No one can predict how badly Mother Nature will release her fury. One winter it could be mild, and the next could be the next “Snow-mageddon.”
When heavy snow is in the forecast, everyone rushes out for supplies—including snow shovels. What if there was a way that you’d never have to worry about purchasing another snow shovel but still be able to clear your drive way?
You can have that freedom when you have the best snow blower tucked away in your garage or shed. In this guide, we’re going to tell you what to look for when you’re searching for the best snow blower. Plus, we’re going to give five mini snow blower reviews that we think will help you take on Mother Nature with no problems!
*Notice: On mobile devices, scroll right to see entire table.
Product Name | Our Rating | Check Prices |
|---|---|---|
Best Gas Snow Blower | ||
Best Electric Snow Blower | ||
Best Two Stage Snow Blower | ||
Best Single Stage Snow Blower | ||
Best Cordless Snow Blower | ||
What To Look For When Shopping For The Best Snow Blower
Depending on your region, the type of snow blower you choose is going to have a significant impact on how well you can remove the snow. Some models are best suited for light snow while others are hulking machines that can take on the heavy stuff.
Some things that separates your run of the mill snow blowers from the best snow blowers include:
- Type of Snow Blower: The type of snow blower you should depend on the type of snow your region receives. Here are the type of snow blowers and the specs:
source: SnowBlowersDirect.com
- Clearing Width and Intake Height: These measurements will determine how much snow the machine is going to plow through. Larger intakes will make the snow removal process much quicker than smaller ones.
- Power Source: Depending on the type of snow you get most often, you’ll want to choose one of three power sources: Gas, Electric, Cordless Electric. Always remember: gas powered snow blowers are going to be stronger than electric powered units, which are stronger than cordless machines.
- Speed Control: This feature will let you choose the pace the machine will move while in gear or in reverse.
- Headlight: A headlight is a nice feature to have when you want or need to tackle a heaping snow mound at night.
Mistakes To Avoid While Shopping For A Snow Blower
Before you go out and buy any old snow blower, there are some mistakes you will want to avoid, such as:
- Not measuring your driveway. A lot of times people under estimate the size of their drive way. This causes them to buy the wrong size snow blower, which can cost you valuable money (if you get a machine that is too large) and it could cost you time and energy (if you get a machine that is too small.).
- Spending too much money. More expensive doesn’t always means that it is better. Sometimes you can find affordable snow blowers that performs just as well as a pricy machine.
- Choosing a hard to handle snow blower. Some snow blowers are going to be harder to manage than others. This is when you’ll want to read the reviews left by customers to get an idea of how the machine handles.
- Unable to handle heavy, wet snow. If you live in a region where you get a lot of heavy, wet snow, this is something you definitely consider because some machines are not going to be able to break through and move this type of snowfall.
- Hard to start up. It’s already a chore to have to do snow clean up, it shouldn’t feel like a chore to start your snow blower. Look for machines that will be reliable and start easily.
- Not factoring in the steepness of the terrain. If you have a flat bit of property, consider yourself lucky because you can basically choose any machine that suits your needs. However, if you have a property with a lot of steep hills—that’s going to be a problem. You will want make sure you choose a three-stage gas snow blower because it can handle that type of terrain well.
Best Gas Snow Blower
With all of this in mind, here are five products that we think are great options for any home owner who wants to make short work of snow removal this season.
Ariens Compact Track 24” Two Stage Gas Snow Blower
When you’re knee deep in snow, you’re not going to want to mess around with a pull cord, hoping that the fifth time will make your old snow blower work. No, when you buy best snow blower, you expect it to start up immediately and effortlessly.
Notable features of the Ariens Compact Track 24” Two Stage Gas Snow Blower include:
- 24” clearing to move large amounts of snow
- 120V electric start with recoil backup
- 120V electric start with recoil backup
- 5.5” wide directional snow tracks for added traction
- 11 inch steel serrated auger and impeller system throws snow up to 40 feet
- Cast iron gear casing comes with a 5 year residential warranty and a 1 year commercial warranty
- 200 degree chute turning radius and remote deflector, control the throw direction with ease
Source: homedepot.com
Our Rating
Overview
The Ariens Compact Track 24” Two Stage Gas Snow Blower features an electric start that is activated just by turning a key. There is no need to fiddle with the engine to prime it, or rip at a pull cord. The snow blower features a 120 volt electric start with recoil so your machine will start no matter what—even in the most frigid of temperatures.
After the machine has started, you can start removing snow, even deep, heavy snow, without any problems. The 208cc engine works amazingly well to suck up the snow and then cast it out up to 40 feet away. The chute can rotate 200 degrees, so you can throw the snow exactly where you want it.
When looking at what people had to say about the Ariens Compact Track 24” Two Stage Gas Snow Blower they had great things to say. Everyone who has purchased this snow blower absolutely loved it.
Source: homedepot.com
Even after the heavy snow fall the north east got in 2015, customers who had this snow blower were able to plow through almost three feet of snow without any problems.
