Snow Blower Vs. Shovel: Which Should You Choose?
The two “DIY” methods for removing snow are snow blowing and shoveling. You may already be familiar with how to shovel snow and its benefits and drawbacks. Snow blowing has both advantages and disadvantages, and it may not be worthwhile to purchase one. If shoveling snow is too tricky for you, a snowblower is a great alternative. Having the suitable machine can mean the difference between being self-sufficient and relying on others to remove snow.
Snow Blower vs. Shovel In Time To Clear Driveway
All you have to do to shovel a driveway is grab the shovel and get to work. When compared to the complexity of using a snowblower, consider the following:
- Take it out of the cupboard.
- Find a long extension cord.
- Any cars parked in your driveway should be moved.
- Perhaps first shovel a path to the electrical outlet before plugging in the electric snowblower.
- Blowing snow is something you should do.
- Remove the cord from the electric snowblower.
- Get rid of it.
- Return the unit and extension cord to their original locations.
- Return your cars to their proper parking spots.
- As needed, make repairs to the snowblower.
The Ultimate Guide To Choosing The Best Snow Shovels For Winter
Winter snow can be charming, but when it piles up on your driveway, it’s time to reach for one of the best snow shovels. The right shovel not only makes snow removal easier but also saves you from potential back strain and fatigue. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing the best snow shovel, from snow shovel materials to essential features.
When to use a snow blower vs snow shovel?
The decision to use a snow blower or a shovel largely depends on several factors:
- Snowfall amount: For light snowfalls, a snow shovel is usually sufficient. However, for heavy snowfalls, a snow blower can save you a lot of time and effort.
- Surface area: If you have a large driveway or extensive walkways to clear, a snow blower can make the job much more manageable.
- Physical capability: Shoveling snow can be physically demanding. If you have health concerns or limited mobility, a snow blower can be a more practical choice.
Which Is Better: Snow Shovel or Snow Blower?
The choice between a snow shovel and a snow blower ultimately comes down to your needs and preferences:
- Snow shovel: Simple, affordable, and suitable for light to moderate snowfalls as compared to snowblower for deck. It provides a good workout but can be physically demanding.
- Snow blower: Faster and more efficient for clearing larger areas and heavy snowfalls. It’s less physically demanding but comes with a higher upfront cost.
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Why Choosing The Right Snow Shovel Matters
Using a shovel that isn’t designed for efficiency and comfort can turn snow removal into a painful chore. The right design makes all the difference in keeping your back safe and clearing snow efficiently.
Key Features Of The Best Snow Shovels
- Ergonomic Handles: When it comes to ergonomic designs, look for handles that reduce bending. Curved or bent handles help maintain proper posture, reducing back strain during use.
- Snow Shovel Materials: Shovels come in various materials, each offering unique advantages. Here’s a breakdown:
- Plastic Blades: Lightweight and great for soft snow, plastic shovels are easy on your back and less likely to scratch surfaces.
- Metal Blades: Ideal for hard-packed snow and ice, metal blades are durable and tough. However, they can be heavier and sometimes damage delicate surfaces.
- Polyethylene: A middle ground between plastic and metal, polyethylene is lightweight but resilient enough for moderate snowfalls.
- Blade Design: For clearing large areas, a wider blade works wonders. However, if you’re dealing with heavy or packed snow, narrower blades reduce lifting strain. Some blades come with metal edges for added durability.
Essential Snow Shovel Features To Look For
- Adjustable Handles: For taller or shorter users, an adjustable handle provides a custom fit, making it easier to find a comfortable stance.
- Non-Slip Grips: Snowy conditions can make handles slippery. Look for shovels with foam or rubber grips for a secure hold.
- Wear Strips: A metal or reinforced wear strip at the blade’s edge helps with durability, especially if you’re using it on concrete or asphalt.
Top Tips For Using Your Snow Shovel Safely
The best shovel can only do so much if not used correctly. Here’s a quick look at snow removal tips for a safer experience:
- Pace Yourself: Don’t rush through heavy snow. Take breaks as needed, especially during intense storms.
- Shovel Early and Frequently: Shoveling fresh snow is easier than dealing with compacted layers. Go out once during the snowfall and again afterward to keep the job manageable.
- Use Proper Lifting Techniques: Bend your knees, not your back, and push snow when possible rather than lifting. This saves your back from unnecessary strain.
