Expert-Picked Snow Brushes and Ice Scrapers for Keeping Your Windows Clear

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Punxsutawney Phil had his annual appearance at Gobbler's Knob, Pennsylvania, this past week. Astute groundhog watchers know that if Phil sees his shadow, we're in for more winter. With that in mind, similarly astute members of the Gear Team figured it was a good time to find the best snow brushes and ice scrapers to keep your car prepared for the rest of the season.

There are a ton of simple plastic sticks on the market, with bristles on one end and sharp scraper things on the other. However, there are many quality snow-removal tools on the market designed with intention and purpose, to keep your paint and glass safe and to make the task a bit easier on frigid mornings. We've combed through the most popular automotive ice scrapers and snow brushes on the market, and put together this list of the very best.

Things To Consider

A low-quality ice scraper or snow brush can not only damage your vehicle, but will (probably) fall apart after a few uses. Quality and durability aside, there are other things to think about before you spend your money on an ice scraper and/or snow brush.

Length and Reach

If you have a truck, an SUV, or trouble reaching the top of your vehicle, opt for a scraper and brush with a long handle (or the ability to attach an extension pole) to ensure you can easily reach the entire windshield and roof.

Materials

Look for a durable material that can withstand cold temperatures without breaking. The scraper should be made of tough plastic or polycarbonate, while the brush bristles should be sturdy yet non-abrasive to your vehicle's paint.

Some snow brushes use a squeegee in addition to, or rather than, bristles to push and pull snow off your vehicle. In our experience, while foam squeegees tend to work just fine for moving snow they can become brittle after exposure—or simply tear apart on hard, jagged ice.

Compact and Portable

Compact devices are easier to store in your vehicle and more convenient to carry. Consider a small, stashable scraper, or one that breaks down into multiple pieces to be easily stowed away in your glove compartment or cargo area.

Design and Features

Some snow removal tools come with additional features such as a pivoting brush head for different angles, a telescoping handle for adjustable length, or a built-in squeegee for removing moisture. Many of the devices below incorporate both ice scrapers and snow brushes, and some or all of the extra features above. While these may come in handy for some, they usually cost more money—and may be unnecessary for others.

Car owners who live and drive in areas that only occasionally experience snow and rarely see icing may want to opt for a simple snow brush over a combination tool with all the bells and whistles. It's your money—spend it wisely.

The Best Snow Brushes and Ice Scrapers for Cars

EDI 4 Electric Ice Scraper

Adding power to anything makes it better, right? That's the idea with Kärcher's electric ice scraper. It's powered by a rechargeable lithium-ion battery that Kärcher claims is good for several uses before needing a recharge. Simply apply light pressure to your windows, and a replaceable disc with six plastic blades rotates up to 500 RPM, clearing light snow and ice with far less effort than a traditional scraper.

Many reviewers point out that the Kärcher is not ideal for snow removal as it operates a bit like a hand sander. It works great for ice scraping and light snow removal, but you'll have to sink your hand in deep snow to remove heavy accumulation.

If you're worried about the added complication of an electric ice scraper, perhaps Kärcher's 1-year limited warranty will help sway you. An optional car plug is also available, direct from Karcher, to make sure you never get stranded.

Multi-Purpose Auto Snow Tool Kit

While SnowJoe products are known more for affordability than top-of-the-line quality, this kit includes too many useful attachments to not include on this list. It's based around the telescoping extension pole with a foam-headed broom. At the opposite end, you can add one of three included accessories—an ice scraper, a brush, and a shovel head—depending on the situation. There's even a storage bag to keep it all together. To top it off, the whole kit is covered by a 2-year limited manufacturer's warranty.

If you're looking for a complete automotive snow removal kit, this one will do the trick—and the price is undeniable.

3-in-1 Ice Scraper and Snow Brush

This all-in-one scraper, brush, and squeegee is one of the most popular snow removal tools on the market because of its versatility and usability. The telescoping pole is the key. It extends to 47.2 inches, is made from lightweight aluminum rather than breakable plastic, has a comfortable rubber grip to keep your hands warm(er), and features ten extending and retracting points at which it can be set. The attachments can also be removed completely, if you need a shorter reach and more precise control.

