21 Useful Products For Anyone Who Drives In The Snow

Stay safe, comfortable, and smart!

1. A windshield ice cover so you (fingers crossed!) never have to painstakingly scrape ice off your most important window ever again.

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It attaches to your mirrors with straps plus can be tucked into shut car doors to prevent theft (and further keep it in place). It's waterproof and measures 75x42 inches.

Promising reviews: "I was very skeptical at first about this product. I thought the price was low considering what the product claimed and the materials used. After a month of Ice, lots of snow, and below zero temperatures, I LOVE THIS PRODUCT!!!! I have highly recommended this product to several people and will continue to do so. The amazing thing to me about this product was its ability to with stand -20 degree temperatures with snow and ice. No cracking, tearing, or any problems with this windshield cover." —SunnyFunny

"I bought the cover for my Dodge Caliber and it fits like a glove. (If my car was any bigger it wouldn't work.) The straps go around the side mirrors and the flaps get folded into the car and you shut the doors. This keeps the fabric nice and tight so the wind will not move it. It covers the wipers and the little space between the wipers and the hood, so ice and snow will not accumulate there either. I pulled it off after light snow last night and it just slid right off. I folded it and threw it in the back. Perfect for winter weather." —Paula

Get it on Amazon for $29.90.

2. Or a gallon of de-icing windshield wiper fluid because it's wayyy better to sit in your warm car, spritzing and running your wipers and the defroster, than to face the freezing temperatures head on.

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Promising review: "This de-icer works very well. The only issue I had with using this in -5 degree to 10 degree Colorado weather was that the spray nozzles would freeze over-night. But if I dripped a tiny splash of this from the bottle on the sprayers, they would melt before I had warmed the car up. I also let someone pour this on their car door at work, since it was frozen shut... that door opened easily after about 30 seconds." —Isaac L.

Get a gallon on Amazon for $11.76.

3. And for all your other windows, a two-step ice scraper that you can count on to crunch through even thick ice in no time at all. First you chip and loosen it with the toothed end:

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Then you satisfyingly smooth off what's left with the flat end:

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Promising review: Thank goodness I got this!!! I threw this in the car w/ my five other ones of all types. Yesterday in PA we got a relatively thick coating of ice from two hours of freezing rain. I walked out of work to the sounds of my co-workers busily chopping and scraping away on their cars. They were using the long ones with the brush on one end and the hard-to-get-the-right-pressure scraper on the other end (I have one of these too). Then I remembered this one. I started the car, grabbed it and thought, good opp to give it a try. WOW — not only was I done before the other poor peeps still trying to get the right angle but I was able to help some with the other sides of their cars and get out of the lot before many people who started before me. I'll give five stars to products but this one deserves higher! Very pleased and just sent one to my sister!" —Mia

Get it from Amazon for $7.90.

4. A telescoping (up to 52 inches!) foam broom perfect for efficiently pushing piles of heavy wet snow off your hood, windshield, and roof — *without* using up every ounce of energy you woke up with that morning.

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Clearing the roof's important, too — if ya don't, the moment you brake too hard, all that snow just might slump on down to your windshield! And even if that doesn't happen, it's just courteous to the other people driving behind you, who don't want that snow flying off and hitting their windshields.

Promising review: "This is one of the best purchases I've ever made in my life, seriously! Cleaning off my car in the past could take me over 15 minutes (on a good day) and often included snow in my shoes, up my sleeves, on my pants, and covering my coat. Being a lifelong New Englander at five feet, two inches tall, I can say that desperate times (aka 2+ feet of snow) have called for desperate measures — like brooms, mops, and even a metal shovel to clear off my car. :-O With this and a few push-pull swipes my car is cleared off completely in a minute...max. I'm not covered in snow, super agitated, late for work, estimating the cost of a paint job, or praying I won't get a ticket for that small patch of snow left on my roof. How and Why had I never heard of this Snowjoe thing before??! It's a total game changer." —Cara E. Bartlett

Get one on Amazon for $13.99.

5. A double-handled snow shovel — the second handle makes it incredibly easy to lift the heavy snow-laden end, making your driveway-clearing as efficient as possible.

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Promising review: "I just used this shovel to clear the first snow of the year here in New York, and I loved it! We got two inches, followed by some rain, so the snow was very heavy. I'm a tall guy and most shovels force me to bend over, leading to a sore back. I'm happy to say that my back feels great compared to other shovels that I have used, and I finished the job faster than usual. The springiness makes it easier to throw the snow farther, and helps you to control the shovel as you reset to scoop again. My elderly neighbor set down his cane to give it a try, and he was able to lift and throw the heavy snow!" —J.E.

Get it on Amazon for $23.99.

6. And a smaller shovel that will fit snugly in your trunk in preparation for those times where you leave work, the mall, dinner, or whatever only to discover your car was surrounded.

