Here are some of the best snow blowers on the market right now, as tested and reviewed by our editors.
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The Best Snow Blowers to Get You Through Winter
Updated Apr. 17, 2024
Winter days are short, and when it snows, most of us don’t want to spend what daylight we have clearing our driveways and sidewalks—one of the biggest reasons people shop for a snow blower. Newer snow blowers offer high-end features like push-button power steering that turns the machine around on a dime, heated handgrips that warm your fingers, airless tires that never go flat and push-button chute rotation.
“Buying a new piece of outdoor power equipment can feel overwhelming at times, and snow blowers are no exception,” says Ronit McGuthrie, vice president of Walk Behind Product Management at Stanley Black & Decker. “There are a lot of different types of machines and accessories to think about, but the top thing to remember is to pair a snow blower to the job at hand.”
Read on to find our expert-tested and reviewed best snow blower picks of the year.
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What to Consider When Buying a Snow Blower
What is the difference between a snow blower and a snow shovel?
Read More
Best Overall Snow Blower
EGO 24” XP Cordless Snow Blower
Pros:
- Sturdy construction
- Quiet
- No gas, oil or hard starts
- Long throwing distance
Cons:
- Expensive
- Overkill for some users
The EGO 24″ XP cordless snow blower is my new bestie for snow blowing. As a long-time fan of powerful, gasoline-powered snow blowers, I’ve been constantly amazed by the power produced by battery-powered machines—particularly snow blowers that require an enormous amount of power. The Ego delivers the kind of power found in a gasoline-powered snow blower.
This machine comes with a variety of batteries but two 56v, 10Ah are standard. A rapid charger gets you quickly to your task. Variable speed forward and reverse are accessed from the handle. Headlights on the deck and handle allow you to see what you’re doing and allow you to be seen.
To hear more, check out my full review of the EGO 24″ XP here.
Best Budget Snow Blower
Greenworks 40V 16” Cordless Snow Blower
Pros:
- Affordable
- Light
- Easy to maneuver
- Efficient
- Quiet
Cons:
- Small clearing path
- Controls are manual at the chute
The Greenworks 16″ cordless snow blower is one of the smallest and most affordable snow blowers available. It may be small but it packs a powerful punch. A 40v, 5Ah battery keeps this machine running for up to an hour at a time.
Clearing snow with this machine is easy as its narrow width combined with 40v power enables it to eat through snow—even the icy chunks. Some of the bells are whistles are missing from this machine, but that makes it incredibly lightweight and easy to carry up and down stairs to get to decks. This blower is a great option for those with smaller spaces, even with big snow.
Check out my full review of the Greenworks 16″ to learn more.
Best Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Ariens Deluxe Self-Propelled Gas Snow Blower
Pros:
- Powerful
- Easy to start
- Durable
- Wide clearing width
Cons:
- Large
- Overkill for some users
Having lived in the Colorado mountains for many years, I swear by my Ariens snow blowers. These blowers come with electric start for those frosty mornings. They are durable and come with long warranties. The knobby tires and variable speed self-propelling mechanisms allow you to maneuver the machine up and down the steep, unpaved slopes that are so common in mountain environments.
This Ariens Deluxe Gas Snow Blower has a whopping 28-inch clearing width and a powerful 254cc engine to move big snow. The skid shoes glide across gravel and dirt while the all-steel body is made to last a lifetime. Push button start and a long throwing distance allow you to efficiently snow blow, no matter the depth!
Best Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Toro Power Clear 721 Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Pros:
- No batteries to charge or exhaust
- Push button start
- Powerful
Cons:
- Requires oil and gasoline
- Heavier than a cordless machine
The Toro single-stage snow blower requires gasoline but with a push-button electric start and a 4-cycle engine, it might be just what you need. The powerful 212 cc engine delivers enough strength to clear heavy snow and won’t break the bank. Snow launches a whopping 35-40 feet, letting you be free and clear of it.
This single-stage blower is a smaller size than a two-stage blower, making it easier to move and store. It’s backed by the Toro brand, which regularly makes our list of top lawn mower brands. Since this blower weighs in at just 84 pounds, you can easily move up to 10 inches of snow with its self-propelled drive without breaking a sweat.
Best Corded Snow Shovel
Earthwise SN70016 Electric Corded Snow Shovel
Pros:
- No batteries to charge
- Maneuverable
- Lightweight
- Quiet
Cons:
- Small clearing path
- Requires extension cord
A snow shovel, versus a snow blower, might meet your needs if you mostly have paths, patios, decks and stairs to clear. The Earthwise Electric Corded Snow Shovel comes in both a 12-inch and 16-inch wide clearing path, each of which is capable of clearing up to eight inches of snow. These snow shovels are easy to carry up and down staircases and super easy to maneuver. Plus storage is greatly simplified due to their diminutive size.
This snow shovel is economical and perfect for busting out as soon as the snow starts to come down. Six-inch wheels and an extra handle for more control will help you clear the snow and be on your way to your next adventure.
To read more, check out our full review of the Earthwise Electric Corded Snow Shovel.
Best Cordless Snow Shovel
Greenworks 40V 12” Cordless Snow Shovel
Pros:
- Cordless
- Quiet
- Lightweight
- Maneuverable
Cons:
- Small clearing path
A cordless snow shovel frees you of the electrical outlet and lets you roam about with your shovel. Shovels excel on small properties, staircases, decks and paths. This compact snow shovel is lightweight, maneuverable and capable of going places no snow blower may ever see.