Snow Shovel Buying Guide: Making The Best Choice
When it’s time to buy, take a moment to consider your unique needs and terrain. For example, if you deal with heavy, wet snow regularly, a sturdy metal blade might be best, while lighter snow calls for plastic blades. Also, consider snow shovel maintenance to keep your shovel in good condition. Lubricate metal parts and store it indoors to prevent rust.
Ready To Tackle Winter?
Equipped with the right snow shovel, you can make snow removal an easy, injury-free part of your winter routine. Whether it’s choosing the perfect snow shovel materials or mastering snow shoveling tips, you’re now ready to keep your driveway clear and safe.
Different Types of Snow Shovels to Consider
Snow shovels come in various styles, each suited to specific tasks. Here’s a quick look:
- Standard Shovels: Great for lifting and tossing light to moderate snow, standard shovels have a simple, ergonomic handle and a curved blade.
- Push Shovels: Designed with a wider, flat blade, push shovels are ideal for clearing large areas by pushing the snow without much lifting.
- Combo Shovels: These versatile shovels combine the functionality of a standard and push shovel, allowing for both lifting and pushing.
- Sleigh Shovels: With their large scoop and sled-like handle, sleigh shovels handle massive snow loads efficiently.
Product Reviews: A Closer Look at Ames, Snow Joe, and Garant Nordic
- Ames True Temper Snow Shovel
- Design: Known for its ergonomic design, Ames offers standard and combo shovels with a lightweight yet sturdy build. The aluminum blade is durable, and the D-grip handle provides comfort.
- Durability: Ames snow shovels are highly durable, making them a good choice for repetitive use in moderate to heavy snow conditions.
- Drawbacks: While versatile, some users report that the aluminum blade can scratch delicate surfaces, so it’s best used on concrete or asphalt.
- Best For: Homeowners who need a reliable, everyday shovel for light to moderate snowfall.
- Snow Joe Shovelution
- Innovative Design: Snow Joe features an ergonomic spring-assist handle that helps reduce strain on the back and shoulders. This shovel uses a two-handle design to distribute the weight better.
- Functionality: This model stands out in snow shovel reviews due to its unique design, which helps with the “lift and throw” motion. The poly blade is rust-proof and lightweight, which is ideal for clearing decks or delicate surfaces.
- Drawbacks: While its innovative handle design reduces back strain, it may feel a bit unusual if you’re used to a traditional shovel.
- Best For: Users looking to minimize back strain or those dealing with lighter snowfalls.
- Garant Nordic Sleigh Shovel
- Heavy-Duty Design: Garant Nordic is known for its robust sleigh shovels, which can clear large areas quickly. This shovel’s wide polyethylene blade and T-handle are perfect for tackling heavy, wet snow.
- Durability: With its large blade and durable design, the Garant Nordic is built to withstand heavy-duty use, especially for clearing larger driveways and walkways.
- Drawbacks: Because of its size, it’s not ideal for lifting and may require storage space due to its larger frame.
- Best For: Those with larger areas to clear or heavier snow conditions.
Snow Shovel Comparison: Choosing the Right Tool for You
In this snow shovel comparison, it’s clear that each shovel has its strengths and is best suited for specific tasks:
- Ames: If you want a classic, versatile shovel that can handle a range of snow conditions, Ames is a solid choice.
- Snow Joe: Perfect for minimizing strain while shoveling lighter snow; great for driveways and sidewalks where ergonomics are a priority.
- Garant Nordic: If you’re dealing with heavy snow, the Garant Nordic’s sleigh design is an efficient option for large areas.
Each of these types of snow shovels offers unique features. Assess your needs, the snow volume in your area, and the terrain of your driveway or sidewalk to choose the best fit for your winter snow removal needs.
How to Choose the Best Snow Shovels: Materials, Blade Width, and Handle Length
Finding the best snow shovels isn’t just about picking up any tool from the store; it’s about selecting the right one that makes snow removal effective, comfortable, and durable. When it comes to winter gear, small details like handle length and snow shovel materials can make a big difference.
Key Buying Considerations for Snow Shovels
- Handle Length
- The length of the handle is a critical factor, especially for reducing strain on your back. Shorter handles offer more control, ideal for pushing snow, but can require you to bend more, which may cause discomfort. Longer handles reduce the need for bending, helping prevent back pain and strain.