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Assembled, it's adjustable to be between 25 and 32 inches (depending on your preference) — and it easily disassembled into three pieces so it doesn't claim too much of your trunk's square footage.

Promising reviews: "Great little shovel to keep in the car or SUV along with a bag of cat litter if you get stuck. It is also great for removing snow buildup from tires. My daughter’s Infiniti tires have trouble in the winter with snow building up on them and making her car shake — this little shovel solved that problem for her." —Irene Estes

"This is great to have in a car. I'm often plowed in at the train station and this will help in shoveling me out. Good size and very sturdy." —Gianna

Get it on Amazon for $12.69+ (two colors).

7. A pack of two yard-long traction mats to keep in your trunk just in case you or another poor soul somehow get stuck in a snowdrift, or need some help getting from your powder-packed driveway to the plowed street.

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Apparently the keys to making these work = reading the instructions and accelerating s-l-o-w-l-y. Reviewers report they also work well for mud and beach sand, if you happen to live in (or drive to) warmer temps.

Promising reviews: "Just in the past 24 hours it has helped me remove four vehicles out of the snow banks they had run into! One was a four wheel drive SUV with two front tires stuck in the snow bank. One was a BIG pickup truck with four wheel drive that had spun around and its rear driver's side tire was impacted in the snow bank. One was a sporty all wheel drive car that had its front driver's side tire impacted and high centered. One was a nice Buick that just could not keep on the driveway because of ice (front wheel drive). AWESOME! Bought one of these after a delivery truck got stuck in a neighbor's yard. He pulled out his set and in a few minutes he was on the road again!" —Richard S

"Two thumbs up. I lived through Boston's great winter of 2014/2015 with a rear-wheel-drive car, parked outdoors. While I had snow tires (highly recommended BTW), there were unavoidable situations where the snow was depressed under/around the drive wheels either deeply enough, or packed/frozen/icy enough, that the car couldn't break free from a parking space. I could have busted my butt shoveling out enough snow, but no... I just grabbed these Portable Tow Truck bad boys out of the trunk, and every time, was immediately on my way." —Ev

Get the pack of two on Amazon for $54.95.

8. And/or straight-up snow chains because when there's more than a few inches on the ground, you're gonna need that extra traction for every single mile.

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Well, first make sure you get snow tires! (Which, yes, you can get on Amazon if ya want; like these, $74 each. If you go that route, use the drop-downs at the top of the page to make sure you buy the size that works for your car.)

Then, if the snow's gonna be really bad, add even more traction with chains. To keep them from rusting, be sure to take them off each time you get home, let them dry, then spray with WD-40 ($3.88 on Amazon) or something similar. Also, reviewers recommend practicing putting them on and taking them off a few times in your garage, so when you really need 'em, you can do it fast.

Promising review: "So we recently got a Honda Oddysey and were headed to the Sequoias for a mountain adventure in the middle of March, so we were expecting some serious snow. I tried them on before we left and it seemed to do ok on the asphalt, but definitely felt the bumpiness as expected. Fast forward to checking in to the first ranger station where chains were required, in the middle of a snow storm, and I had them on in 10 mins (quicker than any of the other cars around us). I immediately felt them grabbing into the ice/snow on the roads, which turned out Odyssey into an all-terrain vehicle! In all seriousness, we had to get an escort to our lodge due to the snow storm, and we were out-performing the all-wheel drive vehicles in our convoy. It was great to have these cables as well, as the transition between the asphalt roads and snow covered roads throughout the trip made it very easy for driving. I would highly recommend these cables for any vehicle, just make sure you check the SCC recommended sizes and not what Amazon recommends for your vehicle, as it seems to differ quite a bit." —Anthony Marin

Get a set of two on Amazon for $65.99.

9. A bottle of spray de-icer — it's good to keep on hand for those times you discover your doors, trunk, or locks are frozen impossibly shut.

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It also does a decent job helping out with iced-up windows, of course!

Promising review: "Terrible winter this year, even for New England. I can't tell you how many times this was a life saver! Just opening my SUV'S door, the locks would freeze in a second! My passenger side door same thing, and there's no way to drive if you can't shut the door! Thankfully each time I used this the doors were able to shut. Forgot it one time leaving the vets and could not shut the door. Tried WD-40, everything... after a while it shut, but by that time I was freezing and aggravated. After that I actually kept this spray in my purse." —Karen

Get some on Amazon: one can for $9.35 or a pack of three cans for $16.

10. A set of waterproof rubber floor mats to protect your nice mats and upholstery from the unavoidable slush and mud. And because they're non-skid, they'll make it easier to drive with wet snow boots.

