Our Quick Verdict
Our pick of the best ice scraper is the Swedish Original Ice Scraper, because its laser cut acrylic blade with a polished edge clears frost quickly, reaches into the corners of the screen and is small enough to live in the door pocket. If you're tired of frozen fingers on cold mornings, choose the DIAOCARE Ice Scraper Mitt instead, as its fleece-lined glove keeps your hand warm while you scrape.
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Our Picks At A Glance
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Best Overall Swedish Original Ice Scraper Drivers who want the quickest, cleanest frost removal from a compact scraperCheck price of Swedish Original Ice Scraper
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Best For Thick Ice RevHeads Ice Scraper Cars left outside overnight that wake up under a thick layer of iceCheck price of RevHeads Ice Scraper
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Best For Warm Hands DIAOCARE Ice Scraper Mitt Anyone who hates freezing fingers while clearing the windscreenCheck price of DIAOCARE Ice Scraper Mitt
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Best Simple Scraper Michelin 92100 Ice Scraper Drivers who want a straightforward scraper with a comfortable gripCheck price of Michelin 92100 Ice Scraper
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Best With A Squeegee Carpoint Vileda Ice Scraper Clearing ice outside and wiping away melt or condensation afterwardsCheck price of Carpoint Vileda Ice Scraper
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Best For Large Cars MATCC Ice Scraper And Snow Brush SUVs, vans and tall cars where you can't reach the whole windscreenCheck price of MATCC Ice Scraper And Snow Brush
The biggest difference between scrapers is how they cope with thick ice rather than a light frost. A flat, sharp blade is all you need for frost, but a hard overnight freeze calls for a toothed claw that breaks the ice up first.
Size matters too. A compact scraper lives happily in the door pocket, while an extendable scraper and brush is far easier on a van or SUV with a tall windscreen. Pair any of them with a good de-icer spray on the worst mornings. Our six favourites are below.
How We Tested These Ice Scrapers
Every winter we're out scraping frost off our own cars on the driveway, and over the years we've used a wide range of ice scrapers on windscreens, side windows and rear screens. That's taught us which features we'd happily pay extra for and which ones don't earn their place.
A soft, padded grip is the one we'd never go without again. The scraper in our photo has an ergonomic foam handle, and on a freezing morning it made a real difference to comfort and control compared with a bare plastic handle.
Each scraper on this list was judged on the shape and edge of its blade, how quickly and cleanly it cleared ice, build quality, how comfortable it was to hold, any extra features and the value it offers. We also looked at how easily it stores in the car, since a scraper left in the shed is no use at all.
The Best Ice Scrapers For Cars
Best Overall
Swedish Original Ice Scraper
Best for drivers who want the quickest, cleanest frost removal from a compact scraper
The polished edge on the Swedish Original glides across a frosty windscreen and leaves clear glass behind in far fewer passes than a typical plastic scraper. Its blade is laser cut from recycled acrylic glass with a diamond polished finish, and the brand says it's completely safe on all car windscreens.
The angled shape gets right into the corners of the screen where round-edged scrapers struggle, and a neoprene holder wraps the blade so your fingers aren't gripping cold plastic. It's one of the smallest scrapers here, which makes it easy to slip into the door pocket or glovebox, and there's a choice of eight colours.
It costs more than a basic scraper, and a flat blade like this works best on frost and thinner ice rather than a thick overnight glaze.
What We Like
- Polished acrylic glass edge clears frost cleanly
- Angled shape reaches into the screen corners
- Neoprene holder keeps your hand off cold plastic
- Small enough for a door pocket or glovebox
- Made from recycled acrylic glass
- Choice of eight colours
What To Know
- Dearer than a standard plastic scraper
- Flat blade has no claw for very thick ice
Our Verdict
Buy the Swedish Original if you want a scraper that clears frost fast, stores neatly and feels well made every time you pick it up. If your car spends nights in the open and wakes up under thick ice, the RevHeads Ice Scraper and its chisel claw will get through it more easily.
Best For Thick Ice
RevHeads Ice Scraper
Best for cars left outside overnight that wake up under a thick layer of ice
Thick ice is where the RevHeads earns its place, as one side carries a chisel claw that breaks up a hard glaze before the 4 inch blade on the other side clears it away. Having both on one tool means you're not switching between a claw and a scraper with numb hands.
RevHeads describes it as virtually indestructible, and it's designed specifically for car windscreens and windows. The 6.5 inch comfort foam handle gives a secure grip even in thick gloves, and the scraper is compact enough to store in the car or hang up in the garage. It's made in the USA.
The narrower blade takes more strokes to clear a large screen than a wide scraper, so it's best suited to drivers who deal with heavy ice rather than a light frost.
What We Like
- Chisel claw breaks up thick ice
- Dual-sided design with a scraper blade on the other end
- Comfortable 6.5 inch foam handle
- Described by RevHeads as virtually indestructible
- Easy to store in the car or hang up
- Made in the USA
What To Know
- 4 inch blade means more strokes on a large windscreen
Our Verdict
Pick the RevHeads if you park outside and regularly face a thick overnight freeze, as the claw does the hard work before the blade finishes off. For mornings that only bring a light frost, the Swedish Original Ice Scraper clears the glass faster and stores more neatly.
