In this article, we have reviewed the best snow shovels for seniors. If you are in a hurry, the table below gives a quick snapshot. Or you can scroll down for detailed product reviews.
Contents
Snow shovels are an essential tool for anyone to remove excess snow from the front of their house, but at the same, there are also some risks involved in using them, especially for seniors.
According to studies, 21.8 percent of injuries due to snow shovels occur in seniors above the age of 55[1]. If you are looking to give a snow shovel to your parents, let us help you choose the safest and best snow shovel for seniors.
Our Top Choice – Snow joe Snow Shovel
The Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01 18-in Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel w/ Spring Assisted Handle, Blue is our top choice for Best Snow Shovels for seniors because of the following reasons:
- Its unique design reduces strain by 30 percent.
- It consists of a long 18-inch blade.
- It has a unique design, which lets the user not bend much, which results in improved posture, which is very important for seniors.
- Its design gives leverage to the lower hand, which helps lift heavy loads, another vital factor to consider for seniors.
Best Snow Shovels for Seniors
#1 HBC Lightweight Snow Shovel
As the name suggests, the HBC Lightweight is light in weight and ideal for shoveling and pushing the snow. The HBC lightweight is made up of very poly of higher density, which can withstand the high temperatures.
Its 17 poly blade is made so that it is effective for shoveling, but it won’t scratch your deck or other surfaces. The strong handle gives reliable and good strength-giving D-grip for extra comfort when you use gloves.
Its dimensions are 49.75 x 8.5 x 2 inches, and its weight is 1.95 lbs.
Pros
- The HBC Lightweight is very lightweight for a Snow Shovel, which will be helpful for the seniors.
- The 17 poly blade is made so that it will not scratch your deck or other surfaces.
- It can withstand very high temperatures.
- The Wide grip is comfortable for gloved hands, which are highly required for seniors.
Cons
- Even though it is very light in weight but at the same time, it is small in size and also not strong enough in some cases.
- Even though the shaft is made up of steel, the grip is still plastic, which is not too strong.
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#2 Snow Joe Snow Shovel
The Snow Joe snow shovel consists of a durable and impact-resistant blade. It has a design that gives leverage to the lower hand, which helps lift heavy loads.
The spring-assist handle of the Snow Joe helps in hanging the shovel and reduces strain by 30 percent. The ergonomic design reduces the need to bend and results in an improved posture.
The length of this shovel is 41.3 inches. It has an 18-inch long polypropylene blade along with an aluminum wear strip. The Snow Joe snow shovel has a two-year warranty.
The dimensions of these shovels are 50 x 18 x 3.9 inches, and its weight is 3.7 lbs.
Pros
- Its unique design reduces strain by 30 percent.
- It consists of a long 18-inch blade.
- It has a unique design, which lets the user not bend much, which results in improved posture, which is very important for seniors.
- Its design gives leverage to the lower hand, which helps lift heavy loads, another vital factor to consider for seniors.
Cons
- It’s not made for heavy-duty snow shoveling.
- It’s a little challenging to use for tall people.
#3 Suncast SC2700KDD Snow Shovel
This Suncast snow shovel consists of a durable and rust-resistant steel shaft along with a powder-coated finish. The blade of this Sucast snow shovel has a rib pattern, which is efficient in collecting snow.
This snow shovel’s overall blade design includes both the shovel and pusher elements to create a better and more efficient user experience. The Galvanized steel wear strip on the blade protects the uprightness of the blade.
The D-grip in the handle adds comfort in the functioning of the snow removal. This Suncast Snow shovels’ dimensions are 5 x 19.75 x 50.75 inches, and the blade is 20 inches. It weighs 6.93lbs
Pros
- The Galvanized steel wear strip on the blade protects the uprightness of the blade.
- The D-grip in the handle adds comfort in the functioning of the snow removal.
- The blade of this Suncast snow shovel has a rib pattern, which is efficient in collecting snow.
Cons
- There is a screw in the handle that always sticks out precisely where the user usually grips the lower part of the shovel’s handle, which is very uncomfortable.
- It’s a little heavier compared to its counterparts.
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#4 Bully Tools 92819 Steel Snow Shovel
The bully tools snow shovel has a 30-inch long steel blade. The blade will not chip or break/bend easily because of its steel framework, which helps remove hardened snow.
The handle of this snow shovel is primarily made up of steel. It is designed in a way that will put very little strain on your body while shoveling. The D grip of the handle helps a lot in adding comfort while using gloved hands.