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Promising review: "These are great rubber floor mats. These are awesome for the price especially! They fit well enough in my Rav-4 but they're not an exact fit to cover the whole area needed really. But these aren't hundreds of dollars like Weather Tech either so I don't expect them to fit like custom made mats that are priced way higher. You won't find a better fit at your local retail store and you'll pay double easily. These are generic and fit rather generically, but the work nicely. Mine have already withstood drink spills and wet winter mix getting tracked in everyday. They wipe up just like a rubber mat should. The groves are tedious enough to clean lol but they're wide enough to wipe in and down them to get them clean and dry. It beats gross carpet mats getting icky!" —Amazon Customer

Get the set of three (two for the front seats, and one long mat for the back seats) on Amazon for $16.90 (three colors).

11. A pair of stretch-on ice cleats you can fit over any pair of boots (or shoes, technically, but are you really wearing anything but boots in this weather?) so you don't have to fear slipping on your icy driveway, or in your work's skating rink of a parking lot.

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Promising reviews: "This is a very well made product. I wear a size 9 boot. I got a size large Crampon cleats. This size works well with my boots. The chains/spikes are not hard to put on. The fit is snug so that they will not fall off. I walked outside in the snow and on the ice packed path. I felt safe wearing these. A product made so you won't slip and fall." —Jerrill Madsen

"I admit, I was hesitant to spend this much, but after testing them, I would order them again in a heartbeat. I can walk straight up a glare ice hill with out slipping. They are stretchy and go on and off boots easily. I have taken them hiking in the woods and they did not fall off.. They seem well made, and the XL fits my size 11 Insulated rubber boots very well. I wish they made a kids size! These things kick ice!" —Traditional Family

Get them on Amazon for $23.99+ (available in black or orange; three sizes that approximately fit women's sizes 7-12 or men's sizes 5.5-15). You could also consider a slightly less-intense version for $16.99+, but it has mixed reviews.

12. And a pair (or several!) of heat-retaining socks that will work hard to keep your toes toasty-warm, even on those mornings your snowed-in vehicle needs some extra TLC.

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They're also lovely to wear just whenever, naturally.

Promising review: "My house is pretty chilly and I'd rather spend money on extra clothing for warmth than propane. Just weird that way, I suppose. This is not my first pair of Heat Holders but I've only ever had ankle length before. So glad I tried the longer ones and they certainly didn't disappoint! I've used wool socks for decades and have NEVER had a pair that compared to these socks for comfort and warmth. One issue to be aware of, these will snag and hole easily which is only a problem is you're walking without shoes or slippers on surfaces that can snag them. Don't. As for drying after the wash, I turn them inside out and was surprised at how quickly they air dried." —lrluvsamazon

Get them on Amazon: a pair of women's extra-long for $19.99 (black only) or 39 crew-height color options in various sizes for $15.99+,

13. A pair of blindspot mirrors — if they make changing lanes, backing up, and parallel parking easier in the best of times, they're even more useful to have when conditions aren't so sunny.

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Attaching them couldn't be easier: just clean your mirror with rubbing alcohol, peel off the backing to the super-strong 3M adhesive, and stick! They're on a swivel base so you can adjust them so you can actually see your blindspot.

Promising review: "I bought these for mine and my mom's car a while back ago and these little things are great. Since I gotten my license I've hated merging or switching lanes; I never felt good or safe doing it. Since having these its been a blessing, I feel less like a scared new driver. I'm currently encouraging my sister and friends to invest in these too! These are also great for backing up, because you can see exactly how close you are to hitting the car behind. They're helpful when I parallel park in the city, and I like parking backwards, so this great for doing that too." —Mariam Abass

Get the pair on Amazon for $6.97 (also available in rectangle and square-ish shapes).

14. Of course, a first aid kit if you don't have one already, because that's a basic car essential whatever the weather.

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While no pre-packed first aid kit is going to be absolutely perfect, this has more than enough of the basics: cleansing wipes, gauze pads, bandages, rolled gauze (tho some reviewers mention there's no medical tape; you can get two 10-yard rolls for $5.35 on Amazon), antibiotic cream, itch-stopping cream, acetaminophen, an instant cold pack, and lots more.

Get it from Amazon for $11.97.

15. Some magnetic LED road flares that you hope you'll never need, but will be grateful to have if you ever do.

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Promising review: "I haven't had to use these in any emergency, but I like knowing if I get a flat tire or something at night, other drivers will see me from far away. They come with batteries, which not all brands do. I just hope the supplied batteries are good quality, because weather fluctuations can trigger leakage in devices sitting in a car's trunk. I suppose it would be prudent to check the battery compartment of each unit, at the end of each season.

The good thing about a three-pack is that you can put one on your car and two behind you, giving plenty advance warning to approaching vehicles. There is extra room in the case, which enables you to keep extra batteries available, or add a couple more units." —Gary B. Katz

Get the pack of three on Amazon for $23.78.

16. And while we're on emergency preparedness, a set of 16-foot-long jumper cables with a plastic coating designed to stay flexible down to negative 40 degrees.

