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The best ice scrapers are easy to use, effective, and convenient to store.
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After getting out of a toasty bed, the last thing you want on a frigid winter morning is to spend any more time than necessary outside. If an overnight snowstorm or frost has covered your windshield in ice, an effective ice scraper will allow you to clear it away quickly and provide a safe view of the road ahead.
I own four different snow scrapers, and while that may sound excessive, it means I know what to look for when rounding up the best car ice scrapers and snow brushes. After researching popular options verified by hands-on testing; combing through customer reviews; and taking durability, overall design, and usability in mind, we landed on the SubZero 80037 Snowbroom as our top choice.
For areas that see huge volumes of snow, you might need a larger snow broom type or find it necessary to invest in a snow cover.
Winter is unpredictable — one morning, you might have a light dusting of snow on your windshield, and the next, you could find yourself cracking through ice just to see out of your car. That's why the SubZero is our favorite versatile tool. It combines ice-crushing teeth, a flexible scraper blade, a heavy-duty broom, and a squeegee head to quickly clear everything from frost to heavy, wet snow.
While the SubZero is 60 inches while extended, it collapses into a 37-inch unit, making it easy to store. It features a soft foam grip and weighs just over a pound — both important details that lessen arm strain when chipping away at stubborn ice.
Best budget
This compact scraper delivers impressive user-friendly features and has a very appealing budget-friendly price. Its double-sided design has a 4.5-inch blade on one end for removing frost and snow and a narrow, serrated blade on the other for breaking up thick ice buildup. The cushioned handle is a nice perk, and the ergonomic thumb rests on either end to allow maximum leverage when applying pressure.
At 11-inches long, this scraper doesn't have the reach of a snow broom or long-handled brush and probably wouldn't be ideal for a large truck or SUV. That being said, this compact size does have a sturdy, solid feel and is more convenient to store in a backseat pocket, glove compartment, or interior door storage.
Best for deep snow
The Auto SnoBrum is particularly great for clearing off deep snow because of its telescoping handle that can extend from 26-inches to 46-inches in length, giving users of most heights (and arm lengths) easy access to the entirety of the windshield, hood, and even the roof of most vehicles.
The foam head is sturdy enough not to bend or buckle even as you push against heavy snow load, yet gentle enough not to scratch your car's exterior, including auto paint, window and windshield glass, and even more delicate vehicle vinyl wraps.
Here's the catch: This is not a true ice scraper, so for thick, stubborn layers of ice, you're going to need a different tool with a harder edge. But for snow alone, the SnoBrum is ideal.
What to look for in an ice scraper
Usability: To maximize both user comfort and effectiveness, it's important that your ice scraper is comfortable to grip and control. The more secure your grip, the more force you're able to apply, and the faster you'll be able to get out of the cold. Look for scrapers with ergonomic handles, cushioned grips, and curved designs that help increase leverage.
Features: In addition to their scraping blade, ice scrapers can include other user-friendly features, like raised teeth for chipping and breaking up thick ice before scraping. A broom or foam pusher allows you to remove large swaths of snow from your windshield as well as the top, hood, and windows. If you have the storage space and budget, we recommend an option that includes all three features.
Length: Ice scrapers are typically available in short, one-handed options and longer versions that allow you to reach further across your windshield without getting your jacket covered in snow. Shorter scrapers provide less reach and aren't ideal for larger trucks and SUVs, but they are more convenient to store when not in use.