A sharp ice scraper, a sturdy but soft-on-paint snow brush, and a closed length of just 23 inches make it our choice for cars and compact SUVs. If you just need a basic handheld scraper ...

Anyone who has driven a car in Minnesota over a winter or two is familiar with the three basic types of windshield ice scrapers ... is a bit like using a handheld power sander.

This scraper is part of the quest to find the most effective tool to battle winter. (Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune) ...