There was one concern a customer had, and that was in regards to snow becoming clogged up in the snow blower. The customer did report that you can spray a lubricant on the augers and the snow clogging was not a problem after that.
Best Electric Snow Blower
Here's our recommendation for the best electric snow blower:
Toro 18” 15amp Electric Power Curve Snow Blower
When the snow piles up and you’re out of gas, you can still remove the snow—without having to use a snow shovel and possibly hurt your back. The Toro 18” 15amp Electric Power Curve Snow Blower is designed to help you make quick work out snow removal up to 12 inches in depth, thanks to the 15 amp motor and the patented Power Curve technology.
Notable features of the Toro 18” 15amp Electric Power Curve Snow Blower include:
- Power Curve Technology
- Easy to Use Controls
- Lightweight and Easy to Store
- Throws snow up to 30 ft.
- Clears a path 18 inches wide and 12 inches deep
- 15 amp electric motor
- Zip Deflector
- 2 Year Warranty
Source: homedepot.com
Our Rating
Overview
With the Power Curve technology, you can clear an 18-inch wide path in a foot of snow with very little effort. This tech helps you plow through the snow, all the way down to the pavement. Also, since this snow blower only weighs 25 pounds, you can carry it up steps and clear off the deck, easily!
When looking at what people had to say about the Toro 18” 15amp Electric Power Curve Snow Blower, we were impressed by all the positive things people had to say. Customers appreciated how easy it was to use this snow blower, but also how lightweight it was.
Source: homedepot.com
People liked that they could plow through a lot of snow in a short amount of time. Some have said that with some effort, they were able to remove up to 24 inches of snow.
On the other hand, there were some people who were not satisfied with this snow blower. Of these critical reviews, people were disappointed by the overall size of the unit. Some said the wheels were too small and they couldn’t make it through deeper snow without dragging it behind them.
Other people felt that the chute was too small, thus causing the snow to clog up inside the chute from time to time.
Best Two Stage Snow Blower
Here's our recommendation for the best two stage snow blower:
Husqvarna 24” 208cc Two Stage Electric Snow Blower
When you live in the North, you’re not going to want to mess around with anything but the best 2 stage snow blower. The Husqvarna 24” 208cc Two Stage Electric Snow Blower can make fast work of those heavy snowfalls, thanks to the two step system, powerful 208cc motor, and the large intake.
Notable features of the Husqvarna 24” 208cc Two Stage Electric Snow Blower include:
- 208cc Husqvarna engine
- Remote Chute Deflector/Remote Chute Rotator
- 15-inch X-Trac, Heavy Tread tires
- Heated handle grips
- Chute cleaning tool
- Adjustable handle
- Electric Start
- 24-Inch Two Stage
- Dimension: 58.5 x 40.5 x 24 inch (LXHXW) ; Weight: 198.6 lbs.
- 1 year warranty
Source: husqvarna.com
Our Rating
Overview
The unit has a 23 inch intake, making it the perfect option for those who experience regular snowfall over 8 inches. The wide 24 inch clearing can remove large amounts of snow and shoot it up to 35 feet away from your walkways.
The automatic start on this snow blower and the self-propelled motion makes the machine incredibly easy to use. With features like large 15 inch heavy tread tires and a heated handle grip, you can have great control over the machine, but also keep your hands toasty. The machine also has adjustable skid shoes so you can safely walk over deep snow.
When looking at what people had to say about the Husqvarna 24” 208cc Two Stage Electric Snow Blower they had great things to say. Customers appreciate how easy this snow blower is to operate. Several elderly customers reported that they found the machine made it incredibly easy to remove deep, heavy snow.
People liked that because this snow blower is self-propelled, they didn’t have to exert too much energy pushing the machine across the driveway and other walkways.
On the other hand, some people were disappointed with their purchase. Of these critical comments, the most frequent complaint was in regards to the power of the self-propulsion. Some customers felt that the snow blower needed to be pushed because there wasn’t enough power to propel it forward.
Other stated that in the first few minutes of using the machine, it worked well. However after that, and unclogging the chute, the power dwindled to a crawl. Other customers were disappointed with the quality of the impeller.
Folks said that the blade gets bent and even broken very easily and they did not like having to purchase a replacement impeller so soon after the initial purchase of the snow blower.
Best Single Stage Snow Blower
Here's our recommendation for the best single stage snow blower:
Snow Joe Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower
Sometimes you don’t need the best gas snow blower on the market to clear your walkways. Sometimes you just need a simple device like the Snow Joe Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower.
Notable features of the Snow Joe Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower include:
- Lightweight design (only 32 lbs) to easily clear sidewalks, driveways and decks.
- 40 V 4.0 Ah EcoSharp rechargeable lithium-ion battery for 50 minutes of use
- No pull cords, gas, oil, tune-ups, carbon emissions or tangled extension cords.
- Steel auger with 2 rubber blades moves up to 495 lbs of snow per minute
- Cuts a path 18 in. wide by 8 in. deep without damaging surface.
