In almost every city in Canada, winters get brutal—vicious winds, cold temperatures, and of course, snow. While a snow blower can be a big help for big snowfalls, and a leaf blower or broom can help out with light dustings, there are always those in-between days where neither of the tools is perfect for the job. What do you use instead?
A snow shovel, of course! Snow shovels are the go-to winter cleanup tool for most people, and there’s a reason for it. They’re incredibly simple to use (don’t mistake that with ease, they can give you a good workout too depending on the storm!), last for ages, and they’re super portable and can be stored almost anywhere. Plus, they need no power source! (Except for muscle power, obviously.)
Whether you’re looking for your first snow shovel or a replacement for a tool that’s ready for retirement, we’re here to help you find your perfect fit. Snow shovels will vary in all kinds of features including price, height, clearance width, scoop vs. push style, and more! And as with everything, the more thought you put in, the better the choice you make!
This comprehensive guide will investigate the best snow shovels in Canada right now and outline the criteria you should consider while making your purchase decision. Let’s dive right into our top five products.
We are big fans of the Snow Joe Shovelution Snow Shovel. Its most distinguishing feature is of course the second handle. It’s spring-loaded to help the shovel come back to neutral quickly after throwing snow, and its mere presence does a lot to reduce your back strain and make lifting a whole lot easier and more comfortable.
The scraper blade is another highlight feature of this one. Not only does it protect your shovel’s edge from stones, uneven pavement bumps, and other winter hazards, but it also allows you to chip through icy spots or stubbornly dense snow piles without too much added effort. Sounds like a nice change, doesn’t it? We think you’ll love the price, too.
There are two main reasons why this option might not be right for you. The first is the shovelling width. At only 18 inches, it’s narrower than many other shovels, so you will need more passes to clear the snow. However, most people feel the reduction in effort is worth the extra time. Also, the lower handle is no stranger to breaking off after enough use, so if that’s your favourite part, you’ll likely end up disappointed at some point.
All in all, the Snow Joe Shovelution Snow Shovel is a really great choice for pretty much everybody. If you’re a snow pusher instead of a snow scooper, you might want to look at some of our other options instead, but for everyone else, it’s a pretty perfect match.
Performance: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers have lots of great things to say about the Snow Joe Shovelution Snow Shovel. The extra handle, along with the spring-loaded design, makes it really easy to pick up snow and throw it a good distance — many of them noticed a reduction in back pain compared to other shovels. The scraper blade increases the scoop longevity and makes it easy to cut through ice. The lower handle does tend to break off after enough use, though.
Buy If…
You want to cut through icy spots with ease
Your back doesn’t appreciate you bending over a lot
You’d appreciate some help lifting shovelfuls of snow
Don’t Buy If…
Height: 50”
Weight: 2 lbs
Clearance Width: 18”
Scraper Blade: Yes
Scoop or Push: Scoop
Warranty: 1 year
The Lifeline 4017 Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel is a pretty unique option. As a solid aluminum utility shovel, it can take a lot more damage than the usual plastic scoops you see. And it’s shape makes it ideal for digging out a car that’s been buried in snow, building with sand at the beach, and more. The only real limit is your imagination!
The telescoping handle is another notable feature. It can be adjusted to three different heights to suit different tasks and even be used easily by your kids! The main draw of this shovel is its portability, though. Since it breaks down into three pieces in only a few seconds, it is super easy to store in any space, and it makes for the perfect car companion in the winter.
The only reason we can think of that you wouldn’t want this shovel is if you’re truly in need of a traditional option that can make quick work of the snow piling up on your driveway, sidewalks, etc. every snowfall. This one is quite small and awkward to use for long periods of time, and it would just take ages. But hey, maybe you could get one of those and this one for your car! Just a thought.
Overall, the Lifeline 4017 Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel is a pretty unique option that has more uses than you’d expect. It’s highly durable, highly portable, and will make a great addition to snowmobiling adventures, an emergency kit in the car, and so much more.
