Shoveling snow can be a tiring, time-consuming task, while gas-powered snow blowers, though powerful, are heavy, noisy machines that can be difficult to operate. An electric snow blower may be the best route to reclaim outdoor surfaces from the grip of a blizzard.
These wintertime tools weigh less and are easier to maneuver than their gas-fueled counterparts. They’re also quieter and easier to use and maintain since they don’t require spark plug replacements, oil changes, and other maintenance jobs required by combustion engines. Some are even battery-powered, so users aren’t tethered to an electrical outlet as they clear their driveways.
Read on to check out some of the best electric snow blower models available and tips on choosing the ideal machine.
- BEST OVERALL: Snow Joe SJ627E Electric Snow Thrower
- BEST BANG FOR THE BUCK: Snow Joe 48-Volt iON+ Cordless Snow Blower Kit
- UPGRADE PICK: Ego Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower
- BEST BATTERY LIFE: Greenworks Pro 80V 20-Inch Snow Thrower
- BEST FOR SMALL DRIVEWAYS: Greenworks 12-Inch 8 Amp Corded Snow Shovel 2600802
- BEST FOR LARGE DRIVEWAYS: Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
- BEST FOR ELDERLY USERS: Greenworks 20-Inch 13 Amp Corded Snow Blower 2600502
- BEST COMPACT: Toro Power Shovel Electric Snow Blower
How We Chose the Best Electric Snow Blowers
The right electric blower can clear a walkway, driveway, sidewalk, or porch after a heavy snowfall. Made to be lightweight, easy to maneuver, require little maintenance, and effective, each of the above snow blowers is an ideal choice for snow removal based on individual preferences.
These electric models are made with sufficient cleaning widths for ample snow removed per pass, ranging from 12 to 22 inches. With that, these blowers are also capable of throwing snow to distances of 15 to 35 feet, moving hundreds of pounds of snow per minute. Many of the above models are also lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Though some options are corded and may need extension cords, each is able to clear ample surface areas in minutes. Select options also come with special features such as push-button starts, LED lights, adjustable snow chutes, collapsible handles, and chargers for added convenience.
Our Top Picks
Below are some of the best electric snow blowers that stand out for their quality, ease of use, and effectiveness.
Photo: amazon.com
The Snow Joe blower can make short work of a snow-covered driveway. Powered by a 15-amp electric motor, the Snow Joe throws snow up to 25 feet via a single-stage auger system. At 35 pounds, this blower is about half the weight of a gas-powered blower, making it easier to maneuver.
The factory lubrication of the auger and motor lasts the blower’s lifetime, cutting down on maintenance costs. At 22 inches, the mouth of the Snow Joe snow blower is one of the larger openings in the electric blower market. This model can hurl up to 840 pounds of light snow per minute. Heavy snow may get stuck in the chute, but the included clearing tool helps break up obstructions without risk to the operator.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Impressively powerful 15-amp electric motor
- Throws snow 25 feet for easy operation
- Moves up to 840 pounds per minute; ideal for large areas
- 22-inch clearing width helps finish work more quickly
Cons
- Short power cable; may require an extension cord
- Expensive compared with other models
Get the Snow Joe SJ627E electric snow thrower on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
Supplied with two rechargeable 24-volt batteries, each capable of 40 minutes of runtime, this Snow Joe model throws up to 14 tons of snow per charge. Weighing in at 37.5 pounds, this cordless snow blower is on the heavier side but far lighter than gas-powered options.
In one pass, the quadruple-bladed rubber-tipped steel auger carves a path 18 inches wide by 10 inches deep. The 180-degree adjustable snow chute throws snow up to 20 feet. A pair of LED headlights make night or morning snow clearing safer and more straightforward.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 37.5 pounds
- Power source: Cordless
Pros
- Two 24-volt batteries included; perfect for covering more area
- Can move 14 tons of snow per charge; ideal for large properties
- Adjustable 180-degree snow chute for better control
- LED headlights enhance visibility in dark winter months
Cons
- Some assembly required, which can be daunting
Get the Snow Joe iON+ electric snow blower on Amazon or at The Home Depot.
