We put ten of the top portable snow shovels on the market to the test, ensuring you can choose the perfect one for your needs and local weather. Our team of seasoned testers, who reside year-round in some of the snowiest mountain towns in the U.S., took on this challenge.

In this article, we’ll bring you our top picks, highlight the must-have features of portable snow shovels, and show you why they’re an important addition to your cold-weather gear. Let’s dig in – literally – with the National Park Shops team!

Best Overall: ErgieShovel ($39.99 on Amazon)

  • Item dimensions L x W x H: 28 x 18 x 48 inches
  • Item Weight: 4 Pounds
  • Style: Snow Shovel
  • Handle Material: Alloy Steel
  • Blade Length: 18 Inches
  • Blade Material: Polypropy

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portable snow shovel
ErgieShovel is an excellent all-purpose portable snow shovel

Thanks to its ergonomic dual-handle design, the ErgieShovel is an excellent all-purpose portable snow shovel. While the shaft is relatively short, at 47.75 inches, the comfort it provides during extended use more than compensates. It performs on par with competitors when pushing snow and is sturdy enough to handle heavier loads.

The dual-handle design might initially confuse some users, as it did for a few of our testers. However, the ergonomic posture it enforces quickly becomes second nature. While the protruding handle encourages proper body alignment, it does limit your range of movement. Over time, the plastic scoop showed signs of wear, developing a slight bend after a few seasons of use.

Best Budget: Suncast 20″ Combo Shovel & Pusher ($37.66 on Amazon)

  • Item dimensions L x W x H: 1 x 51 x 18 inches
  • Style: Modern
  • Handle Material: Alloy Steel

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portable snow shovel
Suncast 20″ Combo Shovel & Pusher

The Suncast 20″ Combo Shovel & Pusher stands out as an excellent, budget-friendly portable snow shovel suitable for a wide range of tasks. Its versatile bucket-shaped blade excels in various snow conditions, whether gently pushing a few inches of powder or scooping and tossing heavy, wet snow repeatedly. The metal wear strip along the blade edge is effective at scraping compacted snow and light ice, while the sturdy blade material handles tougher tasks like breaking through the snowplow berm at the end of a driveway.

Despite its overall utility and straightforward design, there is a slight wobble where the D-grip handle attaches to the shaft. While this hasn’t affected its performance during three snowy Tahoe winters, it’s more noticeable compared to sturdier models. The steel-core shaft is durable and handles heavy use with ease, though this portable snow shovel lacks the ergonomic comfort of curved or dual-handle designs, which may be a consideration for extended snow-clearing sessions.

Best Aluminum: AMES Aluminum Scoop ($71.40 on Amazon)

  • Item dimensions L x W x H: 11.5 x 15.5 x 46 inches
  • Item Weight: 3.75 Pounds
  • Style: 46 in. Hardwood Handle Scoop
  • Handle Material: Wood
  • Blade Material: Aluminum

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portable snow shovel
AMES Aluminum Scoop

For those in search of a lightweight portable snow shovel ideal for handling light snowfalls, an aluminum-blade option is worth considering. AMES, a trusted name in yard tools, is known for producing sturdy and dependable equipment.

The AMES Aluminum Scoop Shovel is a fantastic pick for individuals who experience occasional snowfall rather than heavy, frequent winter storms. Its aluminum blade keeps the shovel lightweight, while the D-grip handle and hardwood shaft provide excellent leverage, strength, and control during use.

Although it isn’t robust enough to tackle hardpacked or wet snow, the AMES Aluminum Scoop is a practical addition to your winter toolkit, perfect for staying ahead of smaller snow events.

Best Ergonomic: Snow Joe 24V SS10

  • Item dimensions: 52″D x 12.6″W x 10.6″H
  • Item Weight: 12.8 Pounds
  • Maximum Throw Distance: 20 Feet
  • Voltage: 24 Volts

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Snow Joe 24V SS10

The Snow Joe 24V SS10 is our top pick for electric snow shovels, providing an efficient solution for clearing light snow in smaller areas. Equipped with a two-blade paddle auger, it can throw snow up to 20 feet while carving out a 10-inch-wide, 6-inch-deep path in one pass.

The rechargeable battery lasts up to 30 minutes on a single charge and can be fully recharged in just 2.5 hours. While it’s not designed for large-scale snow removal, it’s perfect for small walkways or for helping Grandma clear her driveway when she insists she can still shovel. The Snow Joe 24V SS10 saves time and effort, and — most importantly — spares your back from unnecessary strain.

The Snowplow ($79.99 on Amazon)

  • Item dimensions: 47 x 6 x 9 inches
  • Style: Resistance
  • Handle Material: Fiberglass
  • Blade Material: UHMW Ultra High Molecular Weight

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portable snow shovel
The SnowPlow has exceptionally durable blade and wide 36-inch width

The SnowPlow stands out as our top choice for efficiently pushing a few inches of snow. According to one reviewer, “This is one of the few snow shovels I expect to last more than a decade.” Its exceptionally durable blade and wide 36-inch width mean you’ll need to make only half the passes compared to standard shovels, saving time and effort.