As for the attachments, the head on the broom pivots and its layered bristles keep your paint safe from scratches. Along with the bristles at the head, there's a silicone squeegee on the backside for pushing snow or clearing water and at the opposite end, an ice scraper. It all stores in a convenient carrying bag.

Magical Ice Scrapers

At first glance, these cone-shaped scrapers don't look like much. But we got them into our Gear Team's hands and they were pleasantly shocked at the results. There's more to this "magical" cone than meets the eye.

An ice chipper at the top of the cone breaks up thicker ice and its bottom features a sharp edge, which the Gear Team found to be surprisingly effective at sweeping away ice. The whole thing is made from hardened ABS plastic. Looking for a cheap and easy snow removal solution? Here it is.

Subzero 11-inch MAXX-Force Scraper

Another one of those cases in which simplicity is best. The Gear Team tested this heavy duty little hand scraper and was impressed by its effectiveness. There are three offset points of contact for maximum chipping and a flexible head for contouring to the curve of whatever window you're scraping. The TPR textured grip makes it easy to hold and control for maximum leverage, and the scratchers on the back are perfect for breaking up thick ice before using the scraper.

The handle end features a small hook for easy hanging storage; if there's a drawback to this great little ice scraper, it's that you can't screw an extension pole into it. Otherwise, it's affordable, we've used it, and we know it works. Enough said.

50-inch Extendable Snow Brush with Ice Scraper

We like Birdrock Home's extendable brush primarily for its impressive length when extended. At 50 inches long when fully extended, it's ideal for removing snow from taller vehicles like trucks and SUVs.

Opposite the brush end, you get a soft grippy foam handle as well as an ice chipper and scraper. The scraper end will also benefit from the extended length and the thick bristled brush head is able to pivot up to 270 degrees.

LED 4-In-1 Telescoping Snow Broom + Ice Scraper

Another one from the folks at Snow Joe, this broom and scraper made our list thanks to its foam head, which is meant to be safer on your vehicle's surface than traditional bristles. Better still, the head incorporates four LED lights for nighttime snow removal.

The 18-inch non-abrasive head pushes snow off while not scratching your paint or glass. A telescoping pole with foam grips extends from 33 to 52 inches; the butt end features an ice scraping tool.

FAQs

Can I use the same tool for both ice and snow removal?

Many products combine an ice scraper on one end and a snow brush on the other, providing a convenient all-in-one solution for winter weather. However, those who live and drive in climates that rarely get wintry weather may not need all those features.

How do I safely remove ice and snow without damaging my vehicle?

Use the brush to gently push and/or pull away loose snow, then use a scraper for ice, holding it at a 45-degree angle to the window and avoiding excessive force.

Are there any safety precautions to take when using an ice scraper or snow brush?

Wear gloves to protect your hands from frostbite and sharp ice, and be careful not to hit the glass with the hard edges of the scraper.

Can I use an ice scraper on my car's paint?

We advise you to avoid using ice scrapers on your vehicle's paint, as they may cause scratches. Focus on using the scraper on glass surfaces, and use a brush or other gentle method for removing snow from the rest of the vehicle.

Why Trust Us?

Road & Track and its sibling publications at Hearst Autos represent three of the most influential automotive publications in the world. We rely on decades of experience in the automotive and gear spaces to help readers make informed purchasing choices. Read more about our testing process here.

With the legacies of Autoweek, Car and Driver, and Road & Track behind us, the Hearst Autos Gear Team is more concerned with the trust our readers have in us than our bottom line. We won't tell you to buy something if we wouldn't buy it ourselves or recommend it to our friends, and we'll never claim to have used or tested something if we haven't.

We've evaluated dozens of product categories, from heated seat covers to traction boards. Our picks and recommendations of products and gear are based on testing and knowledge, not hype.

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