6 Best Ice Scrapers – (Reviews & Buying Guide 2020)

Maintaining your car during winters can be quite a challenge. The hardest part of that is getting snow/ice off it every morning. Without the right tool, not only will it be tough and time-consuming, but it could also lead you to damage the paint/windshield as you go about it. This is why you must have the best ice scraper. It will not only save your time but also help you to protect your vehicle.
However, just any ice scraper will not do the job. You have to select one based on how much snow/ice you expect, your vehicle type and many other factors. To help you make that choice keeping all the important factors in mind, we have created these detailed ice scraper reviews. Here, we will also talk about the most important questions, factors and tips to help you get the most out of an ice-scraper.

Best Ice Scrapers Reviews – Top-Picks

1. Hopkins Subzero 16621 Ice Crusher Ice Scraper

This ice scraper from Hopkins comes with a high-quality blade for removing ice and frost from your car. The blade has a width of 4.5 inches, giving you that extra width to get your car-frost free quickly. The scraper is oval and has a soft foam grip. This gives you comfort and ease of usage. The total length of this ice scraper is 11”, which allows you to have a greater reach.
On one side of the Subzero Ice Crusher and Scraper, you get a blade to instantly clear the frost. On the other side of this tool is an ice chipper. This greatly improves the ice removing capability of the tool. The separated ice chipper allows you to break even the thickest of ice layers. The blade is strong enough to ensure that ice comes off easily without causing any damage to your car’s windshield or the underlying surface.

2. Snow Joe SJBLZD-LED-BLK 4-In-1 Telescoping Snow Broom + Ice Scraper

This ice scraper from Snow Joe also works as a snow broom. It is a lightweight and handy tool to get that ice off your car. It has interlocking extension poles that allow you to extend its length from 33 inches to 52 inches. This allows a greater reach and minimal strain. With a weight of just 1.4 lbs, using it is easy for everyone. Its built-in ice scraper gives you the ability to clean up even the thickest of ice build-ups on your car’s windshields with ease.
The scraper also has a bracket holder set. You can use these for storing it in your car’s trunk. The extension poles also disassemble easily which makes it an easy to store ice scraper. Snow Joe and Sun Joe also back this ice scraper with their ‘Customer Promise’. Under this, it is covered by a 2-year warranty from the day you purchase it.

3. Premium Ice Scraper Set (2 Pack)

For those looking for a frost and snow remover, this set of premium Ice Scrapers may just be the right thing. It is a pair of a frost remover and snow remover for your car’s windows and windshields. These are longer when compared to regular ice scrapers, yet portable enough to fit in your car’s glove compartment. These ice scrapers come in red and blue colors. These colors have been chosen so that you can find the scrapers easily on those dark winter mornings.
The blades on the ice and frost remover are sharp but non-abrasive. This ensures that your car’s windshield is safe from any scratches or damage. The chipper lets you remove even the thickest layers of snow. The handle length is 11.4” and the blade is 3.7” wide. Both the scrapers are made using ABS plastic. They are backed by a 1-year warranty from the manufacturer.

4. BIRDROCK HOME Snow MOOver 55″ Extendable Foam Snow Brush and Ice Scraper

This 2-in-1 ice scraper and brush from Birdrock comes with a rotating head. This allows you to easily remove ice and snow from your car’s windshield, hood, and the top. Position it at the best angle for the task at hand and remove the ice/snow with minimal effort. It also has an extendable handle, giving you a maximum length of 55 inches. It also has a set of jaws. These jaws are to help you break the ice, which can then be removed using the scraper.
There are 3 units of this ice scraper- the snow brush with a foam head, a telescoping extender, and the ice scraper. You can disassemble these 3 into separate units for simpler storage. The foam grips give you better handling. At 1.8 pounds, it is lightweight and highly functional.

5. RevHeads ICE Scraper

This Ice Scraper from RevHeads is a high-quality ice and frost remover. Its blade helps you to smoothly remove ice and frost layers from your car. The claw side on this scraper helps you to remove the large chunks of ice by breaking them into chips. This has been specially made for extremely cold weather. The handle is around 6 inches long, with the total length of the ice scraper being 9.5 inches.
The scraper comes with a grip made of soft foam, making it easy to use. It is compact enough to fit in a toolbox or your car’s glove compartment. The chisel side easily scrapes along curves of your car’s windshields, made possible by a small bend in the scraper. This chisel side is 4 inches in width, giving you the extra 1-inch edge over most standard ice scrapers.

