The 6 Best Snow Blowers of 2024
Updated: Feb. 01, 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. Here are some of the best snow blowers on the market right now.
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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, 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.”
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.
If you’re ready to add to your collection of snow removal tools, here’s our guide to a variety of the best snow blowers out there.
The Best Snow Blowers of 2024
- Best Overall Snow Blower: Toro SnowMaster Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower
- Best Corded Snow Shovel: Earthwise Corded Electric Snow Shovel
- Best Corded Snow Blower: Greenworks Corded Snow Blower
- Best Single Stage Snow Thrower:Â Toro Power Clear Self-Propelled Gas Snow Blower
- Best Battery-Powered Snow Blower:Â Ego Cordless Electric Snow Blower
- Best Two-Stage Snow Blower: Toro PowerMax 824
Best Overall Snow Blower
Toro SnowMaster Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower
The SnowMaster 724 is one of the more recent evolutions of Toro’s ever-evolving auger designs. The helical auger spins ten times faster than their other single-stage blowers and its shape quickly moves snow up and out of the chute.
Another design innovation is Toro’s pace system, which reacts to hand pressure on the handlebar. Push hard, and the drive train moves you along faster. Back off, and it’ll slow down for you. This innovation helps prevent injury and mistakes during snow removal.
The 212cc engine clears a 24-in.-wide lane up to 16 in. deep, and at 131 lbs., there’s no need for power steering, as with larger two-stage blowers. Control the chute with a joystick that quickly adjusts both angle and height.
If you have a large driveway and don’t want to waste too much precious free time clearing it, this is the machine to get.
Pros:
- High-quality construction
- Smooth motion
- Electric start
- Self-propelled
- Automatic steering
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Corded Snow Shovel
Earthwise Corded Electric Snow Shovel
The Earthwise Corded Electric Snow Shovel claims it can move 430 lbs. in a minute. Regardless of whether or not it lives up to its claim, this electric shovel definitely moves a lot more snow in 60 seconds than you and your uncorded shovel ever could.
It has a similar feel to a classic shovel but operates more like a mini snow blower of sorts. Plug it in and the 12-amp motor cuts a 16-in.-wide swath through about 8 in. of snow. The compact, light design is perfect for sidewalks, walkways, steps, decks and other small snow-removal jobs.
Pros:
- Affordable
- Lightweight and compact
- 12-amp motor
Cons:
- Not suited for large properties
Best Corded Snow Blower
Greenworks Corded Snow Blower
Even though cordless is all the rage these days, you still can’t beat the price point of a plug-in electric snow blower. This Greenworks Corded Snow Blower has a 13-amp motor that will clear a 20-in. path up to 10-in. deep. The easy-to-reach chute rotates a full 180 degrees to throw the snow where you want it, up to 25 ft. away, and the folding handles easily collapse for storage.
The best part is there’s no gas, no batteries and hardly any upkeep. Just plug it in, press a button and go. This one is an ideal choice for a city dweller.
Pros:
- More affordable than many cordless models
- Lightweight and compact
- 13-amp motor
- Easy plug-in and go start
Cons:
- Not suited for large properties
Best Single Stage Snow Thrower
Toro Power Single Stage Gas Snow Thrower
The Toro Power Clear Self-Propelled Gas Snow Blower is an ideal pick for a small-to-medium driveway or walkway—one of the most proven and popular single-stage blowers out there. It has a 21-in. width and an intake height of 12.5 in. Despite its smaller size (only 87 lbs.), this machine packs a punch with its 221cc 4-cycle motor and can handle that heavy plow snow left at the end of your driveway.
The auger system leaves a clean surface and is designed to self-propel the machine, allowing you to simply guide it in its path. The chute is no frills, so you do have to stop to redirect trajectory and radius, but the operation is smooth and requires little effort.
Pros:
- Lightweight and efficient
- 2-year warranty
- Easy, electric start
Cons:
- Not suited for large properties
Best Battery-Powered Snow Blower
Ego Single-Stage Cordless Electric Snow Blower
With two 56-volt lithium-ion batteries driving its brushless motor, the Ego Cordless Electric Snow Blower gives you the same performance as gas without fumes, noise and maintenance.
