Snow Blowers

Best Snow Blower for Any Site, Weather, and Budget

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by Bryan Mckenzie

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A snow blower is an obligatory tool for anyone who lives in a private house. It saves energy and hours you could waste having only a shovel. Snow blowers are divided by several properties like construction or power source. These features allow you to determine which tool shows the highest efficiency in which conditions. In this article, I will review different types of equipment and explain how to choose the best snow blower for any need.

The first thing to do is assess a plot you should clean and, depending on its dimensions, decide which clearing width you need and if you can use a corded tool to reach the borders. Secondly, take the climate into account. Depending on the average thickness of the snow layer, find out which intake height you need. Temperature also matters since battery-powered tools perform better if the weather is warm.

Product
Top Pick
PowerSmart Snow Blower Gas Powered, 21 Inch...
Runner-Up
Snow Joe SJ623E 18-Inch 15-Amp Electric...
Premium Option
EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless...
Title
PowerSmart Snow Blower Gas Powered, 21 Inch...
Snow Joe SJ623E 18-Inch 15-Amp Electric...
EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless...
Prime
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Amazon Prime
Pros
Best Electric Corded Snow Blower
Best Electric Cordless Snow Blower
Top Pick
Product
PowerSmart Snow Blower Gas Powered, 21 Inch...
Title
PowerSmart Snow Blower Gas Powered, 21 Inch...
Prime
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Pros
Best Gas Snow Blower
My review
Runner-Up
Product
Snow Joe SJ623E 18-Inch 15-Amp Electric...
Title
Snow Joe SJ623E 18-Inch 15-Amp Electric...
Prime
-
My review
Premium Option
Product
EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless...
Title
EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch 56-Volt Cordless...
Prime
Amazon Prime
Pros
Best Electric Cordless Snow Blower
My review

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Best Snow Blower: 6 Tools for Any Case

  1. PowerSmart Snow Blower – Best Gas Snow Blower
  2. Snow Joe SJ623E – Best Electric Corded Snow Blower
  3. EGO Power+ SNT2102 – Best Electric Cordless (Battery Powered) Snow Blower
  4. Snow Joe SJ625E – Best Single-Stage Snow Blower
  5. PowerSmart Snow Blower – Best Two-Stage Snow Blower
  6. No products found. – Best Three-Stage Snow Blower

Here I provide 6 reviews on the best snow blowers for various sites, climates, and budgets. Focusing on particular instruments and knowing trustworthy brands is no less important than getting acquainted with general information about this household equipment.

1. PowerSmart Snow Blower: Best Gas Snow Blower

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PowerSmart Snow Blower is a gas-powered tool that can clear a 21-inch width path and cope with about 12 inches of snow. It can remove up to 750 pounds of snow per minute and throw it up to 40 feet away. This machine weighs more than 70 pounds and has 8 inches wheels for more maneuverability. However, gas-powered equipment is not the simplest to operate; PowerSmart Snow Blower is a machine you can easily assemble and start working as soon as you need.

I would recommend this model for 2 reasons. Firstly, it has a safe design that prevents accidental start-ups and immediately stops the auger from spinning if the user accidentally loses the handle. Secondly, I always advise paying attention to small businesses like PowerSmart. They often provide instruments no worse than ones manufactured by big companies, and supporting such brands is one way of keeping the economy and the environment.

Main properties:

  • Gas powered
  • Clearing width: 21 inches
  • Intake height: 12.5 inches
  • 70 pounds

For whom? PowerSmart Snow Blower is a cordless tool with medium parameters. It doesn’t limit your movements; its running time depends only on the amount of fuel it has inside. This model fits sites of any size and climate.

ADVANTAGES
  • Works well on asphalt surfaces;
  • Easy assemble;
  • Produces by small businesses.
DRAWBACKS
  • A handle might be too tight and hard to fold.

2. Snow Joe SJ623E: Best Electric Corded Snow Blower

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Unlike the first item, Snow Joe SJ623E is a corded instrument. It is an easy and compact tool for a thin layer of dry snow. It weighs only 34 pounds, a minimal possible weight for a snow blower. This model is easy to turn and maneuver because of its easy-glide wheels. The only thing that can limit your movements is wires. A 15-amp motor removes up to 720 pounds of snow per minute. However small Snow Joe SJ623E is, it has a solid construction, including a heavy-grade steel 4-blade steel auger that allows throwing snow for up to 25 feet.

