The Best Ice Scraper
The Stubbornest – Brass Bladed Scraper
The brass bladed ice scraper was the best in our testing. It worked the best on stubborn, thick ice. The brass blade will also be more durable than most of the plastic bladed versions. We recommend the longer handle for added leverage if you have the storage room in your car. Its made in Finland, where they know about ice.
DURABILITY
More rugged and durable than the rest
COST
One of the cheapest ice scrapers out there
USE
The best as getting off stubborn ice
Pros
Cons
Also Great – Bear Claw
The cheapest option was also one of the most effective. At around $5 this is a fine option.
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VIDEO REVIEW
Our video review of the best ice scrapers, showing our testing process, and how cold we were.
CANDIDATES
Because there are so many ice scrapers out there, we started by scouring reviews, looking at materials, and looking for suggestions in the BuyItForLife Subreddit (BIFL).
We then narrowed it down to 5 different models to buy and test. Our engineers looked at durability, ice scraping ability, ease of use (comfort), materials, and any special features. We also looked into durability and cost as well as user reviews to help you make an informed decision when buying your next ice scraper.
6 – Mitten
Summary: This seems like it would be a good idea. It wasn’t. The mitten kept bunching up over the blade, and it was hard to get enough leverage.
ANALYSIS
At Stubborn Gear, our mission is simple: to help you invest in gear that stands the test of time. We are a small team of mechanical engineers with a passion for quality design, carefully evaluating each item to ensure it meets the highest standards. None of the items we test are sponsored, so you can trust our reviews are honest, unbiased, and reliable.
The best ice scraper ultimately depends on where you live and what you need it to do. For those in the South or areas where ice and snow are rare, we recommend the $5 Bear Claw. It’s compact, affordable, and perfect for keeping in your glove box for emergencies.
For harsher winter environments, the brass bladed scraper is our top pick. It outperformed every other model in chipping away thick ice and is likely the most durable option in the long run.
If you drive a large vehicle or simply prefer a longer handle, the AstroAI is a ok choice. While it was the least effective at chipping away ice, its brush and extended reach make it incredibly convenient for clearing snow and accessing hard to reach areas. For the best results with this model, we strongly suggest pre-warming your car to loosen the ice before scraping.
The matrix above shows the results of our testing.
We tested each ice scraper for the following characteristics:
ICE SCRAPING TIPS
A quick tip for making ice scraping easier: Start your car and let it warm up for about five minutes before you begin. As the interior heats up, it creates a thin layer of water beneath the ice, loosening its grip on the glass and making it much easier to remove.
Once the car warmed up during our tests, every scraper we used was able to clear the ice quickly and with minimal effort. This simple step can save you time and frustration on those frosty mornings!
ASTRO AI
First up is the best selling Ice Scraper on Amazon, the Astro AI 27 inch snow brush and Ice Scraper. We don’t understand why it has AI in the model name, but we don’t think this has Artificial Intelligence included. This two piece design snaps together, offering a brush on one side and an ice scraper on the other. The modular design has its pros and cons: it’s compact and easy to store when separated, and provides extended reach when assembled. However, the connection point in the middle is a potential weak spot and can break under the pressure of heavy ice chipping.
The Astro AI was the only model we tested that included a brush, which we found incredibly useful for sweeping away loose snow and ice. Its long reach was another standout feature, making it much easier to clear the center of the windshield. That is something shorter scrapers struggled with.
Unfortunately, its ice scraping performance left much to be desired. On a cold vehicle with thick ice, it was the least effective scraper in our lineup. While it improved significantly as the car warmed up and the ice began to soften, every scraper we tested performed well under those conditions.
Overall, the Astro AI shines for its convenience and versatility, but it falls short when faced with tough ice on cold days.
BRASS BLADED
We wanted to test a more rugged, durable option and came across a brass bladed ice scraper on Amazon with promising reviews. Brass is one of the few metals that won’t scratch your windshield, unlike steel, which you should never use on glass. Interestingly, the listing claimed it was made in Germany, but the product we received said “Made in Finland”. I guess they don’t think American’s know European geography.
That aside, the scraper excelled in our toughest ice test. The brass has a harder and finer blade which allowed it to get under the ice more easily than the plastic models.
However, there’s room for improvement. We do wish that it had a longer handle. The manufacturer does make one that has a 14 inch handle that we recommend. Even so, the longer version won’t be able to reach the middle of larger windshields. Additionally, this scraper lacks a brush, so if you need one for clearing snow, you’ll have to pair it with a separate tool.
Overall, if you’re looking for exceptional ice scraping performance, this brass bladed model is hard to beat.
ICE CONE
We also tested the most unconventional ice scraper: the Ice Cone. This unique tool is a simple plastic cone with a sharp edge along its larger diameter and a spiked end for tackling stubborn ice. Despite its odd design, it performed surprisingly well, ranking second in our thick ice test.
The Ice Cone works best when you use the spiked end to score the ice first, then switch to the larger edge to scrape it away. This two step method proved effective and even kept our hands farther away from the icy mess.
However, the design isn’t without drawbacks. Its larger size makes it harder to store, and the spiked end seems easy to misplace over time. Still, we found the Ice Cone to be a clever and effective tool, offering a refreshing twist on traditional ice scrapers.
ICE BREAKER / BEAR CLAW
The most budget friendly option we tested is the Ice Breaker, also known as the Bear Claw, priced at just $5. Its compact size makes it perfect for stashing in your glove box, so it’s always on hand when you need it. Despite its small stature and low price, it delivered a surprising performance, ranking third in our thick ice test.
The Ice Breaker is made of sturdy plastic, with a harder plastic blade that’s effective at scraping away ice.
If you rarely get ice or snow, this is a good one to buy and store in your car for emergencies.
MITTEN
One of the more unique designs we tested was an ice scraper encased in a mitten. It is a clever idea aimed at keeping your hands dry and warm while you work. This works better in theory than it does in practice.
For starters, tackling thick ice often requires two hands for better leverage, which the mitten design doesn’t accommodate well. Additionally, the mitten frequently bunched up around the blade during use, making the scraping process more frustrating than effective.
Overall, while the concept is intriguing, the practical drawbacks outweigh the benefits for serious ice removal.
REVIEWS
After narrowing down our choices, we scoured the internet for good quality reviews. These can be very hard to find now that fake and paid-for reviews are everywhere.
Sites like ReviewMeta and FakeSpot analyze reviews with their algorithm to eliminate suspicious ones and give an updated score.
The Brass Bladed Ice Scraper that is our winner had 307 ratings on Amazon as of the time of this review. Fakespot review analysis gave it a score of A, showing that the reviews are accurate and high quality.
AMAZON RATING
4.4
ADJUSTED RATING
4.4
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