The 5 Best Snow and Ice Melts in 2024

May 2024 ยท 2 minute read

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Even an extremely thin layer of ice on pavement can pose a serious safety hazard, putting family, friends, and passers-by at risk of dangerous slips and falls. Eliminating ice buildup should be a top priority of any homeowner, and one of the belt ice melts will get the job done effectively and with minimal effort on your end.

We've researched dozens of snow and ice melts to find the best options and consulted with two experts in the field: Don Adams, general manager of Regional Foundation Repair, and Russell J. Kendzior of the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI). We chose the Safe Step 6300 Enviro-Blend Ice Melter as the best overall ice melt due to its quick-acting formula, EPA certification, and affordable price. For a pet-safe option, we like the PlaySafe Ice Blocker because of its liquid formula instead of a pellet or rock, which can be painful for your pups to walk over. However, it needs to be applied before snowfall.

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Our top picks for snow and ice melts

Best overall: Safe Step 6300 Enviro-Blend Ice Melter - See at Amazon
This blended mix quickly and effectively melts ice to -10 degrees Fahrenheit and only costs about 50 cents per pound.

Best magnesium chloride: Safe Step 8300 Magnesium Chloride Ice Melt - See at Walmart
If you need to break up hazardous ice on your roof, our expert recommends these magnesium chloride pellets, which melt ice while minimizing potential damage to your shingles.

Best pet-safe: PlaySafe Ice Blocker - See at Home Depot
Unlike chloride-based ice melts, this PlaySafe product is less irritating to your pet's paws and will prevent ice buildup when applied before a snowfall.

Best rock salt for snow: Safe Step 3300 Rock Salt/Halite Ice Melter - See at Walmart
If you're on a tight budget but still want to ensure your pathways are free of ice, Safe Step 3300 Rock Salt could be the perfect choice. 

Best calcium chloride: Green Gobbler Snow and Ice Melt - See at Amazon
Green Gobbler Snow and Ice Melt works extremely quickly and is effective in temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit, making it well-suited for frigid climates.

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