Best For Warm Hands
DIAOCARE Ice Scraper Mitt
Best for anyone who hates freezing fingers while clearing the windscreen
Scraping a windscreen with a bare hand on a frosty morning is miserable, and the DIAOCARE Mitt solves that by putting the scraper inside a thick, fleece-lined glove. Your hand stays warm and dry for the whole job, however long it takes.
The outer is a waterproof Oxford material, and an elastic wristband stops the mitt sliding off or letting snow in. The plastic blade sits at the end of the glove, and it works equally well in your left or right hand, so you can swap sides when one arm tires.
The blade is a simple flat plastic edge, so it's built for frost rather than thick ice. Being a glove, it also takes up more room than a slim scraper, though it still fits easily in a door bin.
What We Like
- Thick fleece lining keeps your hand warm
- Waterproof Oxford outer material
- Elastic wristband keeps the mitt in place
- Suits left or right handed use
- Good value for what you get
What To Know
- Plain plastic blade struggles with thick ice
- Bulkier to store than a slim scraper
Our Verdict
Go for the DIAOCARE Mitt if cold hands are the worst part of your winter mornings, as the fleece lining makes scraping far more pleasant. If you need to break up heavy ice rather than clear frost, the RevHeads Ice Scraper will do a better job.
Best Simple Scraper
Michelin 92100 Ice Scraper
Best for drivers who want a straightforward scraper with a comfortable grip
The Michelin 92100 keeps things simple, with a straight blade and a padded foam handle that gives you a confident grip as you work across the screen. It's an easy, reliable way to clear frost and ice, and it doesn't take up much room in the car.
Michelin is best known for tyres, but it sells a range of car accessories, and this scraper is one of the more basic designs on our list. Its blade combines polycarbonate with a rubber edge, and the scraper is easy to keep in the door pocket or under a seat.
There's no claw, brush or extending handle here, so it won't suit a tall vehicle or a thick overnight freeze. For a typical frosty morning on a family car, it does everything you need.
What We Like
- Simple design with nothing to go wrong
- Padded foam handle for a secure grip
- Polycarbonate and rubber blade
- Compact enough to keep in the car
What To Know
- No claw for breaking up thick ice
- Short reach on a tall windscreen
Our Verdict
The Michelin 92100 suits drivers who just want a dependable scraper with a decent grip and no gimmicks. If you'd like a blade that clears frost even more cleanly and fits the corners better, the Swedish Original Ice Scraper is worth the extra.
Best With A Squeegee
Carpoint Vileda Ice Scraper
Best for clearing ice outside and wiping away melt or condensation afterwards
Frozen glass and a misted or wet screen tend to arrive together, and the Carpoint Vileda handles both with a scraper on one side and a softer rubber squeegee on the other. Once the ice is off, a flip of the tool lets you wipe away the slush and water it leaves behind.
The blades are 18cm wide, so you clear a good strip of screen with each pass, and the scraping edge is safe to use on the windscreen. The plastic handle is sturdy, has a hole for hanging it up and is easy to rinse clean after use.
It's a basic handle without any padding, so cold fingers are part of the deal unless you wear gloves. There's also no claw, so very thick ice needs a little more effort.
What We Like
- Wide 18cm blades cover more glass per pass
- Rubber squeegee side clears slush and water
- Sturdy plastic handle
- Hanging hole for storage
- Easy to clean after use
What To Know
- Unpadded handle gets cold
- No claw for heavy ice
Our Verdict
Choose the Carpoint Vileda if you want one tool that scrapes the ice and then squeegees the screen clear, which is handy on wet winter mornings. If keeping your hand warm matters more, the DIAOCARE Ice Scraper Mitt is the better choice.
Best For Large Cars
MATCC Ice Scraper And Snow Brush
Best for sUVs, vans and tall cars where you can't reach the whole windscreen
If you can't reach the middle of your windscreen or the roof from the ground, the MATCC's extending handle fixes that. It stretches from 31.5 to 39.8 inches, so you can clear the far side of a big screen and sweep snow off the roof without leaning against a wet car.
One end carries an ice scraper and the other a snow brush, and the brush head rotates and detaches to suit the angle you're working at. A non-slip foam grip keeps it comfortable in the cold, and MATCC backs it with a one year warranty.
It's far too long to keep in a door pocket, so it needs to live in the boot. On a small hatchback, a compact scraper is more practical.
What We Like
- Extends from 31.5 to 39.8 inches
- Scraper and snow brush in one tool
- Rotating and detachable brush head
- Non-slip foam grip
- One year warranty from MATCC
What To Know
- Too long for a door pocket or glovebox
- Overkill on a small car
Our Verdict
The MATCC is the one to buy for an SUV, van or anything with a tall windscreen and a roof you can't easily reach, especially after snowfall. On a small car, the compact Swedish Original Ice Scraper is easier to store and quicker to use.
