The best of...snow-removal tools

Cub Cadet Three-Stage Snow Blower

Don’t fool around with underpowered blowers if you have to contend with big storms. Cub Cadet makes two of the top-performing machines, and this 26-inch-wide option can “power through snow piles” about as quickly as its bigger brother, but at a $400 savings. The keys: A 357-cc engine and the combination of an auger for gathering the snow and two impellers for throwing it.

$1,399, homedepot.com

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Source: Consumer Digest

Suncast Big Scoop Snow Shover

Wheelbarrow-like snow pushers can move “a massive amount of snow in a short period of time.” They won’t help in small spots, “but for large areas like driveways, they have almost a cult following.”

$48, amazon.com

Source: TheSweethome.com

True Temper Mountain Mover

This shovel with a lightweight aluminum handle was “by far” the best choice among 14 rivals we tested. For optimum ergonomic performance, attach a $10 Stout Backsaver grip to the handle. The blade’s nylon edge improves overall durability and protects wooden decks and steps from damage.

$26, homedepot.com

Source: TheSweethome.com

Thor Ice Scraper

Thanks to the dual handles and dual blades that allow scraping on both forward and backward strokes, this sturdy tool “casts ice off your windshield with extreme prejudice.”

$21, quirky.com

Source: Men’s Journal

Safe Paw Ice Melt

Most melting compounds contain salts that sting pet paws and can even cause death if ingested. Safe Paw is one of the few that “won’t irritate your furry friends” while de-icing your walkways.

$17, petfood.com

Source: PopularMechanics.com