The 5 Best Snow Blowers That'll Get You Through Winter
Anyone who grew up in an area of the world that sees snowfall during the winter knows this statement to be true — snow is not something you play in, it’s something you shovel.
Growing up in the 80s and 90s, a trusty snow shovel was how you cut a path through many inches of snow each year. Although snow blowers were around back then, they were expensive and seen as more of a luxury than a necessary tool.
Luckily today, snow blowers are becoming an increasingly common household item for those that need extra help with snow removal during the winter months.
If you don’t have a home snow blower yet but want to purchase one, we have you covered with a look at the best snow blowers on the market today.
Top Picks
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Best Snow Blower for Small Driveways: Greenworks 2600502 13 Amp 20-Inch Corded Snow BlowerA corded electric snow blower perfect for clearing small driveways and decks for under $200.
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Best Snow Blower for Large Driveways: Cub Cadet 3526SWE 3X 26 in. 357 cc Three-Stage Gas Snow BlowerA three-stage snow blower that easily handles large snowfall and keeps your hands warm during operation.
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Best Electric Snow Blower: Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 48-Volt iON+ Cordless Snow Blower KitBattery-powered electric snow blower runs for up to 40 minutes per charge.
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Best Single-Stage Snow Blower: Briggs and Stratton 1022 22-Inch Single-Stage Snow BlowerA single-stage snow blower with a compact size for more maneuverability.
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Best Two-Stage Snow Blower: Cub Cadet 2X 26-inch 243cc Two-Stage Electric-Start Gas Snow BlowerA two-stage snow blower that makes short work of heavy snow.
How to Buy a Snow Blower
While you start shopping for your new snow blower, here are a few questions to ask yourself:
1. What Is Your Area’s Snowfall Like?
The most vital bit of information required for making a snow blower purchase is knowing how much snow your area gets each year and what type of snow you normally get — is it usually fluffy and light or is it typically wet and heavy? Once you have that answer, we can move to…
2. What Type of Snow Blower Do You Need?
Generally speaking, snow blowers come in four different types:
- Electric snow blowers are for clearing very light snow in accumulations of no more than one foot deep. They're pretty lightweight, making them a great option for clearing off small driveways and decks. And nowadays there are also cordless, battery-operated versions available.
- Single-stage snow blowers are the first level for gas-powered snow blowers. The machine has a single auger — a metal paddle or blade that spins — that cuts through the snow, scoops it up, and shoots it out through the chute in front. Single-stage snow blowers are good for snowfalls between eight to 12 inches.
- Two-stage snow blowers are gas-powered and can handle heavier snow than a single-stage snow blower and snowfalls of 18 inches or more. Two-stage snow blowers have an auger, but also an impeller that tosses the snow out of the front chute quicker.
- Three-stage snow blowers are the most powerful you can get. They have two augers and an impeller, allowing them to make quick work of 20 inches or more of heavy snow.
Test Factors We Considered When Picking the Best Snow Blowers
Let’s break down the test factors we used when building our list of the best home snow blowers:
1. Type
Is this snow blower an electric, single-stage, two-stage, or three-stage snow blower?
2. Power
Is this snow blower powered by electricity, a battery, or gas?
3. Clearing Path Width
How large of a path does this snow blower clear in the snow?
4. Snow Depth
How deep of a snowfall can this snow blower handle?
5. Snow Discharge
How far is the snow tossed out from the chute?
6. Number of Speed Options
Does this snow blower offer multiple speeds? Multiple speeds allow the user to tackle snow in different conditions: Wet, heavy snow might require a slower speed than light, fluffy snow.
7. Power Steering
Does this snow blower offer power steering? Snow blowers are heavy; power steering helps the user steer the device with less effort needed.
8. Chute Type
Is the snow blower chute made of plastic, steel, or another material?
9. Chute Rotation
There may be times when the user needs to change the direction the front chute tosses out the snow it has picked up. Is the chute adjustable and how is it rearranged on the snow blower?
10. Tires
What size tires does the snow blower have?
11. Headlights
Having headlights on a snow blower is a great feature since there may be times it’ll be used in the dark.
12. Warranty
Does the manufacturer back this product’s performance?
Best Snow Blower for Small Driveways: Greenworks 2600502 13 Amp 20-Inch Corded Snow Blower
If you're looking to remove light snow from a small driveway or deck, the Greenworks 2600502 13 Amp 20-Inch Corded Snow Blower is a great option for under $200.
This corded electric snow blower can clear a path 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep, while tossing the snow it picks up 20 feet away. Its chute is adjustable by 180 degrees, so you can aim the snow wherever you need it to go.