6. AstroAI 27” Snow Brush and Detachable Deluxe Ice Scraper

This snow brush and ice scraper from AstroAI comes with a 27-inch width. This width gives you the ability to clean off large areas of ice from your car in a single swipe. It has PC bristles along with an ABS shaft. The ice scraper has been designed to endure extremely low temperatures and snowstorms. AstroAI claims that this is ideal for even a -40°F temperature.
You can separate the scraper and the brush for this to divide the work and get it done quickly. Its ergonomic handle ensures that you can use the needed force to remove frost and ice without any damage to the scraper. The integrated knuckles can be used to break the ice and scrape off easily. The brush head is 7” while the 4.5” wide ice scraper lets you go deep into ice without damaging the car.

Ice Scraper Buying Guide

When those harsh and long winters begin, your car start enduring a lot of stress. If the subzero temperatures are not enough, ice and frost build-up can also cause additional problems. Therefore, you must always have an ice-scraper in place. But which one to buy, what to look for and how to compare- all of this can be quite tricky. Let’s go ahead and see what the most important questions are.

Considerations While Buying an Ice Scraper

• How much movement/range of motion do you need?

  If you have a small car like a hatchback, then an ice scraper with a small handle may be enough. Since the area to be cleaned is not that much, you will not require a long handle. However, this is not the case with larger vehicles like sedans and SUVs. For those, you should prefer an ice scraper with a longer handle. With a longer handle, you can scrape snow off a larger area in a single stroke.

• How much ice builds up on your vehicle during the harshest months of winter?

  If you live in a place where the temperature drops to freezing point once a while, then chances are that the ice buildup will be less. In such a case, a simple ice scraper with a foam handle and a moderately hard blade will do.
  However, if you live in a place with extreme winters, then you will probably encounter layers of ice and frost every day. In this case, you will need a scraper with a blade, as well as a shovel or ice chipper on its broom head.

• Do you get a very thin layer of ice on your car windshield during the winter?

  If your car sees a very thin yet hard deposit of ice every day in the winter months, then you will have to pay special attention to the blade. You will require something that is sturdy, sharp and does not damage the windshield underneath.

4 Important Ice Scraper Features & Specifications

Similar to every tool required for your car, buying an ice scraper will also require you to keep a few factors in mind. However- it can all be simplified into 4 features. That is what we will talk about next.
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1. Blade

   The first and most important part of any ice-scraper is its blade. The blade must be sharp and sturdy. You will have to apply significant pressure on the scraper to remove ice from your car. If the blade is not strong enough, you will end up breaking the blade within a few uses.

2. Handle

   With the ice-picker handle, you have 2 choices. You can either get one with a fixed handle or chose one that has a telescoping mechanism. The latter gives you the ability to clean even the farthest areas of your car without moving too much. However, a longer handle means you must give up a little on control. Fixed handles offer you more control, but they are not as convenient. Another important thing to check is the grip. A cushioned grip adds to the comfort while using.

3. Broom head

   For ice scrapers that have a broom head, it must be capable of attaching at least 2 more tools. A bristled side helps you to sweep off loose snow and ice shavings. A squeegee helps in creating a tighter seal between the windows/body panels of your car and the broom head. A plough or shovel can help move a large amount of snow.

4. Ice Chipper

   If you have not used your car for some days, a thick layer of ice can form on your windshield. An ice scraper with a chipper will allow you to break the thick and hard ice into smaller pieces and then scrap it off with ease.

3 Reasons You Need an Ice Scraper

This sounds like a question with an obvious answer, right? An ice scraper is required to remove ice/frost from your car’s surface and windshield. While that is the primary use- it is important to have one for a few other related reasons too. You cannot use just anything to remove ice/snow from your car. The reasons are as below:

1. To remove thick layers of ice from your car
   If you live in an area where the winters are harsh, layers of ice can build up on your car. Unless you are careful in removing it, you will end up damaging the windshield or other surfaces. With an ice scraper that has a chipper, you can easily break those layers of ice and sweep them off.
2. Shoveling snow from the windshields
   How do you plan to remove snow from your windshield without an ice scraper that has a shoveling attachment? The wipers are not going to move with a thick layer, and you will probably damage those too. An ice scraper is your best bet to safely remove snow from your car without any damage.
3. Cleaning SUVs and large cars with ease
   With bigger cars like sedans and full-size SUVs, you need something to quickly clean off the frost and snow. An ice scraper with an extra width gives you the convenience and ability to do that without too much effort.
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Not Removing Snow/Ice Before Driving? – Big Mistake!

