The 9 Best Ice Melts of 2024

If you live in an area that is particularly prone to bad weather during the winter months, you'll want to explore our list of the best ice melts. Using ice melt products can help keep your sidewalks, parking lots, roads, and other potentially slippery areas safe and free of ice and snow. Our team at Ninja De-Icer has outlined some of the top ice melt products for you to consider this winter and beyond.

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1. CryoMelt Treated Salt: Best for Commercial De-icing

If you’re in need of roadway ice control, consider CryoMelt Treated Salt as it is one of the best products for ice melt on the market. Particularly, this is the best ice melt for commercial de-icing purposes because it is available in such a large volume and it can easily combat snow and ice. If you need to find an affordable ice melt that doesn't scatter on snow and ice in commercial applications, this is the best option for you. This product reduces bounce and scatter by delivering salt to where it needs to be, coming in a dark amber liquid that's easy to control. It combines sodium chloride with a proprietary blend of chemicals to further increase the effectiveness of the product. The chemical composition is made from both organic liquid and sodium chloride which can easily melt ice.

This allows for an increased level of safety. It is especially effective if you need an easy and controlled application and it is more cost-effective than buying individual bags of salt. It comes in 2,000-pound super sacks that are ideal for mid-scale industrial and commercial de-icing, a much more affordable option than buying bags and bags of ice melt pellets. However, if you need additional products, you can also purchase them in larger volumes of up to 200,000 tons. Once you see how effective this product is at melting ice, you will want to purchase it time and time again.

2. Better Brine with 15% AMP: Best for Roads

Another incredible ice melt product is Better Brine with 15% AMP. Better Brine uses a unique proprietary ice melt formula that helps it bond to surfaces and it is considered to be a high-performance solution. In fact, it is 75% more effective than using salt brine alone. If you're part of a company that provides snow and ice removal and need an effective ice melt, this product is incredibly effective and cost-efficient. The liquid composition of AMP deters the bonding of the hard ice crystals and softens the ice, melting snow in the process. This allows for increased traction on the road which is why it is so effective when used on concrete surfaces.

While other ice melt products could dry up and blow away, this product has strong sticking power on the road even when you apply a thin layer. This means that unlike traditional rock salt or calcium chloride ice melt, you won't have to apply the ice melt repeatedly to achieve outstanding results. This can help you reduce costs by anywhere from 10-30% and further preserves your equipment as corrosion costs are minimal.

It doesn’t give off any odor or have any sort of tank cleanup. Even at colder temperatures that reach -11 degrees Fahrenheit, it is highly effective and helps to protect your tank from corroding. It can be ordered by the tote or the truckload depending on the volume of liquid ice melt that you need to order.

3. IceAway Rock Salt Ice Melter: Best Natural Option

This is a professional-grade performance rock salt ice melter that's 100% natural. It's made from natural salt and it has optimally sized rock salt crystals that help to improve its melting and spreading power. Because it has a completely natural formula, it can be used across settings and industries. Many people and businesses gravitate toward this product because it is known to be more environmentally friendly compared with other options on the market.

It melts ice in temperatures as low as 5º Fahrenheit or -15º Celsius. You can purchase a 25-pound bag for $42.25, however, it is also available in 50-pound bags. This is a popular option with roles such as contractors, landscapers, or distributors and immediately starts working on ice and snow.

4. Safe Step Mag Chloride 8300: Best for Speed

If your business is looking for the best ice-melt salt that will act quickly when applied, consider Safe Step Mag Chloride 8300. This product is made from 100% magnesium chloride hexahydrate which allows it to work incredibly fast in cold climates. It has a unique hygroscopic action that attracts moisture quickly and begins to work on the spot. It's capable of melting ice in temperatures as low as -15º Fahrenheit or -26º Celsius. Not only is it incredibly effective when used in these low temperatures, but it has the added bonus of being gentle on both lawns and concrete surfaces. Your business can use this product with confidence knowing that it won't cause erosion or long-term property damage.

It's available in both 8-pound jugs and 50-pound bags and it is considered to be a safer alternative when compared with calcium chloride products. The US EPA has also noted that this is a "Safer Choice". At the time of purchase, the 50-pound bag is available for $36.99.

