducing the chance of gouging surfaces compared with a more aggressive exposed metal edge.
Best For: Homeowners who want a versatile everyday shovel for pushing and scooping snow rather than a specialized push-only tool.
Why You’ll Like It:
- 18-inch combination blade works for both pushing and shoveling.
- Nylon wear strip helps extend blade life while being suitable for common residential surfaces.
- Ergonomic steel handle reduces the amount of bending required compared with a straight-handle design.
- Oversized D-grip provides extra control when wearing winter gloves.
Consider Before Buying:
- An 18-inch blade requires more passes than a 24- or 30-inch pusher on a large open driveway.
- It is a general snow shovel rather than a dedicated ice-breaking tool.
- For very deep or heavy wet snow, smaller loads are easier and safer to manage than filling the entire blade.
The Snowplow the Original Snow Pusher 30″ Wide Model
Best for Large Flat Areas: The Snowplow Original 30-inch Snow Pusher is designed for buyers who would rather push snow across a driveway than repeatedly scoop and throw it. Its wide blade is made from virgin UHMW polyethylene, a material selected for wear resistance, impact resistance, and cold-weather performance.
The patented TUFFBRACE connector supports the blade and reinforced metal handle, while the UHMW surface helps snow release rather than cling to the blade. The blade is also designed to wear in a way that maintains its working edge during normal use.
Because this is fundamentally a snow pusher, it works best when you can keep the blade on the ground and move snow toward the edge of a driveway, rink, walkway, or other relatively flat area. Buyers who frequently need to scoop snow over tall banks may prefer a conventional combo shovel.
Best For: Medium-to-large driveways, commercial walkways, and other open areas where pushing is more efficient than repeated lifting.
Why You’ll Like It:
- Wide 30-inch blade clears a broad path with each pass.
- UHMW polyethylene blade offers strong wear and cold-weather resistance.
- Non-stick characteristics help snow slide away from the blade.
- TUFFBRACE connector and reinforced metal handle improve structural support.
- The pushing action can reduce the amount of repetitive lifting required.
Consider Before Buying:
- The 30-inch width is less convenient on narrow steps and tight pathways.
- It is primarily a pusher, not the best option for repeatedly lifting and throwing snow.
- A wide blade can become harder to move when snow is very deep, dense, or wet.
Bully Tools 30″ Steel Snow Pusher Shovel
Best Heavy-Duty Steel Pusher: The Bully Tools 30-inch Steel Snow Pusher is aimed at buyers who prefer a more rigid scraping and pushing edge than a typical poly shovel provides. The 30-inch version uses a 16-gauge steel head with a protective powder-coated finish and a fiberglass handle.
At roughly 8.5 pounds for the 30-inch configuration, this is substantially more tool to maneuver than a lightweight plastic shovel. That extra weight can be useful when pushing or scraping packed snow from paved surfaces, but it also makes this model less suitable for buyers looking for an easy-to-lift scoop shovel.
Best For: Paved driveways and walkways where durability, scraping ability, and a wide clearing path are priorities.
Why You’ll Like It:
- 30-inch blade moves a wide strip of snow with each pass.
- 16-gauge steel construction provides a rigid working edge.
- Powder-coated finish helps protect the steel surface.
- Fiberglass handle and D-grip provide leverage and control.
- Designed and manufactured in the USA.
Consider Before Buying:
- The 30-inch version weighs about 8.5 pounds before snow is added.
- It is better suited to pushing than repeatedly lifting full loads of snow.
- A steel edge can be more aggressive on delicate surfaces than a poly edge, so check the surface before scraping.
- Thick, bonded ice may still require a dedicated ice scraper or chopper.
Bully Tools 22″ Combo Snow Shovel Pusher
Best Push-and-Scoop Combo: The Bully Tools 22-inch Combination Snow Shovel/Pusher is a better fit than a push-only design when you regularly need to collect, lift, and relocate snow. Its top-grade polypropylene head measures approximately 12.75 inches long by 22 inches wide by 4.5 inches deep, with a total tool length of about 56 inches.
The thick polypropylene edge eliminates the need for a metal wear strip, while the fiberglass handle is coated to improve durability. Its curved combination head allows you to push snow forward, then use the D-grip and blade shape to scoop and transfer the pile.