These bully tools steel snow shovel dimensions are 30 x 60 x 3 inches, and it weighs 7.6 pounds.
Pros
- The steel snow shovel has a 30-inch long steel blade.
- The blade will not chip or break/bend easily because of its steel framework, which is very useful in removing hardened snow.
- The D grip of the handle helps a lot in adding comfort while using gloved hands.
Cons
- Very tough to assemble.
- The wooden handle is not varnished, so it swells or shrinks with existing moisture in the air.
#5 IPSXP Snow Shovel
This IPSXP snow shovel is made of plastic that is high density, and because of that, it’s also very lightweight. This is an ideal snow shovel to transport from one place to another easily.
The blade is made up of thickened alloy, and the handle is made up of steel. The D shaped Handle is very efficient and comfortable to use. It consists of a spring lock, and you can install and remove it in just one button.
The handshake part is made of EVA foam material to prevent any slipping. The dimensions of these shovels are 13 x 11 x 3 inches, and it weighs only 1.5 lbs.
Pros
- It is really small in size, therefore, easy to transport.
- The IPSXP snow shovel is very lightweight, weighing only 1.5 lbs.
- It can be easily installed and removed.
- Very cheap compared to its counterparts.
Cons
- It’s not made for heavy-duty work.
- The size of this shovel is too small compared to other snow shovels.
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The video below shows snow shoveling techniques.
What Should You Look For Before Buying a Snow Shovel for Seniors
The Quality of the Blade
This is really important and probably the most important feature that you should look for in a Snow shovel.
The efficiency of a snow shovel in removing snow mostly depends on the blade itself; if for some reason, the blade is not made of good material, and it bends or, much worse, break easily while shoveling snow, than it will create a lot of problems for you.
The Blade ideally should have an angled rib structure for efficient use.
The Weight and Size of the Snow Shovel
It is essential to buy a snow shovel that meets your size and weight requirements because not everyone has the same conditions. Some people may need a smaller, lightweight, and easy to transport snow shovel while some may need a heavy-duty shovel to remove hardened snow in a significant quantity.
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The Handle and Grip of the Snow Shovel
Like the snow shovel’s size and weight, the handle and the grip are also equally important while buying a snow shovel.
The handle preferably should be extended, with adjustable height for efficient use, and it should also have a better grip while handling it with gloves. Snow shovels preferably should have D grip handles.
The Design of the Shovel
The Snow shovel should be designed in a way that puts the minimum load possibly on your hands and body, and it shouldn’t cause any extra stress. This feature is probably the most critical feature for health and safety, especially for seniors.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is the Proper Way of Shoveling Snow?
You should always preferably wear gloves during shoveling snow so that your hands don’t get numb because of the cold.
First, you should bend your knees and take the snow in the shovel, lift your legs and throw it, and always remember to keep changing your hands while using the snow shovel so that you can use different muscles in your body each time and you won’t get tired quickly.
While lifting the snow, try to keep the shovel close to your body, so there isn’t any unnecessary strain on the body. Remember it is imperative you wear proper clothes such as winter boots and jackets if you will go outside and shovel snow.
Should You Shovel Snow While It’s Still Snowing?
Normally people shovel snow after it stops snowing, and a lot of snow gets assembled in front of your house, but you can also shovel the snow while it’s still snowing if it’s snowing slow and there isn’t much wind around.
When you’re expecting a lot of snow, then it’s a good idea to shovel during its snowing so that it doesn’t get assembled, which will be difficult to remove.
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Conclusion
Snow shovels are handy tools to remove snow from in front of your house or shop. The seniors need to buy a well-designed snow shovel with an excellent grip and quality blade to remove snow efficiently and save themselves from injuries.
In this article, we have selected the best snow shovels for seniors based on the features mentioned in our buyer’s guide and the ratings and comments mentioned by actual users on Amazon.
In our opinion, the Snow Joe Shovelution SJ-SHLV01 18-in Strain-Reducing Snow Shovel w/ Spring Assisted Handle, Blue is the best choice among the various options that we have considered because of its unique design, which reduces strain and its strong blade.
If you are looking for a value for money option, you can also consider the IPSXP Snow Shovel,Detachable Plastic Emergency Snow Shovel (31.5in/80cm) with Stainless Steel Pole and Aluminum Edged Wide Blade Shovel, Perfect for Car Driveway, Camping and Outdoor Emergency (Black), which offers great value and features at a very reasonable price point.
If you are living in an area that experiences heavy snow all the time, you might also like to read about ways to keep yourself warm and using winter products such as space heater and hand warmers.
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