This blower has a steel chassis with a 21-in.-wide intake, a chute that swings a full 180 degrees from a handle-mounted adjustment lever and two bright LED lights to help at night. The package comes with two 5.0 Ah batteries and a charger that has you running in 40 minutes. The batteries and charger are compatible with all other Ego cordless power tools, so it’s a great base purchase if you want the full Ego boost.
Pros:
- Cordless and easy to maneuver
- Throws snow up to 40 feet
- Clears a 12-car driveway with 8 inches of snow
Cons:
- Expensive
Need more cordless snow blower options? Check out our Snow Joe review review to see if it’s the right fit for you. If you’re looking for electric snow blower options, we’ve got you covered for those, too.
Best Two-Stage Snow Blower
Toro PowerMax Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Another high-end snow blower from Toro, the PowerMax 824, is a great option for larger driveways and walkways. With this 4-cycle OHV engine leading the charge, you’ll muscle through the toughest snow and ice in no time. This snow blower has a 24-in.-wide clearing width and 20-in. intake height that makes quick work of deep snow. Convenient one-hand operation levers allow single-handed use, freeing the other hand to change speeds or the chute control without stopping.
This snow blower is ideal for concrete, asphalt and gravel surfaces. It works for larger driveways that can hold 6-14 parked cars and 6-12 inches of snow. Plus, it’s built to last. Thanks to steel construction in the frame, deflector and chute, you’ll be able to tackle years of tough snow.
Pros:
- 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds
- Automatic steering and electric start
- Anti-clogging system
Cons:
- Expensive
Why You Should Trust Us
I’m an Associate Shopping Editor at Family Handyman with expertise in interior design, home decor, gardening and outdoor trends.
Emily Way is an Associate Shopping Editor for Family Handyman with experience researching products and recommending the best designs to consumers. She researched and updated this piece. Way consulted Ronit McGuthrie, Vice President, Walk Behind Product Management, at Stanley Black & Decker.
How We Found the Best Snow Blowers
First, we consulted our expert source, Ronit McGuthrie of Stanley Black & Decker. McGuthrie provided criteria and guidance on what to look for in the best snow blowers. From there, we looked through popular models, focusing on a variety of high-quality options at different price points. Finally, after careful research, we narrowed down our list to include only those with rave reviews and proven results.
FAQ
What is the difference between a one-stage, two-stage and three-stage snow blower?
A single-stage snow blower has a single high-speed auger that scrapes the snow off the ground and propels it up through the discharge chute. Single-stage machines are designed to handle average snowfall depths up to 6 in. on driveways up to 2 cars wide x 2 cars long.
Two-stage blowers utilize a slow-turning corkscrew-like augur that gathers snow and moves it to the center of the housing. Then the snow is pushed into a high-speed impeller that propels it out of the chute. They’re designed to handle snowfall depths up to 12 in. on larger driveways up to 2 cars wide x 3 cars long.
Three-stage machines also have a slow-turning auger that gathers snow and moves it toward the center of the housing. However, the second-stage auger is designed to propel the snow into the impeller at a faster rate than a typical two-stage machine. So a three-stage snow blower can move more snow and do it in record time. Three-stage snow blowers are designed for heavy snowfall depths up to 18 in. on driveways up to 3 cars wide x 4 cars long.
What factors determine the snow blower stage you should buy?
A properly sized single-stage snow blower might be the perfect choice for a small, flat concrete or asphalt driveway. But it isn’t a good choice if you have a steep slope or a gravel or dirt driveway of any size. That’s because the rubber-tipped auger scrapes the snow off the pavement and into the housing.
If you use a single-stage machine on a gravel or dirt driveway, you’ll destroy the rubber auger in no time and throw the gravel all over your lawn. On a steep-sloped drive or walk, a single-stage machine requires far more effort than a self-propelled model. If you have a gravel drive or walk, get a two- or three-stage snow blower so the auger doesn’t scrape the ground.
Single-stage snow blowers have a hard time throwing deep, wet, sticky snow. If that’s the type of snow you get most often, choose a self-propelled two- or three-stage snow blower, even if you have a small driveway. A two-stage snow blower is easier on your back because you don’t have to push it into heavy, wet snow; the self-propelled feature will drive it forward. Plus, two- and three-stage machines have more powerful engines, so they won’t bog down in heavy, wet snow.
Originally Published: January 27, 2020