5. Pro Slicer Ice Melt: Best Pre-Wet Deicer

This is one of the best liquid ice melt products to use as a pre-treatment but it can also be used during and after inclement weather hits. Pro Slicer works by encapsulating each crystal and has a prewetting technology. It uses a blend of fine and coarse crystal ice melt and it is known to have long-lasting staying power. It's capable of melting ice and snow in temperature drops up to -20º Fahrenheit and when it's used as a pre-wetting product, there are even fewer materials and applications that are required for it to become effective.

Many businesses like to use this product in sub-freezing conditions as it still flows freely. It also has a purple color that's easy to see where it's already been applied. As an added bonus, Pro Slicer is safe to use on sidewalks, metal, plants, and pets, and if you get it on your skin, it won't cause any damage.

6. Ice Patrol Ice Melt: Best for Creating Traction

Snow melts quickly with Ice Patrol Ice Melt. This product is 100% sodium chloride and it lowers the freezing point of water down to -25º Fahrenheit and lowers the risk of continuous freezing in the same spot. One unique aspect of this product that business owners love is that it uses different-sized crystals; smaller crystals work to begin working directly on contact while the larger crystals help to create traction to ensure safety on the property. At the time of publishing, this product costs $11.99 for a 50-pound bag.

Another bonus of Ice Patrol Ice Melt is that it comes dehydrated so it won't clump and the granules are screened to make sure that gravel doesn't mix in with the product. In addition, it has an environmentally friendly formula, making it safe to use around the plants and vegetation on your property. Its formula is also ideal to use on concrete so you don't need to worry about long-term property damage. Even if you don't wear protective clothing while handling this product, know that you will remain safe.

7. Diamond Crystal Winter Melt Ice Melt Salt: Most Product Variety

Diamond Crystal Winter Melt is effective in temperatures of 5 degrees Fahrenheit (or -15º Celsius) or higher. It's made from pure salt so it's seen by many business owners as a natural yet cost-effective way to keep sidewalks, driveways, and walkways on the property safe. Depending on how intense the weather is, you can choose the product in the size that works best for you as it comes in 10, 25, and 50-pound bags. The mixture itself uses a unique blend of small and large crystals that work in combination to help quickly melt ice and it continues to be effective long after it's been applied. At the time of publishing, this product is $19.99 for a 25-pound bag.

Ideally, you'll be able to remove slush and any loose snow before applying Diamond Crystal, and it's recommended to apply anywhere from half to a full cup of product per square yard. Although this is a natural product, we still recommend removing any product that spills onto the concrete to prevent damage.

8. Midwest Salt Bulk Rock Salt: Best for Bulk Purchases

If you're looking to purchase ice melt pellets in bulk, Midwest Salt Bulk Rock Salt is the ideal option for you. Whether you need one truckload each season or over 500 truckloads, this is the best snow salt for you. It's made from sodium chloride, liquid magnesium, and calcium chloride. The product will arrive via end-dump trailers, barges, railcars, conveyors, hopper bottoms, and more. If you're located anywhere in Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, or Wisconsin, you can take advantage of these services. Each package is sold by the ton and the product doesn't contain any dye coloring. It's suitable to use in temperatures as low as 5º Fahrenheit and it can be used on commercial parking lots, highways, roads, or anywhere else that might require large quantities of deicing.

9. Green Gobbler Pet-Safe Ice Melt: Better Choice Around Pets and Plants

If you're looking for a safe paw ice melt that won't irritate the paw pads of your furry family members in temperatures as low as -5 degrees Fahrenheit, consider Green Gobbler Pet-Safe Ice Melt. There are many ice melt options made from rock salt, calcium chloride, and magnesium chloride that effectively melts ice, but they can cause skin irritation if you have pets that go outside.

However, this particular mixture of magnesium chloride helps to prevent refreeze and is even better suited to concrete. This product is considered to be a quick-acting ice melt with a short melting time compared with conventional rock salt. Because it is made from safer ingredients, you can use it when the temperature drops and you want to keep both your pets and your vegetation safe.