Photo: acehardware.com
While battery-powered lawn tools offer the convenience of cordless technology, low maintenance, and ease of use, the compromise in power and runtime can make them impractical. Not so with this snow blower from cordless tool specialists Ego Power+. This model, weighing 43 pounds, is powered by two stout 5.0Ah batteries, which provide enough power for up to 60 minutes of use.
With a 21-inch-wide intake and the ability to handle up to 8 inches of snow, this snow blower is on par with many gas-powered models and corded single-stage snow blowers. And, it will hurl snow up to 35 feet, making it easier to clear wide driveways. The snow blower also includes features that make it easy to use, including a push-button start, variable speed control, and LED headlights for nighttime use. A rapid charger gets the batteries back to full power in about 45 minutes.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 43 pounds
- Power source: Cordless
Pros
- Runs for 60 minutes; more than enough for most areas
- 21-inch clearing width make quick work of large spaces
- Comes with two 5.0Ah batteries; charge 1 while using the other
- Batteries and charger included
Cons
- Quite expensive compared with other models
Get the Ego Power+ electric snow blower at Ace Hardware or Acme Tools.
Photo: amazon.com
With its beefy 80-volt battery, this snow thrower from Greenworks delivers a surprising level of performance. The battery produces enough juice to put this cordless snow blower on par with gas and corded single-stage snow blowers, while its intake can clear a 20-inch wide path and handle snow up to 10 inches deep. The 8-inch rear wheels provide enough height for deeper snow.
Because of its 2.0Ah battery and rapid recharging capabilities, this Greenworks snow thrower will last for up to 45 minutes on a single charge and will recharge in about 30 minutes. Several features make this 33-pound model easy to use, including a push-button start, collapsible handles for easy storage, high-intensity LED headlights for nighttime use, and a chute that rotates 180 degrees for efficient snow removal.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 33 pounds
- Power source: Cordless
Pros
- 2.0Ah battery included, providing up to 45 minutes of runtime
- 20-inch clearing width to cover large areas quickly
- Cordless operation provides excellent maneuverability
Cons
- Can struggle to handle heavy or wet snow, requiring manual clearing of the blockage
- Limited power makes it less suitable for larger heavy-duty areas
Get the Greenworks Pro electric snow thrower on Amazon or at Best Buy.
Photo: amazon.com
The Greenworks electric snow shovel is a powerful corded tool with a simple push-button start. It can handle snow up to 6 inches deep. It clears a 12-inch-wide swath, so it’s suitable for light snow on sidewalks, porches, and decks. This shovel can toss fresh snow up to 20 feet.
Like some gas snow blowers, the bottom scraper is designed to slide under the snow and make it easier for the spinning auger blade to lift and blow the snow out of the discharge chute. The adjustable second handle can help the user get a firm grip on this 14-pound machine.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 14 pounds
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Affordable model great for occasional use
- 12-inch clearing width; ideal for tight, awkward areas
- Dual handles provides a firm and adjustable grip
Cons
- Meant for small spaces only; would be time-consuming to cover large areas
Get the Greenworks 12-inch electric snow shovel on Amazon or at Lowe’s.
Photo: tractorsupply.com
This Snow Joe single-stage model utilizes a 15-amp motor to sling snow up to 15 feet, and, unlike some snow blowers, it employs a steel auger for added durability. This model weighs about 35 pounds, and though it lacks a transmission drive system, it’s light enough to maneuver without self-driving wheels.
A hand-cranked snow chute adjusts up to 180 degrees and throws snow about 15 feet at a rate of 800 pounds per minute. The unit can carve through light snow up to 10 inches deep. Three LED headlights make plowing in dark winter hours a possibility.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 35 pounds
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Very easy to assemble, even for beginners
- Moves an impressive 800 pounds of snow per minute
- 180-degree snow chute allows users to easily direct the snow exhaust
- Large back wheels provide great mobility and stability
Cons
- Snow chute requires hand-cranking
- May require extension cord for larger areas
Get the Snow Joe single-stage electric snow thrower at Tractor Supply Co., Best Buy, or The Home Depot.