Because it's electric, this snow blower makes way less noise than a gas-powered option. The start is quick thanks to a push button and no batteries are required to charge it up.
Lastly, the Greenworks 2600502 13 Amp 20-Inch Corded Snow Blower's handle folds down for easy storage in the off-season.
Pros
- Under $200
- Electric snow blower is quieter and easier to maintain than gas-powered ones
- Push-button start and handle folds down for easy storage
Cons
- Cord limits how far you can go
Best Snow Blower for Large Driveways: Cub Cadet 3526SWE 3X 26 in. 357 cc Three-Stage Gas Snow Blower
If you live in an area with major snowfall each year, then the Cub Cadet 3526SWE 3X 26 in. 357 cc Three-Stage Gas Snow Blower may be your best friend.
This three-stage gas-powered snow blower features a 190-degree adjustable chute that is easily adjusted through a manual crank that can propel snow 40 feet away. This snow blower cuts a path 26 inches wide and is best for snowfalls up to 16 inches deep.
It has six forward and two reverse speeds, bright LED headlights, power steering, an electric power start, and 16-inch X-Trac tires perfect for use in extreme weather conditions. And the Cub Cadet Three-Stage Gas Snow Blower even keeps your hands warm with heated grips on the handlebar.
Pros
- 190-degree adjustable chute tosses snow up to 40 feet away
- Cuts a 26-inch wide path in snow depths up to 16 feet
- Heated hand grips keep hands warm during operation
Cons
- Expensive
Best Electric Snow Blower: Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 48-Volt iON+ Cordless Snow Blower Kit
The Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 48-Volt iON+ Cordless Snow Blower Kit is a top choice among Amazon shoppers when it comes to battery-operated snow blowers. This snow blower kit comes with the 4-Ah batteries required for the blower, offering up to 40 minutes of runtime between charges.
The snow blower's steel auger is rubber-tipped so it doesn't scrape up the driveway or sidewalk while in use and it comes with a safety switch on the handle so it doesn’t accidentally start.
The blower clears an 18-inch path that is 10 inches deep, and its adjustable snow chute throws snow up to 20 feet out of the way. Two LED headlights make it easier to use in dark weather or nighttime.
Pros
- Battery-operated cordless electric snow blower runs for 40 minutes between charges
- Rubber-tipped auger won’t scrape up and damage driveways or sidewalks
- Safety switch on the handle to avoid it accidentally starting
Cons
- Batteries need to be charged before using
Best Single-Stage Snow Blower: Briggs and Stratton 1022 22-Inch Single-Stage Snow Blower
The Briggs and Stratton 1022E 22-Inch Single-Stage Snow Blower is capable of cutting a 22-inch wide path through up to 12.5 inches of snow. Its compact size makes it simple to maneuver and store during the off-season.
This single-stage, gas-powered snow blower features rubber-edged augers that propel snow into the direction-adjustable chute that tosses snow up to 30 feet out of the way.
The Briggs and Stratton blower also starts quickly thanks to a recoil start, and the controls on the handlebar are oversized to make them easy to use even when you’re wearing mittens.
Pros
- Cuts a 22-inch wide path through snow depths of up to 12.5 inches
- Chute tosses snow up to 30 feet away
- Controls on handlebar are oversized for easy use when wearing mittens
Cons
- No headlights
Best Two-Stage Snow Blower: Cub Cadet 2X 26-inch 243cc Two-Stage Electric-Start Gas Snow Blower
Heavy snow is no issue for the Cub Cadet 2X 26-inch 243cc Two-Stage Electric-Start Gas Snow Blower. This gas-powered two-stage snow blower clears a 26-inch path and can handle snow depths of up to 16 inches with its 12-inch serrated steel augers.
The snow blower features a single-hand, four-way chute control so you can easily determine in what direction you want the snow to be tossed up to 40 feet away.
Choose from six forward and two reverse speeds, easily controlled through the snow blower's power steering for excellent maneuverability.
The Cub Cadet 2X 26-inch 243cc Two-Stage Electric-Start Gas Snow Blower also features LED headlights, a push-button electric start, and is backed by a three-year limited residential warranty.
Pros
- Clears a 26-inch path and can handle snow depths of up to 16 inches
- Adjustable chute tosses snow up to 40 feet away
- Comes with six forward and two reverse speeds
Cons
- Expensive
Selecting the right snowblower is crucial to help you tackle snow removal with ease and efficiency. With a variety of models available on the market, it's important to consider factors such as power, size, and features when choosing the best snowblower for your needs.
Do you have a snow blower that makes the winter season easier on you? Tell us about it in the comments below!
Frequently asked questions
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