Unlike a pure calcium chloride formula, this mixture melts snow in a less extreme way. This means that to effectively combat ice buildup and snow buildup on your property, you'll need to use a larger quantity to achieve the same exothermic heat reaction in the extreme cold. In other words, to effectively melt snow, you'll need to use greater quantities in order for this product to work. In this situation, you can use ice melt spreaders such as a hand seeder to evenly distribute the product. Keep in mind that this product has a fine grain that could clog your spreading tools, however, it is easy to clean up.

10. Road Runner Premium Blend Ice Melt: Best Budget

Not everyone might have the budget to spend a lot of money on products like rock salt and calcium magnesium acetate when shopping for ice melt. Road Runner Premium Blend Ice Melt is a great option for those who are looking to melt ice and snow in the most cost-effective way possible. It is made from ingredients such as calcium chloride and magnesium chloride to act quickly in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit.

This product can melt ice quickly and it shouldn't cause any harm to your plants as long as you use it in reasonable amounts during freezing temperatures. However, keep in mind that although ice melters like these are effective as snow melt products, ingredients like calcium chloride can be more harmful to your pets when compared with magnesium chloride ice melt. Ideally, you'll keep your furry friends away from this product until the ice melt works and you're able to shovel it or remove it once the snow falls.

Another reason this is a solid ice melt product is that you can spread it using your hand or with a spreader. It comes in a 20-pound bag, but it isn't resealable. We recommend that you store it in a sealed bucket while it isn't in use.

11. Snow Joe Blended Ice Melter: Easiest to See

Another product you can consider is Snow Joe Blended Ice Melter. One interesting thing about how this product works is that it has color-coated crystals. This means that it's easier to see where the product has already been spread which helps to reduce targeting the same areas more than once. Seeing the color outside is especially helpful and the calcium magnesium acetate won't cause any stains or damage to your indoor carpeting and other flooring. Another main benefit to this product is the fact that it comes in a resealable bag in a range of sizes and it has an anti-corrosion formula that makes it safe to use on concrete surfaces in addition to targeting the ice and snow.

If there's a risk of snow and ice developing over a longer period of time, this product has an ongoing exothermic reaction that helps prevent ice from forming in the future. Simply spread it on areas such as your concrete driveway during the extreme cold weather and watch the product work. On the downside, it comes in a limited quantity compared to other similar products on the market and it could require more than one use for proper protection in lower temperatures.

12. National Blue Ice Melt: Best for Concrete

If ice forms on large areas of your property during the harsh winter weather and you need to find a product that can cover a large area with minimal damage, consider National Blue Ice Melt. This variety is made mainly from calcium chloride; this doesn't melt the ice but helps to break the chemical bond between the ice and concrete surface (which is often colder than the air). One thing to keep in mind about any ice melt made with calcium chloride is that it isn't the safest to use around pets and plants and it could cause damage compared with magnesium chloride products. The fact that this product also contains sodium chloride means it can further irritate your pets' paws and cause skin irritation on the paw pads.

When shopping for this product, you'll see that it comes in 20 or 50-pound buckets. These can be difficult to move around but they are ideal if you need to purchase ice melt in bulk. It has a blue color that's used during the melting process to show you where the product has been applied. This helps to reduce the overuse of the product in cold climates and extremely low temperatures. In addition, the dye is water-soluble so it won't cause any stains.

13. Bare Ground Liquid Deicer: Best for Asphalt

There are many liquid de-icers on the market to consider as well. One example of liquid ice melt is Bare Ground Liquid Deicer. This product is effective for keeping snow and ice from sticking to driveways and other asphalt surfaces for as long as 10 days according to the manufacturer. It generates exothermic heat and prevents the bond from forming. In fact, when applied before the bad weather hits, this product can also prevent up to 2 inches of snow from accumulating on the surface. It is an effective ice melt in temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

Although this product comes with a resealable pour nozzle, you will also need to purchase a dedicated sprayer for the product for application. Even though you can use a standard sprayer such as a hose, we recommend using something separate so you don't cause any damage to your plants. This is a biodegradable product but we don't recommend spraying it directly onto your plants.

