On icy, winter mornings, the necessity for ice scrapers suddenly becomes apparent. You're running late for work, and your car is sat outside with sheets of white on the windows. Not even the full extent of your winter driving kit could save you from this situation. Icy mornings arrive suddenly, and your primary objective is to clear it off before you head on your way.
Fundamentally, ice scrapers should remove ice from glass without scratching said glass. The scrapers we suggest below do so, but don't think it's impossible to cause damage. There's still no room for error during operation. When used as the designers and indeed the instructions intended, ice scrapers are very useful.
There are some alternatives to ice scrapers in the form of covers and de-icer products that are worth a look at too. But if you use your car regularly and store it outside, simply having a scraper on hand will be the most convenient option than a windscreen cover.
The best ice scrapers at a glance:
Editor's pick: Swedish Ice Scraper - buy from Amazon.
Best budget ice scraper: CarPlan Ice Scraper - buy from Amazon.
Best two-in-one ice scraper: Carpoint Ice Scraper - buy from Amazon.
With that said, while windscreen covers are useful when leaving your car for days at a time. These are the best ice scrapers to have on hand each time you need to clear off the cold stuff.
The best ice scrapers
Editor's pick
Via Swedish Ice ScrapersDescription
It sounds odd to say this of an ice scraper, but you can tell the thought of design and engineering that goes into this ice scraper. It's utterly superior to any others. Made from laser cut 6mm recycled acrylic glass, it's both strong and amazingly effective.
Each side is useable to remove ice because each is diamond polished. We like the little neoprene sleeve too, oh and there is a slot along one side for clearing windscreen wipers. Just be warned, delivery times can fluctuate.
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Sustainable design
Cons
- No additional features
The best two-in-one ice scraper
Via CarpointDescription
Double acts can be good. An ice scraper on one side, a rubber wiper on the other. As such, you'll be tackling ice and condensation on your windows with one simple tool.The Carpoint scraper is well-made and dependable, and a useful tool to have beside you, ready for some de-frosting.
Pros
- Well-made
- More affordable
Cons
- Bulkier design
- Squeegee won't always be useful
Best value ice scraper
Via CoralDescription
A simple piece of precision-milled plastic is all an ice scraper needs to be fundamentally. So long as the edge is sharp but not jagged, you'll easily be able to lift ice from a windscreen without causing damage. That's why we like this model from Coral so much, it's well-made, so simply put together and really affordable too.
Pros
- Simple constuction
- Affordable
Cons
- You'll get cold hands with this one
The best for snow
Via VikanDescription
Vikan make strong cleaning brushes that are genuinely affordable, meaning this snow brush and ice scraper combo is an affordable choice for anyone who experiences snowfall. The ice scraper may be simple plastic and not the best overall, but the brush will remove snow (even if it may leave scratches in your paintwork).
Pros
- Affordable
- Tackles snowfall
Cons
- May damage paintwork
Best ice scraper for grip
Via AADescription
When it comes to a simple, bang-for-buck ice scraper, AA Car Essentials has the one for you. It has six fins on the back of the blade which is applied carefully, can deal with the most stubborn of ice embedded into your windscreen.
The handle is covered in a soft foam grip which allows you to hold on tight when clearing away the windscreen. It's about as simple and as effective as it gets in this category.
Pros
- Great value
- Foam grip for ease of use
Cons
- The blades might not be as useful as they seem
Best budget ice scraper
Via CarPlanDescription
At just a few quid, it's hard to ignore the budget end of the spectrum from CarPlan. It's a compact, almost pocket-sized item that can be stored anywhere in your vehicle - even if you have smaller cubby holes throughout the interior.
Nevertheless, the value part is evident with the scraper being made entirely of plastic and having no second use. You don't get a grip, nor any rubber blade to deal with condensation. But it says what it does on the tin and clears away ice on your windscreen like you ask it to.
Pros
- Very affordable
- From a trusted car care brand
Cons
- No additional features
Best branded ice scraper
Via AudiDescription
Okay, let's cut to the chase. It's not the equivalent of a 20V Quattro or an RS4 when it comes to the ice scraper market. It's a branded version of a simple ice scraper with a thick mitt to place your hand into if you don't want to get it wet with ice.
However, we do maintain that it is a very neat gift for somebody who either owns an Audi or is a die-hard enthusiast for the marque.
Pros
- An amazing gift for an Audi enthusiast
- Comes with mitt to keep your hand warm
Cons
- No additional uses on the scraper itself
What to consider with ice scrapers
Unlike some top end travel torches, ice scrapers are generally very low-cost products, the main priorities should really be how you intend to use it. If you only ever need such a thing to clear ice off a windscreen, then a simple ice scraper is for you. If you fancy yourself extra features such as a rubber blade or a grip to stop it from slipping, then spending that bit extra is worth it.
However, having to break out the ice scraper every frosty morning is not ideal for all people. Sometimes, you just want a clear windscreen straight away without any fuss. And if you don't have a car with a super quick de-frosting system, then a windscreen cover may be for you. These essentially block out potential ice settings that will build up on your car overnight. Let's just hope you won't need to break out a shovel - a guide we've also created.
On a general note too, it's imperative that you always have a clean windscreen when driving in cold conditions. The roads will be littered with grit, salt, or even mushy sleet. Keeping your vision clear with some good screen wash will help you drive safely through the harsh months. And make sure your tyres are in good order too. By using a depth gauge and decent tyre inflator, you can be assured whether your tyres are safe for the road or not. After all, you need the grip in such conditions.
Aaron Hussain is a commercial content writer at Bauer Media writing for Parkers and CAR. He is obsessed with classic cars and anything with a fascinating story to tell.
For verdicts, scoops, news and analysis from the team, delivered direct to your inbox, subscribe to the CAR newsletter.
You can enjoy CAR in its traditional print format, or one of the swelling numbers of digital editions optimised for Apple iPhones, Android devices, iPads, tablets and desktop computers.