You must remove the snow or ice on your car before driving. While this may seem like a no-brainer, it is something that some people often overlook. Not taking care of the snow/ice on your car before you start driving can be one of the most dangerous driving mistakes that you make.
If you have not cleared the ice/snow from your car’s windshield, then it will hamper your visibility. Not being able to see what is in front of you will make it impossible to drive. Further, if you do not clear the ice/snow on your rear windshield, then driving backward and checking the traffic behind will be hard. Any ice or snow on your car’s roof can also slide down on the windshield as you drive and hinder visibility. Similarly, ice on the rear-view and side mirrors can cause similar problems.
Any ice or snow that blocks the tailpipe can become a cause for carbon monoxide poisoning. It will not let the car eliminate emissions, which will then accumulate and cause a lot of trouble.
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How to De-Ice Your Windshield

Now that you know the importance of de-icing your car’s surfaces before driving and the best tools for it, you must also know the right way to do it. Simply buying an ice scraper is not enough. To help you with this, we have covered the most important steps for de-icing your windshield ahead.

1. Turn on the engine and leave it on for 10 minutes. Also, switch on the defroster.
2. Use a solution of water and alcohol in the ratio 1:2. This is optional. It will help to speed up the de-icing process. The solution decreases the freezing point of the water. You can also use a few drops of dishwashing liquid or a commercially prepared de-icing solution.
   If you do use any of these solutions, remember to wipe off the residue later.
3. You can use the ice-chipper side of the scraper to break the ice. The de-icing solution will also do that to some extent.
4. The solutions will not melt away the ice completely. It is now time for you to use the ice scraper. You should be easily able to remove it. Use long, firm and broad strokes.
   This step will be easier if you have an ice-scraper that is wide to cover more sections of your car in one go.

How to Use an Ice Scraper in 4 Steps

While we have already covered the steps to de-ice your car, it is important to follow a few simple tips while using the ice scraper. The same is listed ahead:

1. To remove snow, use a foam-brush. Beware that metal brushes and shovels can scratch your car’s paint.
2. Before you start using an ice scraper, ensure that you have used the car’s defrost feature and some de-icing solution for a few minutes. This helps melt the ice to some extent and makes using the ice scraper easier.
3. While removing snow, pull it in a straight line. A foam brush gives the best result when ice is pulled and not pushed. Pull backward across your car’s top.
4. Do not try to completely scrape off all the snow. You should only remove enough snow so that it is not a safety risk. Snow on your roof that can blow-off and obstruct the view of other drivers as well as your windshield should be your target.

Are Ice Scrapers Bad For Windows?

If you are using a proper ice-scraper or shovel, then your car’s windows will not be harmed. These are generally plastic scrapers equipped with a soft-bristle brush. The brush end ensures that you can get the snow off without excessive scraping.

Also, leaving the defroster on for some time makes it easier to scrape off snow/ice, thus decreasing the force you need to apply. The right tool and procedure will ensure your windows aren’t damaged and the ice comes off easily.

FAQ’s and their Answers

1. Should I directly scrape the ice with an ice scraper?
   Even if you have the best one in the market, do not directly use the ice scraper. Run your car’s heater/defroster or use a deicing solution for a few minutes. This will increase the temperature of the ice to some extent and make it easier to remove.
2. Do I need an ice chipper too?
   If you frequently find it difficult to remove ice off your car, then an ice chipper will help you break them off before scraping. If you are dealing with only snow, then an ice chipper may not be necessary.
3. Should I remove all the ice/snow from my car?
   Remove only the ice/snow on your car’s windshield, mirrors, and windows. Remove what could be a hazard- flying off and obstructing other driver’s visibility. Any ice on the sides or that which is firmly frozen on the body need not be removed. It will gradually melt away.

Best Ice Scrapers Comparison Chart

PRODUCT	PRICE	LENGHT (inches)	BLADE WIDTH (inches)	HANDLE DESIGN	WEIGHT (lbs)
Hopkins Subzero 16621 Ice Crusher Ice Scraper	$	11	4,5	Oval	0,2
Snow Joe SJBLZD-LED-BLK 4-In-1 Telescoping Snow Broom + Ice Scraper	$$	52	18	Pole	1,8
Premium Ice Scraper Set (2 Pack)	$$	11,4	3,7	Oval	0,3
BIRDROCK HOME Snow MOOver 55" Extendable Foam Snow Brush and Ice Scraper	$$$	55	14	Pole	1,8
RevHeads ICE Scraper	$	9,5	4	Pole	0,2
AstroAI 27” Snow Brush and Detachable Deluxe Ice Scraper	$	27	7	Patended 'Joint Buckle'	0,55

Wrap Up

With this, you now know the most effective way to de-ice your car’s windshield. Removing ice and snow from your car is something that you will have to do every day during winter and having the best ice scraper is important. Cheap gas-station ice scrapers or those from local shops may look like they’ll do the job, but you only increase the risk of damaging your car and wasting your time and effort.
Use these ice scraper reviews to find the one that will take care of even the hardest of ice and snow on your car. With the right tool, you will be able to take care of them with minimal effort and hassle. Taking care of your car during winter requires having the right tools, and an ice scraper is definately a must have.

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