14. Redmond All-Natural Granular Ice Slicer: Best for Parking Lots

Redmond All-Natural Granular Ice Slicer is one of our top picks for parking lots. It uses dye-free, urea-free, and polymer-free chloride salts and earth minerals to combat snow and ice. It is a budget-friendly option that comes in a 10-pound bag that is capable of treating 400 square feet. Its all-natural blend makes it one of the best ice melt products for vegetation, waterways, children, and pets. You can apply it with a household cup, your hand, or with a shovel.

Its unique blend works quickly to melt snow and ice up to three times faster than other similar products. Even though it is deemed safe to use for households, the over-application of it can result in red smears and spots on the driveway. There are also some complaints about the packaging not being sturdy enough to hold the product.

15. Pellets of Fire Snow and Ice Melter: Best for Driveways

If the temperature gets consistently frigid where you live, consider Pellets of Fire Snow and Ice Melter. It is made from calcium chloride and works in temperatures as low as -15 degrees Fahrenheit, immediately melting the ice on contact. This is the best product for overnight use and can help lessen your work in the morning when you apply it in the evening.

It comes in various sizes up to a 50-pound bucket. Its pellet form is ideal for spreaders and creates a layer of traction for cars and foot traffic. On the downside, it has a heavy package that can be difficult to carry around during application.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Ice Melt

So, what is the best ice melt? From environmentally friendly to pet friendly to the form of the product itself, there are many factors when it comes to choosing the best ice melter for your needs. We've outlined some of them to consider below.

1. Liquid vs. Solid

Liquid ice melt stays in place for long periods and produces long-lasting results (as long as there isn't rain). However, it can be more expensive compared to solid ice melting products. Solid pellets are also ideal for treating larger surface areas such as parking lots or large driveways. It has its downsides, however; it can take longer to start working and it easily scatters with foot or vehicle traffic.

2. Surface

Some products are better suited for certain surfaces. For example, concrete surfaces should be treated with anti-corrosive products. Make sure to read the product's description to learn more about the intended surface.

3. Temperature

Not all ice melt brands and products work effectively in the same temperatures. If you live in a cold area, it's essential to find a product that will work regardless of the temperature. Some products work at -50º Fahrenheit or lower while others won't be effective when the temperature drops to 0.

4. Melting Time

If you need a fast-acting product, consider the best type of ice melt for speed. For example, liquid products usually work faster than granule ones which can take up to 30 minutes to start working.

5. Pet Safety

Ice melts work using different ingredients such as potassium chloride, magnesium chloride, rock salt, sodium chloride, etc. Make sure you know what ingredients will cause damage to your pets if they walk on it as you don't want to cause irritation.

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Tips for Using Ice Melt

Now that you have a better understanding of the best ice melts and how ice melt works, let's go over some helpful tips that can make these products that much more effective.

• Even if a product says it is safe for particular surfaces or plants, it's still recommended to remove any additional product once you've finished the application. This can help reduce damage to your surfaces, plants, and pets.
• Apply the product in layers to help it be as effective as possible. For example, you'll ideally add a thin layer during inclement weather and immediately after the weather event is done to achieve the best results.
• Ice melt products are the most effective when they're used on surfaces already cleared of snow. This helps the product attack the ice rather than having to combat the snow at the top.

Why Trust Ninja De-Icer Reviews?

At Ninja Deicer, we pride ourselves on offering some of the top-tier ice melt products that are available on the market. We have been selling salt for 15 years and have successfully served over 10,000 locations! We have over 5,000 happy customers to our name and our customer satisfaction rating is 97%. If you're in need of guidance on the right product to purchase or you are interested in ordering a bulk order from our team, we are here to assist you every step of the way. With a deep understanding of this industry and what products are suited for different goals, we will work with you to make sure the extreme winter weather is no longer a source of worry for you.

Opt for the Best Ice Melt at Ninja De-Icer Today!

We have factored in many different selling points when putting together our comprehensive list of the best ice melts of 2024. From the active ingredients to the minimum effective temperature to the melt-inducing properties, we are confident in our above list!

If you're interested in learning more about Ninja De-Icer or want to get a quote about the ice melt products that we offer, we encourage you to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable team today!