Best For: Homeowners who need one lightweight tool for driveways, walkways, porches, decks, and other areas where both pushing and scooping are useful.
Why You’ll Like It:
- 22-inch polypropylene head balances clearing width with maneuverability.
- Combination shape supports both pushing and scooping.
- Long fiberglass handle helps provide leverage and reduces excessive bending.
- Textured D-grip accommodates work gloves and improves control.
- No exposed metal wear strip on the blade edge.
- Minor assembly can be completed with common hand tools.
Consider Before Buying:
- A full 22-inch scoop of dense wet snow can still become heavy.
- The head is wider than many conventional shovels, so it may feel bulky on narrow steps.
- Buyers who only push snow across a very large flat driveway may prefer a wider dedicated pusher.
Suncast 18-inch Snow Shovel and Pusher Combo
Best Ergonomic Residential Combo: The Suncast SC3250 18-inch Steel Core Ergonomic Combo combines the functions of a shovel and snow pusher in a relatively compact design. Its blade measures approximately 18 inches wide by 12 inches high, while the complete tool is about 52 inches long.
The bent ergonomic shaft is designed to reduce excessive bending during snow removal. Inside the shaft is Suncast’s ribbed Steel Core construction, which is encased in resin. An angled rib pattern helps resist snow sticking to the blade, while a galvanized steel wear strip reinforces the working edge.
Best For: Residential driveways, sidewalks, and pathways where an 18-inch combination blade and ergonomic shaft are preferable to an extra-wide pusher.
Why You’ll Like It:
- 18-inch blade remains easy to maneuver around typical residential spaces.
- Combination design can both push and scoop snow.
- Ergonomic bent shaft helps limit unnecessary bending.
- Steel Core construction adds support inside the resin-covered shaft.
- Galvanized steel wear strip protects the blade edge.
- D-grip provides extra control when wearing gloves.
Consider Before Buying:
- An 18-inch blade takes more passes to clear a large driveway than a 30-inch pusher.
- The metal wear strip should be used carefully on surfaces that scratch easily.
- It is designed for snow removal and light scraping, not for chopping through thick, bonded ice.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Snow Shovels: Buying Guide for 2027
The best snow shovel is not necessarily the widest or strongest model. Blade design, material, tool weight, handle shape, snow type, and the surface you plan to clear all affect how comfortable and efficient the shovel will be. Consider how you normally remove snow before choosing between a conventional shovel, a combination model, and a dedicated snow pusher.
Snow Shovel vs. Snow Pusher
A traditional or combination snow shovel has enough depth and curvature to scoop snow, lift it, and throw it aside. This design works well when snow must be moved over a curb, bank, railing, or other obstacle.
A snow pusher is usually wider and shallower. Instead of lifting a full blade repeatedly, you keep the blade near the ground and push snow toward the edge of the area. Pushers can be especially efficient on long, flat driveways and commercial walkways, but wide models become harder to maneuver as snow gets deeper or wetter.
Material Durability Matters
The blade material changes both durability and handling. UHMW polyethylene offers excellent wear resistance and naturally low friction, which is useful for wide snow pushers. Polypropylene and resin blades tend to be lighter and are often used in combination shovels. They can also be more forgiving on many residential surfaces.
Steel snow pushers provide a rigid scraping edge and are useful on durable paved surfaces, but they are considerably heavier. A steel edge can also be more aggressive on decorative or scratch-sensitive surfaces, so always consider where the shovel will be used.
Blade Size Considerations
Blade width affects both speed and effort. An 18-inch snow shovel is relatively maneuverable and works well around sidewalks, steps, and typical residential spaces. A 22-inch combination blade moves more snow without becoming as cumbersome as an extra-wide pusher.
A 30-inch snow pusher can clear large flat areas quickly, but every additional inch also increases the amount of snow you are trying to move at once. Wide pushers are most effective when snow depth and density allow you to keep the load manageable.
Ergonomic Design Importance
An ergonomic shaft or longer handle can reduce the amount of bending required while shoveling. D-grips also provide a secure hand position and additional leverage, particularly when wearing winter gloves.
However, handle shape is only one part of comfortable snow removal. Tool weight, blade width, snow density, and how much snow you load onto the blade matter just as much. A heavy-duty shovel is not automatically the easiest shovel to use.
