Anyone who has used straight-handled shovels or plain shovelheads knows how much of a pain they can be. While staying true to the traditional elements of a shovel may work for some — looking at you, teenagers — a winter climate with lots of snow can wreak havoc on your back if you don't have the proper snow removal tools.

Speaking from experience, a proper ergonomic shovel with a specialized handle and/or blade can relieve stress, tension, and pressure on your back muscles. They generally cost a bit more than your run-of-the-mill snow shovel, but they're still far cheaper than a good snowblower and are much better suited to most snow removal jobs around the house. We've put together this list of the best ergonomic snow shovels to help you get the perfect tool for winter's return.

Our Favorite Ergonomic Snow Shovels in 2023

True Temper's Mountain Mover snow shovel is a great option for those who live in a climate with heavier snow fall and who want a more traditional shovel design. This is the shovel I use to handle central Canada's winter precipitation going on three years, and it's been able to dig me out of the worst that the season can deliver.

The 18-inch bucket can be used for scooping and pushing, and instead of a metal blade on the edge it uses a nylon strip to better protect decks and sidewalks. You might not be able to scrape down quite as cleanly, but you won't have to deal with scratched paint and scarred pavers in the spring. The curved handle is easier work with, and the D-grip on the end has plenty of space to fit winter gloves.

If you like the style of shovel but feel like an extra handle could sometimes come in handy — like when there's more than four or five inches of snow to move — you can buy an attachable tool handle for about $10 to use as required.

Snow Joe's Shovelution takes the standard ergonomic snow shovel to the next level with its secondary spring-loaded handle. Using two grips makes it easier to load, lift, and toss snow, and the spring-loaded mechanism reduces some of the exertion you need to put forth. The handles each have a D-ring grip on the end that can fit winter gloves, and the aluminum handle construction helps keep the shovel weighing less than four pounds.

The 18-inch scoop is made from polypropylene (PP) and has an aluminum blade on the front edge for easier scraping and better general durability. The size of the shovel makes it best for those less than six-feet tall; anyone taller will likely have to stoop down, putting additional pressure on the back. It is the perfect item for people who encounter short or inconsistent bouts of snowfall, and who are looking for an easy way to keep their sidewalks and pathways clear.

One of the best things about the True Temper SnoBoss is that you can use it in a variety of positions to push, shovel, chop, or even pull snow to clear an area. The 26-inch head is extra wide compared to most snow shovels, and it's designed to be able to scoop, plow, and haul a ton of snow at once. The aluminum handle's ingenious looped design with two fixed holds toward the scoop makes it easy to toss snow no matter how you're standing. You can even use your foot to get more oomph to clear hard-packed snow.

The front edge of the bucket has a metal strip for easier scraping (especially on a paved driveway), and the aluminum handle keeps things lightweight. True Temper says this style of shovel is best for a foot of snow or more, and I'm inclined to agree; I've used shovels with a similar design to great effect. It costs more than a lot of other options in our list, but it should be the right choice for those who live in areas with heavy yearly snowfall.

Buying a snow shovel with a wide blade can make quick work of a shoveling job, but the size and weight isn't always suitable. Snow keeps falling as we age, and seniors who need to keep a sidewalk or patio clean will likely want something a bit more compact. Garant's Yukon has a 14-inch polyethylene bucket that's half scoop and half pusher for extra versatility.

The curved aluminum handle reduces strain on the back without adding much weight, and it's capped off with a D-ring handle that's large enough to fit winter gloves. It's a straightforward ergonomic snow shovel with no surprises, and its smaller size should be perfect for older or less able-bodied folks who still want to handle their own snow clearing.

Want to stay away from plastic shovels? Need something that can scrape driveways right down to the cement? True Temper's aluminum combination shovel is probably the right tool for the job. The curved aluminum handle keeps your posture more upright when shoveling, and the aluminum blade should stand up to use and abuse much better than its plastic counterparts. You'll have to deal with a bit more weight, but for some people that won't be an issue.

The aluminum bucket is molded to be able to push or scoop snow, and it has an additional metal blade on the end for scraping. It remains a solid option for climates that get a fair amount of snowfall each year, and it's really not any more expensive than a lot of plastic options.

ErgieShovel's combination ergonomic snow shovel uses the same basic dual-handle design as the Snow Joe Shovelution, but its second handle doesn't have a spring-loaded mechanism. Whether you'd like something that can handle more weight due to the lack of extra moving parts or you'd just like to keep things as simple as possible, the ErgieShovel combo should make a great alternative.

