Updated on Dec. 01, 2023
Winter brings freezing temps and ice-covered windshields. These essential ice removal tools will get you on the road faster. Don't be caught without them.
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Who needs an ice removal kit? Most likely, you do.
More than 70 percent of the U.S. roads are in areas that get five inches or more of snow a year, and one-quarter of weather-related vehicle crashes occur in icy or snowy conditions. Even the Deep South and parts of Texas, where freezing temps aren’t the norm, see occasional ice storms that wreak havoc on local populations.
Keeping an ice removal kit in your car can mean the difference between getting home safely and getting stuck. But remember: Safety first. If local authorities ask you to stay off the roads, listen to them. Emergency workers risk their lives to clear wintery roads, so give them a break if you don’t have to go out. These essential ice removal tools will help you stay safe this winter.
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If you carry one thing in your vehicle, make it a high-quality ice scraper. Nothing’s more tedious than waiting for your defroster to melt ice on your window. Ice scrapers fit in your glove box, and they’re indispensable for people in climates with more ice than snow.
Use the flat edge to scrape frost or thin ice from your windshield and the toothed edge to tackle thick ice. The Hopkins Subzero ice scraper is an affordable, durable option.
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While ice scrapers work great on the surface of your windshield, sometimes you need to clear a blanket of fresh snow first. Brushes make quick work of the task.
This popular combination snow brush and ice scraper by Cofit comes with a pivoting head and telescoping handle, making it easy to clear snow and scrape ice from any angle. The bonus squeegee cleans your windshield after you scrape.
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For major snowfalls, many of us break out a push broom to move the heavy, wet snow off our cars. A better solution? Invest in a snow-pushing “broom” made from heavy-duty foam. It won’t scratch your windshield or paint. And unlike a regular broom, it folds to fit in your trunk.
The popular Snow Joe Snow Broom earned more than 13,000 five-star ratings on Amazon. And there’s also an ice scraper on the telescoping handle.
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Sometimes you need a speedy de-icing solution, and Prestone Windshield De-Icer Spray cuts through thick layers of ice in no time. The can doubles as an ice scraper, so keep this option handy when you need to get on the road fast. De-icers work for frozen key locks if that’s a problem, too.
If you prefer to make your own, a DIY version for ice removal of this product combines rubbing alcohol and water.
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It’s cold outside! Don’t waste time digging around under your seats to find your ice scraper.
While a basic ice scraper fits in your console, store other tools in a carrying case. Who wants to reach in the glove box and accidentally spray de-icer all over your insurance documents?
Some tools come with a storage bag. If yours didn’t, pick up a customizable storage case to keep your trunk organized.
Car ice can be a serious, frustrating inconvenience, so we wanted to make sure we got it right with our ice removal tools. With that in mind, we took a wide approach to the problem, looking at all the available options for car ice removal and prevention. From there, we took into account brand reputations and trustworthiness, as well as the constructions, materials and ergonomics of the available tools. Then, using professional and consumer testimony, we narrowed it down to this final collection of the best tools for the job.
If you have the time, turning your car on, turning up the heater, putting it on defrost and adjusting the air to recirculate is perhaps the most effective way to melt ice and remove it from your car. However, this process can be slow. If you’re short on time, start this process and then use a combination of a snow brush, ice scraper and squeegee to clear snow and ice. Preventative measures, like de-icer spray, can help reduce buildup in the first place—sometimes a proactive approach is the best.
Besides heat, de-icer sprays are specifically formulated to prevent ice buildup and will actually serve to melt ice that’s already frozen to your car. If you’re in a pinch, a mixture of rubbing alcohol and dishwasher soap works quite well—just spray it onto the ice in question and wipe away with a non-abrasive microfiber cloth.
If you have ice frozen inside your windows, you can still use some of the same tools you’d use for ice on the outside of your car. Most importantly, heat will work wonders, so start heating your car’s interior ASAP. While we wouldn’t probably recommend using one of the larger ice brushes or scrapers, a small handheld one should do the trick in tandem with your AC’s warmth. Just be gentle—it is still glass, after all.
