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While a snow shovel or a handful of salt may remove the remnants of winter weather in some parts of the country, homeowners in less temperate areas may require a more heavy-duty tool, like a snow blower, to plow through thick snowfall. While purchasing a snow blower is an investment, the tool’s ability to save you time and effort pays off when winter’s inclement weather arrives.
David Angelov, founder of Plant Parenthood, says that a snow blower is an important part of any home winterization strategy if you expect large snowfall.
“Having a plan…is more important than the size of your machine,” he explained. “[Planning] for the inconsistencies and the human errors is wise with emergencies like snow removal.”
Because selecting the right snow blower can be challenging, the This Old House Reviews Team researched the best snow blowers to help you find a quality and effective tool to combat winter weather. Here are our top recommendations.
Top 5 Snow Blowers
- Best Overall: EGO Power+ 56-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
- Best Corded Electric: Snow Joe 40-Volt Electric Snow Blower
- Best Gas-Powered: PowerSmart 2-Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower
- Best Cordless: Snow Joe 48-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
- Best Compact Design: Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Snow Shovel
Compare Top Snow Blowers
| Product | Power Source | Clearing Width | Clearing Depth | Max Throw | Weight | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ 56-Volt Cordless Snow Blower | Battery | 21 inches | 8 inches | 40 feet | 50.6 pounds | |
| Snow Joe 40-Volt Electric Snow Blower | Power Cord | 22 inches | 13 inches | 25 feet | 34.8 pounds | |
| PowerSmart 2-Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower | Gas | 24 inches | 12 inches | 40 feet | 143 pounds | |
| Snow Joe 48-Volt Cordless Snow Blower | Battery | 18 inches | 10 inches | 20 feet | 39 pounds | |
| Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Snow Shovel | Battery | 16 inches | 8 inches | 32 feet | 19 pounds | |
| Product | Power Source | Clearing Width | Clearing Depth | Max Throw | Weight |
Best Overall
EGO Power+ 56-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
- $749
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features weatherproof steel composite construction
✔ Offers variable-speed auger control
✔ Capable of clearing space for 12 cars on a single charge
✘ Lithium-ion batteries require regular charging
✘ Model is more expensive than many alternatives
What Customers Are Saying
Customers indicated that setup was extremely easy, were impressed by the auger’s ability to carve through deep, wet snow, and like the battery-level indicator. Some buyers were critical of the SNT2112’s throwing distance, which one user claimed was under 15 feet.
Best Corded Electric
Snow Joe 40-Volt Electric Snow Blower
- $207.32
- $249
- 17% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features light weight construction
✔ Capable of clearing 21-inch paths
✔ Includes a LED headlight for nighttime jobs
✘ Power cord limits the blower’s range
✘ Single-stage design is less powerful than two-stage options
What Customers Are Saying
Many positive reviews raved about the machine’s light frame, which one customer explained was easy to push despite the snow blower’s lack of self-propelled wheels. Additional positive reviews applauded the snow blower’s affordable price. Negative reviews centered around the product’s lack of power, with one reviewer stating that it was inefficient at removing snow accumulation above one foot.
Best Gas-Powered
PowerSmart 2-Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower
- $549.99
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Capable of handling snow up to 20 inches deep
✔ Includes adjustable shoes for various terrains
✔ Features self-propelling wheels
✘ Gas-powered motor produces exhaust
✘ Weighs a heavy 160 pounds
What Customers Are Saying
Many positive reviews centered around the product’s affordability and how simple it was to set up. Other positive reviews complimented the snow blower’s simple electric start option. This product has just two one-star reviews, with one reviewer receiving a damaged product and the other claiming the snow blower didn’t work properly.