- 180° auto-rotate directional chute throws snow up to 20 ft.
Source: snowjoe.com
Our Rating
Overview
With this unit, you have the option of plugging it into the wall, but you also can go wireless. Having this option is great if you don’t want to worry about a long extension cord and you need to remove that last little bit of snow at the end of the walkway.
To operate this snow blower, all you have to do is press a single button. The back-saving handle is ergonomically designed to be comfortable to use. The lightweight and compact design gives you the freedom and the option to take the unit on the deck, clean the steps, or even remove snow from the back of a truck.
You’ll find that this powerful, 500 watt brushless motor will increase the efficiency of the battery so you can cut through and clear up to 300 pounds of snow each minute without waking anyone who’s sleeping.
When looking at what people had to say about the Snow Joe Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower, we noticed there were an impressive amount of positive reviews left by satisfied customers. Of these great reviews, customers were impressed by how much power was behind this unassuming little device.
Source: snowjoe.com
Customers like that it is portable, lightweight, and it can throw the snow outward of 25 feet. People also liked that it was pretty simple to put together, too!
Although there were countless positive reviews for this snow blower, there were some negative reviews as well. Of these critical reviews, customers were not satisfied with the augers the unit came with.
One customer said they encountered a frozen clump of snow, and it broke one of the blades of the auger. Other customers felt that the unit was too heavy and slow—even when trying to remove light snow, they experienced a little difficulty.
Best Cordless Snow Blower
Here's our recommendation for the best cordless snow blower:
Snow Joe 4.0Ah Hybrid Battery or Electric Cordless Snow Shovel
When you’re looking for a snow blower that doesn’t have a long power cord and it doesn’t use gas either, then the Snow Joe Ion Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower is definitely the best cordless electric snow blower available at an affordable price.
With a fully charged battery, you can clear snow (up to 8 inches deep) for a solid 50 minutes before needing to recharge.
Notable features of the Snow Joe 4.0Ah Hybrid Battery or Electric Cordless Snow Shovel include:
- Exclusive hybrid technology - choose corded or cordless operation
- Ideal for quick, easy snow pickups on decks, steps, patios, sidewalks and driveways
- 40 v 4.0 Ah Eco Sharp rechargeable lithium-ion battery
- 500 W 15-amp brushless motor moves up to 300 lbs. of snow per minute
- 2-Blade paddle auger throws snow up to 25 feet; cuts 13 in. Wide x 6 in. Deep
Source: homedepot.com
Our Rating
Overview
The combination of the 40 volt 4.0 Ah battery and the dual rubber blades, you can remove an amazing 495 pounds of snow per minute—plenty of time and power for most homeowners!
The chute on this snow blower can be electronically adjusted 180 degrees, all by utilizing the easy to reach switch. The chute can throw the snow stream up to 20 feet away. The unit also features a 3 watt LED headlight, which is perfect for those who are tasked with removing the snow in the dark.
This snow blower only weighs 32 pounds, so you can carry it up and down stairs if you need to clean off a porch or deck, or even store it in the basement (which you can do without worrying about noxious gas fumes).
Source: homedepot.com
When looking at what people had to say about the Snow Joe 4.0Ah Hybrid Battery or Electric Cordless Snow Shovel, they had great things to say. People were impressed by how quiet this snow blower is. Unlike gas or electric units, this snow blower is incredibly quiet.
With the addition of the LED headlight, people reported they were able to clear driveways and walkways when it was still dark without worrying about waking the neighbors. Customers also like that you can conveniently rotate the chute 180 degrees with a simple push of a button.
There were some critical comments in regards to this snow blower, as well. Some people mentioned that their snow blower didn’t shoot the snow 20 feet, but instead only sent the snow about 12 inches away. People felt that because this is battery powered, it isn’t strong enough to cut through wet snow, much less deep light snow.
Also, a small handful of customers mentioned their annoyance of having to use a rubber band or a bungee cord to keep the door to the battery compartment closed. They felt that this should have been a feature included with the snow blower.
Our Recommendation
When you live in a region where snow removal is a regular concern, it doesn’t make sense to have to rely on a shovel and your back. There’s no question that you need the best snow blower that your money can afford. Most of time, that snow blower is going to be something big and powerful like the Ariens Compact Track 24” Two Stage Gas Snow Blower.
This machine in particular can tackle deep snow like it were a piece of cake. It is costly, but if you have no intention in moving out of the snowy regions, then that is going to be a great investment that will last you a long time.
If you’re looking for something that is more affordable by is equally as powerful, the Toro electric snow blower is an excellent choice. The 15 amp motor allows the machine to tackle 12 inches of snow with ease, and it can also shoot the snow out from the adjustable chute up to 30 feet away.
Whichever snow blower you do decide to purchase, it’s always a good idea to remember the best time to buy a snow blower is before you need it. Purchase one of these bad boys today, so you’ll be ready for this season’s onslaught of snow!