It has an 18-inch bucket that's designed to push and shovel snow, and it's edged with a metal blade for easier scraping. The steel handle has a fixed second handle for much better ergonomics, and both are capped with a D-ring handle that's big enough to fit winter gloves.

What's more ergonomic than not having to lift at all? Toro's Power Shovel is essentially a miniature snowblower attached to a dual-grip handle, cutting a 12-inch swath through any snow up to six inches deep. It's made to fling snow up to 20 feet away, though you can't really adjust in what direction it goes (it shoots forward by default).

The handle's length is adjustable to suit more users, and the 7.5-amp motor runs on AC power. The handle end even features a cord loop and grip so it doesn't come unplugged each time you switch positions. The Toro Power Shovel is quite expensive compared to standard shovels, but those who can't bear another winter of shoveling might just be tempted to spend big.

The Importance of an Ergonomic Snow Shovel

A 17-year-long study by the American Journal of Emergency Medicine highlights the risks of winter shoveling. Each year, about 11,000 people show up at hospitals across the US with injuries related to shoveling. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, more than 158,000 people were treated for a snow-removal injury in 2015, and a number of these incidents could have possibly been minimized by using an ergonomic snow shovel.

There are four common injuries that come with winter shoveling. While falling or getting hit with a shovel is the most common of all the injuries, the close runner-up is lower back injuries. Other injuries on the list include broken bones, cuts, and heart attacks. So, how can something so simple and quick lead to such damaging injuries?

You're outside in the cold and likely standing on icy, slippery surfaces while shoveling. Do you know of anyone performing warm-up exercises before shoveling the heavy white stuff? Probably not. And that's how some people get injured shoveling and end up with overworked muscles. You can easily pull a muscle, hurt a tendon or ligament, or damage some other soft tissue while shoveling snow. Overexerting yourself in cold weather is easier than you think.

If you are an older individual, the risk of hurting yourself while shoveling snow drastically increases, so finding the best snow shovels for seniors may be only one of the few ways to combat overexertion. Even if you regularly worked out during the summer and fall months, there's a good chance you didn't get to the gym once the cold set in. Clearing snowfall takes a lot of work, and you may not realize just how much until it's too late. So it is in your best interest as well to at least go out and find a two-handled snow shovel that can help you through those snow-ridden winter days.

In general, when looking for the best snow shovels for seniors or a two-handled snow shovel, always remind yourself that your body is more important than the sidewalk you’ll be shoveling. In addition to that, bear in mind the conditions you will be facing when you are outside shoveling the snow. An Ergonomic snow shovel is a great tool for you to use, but a sharp understanding of the necessary precautions is also very valuable. Not only is it cold outside, which restricts your blood vessels and reduces blood flow to vital organs, you are also diving right into the work without warming up your muscles.

What's more, you're likely hunched over while scraping the shovel along the ground, and without a double handle snow shovel, you are essentially setting yourself up for failure the moment you sling that stuff over your shoulder or to the side of a path. Even just losing your balance a little can cause a stretched muscle in your back to suddenly contract and lead to a strained muscle. There are plenty of things you can do to protect your back and other muscles while shoveling snow.

Other than treating snow shoveling as an exercise, stretch before you get going. The next best thing you can do is to buy an ergonomic snow shovel that reduces that strain.

Getting the Best Ergonomic Snow Shovel for You

Picking the perfect snow shovel that is comfortable to use and easy on your back is largely a personal choice. We all have different issues and preferences with tools. You may prefer a shovel with a straight shaft but second handle for moving snow, or you may want a wide-mouthed shovelhead to manually plow the snow. But if what you're looking for is better ergonomics and a versatile design, the True Temper Mountain Mover should be a popular choice.

This is the shovel I use to clear heavy central-Canadian snow, and it hasn't yet let me down over the course of a few seasons. The bucket design can push or scoop, the curved handle is easier on the back, and the nylon strip on the end of the bucket doesn't scrape paint off of decks or scar paving stones. The ergonomics aren't too aggressive on the Mountain Mover, and for many people that's OK.

Those who do want the absolute best ergonomics should check out something like the Snow Joe Shovelution. It weighs less than four pounds despite its dual-handle design, and it has a metal edge on the 18-inch bucket for easier scraping. The spring-loaded secondary handle makes it easy to scoop and toss snow, but I'd recommend saving it for lighter jobs. If you prefer this design but often deal with heavy snowfalls, ErgieShovel's combination option with fixed second handle is likely a better choice. Not feeling any of these options? Take a look at our picks for the overall best snow shovels for more great options.