Snow Joe Salt Spreader Handheld - Ice Melt Spreader with 5 lb Capacity, Adjustable Dial Flow Control for Grass Seed, Fertilizer & More, SJSPD1

Why it's worth it

This is a hand-carried hopper with a dial on the bottom that switches between a coarse and a fine opening, plus a lid that doubles as a scoop. It holds 5 pounds of ice melt, which is enough for a front walk, a landing and the path out to the mailbox.

Picture the storm you actually get most often. Two inches overnight, a walk that's forty feet long, and you want to be back inside in five minutes. You don't need a machine for that. You need something you can fill straight from the bucket, carry out, and shake along the concrete without thinking about settings. This does that, and it stores on a shelf.

The dial is the reason to pick this over a coffee can. Coarse for rock salt, fine for pellets and seed, closed for carrying it back inside without leaving a trail behind you. Family Handyman found that adjustable rate dials cut wasted product on push spreaders, and the same logic holds in your hand. Over-application on a sidewalk isn't just wasteful. It's what burns the grass edge and pits the concrete.

From our review of 7 sidewalk salt spreaders

What we like

• +Picture the storm you actually get most often
• +The dial is the reason to pick this over a coffee can
• +The twist-lock lid is the small design win

What to know

• –Five pounds is five pounds