- When choosing a shovel, consider your height. Taller individuals may benefit from longer handles, while shorter handles may be best for those who prefer greater control.
- Blade Width and Shape
- Blade Width is essential to consider. Wider blades allow you to remove more snow per scoop, which is useful for large, open areas. However, they can be heavier and more challenging to maneuver, especially with dense snow.
- Blade Shape also matters: flat blades are effective for scraping and pushing, while deeper, curved blades are excellent for lifting and tossing snow. Your choice should depend on whether you’ll be pushing snow across a driveway or lifting it onto a pile.
- Snow Shovel Materials
- Plastic Shovels: Lightweight and affordable, plastic blades are ideal for soft or moderate snowfall but may struggle with heavier, packed snow. They’re less durable against surfaces like gravel and concrete, where they’re more prone to damage.
- Aluminum Shovels: Aluminum blades are a great balance between weight and durability, handling both wet and dry snow without cracking. They may get dented or bent over time, especially on uneven surfaces.
- Steel Shovels: Known for their strength and longevity, steel shovels can handle heavy, icy snow. However, they’re often heavier than other options, which may require more effort to use.
- When considering snow shovel materials, it’s worth thinking about the typical snowfall in your region. Areas with heavy, wet snow may require aluminum or steel shovels for durability.
- Ergonomics and Handle Type
- Many of the best snow shovels come with ergonomic designs to make snow removal easier. Look for models with D-shaped handles, which offer a comfortable grip and improve leverage. Some handles are also curved to help reduce bending and strain, making them a good option if you anticipate regular shoveling.
- Ergonomic designs are particularly helpful for older individuals or those who might be shoveling large areas. In contrast, straight handles can provide simpler control and are often more affordable.
- Reviews and Customer Feedback
- Take time to look up snow shovel reviews before making a purchase. Reading user experiences gives insight into the durability, efficiency, and comfort of different models, helping you find a tool that best meets your needs.
- Look for shovels that balance weight, durability, and ease of use. Customer feedback can also reveal important details, like whether a shovel’s grip stays comfortable in very cold temperatures or if the blade can withstand regular, heavy use.
Choosing the Best Snow Shovel for Your Needs
Finding the right shovel makes winter preparation far easier and safer. Think about your driveway or path size, the usual snow consistency in your area, and your physical comfort when lifting and pushing snow. Investing in the best snow shovels for your winter conditions can make the job easier and extend the lifespan of your shovel.
You can easily remove snow around any parked cars in your driveway when shoveling; shoveling has the advantage of maneuverability. It takes more time and effort on your part to move the vehicles. Snow blowing, on the other hand, binds you—best it’s done in long, straight sweeps, which necessitate an unobstructed path.
When using a snowblower, you will almost certainly have to move parked cars. Also, consider that you have less control over where the snow is deposited than when shoveling when the snow blows. It’s simple enough to avoid covering the bush when shoveling. However, removing snow with a snowblower is more complicated. You must change your angle so that the snow is blown either to the left or right of the shrub.
With all of this in mind, you could probably shovel your driveway in a third of the time it takes a snowblower to clear it. If you have to wait for the wind to be just right for snow to blow, so the snow doesn’t blow back in your face, you’ll need even more time.
Gaia Enterprises Inc. delivers 100% pet-safe and environmentally friendly winter products. Safe Paw, our flagship product, is the #1 selling pet-safe ice melt that does not harm pets, safe if ingested, and safe on all types of concrete.
When Is It A Good Idea To Buy A Snowblower?
With the help of a snowblower, you can spend less time shoveling snow. If you live in an area where moderate to heavy snowfall occurs, Safe Paw can help you in ice melting for roofs, clear walkways, driveways, and other areas quickly and with little physical effort.
Where To Buy Safe Paw Ice Melt?
Safe Paw will assist you in sorting through various surfaces, and its features will meet your requirements. It’s available on any eCommerce site, such as Amazon. You can purchase it directly from the website or our offline store.
Summing Up
Snowblowers, on the other hand, are ideal for smaller spaces. They’re easy to transport (due to their lightweight), store (due to their compact size), and maintain (no need for oil and gas). Furthermore, because they are lightweight, they are the best choice for avoiding physical strain. If you’re in good health, ergonomic snow shovels and aluminum snow shovels may be the right tools for you.
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