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Promising review: "I am a tow truck driver, and I use jumper cables several times on a daily basis. All of the stores in my hometown we're asking prices in excess of $65 to $100 for identical jumper cables. I didn't expect the quality and durability of these cables for $18. I am very happy to say that I love this product and I would recommend it to anyone." —nathan morris

Get them on Amazon for $14.98+.

17. A car charger and cable for your phone so you can always feel assured you'll be able to make an emergency call — even if it's just to a friend (or your mom) to come help you in a pinch.

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Get a charger with a three-foot cable for iPhones for $13.99 (three colors), or a universal micro-USB charger that will work with almost all other brands of devices (and with a five-foot cable) for $6.99 (two colors), both on Amazon. You can also get a two-port charger and use your own cables, if you happen to want to plug one of each type of phone in — it's on Amazon for $8.99.

18. Two magnetic emergency flashlights/floodlights who arrive ready to shine a bright light directly on your work area — and not in anyone's eyes.

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Imagine needing to put the snow chains on partway through a trip at night: you could pull out one of these, stick the magnet on the edge of the wheel well, quickly get the chains on, then be on your way. They fit perfectly in the glove box, too, for easy access whenever you need 'em. And of course they'll be useful any time of year!

Promising review: "I frequently tow trailers and have changed my fair share of tires on the side of the road in the dark and that is primarily why I ordered these. The magnet on the end of these is very strong and holds perfectly to my fenders. The lights are very bright and illuminate the work area extremely well. For changing a tire one light is more than adequate. Near one of the ends of the light there is a hexagon shape molded into the handle. This little detail is easy to overlook but it serves the important purpose of making sure the light doesn't roll away if you need to lay it down and keep the light pointed at something. Overall I'd say they are perfectly sized. Big enough to do the job yet small enough that they can be packed out of the way when not in use, perfect for a glove box or small automotive tool bag." —Chris Mitchell

Get a pair of two on Amazon for $14.97.

19. A lightweight air compressor for those mornings when the temperature's dropped significantly, which means your tire pressure's probably no longer up to par.

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It plugs into your car's cigarette lighter, so it's easy to use anywhere. It also AUTOMATICALLY TURNS OFF(!!!) when it reaches your preset pressure, so you don't have to sit there and monitor it the whole time. My family keeps a similar product in all of our cars all the time, but you can also totally store it in the garage to use on the mornings you need it.

Promising review: "Ha! I love this little guy. With today's tire pressure monitoring systems, you get the reminder if you've gone too long without checking and what more perfect and convenient time to refill tires than on a rested and cool car outside your own front door.

This does everything you would ask of a portable inflator: it's fast, it's efficient, and it's quiet. My old inflator sounded as if I was tearing up my driveway when I used it and it probably took twice as long to work. The automatic shut-off when it reaches the pressure you set is a huge boon, as I can rumble around in the trunk or work inside the car without having to constantly monitor the pump. This is a great purchase at a terrific price." —Jeffrey Daniels

Get it on Amazon for $36.87 (three colors).

20. A wool blanket or two to tuck away in your emergency kit on the off chance you need something to keep you super warm without the car's heater running.

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Wool blankets (these are 80% wool, 20% polyester) will keep you warm even if they get a little wet. (Like, from melted snow.) Get 'em, and hope you only ever need to pull them out for sports games, picnics, and camping!

Promising review: "This is a heavy blanket. It looks great. I washed it on the gentle cycle and dried on low heat in the dryer and it came out fine. It did fuzz quite a bit but I only washed it once. This feels like a wool blanket and isn't something you'd snuggle up with on the couch. Works great as a top blanket on your bed or for your car or camping." —Caroline L

Get one on Amazon for $37.95 (six stitching colors available).

21. And a heated blanket so you have something cozy to wrap yourself in while you wait for your engine to run long enough that you can FINALLY activate your car's climate control.

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It's easy to use: simply plug it into your car's 12V outlet, and let it warm your soul.

Multiple reviewers report it's AWESOME for anyone with a kiddo in a carseat that forbids the wearing of puffy coats.

Promising review: "I don't care how much my family and friends make fun of me, guess who is warm on the drive into work and guess who isn't!? Only thing I noticed is there is no "Low-Med-High" settings, there is only an option to have it on for 30 or 45 mins. I end up plugging it in for like 10-15 mins to let it warm up, then unplugging and it stays warm for my 45 min drive into work. Plus... I feel like a lumberjack. :D" —Senista

Get it on Amazon for $39.89.

Stay safe out there, y'all! (Slow down, leave enough space between your car and the next...you know the drill).

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If you're still in the ~shopping mood~, we have plenty more where that came from!

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Shopping for something specific? Check out BuzzFeed Reviews to find the best things for every budget!

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The reviews in this post have been edited for length and clarity.