Choose for Your Typical Snow
Light powder is relatively easy to push with a wide blade. Dense, wet snow becomes much heavier, so a smaller scoop or combination shovel can make it easier to control each load. Packed snow may benefit from a rigid scraping edge, but thick ice usually requires a dedicated ice scraper or chopper rather than forcing a snow shovel to do a job it was not designed for.
Consider the Surface You Clear
For smooth concrete or asphalt, most of the shovels in this guide can work well when used as intended. On wood, composite decking, decorative paving, or other delicate surfaces, pay closer attention to the blade edge. Poly or nylon edges are generally less aggressive than exposed steel edges.
On gravel, scraping all the way down to the stones can move gravel along with the snow. Leaving a thin packed layer instead of digging the shovel into the driveway can reduce displacement.
Weight and Clearing Width
Do not judge a shovel only by the amount of snow it can theoretically move. A wide steel pusher may clear a large path but will also weigh considerably more than a poly combination shovel. If you expect long clearing sessions, the total weight of the tool plus the snow being moved should be part of the buying decision.
Before You Buy: Decide whether you mainly push or scoop snow, measure narrow walkways or steps, check whether your surface can tolerate a metal edge, and consider the weight you can comfortably control. For thick ice, buy a dedicated ice tool instead of relying on a snow shovel.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Maintain My Snow Shovel for Longevity?
Remove packed snow, salt, and moisture after use and allow the shovel to dry before long-term storage. Check bolts, grips, blade edges, wear strips, and handle connections periodically. Steel tools should be stored somewhere dry, and damaged or excessively worn parts should be repaired or replaced before the next storm.
What Materials Are Best for Snow Shovels?
There is no single best material. UHMW polyethylene provides excellent wear characteristics for snow pushers, polypropylene and resin help keep combination shovels relatively light, and steel provides a rigid scraping edge for heavy-duty use. Choose the material based on your snow conditions, surface, and preferred tool weight.
Can Snow Shovels Be Used on Gravel Driveways?
Yes, but avoid digging the blade deeply into loose gravel. Pushers or poly-edge shovels can work well when held slightly above the stone surface. Leaving a thin layer of packed snow can reduce the amount of gravel that gets pushed into your lawn or snowbanks.
Are Electric Snow Shovels Worth the Investment?
An electric snow shovel can make sense if you regularly clear moderate snowfall and want powered assistance. Manual shovels are simpler, require no battery or cord, and give you more control in tight spaces. For frequent deep snowfall or very large areas, a snow blower may be more appropriate than either option.
How Do I Choose the Right Size Snow Shovel?
Start with the areas you need to clear. An 18-inch blade is easy to maneuver on sidewalks and around a home, while a 22-inch combo moves more snow per pass. A 30-inch pusher can be faster on large flat surfaces, but it also creates a larger load. Choose the widest blade you can comfortably control in your typical snow conditions.
Is a Snow Pusher Better Than a Shovel?
It depends on the job. A snow pusher is excellent for moving snow across a flat surface without repeatedly lifting it. A conventional or combination shovel is better when you need to scoop snow and throw it over a bank or other obstacle. Many homeowners benefit from having one of each.
Can a Snow Shovel Break Up Ice?
Some reinforced or steel-edged snow tools can scrape compacted snow and light ice, but a snow shovel should not be treated as a heavy ice chopper unless the manufacturer specifically designed it for that purpose. Thick bonded ice is better handled with a dedicated scraper or ice chopper.
Conclusion
The best snow shovel for 2027 depends on how and where you clear snow. For an adaptable residential tool, the True Temper 18-inch Poly Snow Shovel/Pusher provides a useful balance between pushing and scooping. If you have a large flat driveway and prefer pushing snow instead of lifting it, the Snowplow Original 30-inch offers a wide UHMW blade.
The Bully Tools 30-inch Steel Snow Pusher is the heavy-duty choice for buyers who prioritize a rigid steel edge, while the Bully Tools 22-inch Combination Shovel/Pusher is better when you regularly switch between pushing and lifting snow. The Suncast 18-inch Steel Core Ergonomic Combo rounds out the list with a compact blade and ergonomic shaft for everyday residential clearing.
Before choosing, match the blade width, material, weight, and shovel style to your driveway, typical snowfall, and preferred clearing method. A well-matched shovel will usually make a bigger difference than simply buying the widest or heaviest option available.