The Greenworks 40V cordless snow shovel has a folding handle for easy storage, cordless freedom, and, best of all, the same 40V battery with system can be used with over 75 other Greenworks tools. If you’ve bought into the Greenworks family, then this tool may be an obvious choice.
What to Consider When Buying a Snow Blower
Choosing the right snow blower can be a daunting task. You’ll see a huge selection of single-, two- and three-stage models in varying widths and with a dizzying array of features. According to McGuthrie, these are the most important things to look for:
- How much snowfall do you typically get? There are three types of snow blowers. The more stages, the more snow the machine can handle (when compared to a comparable model). Single-stage snow blowers are ideal for up to six inches of snowfall, two-stage snow blowers are great for up to 12 inches of snowfall and three-stage snow blowers can handle up to 18 inches of snowfall.
- What type of terrain are you clearing snow from? Key step-up features found in two-stage snow blowers are ideal when tackling gravel surfaces or cracked pavement, even if you’re only clearing a small or mid-sized area. Consider a model with power steering or a track drive when tackling rough surfaces, and an auger-assisted or push-propelled machine if you’re clearing a solid, even paved surface.
- What do you need from your snow blower? Once you’ve determined your basic snow-clearing needs, think about your needs as the operator to help identify any features or accessories that would be beneficial. Power steering and electric start are helpful features designed to make clearing snow easier by reducing the strain on your body with reliable starting and easy handling. Headlights are great for low-visibility conditions and heated hand grips help keep your hands warm during the cold months.
Why You Should Trust Us
I’ve been clearing snow around my home in the mountains for over 20 years. Plus, running a landscaping business for many years has landed me plenty of snow removal jobs. I’ve used a multitude of powered snow shovels, cordless blowers and corded blowers, plus and many brands of gasoline-powered single and two-stage blowers. They all get the job done and are suitable to tackle many tasks. For this article, I enlisted the help of the entire team at Family Handyman who have actively been reviewing and testing snow blowers over the winter. I also consulted with professional snow removal expert, Dale Sorter of Boulder, Colorado for his thoughts on homeowner’s needs.
How We Found the Best Snow Blowers
The team here at Family Handyman consulted with snow experts and tested many of the blowers in various snowy conditions on a multitude of surfaces. Using our custom testing guidelines, we looked for features in snow blowers that had proven successful in our tests such as battery voltage, warranty, throwing distance and more.
We had our list in hand and selected models that operated on gasoline, battery and electric power. We selected single-stage and two-stage blowers, and snow shovels to ensure that there would be a snow blower or shovel suitable for anyone in this best of round-up.
FAQ
What is the difference between a snow blower and a snow shovel?
Snow blowers and snow shovels are designed to accomplish the same task: Remove snow. They both use an auger to impel the snow and then throw the snow to a new location. So what’s the difference?
A snow shovel is more compact and can easily be moved around cars and patio furniture. They typically have one handle and two wheels that you push through the snow which is thrown in a forward direction. They can handle moderate snow depths, typically about 8-inch maximum. These shovels are less expensive, can be electric-powered and are easy to store.
A snow blower on the other hand typically has two handles and is capable of clearing deeper snow and wider paths. A number of bells and whistles may be added to a snow blower such as heated grips, multiple headlights and self-propulsion. The snow usually comes out of a chute, which is used to adjust the throwing height and angle. You can clear snow more quickly with a blower but it will also require more prep work. The price is usually a little steeper as well.
What is the difference between an electric snow blower and a cordless snow blower?
You might be asking yourself, “Isn’t a cordless snow blower running off electricity?” You would not be wrong. The distinction in these tests and reviews is that an electric snow blower or snow shovel is required to be plugged into an electrical outlet. There are no batteries or “stored power” for the machine.
A cordless snow blower typically runs off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The batteries range in voltage (power) and run times (amp hours or Ah). The bigger the blower, usually the higher the voltage, with most single-stage snow blowers coming in at around 40v. You charge the battery in a charger, place it into your machine and you’re off to clearing snow without having to be near an outlet.
What factors should I consider when selecting a snow blower?
Consumers should consider the same factors we had when testing snow blowers when picking the best snow blower for them. How big are the areas in which you need to clear snow? For example, an apartment dweller may opt for a snow shovel whereas someone with a two-car wide driveway may want a wider, single-stage snow blower.
How much snowfall do you need to clear each winter? Residents who are accustomed to consistent, heavy snowfall may choose to get a high-powered machine with a wide clearing path. Headlights and a long battery run-time may be sought after.
Those who have steep terrain to plow or lots of gravel, are going to lean toward a self-propelled, two-stage snow blower. Knobby tires are almost a must. Heated grips can help make a challenging chore like clearing snow a more pleasurable experience.
Do I need a snow blower?
It’s never too late to consider adding a snow blower or snow shovel to your snow removal tool collection. There’s a blower for any and all types of jobs—big snow, frequent or infrequent snow, large and small areas. We hope this review helps you find a snow blower that is ideal for your needs. Next, check out our picks for the best hand-powered snow removal tools for a power-free snow removal.
Mary Henn, shopping editor, contributed to this piece.
Originally Published: April 16, 2024