Even though this model seems too weak to cope with heavy snow, you can try it in different conditions. Snow Joe SJ623E ensures safety since the package includes a clean-out tool to unclog a chute. It also features a halogen headlight to enable working at any time of the day.

Main properties:

  • Corded
  • Clearing width: 18 inches
  • Intake height: 10 inches
  • 34 pounds

For whom? Snow Joe SJ623E is a corded, lightweight instrument with minimal clearing width and intake height. This tool hardly fits large areas because of wires, but it perfectly suits mid-sized sites. I advise using this machine in a mild climate since it removes a thin layer of dry snow.

ADVANTAGES
  • Lightweight and compact;
  • Has a solid construction;
  • Includes a clean-out tool to unclog the chute.
DRAWBACKS
  • Can’t handle removing wet snow.

3. EGO Power+ SNT2102: Best Electric Cordless (Battery Powered) Snow Blower

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EGO Power+ SNT2102 is run by batteries, which makes it both maneuvrable and environmentally friendly. Its clearing weight is similar to the first item on the list, 21 inches, but its intake height is the lowest. This model can handle only 8 inches of snow. However, it has a powerful motor that allows coping with heavy, wet snow regardless of the auger size. Among the advantages of EGO Power+ SNT2102, I would also name variable-speed control. Considering low intake height, this function allows slowing down and prevents clogging. Another thing I liked about this tool is its lengthy runtime. A pair of 5.0 Ah batteries run for about an hour and gets fully recharged in half of this time, but notice that removing wet snow finishes batteries faster.

This model features LED headlights to ensure evening or early morning cleaning. It is also hushed, so you can not worry about disturbing your neighbors and work anytime you find convenient.

Main properties:

  • Battery-powered
  • Clearing width: 21 inches
  • Intake height: 8 inches
  • 60 pounds

For whom? EGO Power+ SNT2102 is a cordless tool that can run up to an hour. It has medium clearing width and fits even large plots. However, its intake height is minimal, so cleaning wet, heavy snow might take some time.

ADVANTAGES
  • Long runtime (60 minutes) and quick recharging (30 minutes);
  • Variable-speed control;
  • Low noise and highlight allow cleaning almost any time of the day.
DRAWBACKS
  • Low intake height (8 inches)

4. Snow Joe SJ625E: Best Single-Stage Snow Blower

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Snow Joe SJ625E is the second corded snow blower on the list, yet it differs with the intake height. This tool features a steel auger with 2 rubber blades that clean a 21-inches path while the intake height is 12 inches. Due to the 15-amp motor, Snow Joe SJ625E removes up to 800 pounds per minute. It weighs a bit less than 36 pounds, which is the minimum weight for a snow blower. This model has easy-glide wheels that go well on any surface, making it maneuverable and suitable for any site. Moreover, a scraper blade at the base of the machine ensures the safety of the surface you are working on. It is a quiet tool you can use day or night since it has a 3-watt LED light.

Main properties:

  • Corded
  • Clearing width: 21 inches
  • Intake height: 12 inches
  • 35.7 pounds

For whom? Corded tools usually show the best results on mid-sized driveways and walkways. Snow Joe SJ625E is the best snow thrower to replace an ordinary shove. It is compact, lightweight, and maneuverable. This instrument is the simplest type of snow blower, but it still handles heavier snowfall.

ADVANTAGES
  • Lightweight (35.7 pounds);
  • Easy cords management;
  • Features a scraper blade to avoid damaging a surface you are working on.
DRAWBACKS
  • Wheels might be loose.

5. PowerSmart Snow Blower: Best Two-Stage Snow Blower

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PowerSmart Snow Blower is another battery-powered instrument on the list. However powerful EGO Power+ SNT2102, this one has an even bigger capacity. This model provides 24 inches of clearing width and 20 inches of intake height, which are the biggest figures among those I’ve named above. An 80V 6.0Ah lithium battery ensures up to 45 minutes of runtime. Yet, I believe PowerSmart Snow Blower has enough capacity to finish cleaning much faster.

Another advantage of this machine is its safe design. PowerSmart Snow Blower’s construction disables accidental start-up and allows stopping an auger and an impeller from spinning automatically in case a user releases a grip. This item is a self-propelled snow blower, which makes it easy to operate, requiring less physical effort. For more comfort, it provides forward and reverses speed, featuring solid 13-inches wheels that ensure cutting through snow and ice. The chute control requires minimal movements since the handle has a rotation button. The chute throws snow for 50 feet.