Performance: 4/5
Usability: 4/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are very happy with the Lifeline 4017 Aluminum Sport Utility Shovel. Since the entire shovel is made out of aluminum instead of plastic, it’s much more durable than the average shovel. And since it’s so lightweight and can be broken down into three pieces, many of them keep it in their car for digging it out if they get stuck in snow. Even their kids love using it to help with the shovelling!
Buy If…
You need a shovel that travels and stores very well
A durable scoop is important to you
An adjustable height would be nice
Don’t Buy If…
Height: 25-32”
Weight: 1.3 lbs
Clearance Width: 8.6”
Scraper Blade: No
Scoop or Push: Scoop
Warranty: 1 year
We absolutely love the Trazon Heavy-Duty Ergonomic Snow Shovel. Of course, its most appealing trait is the ergonomic handle. Its unique shape means you don’t have to bend over so much to stabilize the shovel and lift it effectively. This will save your back a lot of strain in the short term and weakness in the long term. The comfortable hand grips alleviate the fatigue on your hands, too! Super.
One of the other things we really like about this shovel is how durable it is. Its overall design is built for longevity with a heavy-duty plastic scoop and sturdy aluminum handle. The aluminum scraper blade on the scoop’s edge does a lot to protect it from stones and bumps in the pavement, and it also makes your job a lot easier when chipping through ice and packed snow.
One of the only reasons this shovel might not be perfect for you is if you prefer to push all of your snow into a big pile before moving it away. This shovel is designed for scooping, not pushing, and it doesn’t quite have the diameter to be efficient at the latter. Otherwise, the higher price tag might be the only thing that makes you hesitate.
All in all, the Trazon Heavy-Duty Ergonomic Snow Shovel is one of the best options currently available, and that’s especially true for you if your priority is ease and comfort over efficiency. For small and big snowfalls, this shovel will make your work feel so much better.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 5/5
Price: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers have a very high opinion of the Trazon Heavy-Duty Ergonomic Snow Shovel. The unique handle shape really does help prevent a ton of back pain from extensive shovelling, and the grips are really comfortable to hold for long periods of time. The shovel is able to pick up a lot of snow at a time, and they really appreciate the aluminum scraper on the shovel’s edge.
Buy If…
You do a lot of shovelling every winter
You want a shovel that will last
Cutting through ice and packed snow easily is a priority
Hand comfort matters to you
Don’t Buy If…
Height: 58”
Weight: 4.6 lbs
Clearance Width: 18”
Scraper Blade: Yes
Scoop or Push: Scoop
Warranty: 1 year
The Garant Pro Series 26-Inch Snow Pusher is an amazing option if your property demands a lot of pushing around of snow. With a slightly curved blade, the snow keeps moving in front of the shovel instead of getting clogged up and falling onto your feet. Thank goodness. And the extra-wide 26-inch clearance path guarantees you’ll make quick work of every snowfall.
You won’t have to worry about comfort with this one either. The angled handle makes sure your wrist stays comfortable and tension-free while you’re working. If you’re the kind of person who loves to stay loyal to your tools, you’ll also be very happy with this one. It’s extra resistant to wear and tear and can truly last for decades even if you’re shovelling tons of snow every winter. The lifetime warranty backs that up brilliantly.
There are only two main reasons you might want to keep browsing for your perfect match. The first is the lack of scooping power with this one — since the shovel isn’t very deep, you’ll struggle to lift snow up to throw it. Hopefully, that isn’t a big part of your snow-clearing routine. Otherwise, the price tag might be the only reason you move on from this one. It’s a bit more expensive than the average shovel.
Overall, the Garant Pro Series 26-Inch Snow Pusher has the most to offer in the snow-pushing arena. If you’d love to clear your property quickly and with the minimum amount of lifting possible, this is the shovel you need.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Reviewers are very happy with the performance of the Garant Pro Series 26-Inch Snow Pusher. It makes quick work of even the longest of driveways, and its wear-resistant blade makes it perfect for decades of use. The top handle is angled to be easy on their wrists, and they’re quite happy with how well it scrapes right down to the pavement.