Photo: amazon.com
This lightweight and easy-to-maneuver Greenworks corded blower weighs a mere 30 pounds, making it the lightest pick of the bunch and the easiest to push. For light snow removal, the Greenworks snow thrower will clear away snow up to 10 inches deep and toss it up to 20 feet away.
The tool requires a heavy-duty exterior 12- or 14-gauge extension cord to operate, and it features bright LED lights to illuminate a path in dim lighting and an easy push-button start. This single-stage snow blower will clear a swath up to 20 inches.
Product Specs
- Type: Single-stage
- Weight: 30 pounds
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Super-lightweight; easy to maneuver even on rougher terrain
- Very easy controls with a simple push-start button
- LED headlights help increase visibility
Cons
- Short power cable usually requires extension cord
Get the Greenworks 20-inch corded electric snow blower on Amazon or at Tractor Supply Co.
Photo: homedepot.com
For smaller walkways and driveways, there’s no need to have a large blower taking up space in the garage or the shed. For a well-plowed driveway, walkway, patio, or sidewalk, the Toro Power Shovel Electric Snow Blower may be the right snow blower. Unlike some gas snow blowers, this corded, compact model is easy to use and maneuver with its dual-handled design, 13-pound construction, and 150-foot power cord.
Like other electric snow blowers, this model has a 12-inch clearing path, a 20-foot throwing distance, a 180-degree turning radius, and a plowing capacity of 300 pounds of snow per minute. As for power, this snow blower has a 7.5-amp electric motor, making it ideal for how much snow you need to remove. However, this model would not be ideal for heavy snow or ice.
Product Specs
- Type: Single stage
- Weight: 13 pounds
- Power source: Corded
Pros
- Compact design; won’t take up space while being stored
- Dual-handled design makes it easy to maneuver
- 12-inch clearing path and 20-foot throwing distance
- 180-degree turning radius
- Throws 300 pounds of snow per minute
Cons
- Not suitable for heavy-duty use
- Light-duty plastic wheels; limited durability
Get the Toro electric snow blower at The Home Depot or Tractor Supply Co..
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Electric Snow Blower
There are numerous factors to take into account when deciding on an electric snow blower, including the amount and depth of snow it can move, comfort and maneuverability, and more. Read on to learn about these and other crucial snow blower features.
Corded vs. Cordless
- Cordless snow blowers offer the most convenience and ease of use. Like corded electric models, they start with the push of a button but aren’t limited by the constraints of a power cord. The compromise is with power.
- Corded snow blowers have access to a steady stream of 120-volt power, which makes them more powerful than cordless models, the best of which use only 80-volt batteries. Corded models also have a constant supply of power, whereas battery-powered snow blowers will work for only about 45 minutes before needing a recharge.
Type
Snow blowers fall into one of three categories: single-stage, two-stage, or three-stage blowers.
- Single-stage snow blowers, the most commonly used for residential purposes, have a horizontal auger at the front of the machine that rotates rapidly to scoop up snow and throw it 15 to 25 feet through the chute. One disadvantage of a single-stage snow blower, however, is that it isn’t suitable for gravel driveways. Its auger blades are too low to the ground and will pick up the rocks and throw them.
- Two-stage snow blowers use an auger to scoop and throw snow, as do single-stage snow blowers, but they also have an impeller fan that makes them more effective at managing larger amounts of snow. They can throw snow more than 35 feet, and their auger blades sit high enough to clear gravel driveways.
- Three-stage snow blowers are generally only used in commercial and industrial settings. With an auger, impeller fan, and an accelerator that grinds chunks of ice and hard-packed snow, these are powerful pieces of equipment that can throw snow up to 50 feet. However, the cost of these heavy-duty machines is higher than either the single- or two-stage models.
Clearing Width and Depth
When calculating clearing width and depth, think about the driveway, sidewalk, and any other areas around the home that must be cleared of snow. Some battery-powered snow blowers or throwers have small intake ports that can clear 6 inches of snow, while other models have deep, 12-inch intake ports.
With snow being collected and thrown continuously with these models, a nonstick spray for the chute and mouth of the blower may be a good investment to keep clumps and ice from solidifying. When fully functional, the clearing width correlates to a blower’s number of stages.
