The requirements of ice scrapers are simple: easily remove ice and snow from a car’s glass without leaving damage. An old debit card may be able to lift the ice from a car’s windscreen in a pinch. But try to clear a full windscreen, and it quickly becomes an exhausting task. Very quickly, you’ll realise why one of the best winter products is an ice scraper.
A proper ice scraper will make lifting ice from a car’s windscreen far easier and quicker. We won’t go as far as to say it’s enjoyable, but a good ice scraper should have the task done before your fingers become numb, an invaluable benefit.
Out of a wide array of winter products for your car, ice scrapers are probably the most essential. We recommend carrying a good quality torch in your glovebox, but even those don’t come close.
The best ice scrapers at a glance
We’ve found the best ice scrapers on the market. Think of them really, as icy versions of glass squeegees – only more durable.
The best ice scrapers
The best ice scraper
Everything about the Swedish Ice Scraper is exceptional - the device is plough-shaped with rounded corners to help clear ice efficiently without posing a threat to rubber seals in the corners of windows. A small slot for clearing wiper blades is included, as is a handy neoprene holder to keep your hands comfortable, which makes this the best way to clear your windscreen in the morning. There's also an undeniable charm to the utility-led design that blends both function and style.
Pros
- Outstanding build quality
- Slick, modern design
- Excellent performance on ice
Cons
- You have to pay extra for the cover sleeve
| Dimensions | 15.5cm x 11.5cm x 0.6cm |
| Extras | Wiper blade slot, Neoprene holder |
Editor's pick
The machine also comes with a microfibre towel, a bottle of glass cleaner, and a protective cap. Some users have reported that upon UK deliveries, they receive 2-pin European plugs for the chargers. So, it may be useful to have an adaptor if you're thinking about buying.
Pros
- Cuts through ice very efficiently
- Relatively okay value for money at the £50 mark
- Comes with useful extra kit, consisting of the glass cleaner and cloth
Cons
- You might need an adaptor plug for the charger
Best simple ice scraper
There's no wiper blade slot or nice soft handle, just a bevelled plastic sheet of plastic that efficiently lifts away ice from a windscreen. If you're after excellent value with top-notch results, the Coral is our choice.
Pros
- Good build quality for the price point
- A decent size for coverage
- Good value for money at around £5
Cons
- Best used when wearing gloves
- The quality and grip isn't as good as the Swedish Ice Scraper
| Dimensions | 11.2cm x 20.9cm x 0.3cm |
| Extras | N/A |
Best ice scraper for grip
This option from the AA does at least feature a few little extras to make it a cut above with a foam handle, storage hook and six fins built into the blade for penetrating and gripping really stubborn ice. It's not the most precise piece of engineering, but for the price, it's a solid bet.
Pros
- Good value for money at around £5
- Has a hook for easy storage
- Comes with useful foam grip
Cons
- Not the best build quality
| Dimensions | 11.2cm x 20.9cm x 0.3cm |
| Extras | Foam handle, storage hook |
Best 2-in-1 ice scraper
It's very well made and great value, and if you're looking for bang for your buck, this is it.
Pros
- Good quality construction
- Good value for money
- Doubles as a squeegee for condensation on windows
Cons
- Slightly bulkier design
| Dimensions | 17cm x 10cm x 15cm |
| Extras | Handle hook, rubber blade |
Best budget ice scraper
Because CarPlan's ice scraper is built with value in mind, it is one moulded piece of plastic. You don't get a grip, nor anything to deal with condensation. But it does what it sets out to do and doesn't require further explanation.
Pros
- Incredible value for money at well-under £5
- Undeniably simple piece of kit
- Has a hook for easy storage
Cons
- It's only a single piece of plastic
- The quality is very cheap-feeling
| Dimensions | 17cm x 10cm x 15cm |
| Extras | Handle hook |
Best snowbrush and scraper tool
Ice scrapers aren't the answer to a snowed-in windscreen - which is where the Vikan snow brush comes in. Use the brush end to break down the top layer of snow, and then once you have a layer of ice left, that's where the ice scraper end will shine. Made from durable bristles with a longer handle, it's an ideal tool for the job. It's a slight shame that the scraper itself isn't one of the best, but it provides ample power to clear your windscreen.
Pros
- Useful 2-in-1 tool if your car is buried in snow
- Great value for money at around £4
- Large enough for decent coverage
Cons
- Ice scraper end is quite cheap
- Brushes have a tendency to scratch paint if you're not careful
The best long-reach ice scraper
On the other side is an integrated snow shovel with rubber edging to help with grip. This makes things useful, should your driveway be covered with thick snow. It's fair to assume this item has been designed for a Cayenne or Panamera driver living in the Alps, but we can see quite a few useful roles for the telescopic scraper.
Pros
- Has a snow shovel on the other end for versatility
- Telescopic design means it can reach further away than usual scrapers
- Very good quality item with durable materials
Cons
- Possibly a little overkill for some
- Quite large, so you can't easily store it away
Best branded ice scraper
This is especially nice to have as exposing your hand to the cold air and frost isn't the nicest of experiences, so you can keep yourself warm while tackling the tiring job. We also love the fact the mitt is in the same style as a sporty, quilted seat cover - usually that found in an Audi RS product.
Pros
- Makes for a great gift to an Audi person
- Glove mitt is useful to have on cold mornings
- A pretty cool design
Cons
- The scraper itself isn't one of the best out there
The best ice scraper for Porsche enthusiasts
It also boasts a quilted design which somewhat references the seat designs found on Porsche's higher-end models, as well as the all-important logo. The scraper itself is a fairly cheap affair, but it would make a nice gift to a Porsche enthusiast.
Pros
- Quilted design that whispers Porsche seats
- A great gift for a Porsche enthusiast
- The glove us useful on cold mornings
Cons
- The ice scraper itself isn't the best out there
FAQs and things to consider with ice scrapers and winter driving
Is de-icer better than ice scrapers?
Quicker and less effort to use, de-icer products certainly have their place during the cold. The major downside, however, is that the chemicals used to make it work are incredibly toxic. We say use an ice scraper for the big bits (like the windscreen) and leave the de-icer to tackle smaller, localised areas where a scraper wouldn’t work (like a frozen door lock).
Can I use boiling water on my windscreen?
In actuality, a lot of modern windscreens can withstand boiling water being poured onto them. However, this is not something you should test out. While it’s possible to pour piping-hot water onto a frozen windscreen and have nothing break, the rapid change in temperature does significantly raise the chances of cracking the glass and creating a hefty repair fee. On older vehicles, the chances of the glass breaking are much greater.
With that in mind, using an ice scraper or your car’s de-frost on the outside and keeping a car dehumidifier bag on the inside is the most recommended option.
What do I do if there is snow on my car’s roof?
Drivers in places where snow chains are required are used to taking such precautions. They ensure that all snow is cleared from the roof of a car prior to setting off. Failing to do so may see a giant sheet of powdery snow flung off at high speed into the car behind you, a safety hazard that may see you charged with driving without due care and attention.
If there is settled snow on your car, an ice scraper with a built-in snow brush will make quick work of the snow. Be warned though, the bristles on most snow brushes will scratch paintwork and so require case. Our advice would be to use a brush with as soft bristles as possible and be careful. Brushes are useful items if you also need to reach a far point of the snow build-up.
How we choose
All of these ice scrapers have been hand-selected by our team of experts who have spent hours investigating and researching ice scrapers to make it easier for you to find the very best, and we’d never recommend a product we don’t believe in.
Where possible, we also test and share the latest and best products you should know about.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
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