Buy If…
You prefer to push snow instead of scooping it
You want a shovel that will last for a long time
You have a large property to clear
A comfortable handle is important
Don’t Buy If…
Height: 57.5”
Weight: 1 lb
Clearance Width: 26”
Scraper Blade: No
Scoop or Push: Push
Warranty: Lifetime
The Yardworks XL Snow Shovel is a great companion for winter storm cleanup. It has a long hardwood handle with a comfortable grip up top, so you won’t have too much soreness anywhere after you’re done shovelling. The blade itself is a super durable polyethylene material that resists damage quite well. And you get all of that for a super reasonable price tag.
Of course, as our efficient alternative, this shovel’s main claim to fame is its ability to make quick work of every snowfall. The wide clearance width minimizes the amount of back-and-forth walking you have to do, and the high, rounded tops make sure it can move easily through drifts and thick snow without stopping you short. Finally, your gut will be safe from handle punches.
While there’s nothing overtly wrong with this shovel, there are a couple of things you should know before you commit to it. First, this shovel is only good for pushing snow — if you try to lift or scoop the snow, you’ll experience some difficulty. Also, it is a few pounds heavier than other shovels, so you might find yourself fatiguing a bit faster with this one.
Overall, the Yardworks XL Snow Shovel is the perfect option if you’ve got a large property to clear of snow and/or you’re looking to get the shovelling done as efficiently as possible. It has everything you need to make quick work of every snowfall.
Performance: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Price: 5/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Reviewers have a great opinion of the Yardworks XL Snow Shovel. It plows through deep snow without any problems, and they’re very happy with how much snow it can move at once since it’s so wide. It seems to be very durable so far on different driveway types, and they were all really happy with the price. It can start to feel a bit heavy with enough shovelling, though.
Buy If…
Affordability is a priority
You want to spend as little time shovelling as possible
Durability is important to you
You deal with a lot of snow drifts and deep snowfalls each winter
Don’t Buy If…
Height: 55”
Weight: 4.7 lbs
Clearance Width: 26”
Scraper Blade: No
Scoop or Push: Push
Warranty: 4 years
The price range of snow shovels does not vary too much. At the low end, they’re priced around $30-$35, and at the high end, they usually won’t exceed $65-$70. Generally, the more expensive models will offer a larger clearance width, a more durable material composition (handle and blade), and extras such as ergonomic contouring of the handle or a scraper on the blade.
Most snow shovels fall between 50 and 60 inches from the ground to the top of the handle, so it should be easy for most people to find a shovel that suits their height and won’t cause too much back pain with a ton of bending over.
The weight of a snow shovel tends to fall between 1 and 5 pounds. Of course, the lighter they are, the less easily you’ll fatigue while shovelling, especially on a large property. However, the lightest shovels aren’t always the most durable, so you’ll want to make sure you look for a good balance between the two features.
The clearance width of a snow shovel will typically fall between 18 and 26 inches, but you can find shovels even narrower than that for specialized purposes or extra-affordable prices. A wider clearance width will be associated with both a more efficient shovelling experience and a heavier load to push/carry, so you’ll have to think about your personal capabilities before choosing your ideal clearance width.
Many snow shovels come with a metal scraper blade on the tip of the shovel to make it easier to cut through ice and stubborn snow, as well as to improve the longevity of the shovel. Since it has so many benefits and can be found at all price points, we always recommend looking for a shovel that offers this feature.
A snow shovel can have a blade designed for pushing or scooping snow. Scoop-style shovels can also be used for pushing snow (not as effectively, admittedly), but a push-style shovel cannot scoop snow at all. You’ll have to figure out which style you prefer before browsing if you want to be fully satisfied with your choice.
Disclaimer: The prices displayed are accurate at the time of publication. We’ll do our best to keep them as up-to-date as possible, but you may see slight changes. The products in this list are ranked by independent third parties. Rankings are based on both reviews and independent testing.