This portable snow shovel excels in specific conditions. During testing with just two inches of snow, it proved unbeatable, quickly clearing sidewalks and driveways with minimal effort. Unlike some thin, fragile plastic scoops, the SnowPlow boasts a thick, robust construction that inspires confidence in its longevity.

However, this portable snow shovel has limitations. In a heavy storm that dumped 18 inches of wet, dense snow, the SnowPlow struggled. It’s designed as a snow pusher, not for lifting or tossing snow. Attempting to shovel with it results in snow falling off before reaching its destination, which can be frustrating. While it does allow for slight scooping after pushing snow, it’s far from ideal for deep or heavy accumulations.

Another factor to consider is assembly. Unlike most models, which come pre-assembled or require simple hand-tightening, the SnowPlow requires a drill and wrenches and takes about 10 minutes to put together. While not overly complicated, it requires a bit more effort than most competitors.

AstroAI 39″ Folding Snow Shovel ($34.99 on Amazon)

  • Measured Length: 39″
  • Scoop Material: Metal

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portable snow shovel
AstroAI 39″ Folding Snow Shovel

The AstroAI 39″ Folding Snow Shovel is a reliable and versatile compact portable snow shovel designed for convenience and utility. Its foldable design fits effortlessly in your car, making it a great tool for emergencies. The sturdy metal blade is tough enough to break through ice and hard-packed snow and versatile enough to handle sand and dirt, perfect for getting your vehicle unstuck on challenging terrain.

The lightweight, narrow blade is also ideal for precision tasks, such as clearing snow from stairs, tight spaces, or around outdoor furniture. It’s a hit with kids, too – our one – and four-year-old testers enjoyed using it. Beyond practicality, this portable snow shovel is great for winter fun, whether building snow jumps, shaping sledding hills, or cutting snow blocks for forts or igloos.

However, this shovel isn’t designed for moving large amounts of snow. The short handle requires users to crouch, making it uncomfortable for anyone over five feet tall or during extended use. Prolonged shoveling may strain your back. Additionally, while the overall build is robust, the shaft has slight play, which may impact its durability.

Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel ($72 on Amazon)

  • Material: Aluminum
  • Item dimensions L x W x H: 28 x 10 x 6 inches
  • Handle Material: Aluminum
  • Blade Material: Aluminum

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portable snow shovel
Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel

For a reliable emergency shovel or a tool to clear snowed-in parking spaces, the Voilé Telepro Mini Avalanche Shovel is our top recommendation. Originally designed for backpacking and mountaineering, this portable snow shovel features a robust scoop that can cut through frozen snow with ease, ensuring durability in critical situations. Its compact design allows it to be disassembled for easy storage under a car seat or in a trunk corner.

While the Voilé Telepro Mini isn’t the most budget-friendly option, it outperformed four other car shovels in our tests, which were either too fragile or too small to be dependable. This portable snow shovel is also an excellent choice for urban dwellers with limited storage space and minimal shoveling needs. With its strong build and compact design, it’s a dependable companion for emergencies and everyday use alike.

How we tested portable snow shovel

Testing portable snow shovels is a straightforward process. We gathered a selection of the top shovels available and put them to work in various snow conditions.

Our assessment focused on the durability of each shovel and its performance across different types of snow. We also paid close attention to how comfortable each shovel was to use. Did the ergonomic features provide real benefits? How did the length feel, and could the grip be used effectively while wearing bulky gloves?

Next, we evaluated the shovel’s ideal applications. Not every portable snow shovel is suited for every task – some perform better with light snow, while others are designed for heavier, wetter snow or smaller spaces versus larger driveways.

Our testers are outdoor enthusiasts who live in some of the snowiest regions in the U.S. For them, snow shoveling is just another part of the winter adventure. Reliable portable snow shovels are essential for tasks ranging from clearing homes and cars to testing avalanche conditions.

FAQs

Which snow shovel is best?

The ideal snow shovel is largely dependent on personal needs and circumstances. To determine which shovel works best for you, consider factors such as the typical type and amount of snow you deal with, the area you need to clear, and whether you prefer shoveling or pushing snow. Having a variety of shovels on hand can offer the most versatility for different situations.

Are ergonomically designed snow shovels better?

Ergonomically designed snow shovels are the best choice for reducing strain during snow removal. Shoveling can be physically demanding, and many people injure themselves each winter by overexerting while clearing snow. Ergonomic shovels help alleviate this by minimizing bending, offering a mechanical advantage, and lowering the physical toll of the task.

Should I keep a shovel in my car?

If you live in a snowy area or frequently drive off the beaten path, it’s a good idea to keep a shovel in your car. You never know when you’ll get stuck or come across someone in need of a helping hand to clear their vehicle. A portable, collapsible travel shovel is easy to store and can be a lifesaver for digging out of snow or sand.

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CEO John Smith is the Founder and CEO of Nationalparkshops.com. As an expert with more than 10 years of experience in the field of travel, exploration, survival skills and a burning passion for national parks

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