The Best Ice Melt (Review & Buying Guide) 2021

The Green Gobbler Pet Safe Ice Melt is one of the most popular ice melt products on the market and is our top pick overall. It effectively melts ice and snow, even in temperatures as frigid as -10 degrees. This Dead Sea-harvested magnesium chloride formula offers a low toxicity solution to ice and snow build up that works by generating exothermic heat over a relatively short period of time. This makes it a safe choice for pets as it is not likely to burn or irritate sensitive paws. It will also not harm plants or cause spalling on concrete that has been properly cured. It is also easy to spread. Thanks to the small pellet shape of the granules it can effectively be used in most spreaders. 

The Snow Joe AZ-25-EB Melt-2-Go has made our list as the best value ice melt. It is a fast-acting, anti-corrosive, non-irritant, and environmentally benign formula that costs only a portion of higher-end formulas. It is offered in 25-pound bags or 25-pound buckets. It claims to be pet-safe and is unlikely to irritate paws, can be spread by hand without protective gloves, and it melts ice on contact. It will not leave a sludgy residue either, so no worries if you get it on the turf. While this product claims to be safe for pets, some users have stated that it includes chlorides, which are notorious for getting stuck between paw pads and reacting with the moisture to create high temperatures that can cause burns. 

With a mission of providing safer environments during snow and ice events, the Redmond Ice Slicer is a good option for dealing with slick high traffic areas safely. The eco-friendly formula has 50 percent less chloride and 167 percent less alkaline impact than the typical rock salt formula. It is dye-free, urea-free, and polymer-free and is a key ingredient in Redmond’s products made for agricultural and wildlife management operations. A single bag can treat up to 400 square feet of ice and according to independent lab testing melts 3.5 times more ice than white salt in the first 10 minutes. While over-application can lead to a reddish residue on some materials, this product seems to be a safe and effective ice solution.

The CRC Ice-Off Windshield Spray De-Icer is our top pick for quickly removing ice from the windshield of a car. Ice build up on your vehicle can cause a dangerous driving situation that the average defroster is just not equipped to handle in a timely manner. However, this product effectively removes ice, snow, and frost on contact, allowing you to get in your car and safely drive without having to wait on the defroster to warm up. It is harmless to a car's finish and works well on windows, headlights, and locks, even in sub-zero temperatures. While the manufacturer makes no claim that this product is safe for pets, it is not intended for use where pets would normally be walking and it is probably best reserved for automotive use only. 

The Natural Rapport Pet Friendly Ice Melt is easy to apply, thanks to the built-in applicator in the bottle. The proprietary, eco-friendly formula offers safer deicing where pets and children will be walking. It is both fast acting and time released, so frozen driveways, walkways, and stairs thaw faster and stay thawed longer. It can also be used to pretreat high traffic areas before a freeze. It is safe for use on concrete, metal, and wood thanks to ProtectRx organic technology that reduces corrosion rates by up to 75 percent. It will not clump together and is also formulated with biodegradable soil supporting compounds that make it less harmful to plants and grass. While it is more expensive than other ice melting products on the market, this product is very effective and the color aids in application preventing waste.

The Branch Creek Entry Chloride-Free, Non-Toxic, Liquid Snow and Ice Melt is a great option because it has an unlimited shelf life. If you don't use it during an upcoming season, it will work perfectly fine in the future and won’t lose its strength. The product melts snow and ice in less than 30 seconds and prevents surfaces from freezing again in temperatures as low as zero degrees Fahrenheit. The residue-free ice melt is liquid-based and works practically on impact. It also prevents buildup inside homes and buildings that is common with granular formulas. The Entry ice melt comes in a one-gallon container and provides coverage that’s similar to competing 100-pound options. It's also available in half-gallon and 2.5-gallon options. Even better, it's safe to use around pets and plants. One downside is that it's a little pricey compared to some other brands.

If you live in an area that experiences a lot of ice and snow, you need a good amount of ice melt, such as the 15-pound bucket of HARRIS Safe Melt Pet Friendly Ice and Snow Melter. The formula is 100 percent magnesium chloride, so it won't bother your pet's paws. It's less corrosive than sodium chloride and calcium chloride, and the pellets are round without any jagged edges. The manufacturer boasts that this ice melt works instantly on a variety of surfaces, including driveways, sidewalks, balconies, and more. It also operates in temperatures as low as negative 13 degrees Fahrenheit. Users like that it comes with a scoop and is very easy to use. However, there have been some complaints that the lid is difficult to remove, and it's a little pricey.

For even more coverage, consider using a 50-pound bag of Scotwood Industries 50B-RR Road Runner Premium Ice Melter. The formula begins working instantly to melt ice on contact. It's safe to use around vegetation and also on concrete. The colorless and odorless formula works well in temperatures as low as negative 15 degrees Fahrenheit. If you use a spreader with this product, it provides even and effortless coverage, and you don't need to use a lot to get good results. In addition, it's a cost-effective option considering how much product you get in the package. One downside is that it will leave behind a spotty residue. Also, it's not marked as animal friendly, so you may want to consider another product if you have pets.

The Keep It Green Pet Safe Ice Melt contains 12 pounds of rock salt pellets. The formula is non-toxic and doesn't contain any harmful chemicals, so it's safe to use around pets, and it won't damage any nearby vegetation. In addition, it's a stain-free formula, so your carpets, floors, concrete, bricks, and stone stay protected. The deicer works on contact and is designed for use on driveways, steps, road surfaces, and more. It's also tinted green, so you know where you already used it and don’t waste any of the product. The ice melt works in cold temperatures and has an easy-pour spout for even coverage. As a bonus, the mixture includes a time-release fertilizer, so the runoff will leave nutrients in the soil after the ice melts. However, the container isn't particularly big, so you may go through it rather quickly

An 8-pound jug of Blue Heat Snow and Ice Melt works in temperatures as low as negative 25 degrees Fahrenheit, which makes it stand out compared to many of its rivals, which don’t work in temperatures quite that low. The pellets are made of calcium, magnesium, and sodium, and work on contact to remove ice from driveways, pavement, and road surfaces. It will not harm vegetation or stain floors or carpets. It's also safe to use around children and animals. The formula also features a blue tint, so you can see where you distribute it and don't over-apply it. Another great thing about this product is that it's made in America. Overall, it's easy to handle and works very quickly. One complaint is that it performs just as well as other products but not necessarily any better than them.