Main properties:

  • Battery-powered
  • Clearing width: 24 inches
  • Intake height: 20 inches

For whom? PowerSmart Snow Blower has the biggest capacity among the items I’ve named. It is cordless and has decent runtime, which makes it a perfect tool for clearing even big areas. However, the lifetime of any battery depends on the weather, so snowblowers of this type of power might not be the best option for a harsh climate.

ADVANTAGES
  • Decent runtime (45 minutes) and big capacity allow finishing work until the battery is completely dead;
  • Self-propelled;
  • Easy to operate due to speed control;
  • Small business.
DRAWBACKS
  • The chute might be difficult to adjust.

6. Cub Cadet 3X: Best Three-Stage Snow Blower

No products found.

Cub Cadet 3X is a gas-powered 3-staged snow blower. It provides big capacity and wide functions. This model cleans a 28-inches path and is intended to handle thick layers of snow up to 21 inches high. Cub Cadet 3X is the most reliable instrument on the list since it provides 2 ways to start it. Apart from the ordinary push-button, you can use a classical recoil start. This option is useful when you work at shallow temperatures.

This model also features the biggest number of speed options. The speed control involves forward and reverses driving. Moreover, this model provides 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds. Its chute is also more adaptive than those other items. It is controlled by an overhead crank and rotates for 200° instead of the standard 180°. Cub Cadet 3X removes piles of wet snow, so the construction needs to be solid. Auger gearbox is made of heavy-duty cast aluminum, ensuring the durability of working details.

Main properties:

  • Gas powered
  • Clearing width: 28 inches
  • Intake height: 21 inches

For whom? Cub Cadet 3X is a powerful 3-stage snowblower that fits large sites and piles of snow. It has a wide range of functions, like 2 ways of starting and 8-speed modes, which allows working even in harsh weather.

ADVANTAGES
  • Features two ways of starting to ensure working in any conditions;
  • Variety of speed modes;
  • Solid construction;
  • The adjustable chute rotates to 200° instead of the standard 180°.
DRAWBACKS
  • More expensive to run and maintain than other types of instruments.

Buyer’s Guide

Above I named 6 snow blowers with different advantages and flaws to fit various circumstances. Now let’s move to the theory and get clear instructions on selecting an appropriate tool for your needs.

Some Snow Blowers

Types of snow blowers

Snow blowers are divided by the type of motor and by construction, and their capacity mostly depends on these parameters. Every type fits different circumstances, so let’s focus on its advantages and flaws.

  • Electric snow blowers are mainly used for small sites since they are tied to the power grid, and cords might make moving around difficult. Since they need no fuel, this tool is the easiest to maintain. Their other advantages are lightweight and low level of noise. Finally, electric snow blowers are the most environmentally friendly of the different types.
  • Gas snow blowers provide more portability. Since no cords restrict your movements, you can clean a much bigger area. At the same time, they require more maintenance. You need to follow the available amount of gas, so plan your work, and the oil needs to be regularly changed to prevent an engine from wearing down too early.
  • As well as the first kind of instrument, battery-powered snow blowers use no fuel. They are easy to maintain and operate. However, batteries’ lifetime depends on the weather: the lower temperature, the shorter a snow blower runs. This type fits large sites but can be used chiefly in regions with mild winters.
  • One-stage snow blowers have the most straightforward construction and operation principle. A rubber auger collects the snow, passes it to the chute, and throws it away. They are also called snow throwers.
  • Two– and three-stage snow blowers essentially differ from the previous type. They are equipped with impellers that increase productivity and allow removing larger amounts of snow and coping with ice.

Working Snow Blower

Essential features

Regardless of the kind of machine, these characteristics can describe every item I’ve named above. Knowing them gives a clearer understanding of which conditions an item you selected is the most effective.

  • Clearing width describes the amount of snow a tool can remove at one time. The width of a path a snow blower can clean varies from 18 to 38 inches, depending on the number of stages.
  • Intake height stands for the thickest layer of snow an instrument can handle. It starts from 10 inches and can reach about 20 inches. This parameter depends on the snow blower’s construction, particularly the auger size.
  • All one-staged and many two-stage snow blowers have wheels. They ensure maneuverability but fit mostly flat sites. Tracks are perfect for cleaning slopes, yet, they are harder to operate. Two-staged tools might be self-propelled, providing forward and reverse speeds and requiring less physical effort to work.
  • Size and weight influence the ease of use and storage. One-stage snow blowers’ weight varies from 30 to 100 pounds, while two- and three-staged instruments can be 300 pounds heavy.