- Single-stage snow blowers are usually sufficient for residential snow removal. Use a single-stage blower to remove snow in sections that are 11 to 22 inches wide.
- Two-stage snow blowers, well suited for small commercial locations or large residential properties, have clearing widths between 20 and 30 inches.
- Three-stage snow blowers are used for commercial and industrial applications. They have a wide intake that can clear widths of 30 inches to more than 40 inches.
Speed and Chute Control
Because snow blowers can be heavy and cumbersome to maneuver, many users want a self-propelled model. Unlike gas snow blowers, battery-powered models have a digital drive system and can be self-propelled, but they usually have a variable-speed auger to speed up snow removal. By increasing the speed at which the snow is scooped and thrown through the chute, the auger makes it easier to move the machine through a light snowfall. However, a variable-speed auger isn’t as effective when clearing heavy, packed snow.
The chute, a curved, hollow tube that extends from the back of the intake on a snow blower, provides a route for the snow to be thrown from the machine. On most blowers, a manual crank or lever allows users to change the angle and direction of the snow being displaced. Premium snow blowers, however, have auto-rotating chutes that users turn by pushing a button near the handle, which doesn’t require the machine to be stopped. The angle on some chutes also can be changed to allow the snow blower to throw snow even farther.
Wheels vs. Tracks
Snow blowers move via wheels or tracks. Wheeled models feature two large rear wheels that drive the snow blower forward. Tracked models have tracks similar to those found on a tank. The tracks typically have a slip-resistant covering suitable for both paved and unpaved surfaces.
As a result, tracked snow blowers provide significantly better traction in the snow, making them better able to climb steep slopes without slipping backward. Most tracked snow blowers are two- and three-stage models, as single-stage models typically don’t produce enough power to drive the tracks. They also operate more closely to the surface, leaving a thinner layer of snow and ice on a driveway or sidewalk than wheeled models.
In comparison, wheeled snow blowers are easier to turn, as tracked models won’t pivot. Wheel sizes for single-stage snow blowers range from 6 to 8 inches. Larger wheels perform better in deeper snow, but smaller wheels are easier to maneuver. Additionally, wheeled models are generally faster than tracked models. That said, some higher-end tracked snow blowers offer faster speed and turn-on-a-dime technology that makes them comparable in speed and maneuverability to wheeled models.
The type of terrain will also have an impact on which of these options is best for different users. Paved surfaces, such as driveways and sidewalks, are best suited for wheeled snow blowers. Tracked snow blowers are better suited for unpaved surfaces. Grade also has a significant impact; steep driveways require a snow blower with good traction and enough power to pull it up a snow-covered slope.
Additional Features
Some of the best electric snow blowers come with special features designed to make snow clearing an easier and more comfortable endeavor.
- Heated handles may seem luxurious, but personal safety is an important part of working outdoors in freezing temperatures. The heat generated by the handles not only helps keep the user’s fingertips warm in the cold air, but it also makes it easier to hold and control the snow blower.
- A drift cutter helps clear deep drifts of snow. The cutter’s metal housing collects and pushes snow down into the auger for removal.
- Headlights make it easier to clear snow in dim lighting.
- An automatic safety shutoff switches off the snow blower when the user releases the handle.
FAQs
Having studied the features and benefits of these tools, there may still be some more questions. The following questions are among those that electric snow blower buyers ask most often.
Q. What’s the difference between single-stage and two-stage snow blowers?
Single-stage snow blowers are made with a horizontal auger that scoops then throws snow up to 15 to 25 feet away, whereas two-stage blowers include an auger and impeller to take on larger quantities of snow and throw it at up to 35-foot distances.
Q. When should you use your snow blower?
It is recommended to use a snow blower during or near the end of a heavy snowfall to prevent large amounts of snow from sticking to the ground. Multiple passes with light snow moved can be easier than removing heavier quantities of snow.
Q. How long do snow blowers last?
Single-stage snow blowers will typically last for as long as 10 years while two and three-stage blowers will typically have a lifespan of 15 to 25 years.
Why Trust Bob Vila
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