On icy winter mornings, the necessity for ice scrapers suddenly becomes apparent. You're running late for work, and your car is sitting 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 2025 at a glance:
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 2025
The best ice scraper
Via Swedish Ice ScrapersIt 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 and durability
- Sustainable design and will last a long time
- Perfect for winter mornings
Cons
- No additional features integrated
Editor's pick
Via Porsche Designshop.porsche.com
On the premium end of the spectrum, Porsche design offer this telescopic ice scraper with a snow shovel at the other end. According to the manufacturer, it's made from 'cold resistant' polycarbonate which makes it useful for icy mornings and near-freezing temperatures.
At a steep £27, you really are paying for the brand name with this device. However, the versatility of it makes it a very useful piece of kit that'll tackle top layers of snow as well as the ice.
Pros
- Long telescopic arm is great for far-reaching jobs
- Snow shovel integrated at the other end
- Great build quality
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value as the others
The best electric ice scraper
Via KarcherIf a conventional, manual ice scraper isn't quite enough, Karcher is only happy to oblige by offering the intriguing EDI 4 electric option. It has six rotating blades which delicately cut through the top layer of ice, reducing elbow grease from yourself and making those frosty mornings a little bit easier.
The device itself spins at 500rpm and is powered by a 2.5Ah lithium ion battery. It has a runtime of 15-minutes and requires recharging via a power cable. It's the most innovative ice scraper we've come across, and can't really recommend it enough.
Pros
- Much more efficient than a regular ice scraper
- 15-minute runtime which is very useful for going over all the windows
- Isn't too powerful and comes with a one-year warranty
Cons
- Doesn't represent as good value as others
The best two-in-one ice scraper
Via CarpointDouble 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 item with good materials
- Better value than some others
- Squeegee can be useful in some circumstances
Cons
- Bulkier design, which makes it less easy to store
Best branded ice scraper
Via AudiOkay, 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 of the marque.
Pros
- An amazing gift for an Audi enthusiast
- Comes with mitt to keep your hand warm
- Perfect for very cold, icy tempretures
Cons
- No additional uses on the scraper itself
The best ice scraper for coverage
Via CoralA 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 and design
- Very affordable option as far as ice scrapers go
- Large enough to get enough coverage
Cons
- The design isn't as neat as others
The best for snow
Via VikanVikan makes 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 at a mere £7
- Tackles snowfall as well as ice
- Large enough to get good coverage
Cons
- May damage paintwork if you're not careful
Best ice scraper for grip
Via AAWhen 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, when 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 for money at under £5
- Foam grip for ease of use
- You should get enough coverage
Cons
- The blades might not be as useful as they seem
- Quality is a slight letdown over some others
Best budget ice scraper
Via CarPlanAt 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 at well-under £5
- Can easily be hung up on a hook
- Designed to be relatively comforable in your hand
Cons
- No additional features
Ice scraper FAQs
Are ice scrapers bad for windows?
A properly-designed ice scraper won't damage your car's windows. But with a lot of these things, it's important to invest in the right kit and use it well. A metal scraper will easily scratch the glass, whereas a plastic scraper won't.
It's important to apply pressure to the ice gently and with good care. Overdoing it or scraping abrasively may cause some marks; and check your ice scrape for any chips or rough edges before using it as this doesn't spell great news for your glass.
With all the boxes ticked, however, an ice scraper will not damage your windscreen.
What are the best ice scrapers for cars?
From our extensive research, we can reveal if you want a no-nonsense, good-quality ice scraper, the Swedish Ice Scraper is the best one out there. It oozes in quality and is built to last for a very long time over a number of winters.
For a more innovative approach, we also love the Karcher EDI 4 electric ice scraper. It takes away a lot of effort that you would normally need to put in to clearing ice, and it's an easy thing to use and recharge.
How much are ice scrapers?
Budget ice scrapers can be had for around £5, but we'd recommend spending that little extra to get a more quality item. The Swedish Ice Scraper is £15, but for more specialist stuff like the Porsche Design scraper and the Karcher, those retail for a little more up to the £60 mark - which many will see as overkill for an ice scraper.
Other things 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.