Man Working With Snow Blower

Additional features

  • Chute control. The simplest snow blowers provide manual chute control, which means you must rotate it by hand. More complex constructions feature a crank that allows remote adjusting. Another option is a joystick with remote control, requiring minimal effort but can be inconvenient for those who work wearing gloves.
  • Highlights. Most snow blowers are equipped with LED lights to enable cleaning at any time of the day. This feature might seem insignificant, but it helps early birds a lot if, for example, they need to get to work in the morning and clear the driveway before the sun rises.

How to choose a suitable snow blower?

Considering all the properties, here is a brief instruction on choosing a snow blower that will fulfill your needs and serve you for the longest possible time.

Yellow Snow Blower

  • Measure the site. Corded tools have several advantages, but wires might limit your movements, so however powerful this kind is, tied instruments instead fit small sites than large ones. As cordless snow blowers are divided into gas- and battery-powered, and both types seem to fit large areas, let’s move to the following criteria. Moreover, you need to access the amount of work to know your clearing width.
  • Consider the climate. Firstly, you need to know how thick the layer of snow you need to remove is, whether it is wet and if you need to cut through ice. Depending on this, you know the intake height and the size of the auger required. Secondly, battery runtime depends on the temperature: the lower the runtime is shorter. Gasoline is more reliable, but electric tools are the best for extreme temperatures.
  • Plan the budget. Apart from the price, you might also need to spend some money to keep it working correctly. Corded instruments are the cheapest to maintain since they require no running fuel and oil to prevent engine failure. Battery-powered snow blowers mainly include lithium-ion batteries that last 2 or 3 years and should be changed regularly. Gas machines are the most expensive to keep and require constant fuel refill and oil changes.
  • Estimate your strength. Snow blowers’ weight varies from 30 to 300 pounds. If you are not the only person who will clean the path, make sure the tool you selected is light enough that everyone can operate it without too much strain.

Red Snow Blower

How we tested

To test and compare any tool successfully, you should define crucial parameters and conditions in which they perform best. Concerning snow blowers, it is important to answer the questions below:

  • How big is the area it can clean without interruptions, and what kind of surface is it?
  • Does its power change depend on the weather conditions?
  • Is it comfortable to operate?

No less critical question you need to answer from the start: is it affordable to run and maintain?

Working Red Snow Blower

FAQ on Using a Snow Blower

After considering various examples and general recommendations, you might still have some practical questions on selecting and using a snow blower. Here are answers to the most widespread ones.

Are snow blowers safe?

To avoid injuries while using a snow blower, follow these basic rules:

  • Make sure it is now working when you maintain it;
  • Never unclog a snow blower with your hands;
  • Don’t wear loose clothes so they don’t get inside the mechanism;
  • Don’t shoot snow in the people since an auger can collect debris.

How much should I spend on a snow blower?

Apart from the cost of the tool, but the price you will pay annually to run and maintain it. Electric snow blowers are the cheapest, battery-run ones demand changing batteries every 3 years, and gas snow blowers are the most expensive.

How long do snow blowers last?

The lifetime of any snow blower depends on its type, the conditions it is used in, and the way a user stores it. If you follow the manual and snow blower clearance rules, it lasts from 15 to 25 years, depending on its quality.

Finding a Snow Blower Machine That Fits Your Needs

For shame, there is no top-rated snowblower that can suit any conditions and fulfill everyone’s needs. However, learning their essential characteristics will help you define necessary functions. I considered my priorities and decided I needed a mid-sized site tool that could run in cold weather, and PowerSmart Snow Blower was the best option.

What are the conditions you need to work in? Do you need a universal tool, or are you looking for special functions? Please share your suggestions in the comments.

About
Bryan Mckenzie
Hi there — my name is Bryan McKenzie. Before I’d got into gardening, I worked as a landscape designer at landscape design and consultation company in Jacksonville. I enjoy sharing the vast gardening experience I’ve accumulated throughout the years with like-minded green thumbs. Read more about me and my wife.
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