Best Cordless
Snow Joe 48-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
- $312.59
- $399
- 22% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Features a cordless design for greater mobility
✔ Includes headlights for nighttime snow removal
✔ Offers an adjustable-angle snow chute
✘ Compact design limits the blower’s clearing power
✘ Battery life is weaker than some competitor models
What Customers Are Saying
Many customers stated that they were impressed with the power provided by this affordable, single-stage model. Other positive reviews expressed the product’s usefulness in tackling small jobs outside the home, like clearing pathways for cars and removing snow from porches. Negative reviews centered around the snow blower’s weak battery life and inability to tackle large snow accumulation.
Best Compact Design
Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Snow Shovel
- $353.49
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Pros and Cons
✔ Battery lasts more than 1 hour per charge
✔ Compact, light construction is easy to maneuver
✔ Features an adjustable-angle snow chute
✘ Safety feature requires operators to hold the trigger and safety button simultaneously
✘ Location of the handle may be too low for some users
What Customers Are Saying
Customers were impressed with the snow blower’s ability to clear deep, iced-over snow. They also liked the fast-charging battery and how long the unit ran on a single charge. Critical reviews indicated that the handle was too low to be comfortable and felt that the safety button was too sensitive.
Buying Guide for Snow Blowers
In this buying guide, we intend to help you select the right snow blower by explaining how each product’s motor type, speed control, additional features, equipped wheels or tracks, and clearing width and depth impact the user experience.
Power Source
Snow blowers use electric- or gas-powered motors. While single- and two-stage snow blowers can be powered by either of the two, three-stage snow blowers need to be generated by gasoline to complete heavy-duty projects.
Per Kvarby, Vice President of commercial product development at Greenworks, said that electric and battery-powered snow blowers are typically easier to maintain.
“They require little to no maintenance, ensuring long-term reliability with minimal effort,” he said. “These features make electric snow blowers an excellent choice for homeowners seeking an easy-to-use, eco-friendly, and neighbor-friendly snow removal solution.”
Electric snow blowers come in two types: battery-powered and corded. Battery-powered snow blowers are usually single-stage models that are easier to control than their gas-powered counterparts. The downsides are that battery-powered snow blowers have a short runtime before they need to be charged and provide less power than gas- or electric-powered blowers. Angelov recommends charging any batteries indoors.
“Even if you have a plug outside, I would [charge them] at a stable room temperature,” he said.
Angelov explained this is because the charger will try to warm up the battery and charge it simultaneously if it’s outside, which isn’t ideal. He also said charging outside risks water and other hazards getting inside the chargers.
Corded snow blowers offer powerful snow removal without the extensive maintenance seen in gas-powered models. Corded snow blowers offer similar benefits to battery-powered models, though they’re usually more powerful, have longer runtimes, and are available in single- or two-stage models.
Gas-powered snow blowers are designed for heavy-duty snow removal and come in single-, two-, or three-stage models. Their engines are typically more powerful, and the use of gasoline removes the need for charging batteries or dealing with extension cords. Although more powerful than battery-powered or corded snow blowers, gas-powered snow blowers require regular engine maintenance, give off fumes, are considerably louder, and can be more difficult to control due to their size.
If you own a gas-powered blower, Angelov said it is best to make sure there are no loose components or any missing springs. He also advises ensuring all lights on the model work and the oil is completely drained before refilling it.
“You want to check your carburetor is not filled with water. Make sure your tires are inflated and the scraper blade has enough depth to it where it’s scraping enough material off of your driveway,” Angelov said.
Speed Control
Variable speed control is a feature that’s usually reserved for two- or three-stage snow blowers. While single-stage snow blowers use their equipped auger to grip the ground and propel the machine forward, two- or three-stage models use a self-propelled system that allows you to adjust its forward and reverse speeds.
Tracks vs. Wheels
Snow blowers are propelled through the snow using either wheels or tank-like tracks. Track-driven snow blowers are useful when removing dense snow in rough terrains. While tracks are better suited for heavy-duty projects, wheel-driven blowers are usually more affordable, easier to control, and faster.
Clearing Width and Clearing Depth
A snow blower’s cutting width refers to how much snow the machine can collect in one pass. Its cutting depth refers to how far down it can reach to remove and discharge snow.