What To Look For In An Ice Scraper
An ice scraper is a simple tool, but the wrong one turns a quick job into a cold and frustrating one. These are the points that make the real difference, along with a quick comparison of the scrapers on our list.
| Ice Scraper | Design | Blade |
|---|---|---|
| Swedish Original Ice Scraper | Single | Acrylic glass |
| RevHeads Ice Scraper | Dual | Plastic |
| DIAOCARE Ice Scraper Mitt | Single | Plastic |
| Michelin 92100 Ice Scraper | Dual | Rubber and polycarbonate |
| Carpoint Vileda Ice Scraper | Dual | Rubber and plastic |
| MATCC Ice Scraper And Snow Brush | Dual | Plastic and brush |
A Blade That Matches Your Winters
Think about the ice you deal with most. A flat blade with a clean, sharp edge clears frost in a few strokes, while a toothed claw is what you want when a thick glaze has formed overnight. Dual-sided scrapers give you both, which is handy if your car lives on the street.
Whatever you choose, keep the edge clean and undamaged. A nicked blade drags grit across the glass, and a scraper should never be used on dirty glass or on plastic headlight lenses.
A Grip You Can Hold In The Cold
Foam or padded handles stay warmer and give you more control than bare plastic, especially with gloves on. A scraper mitt goes a step further and keeps your whole hand covered, which is worth considering if you scrape most mornings through the winter.
Size And Reach
On a hatchback, a compact scraper that fits in the door pocket is the most practical choice, as it's always to hand. On an SUV, van or anything with a tall screen, an extendable scraper with a snow brush saves you stretching across a wet bonnet and lets you clear the roof too.
Clear Every Window Before You Drive
Rule 229 of the Highway Code's advice on driving in adverse weather says you must be able to see, so you must clear all snow and ice from all your windows before setting off. It also tells you to make sure your lights are clean and your number plates are clearly visible, and to remove any snow that could fall into the path of other road users.
That means the side windows, mirrors and rear screen as well as a porthole in the windscreen. A fully working heated rear window makes the back screen far quicker to clear, and topping up with a winter screen wash stops the washers freezing once you're on the move.
Ways To Scrape Less
A windscreen cover fitted the night before means there's nothing to scrape in the morning, and it keeps the wipers from freezing to the glass. Never pour boiling water on a frozen windscreen, as the sudden change in temperature can crack the glass.
Ice Scraper Questions We Get Asked
Can An Ice Scraper Scratch Your Windscreen?
A clean scraper in good condition won't scratch the glass, as windscreen glass is much harder than the plastic or acrylic blade. Scratches come from grit trapped under the blade or from a damaged edge. Keep the scraper clean, replace it if the blade is chipped and never use one on plastic headlight lenses or heated mirror covers.
Is It Illegal To Drive With A Frosty Windscreen?
Yes. Rule 229 of the Highway Code says you must be able to see, so you must clear all snow and ice from all your windows before driving. It also says lights must be clean and number plates clearly visible. Driving with only a small porthole cleared in the windscreen doesn't meet that requirement.
Can I Use Hot Water To Defrost My Windscreen?
No. Pouring hot or boiling water on frozen glass causes a sudden temperature change that can crack the windscreen, especially if there's already a chip in it. The water can also refreeze on the glass and in the wiper area. Use the car's heater, a de-icer spray and an ice scraper instead.
What Is The Best Way To Defrost A Car Windscreen Quickly?
Start the engine, set the heater to the windscreen with the air conditioning on to dry the air, and switch on the heated rear window. While that warms up, spray de-icer on the thickest ice and scrape from the top down. Stay with the car while it's running, as leaving it unattended invites theft.
Are Ice Scraper Mitts Any Good?
Yes, for frost and light ice they work well and keep your hand much warmer than a bare scraper. The blade on a mitt is a simple plastic edge, so it isn't the best choice for thick overnight ice. They're ideal if you scrape most mornings and cold fingers are your main complaint.
How Do I Stop My Windscreen Freezing Overnight?
A windscreen cover is the most effective option, as it stops frost forming on the glass at all and keeps the wipers from freezing down. Parking in a garage or under cover helps, and facing the car east means the morning sun reaches the glass sooner. Keeping the inside of the screen clean reduces misting too.
Our Verdict On The Best Ice Scraper
For most drivers, the Swedish Original Ice Scraper is the one to keep in the car. It clears frost faster and more cleanly than the others, gets into the corners of the screen and takes up almost no space.
If thick ice is your usual problem, the RevHeads Ice Scraper and its chisel claw make light work of it, and owners of tall cars and vans should look at the extending MATCC. On snowy weeks, a set of snow chains in the boot is worth having too.
Dan founded YourCar and has owned well over 50 cars since passing his driving test. His current fleet runs from German classics he has restored from barn-find condition to a load lugger, a daily driver, an Audi R8 and a 911 GT3, and every product on YourCar gets used on cars like these first.