If you’re using a snow blower for a large driveway or yard, select a snow blower with a large cutting width, which will shorten the number of passes required to clear the area. If you live in an area that sees large accumulations of snow, purchase a snow blower that has a large cutting depth to scoop through the entire height of fallen snow.
Kvarby told us it’s best to choose minimum clearing depth and width based on property size and snow conditions. Here are his recommendations:
- In small properties for pathways, decks, or light snow, a single-stage snow shovel with a 12″ clearing width and 6″ depth is adequate.
- For larger urban properties in light to moderate snow conditions, a single-stage unit with an 18-20″ width and a 6-8″ depth works well.
- Mid-size suburban properties with moderate snow conditions may require a single-stage blower with a 22″ clearing width and 8-10″ depth to handle larger areas efficiently.
- Large suburban and rural properties with significant snow accumulation, a clearing width of 24″ or more is recommended to ensure quicker, more effective snow removal.
“Choosing the right size ensures the snow blower can handle snowfall efficiently while being practical for the property’s size and layout,” he said.
Additional Features
While all snow blowers contain an auger that churns and collects snow to be discharged, some models offer additional features that make the work of clearing an icy driveway or sidewalk simpler.
Some additional features include a rotating fan chute to change the direction of the discharged snow, heated handle grips to protect your hands from the elements, and electric start capabilities to help gas-powered engines run during extreme temperatures.
Types of Snow Blowers
When selecting a snow blower, there are three general types popular models to choose from: single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage.
Single-stage
With a single-stage snow blower, the auger rests flush on a surface and uses its rubber paddles or metal blades to suck snow from the surface and blow it out of the chute. Because the rotating auger touches the surface while it works, single-stage blowers are not recommended for uneven terrain.
Single-stage blowers are usually smaller than their two- and three-stage counterparts and are recommended for medium-sized jobs like clearing a sidewalk or a large driveway. Single-stage blowers typically have the smallest clearing width and depth.
Two-stage
Two-stage snow blowers couple a powerful auger with a separate fan for discharging snow. Since a two-stage snow blower doesn’t rely on its auger for both snow removal and discharge, they throw the snow at a greater distance than one-stage snow blowers. Two-stage snow blowers are often equipped with powered wheels to help you power through thick accumulation.
Three-stage
Three-stage snow blowers are similar to two-stage models in that they use both an auger and an additional fan to scrape and discharge snow. However, three-stage models are equipped with an additional auger system that works to break down clumps of snow and shards of ice.
Three-stage snow blowers have the largest clearing width and depth, which makes them suitable for homeowners who need to clear a large area covered in multiple feet of snow. Like two-stage snow blowers, three-stage models can be used on uneven terrain since their auger doesn’t sit flush against the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are snow blowers dangerous?
Snow blowers work by churning snow and discharging it through a chute. This process can send shards of ice and other collected projectiles into the air. Before clearing a driveway or walkway, be cognizant of any debris on the ground to ensure you aren’t running over large rocks or items that can damage property or other people. Additionally, it’s important that you conduct regular snow blower maintenance and keep up with oil changes and belt inspections.
What’s the difference between a single-stage and two-stage snow blower?
A single-stage blower uses its included auger to clear snow and discharge it through its chute. As a result, single-stage snow blowers are typically less powerful than two-stage models, which use an auger for snow removal and a fan to discharge snow. Additionally, two-stage models often come with more advanced features like self-propelled wheels.
When is the best time of the year to buy a snow blower?
The best time to buy a snow blower is in late summer or early fall. At this time, suppliers will be gearing up for the winter, which will allow you to have a full selection of snow blowers at a reasonable price.
What’s the difference between a snow thrower and snow blower?
A snow thrower, also referred to as a single-stage snow blower, uses a rotating auger to pick up and throw snow. A snow blower uses two parts, an auger, and a fan, to pick up and discharge snow at a greater distance.
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