A lot of folks think of the best snow blowers as luxury items. But, let’s not forget how helpless it feels to face eight to 12 inches of heavy, wet snow with nothing but a shovel and a runny nose. The job feels like it will never end, your back aches more with every scoop, and the snow either gets heavier or starts to ice. The right snow blower can solve all of these issues in a fraction of the time — not much of a luxury anymore, is it?
We won’t bore you with a line about how not all snow blowers are created equal (though we sort of did, didn’t we?). But finding the best snow blower to fit your needs and property should be a priority over simply buying the first machine that can chuck snow into your neighbor’s yard. In this guide, we’ll cover 10 snow blowers you should consider, as well as everything you need to know to buy the right one.
“A snow blower is a machine designed to remove snow from surfaces such as driveways, sidewalks, and roads,” Andrea Saenz, chief operational officer and owner at Novus Snow and Ice Management — a company servicing more than 200 locations in New York City — told the New York Post. “It operates by propelling snow away from the cleared area, making it a convenient and time-saving alternative to traditional manual shoveling.”
Be sure to check out our in-depth FAQ section — backed by our snow removal expert — for more on snow blowers and how to use them.
Pros:
- Simplified lever-free steering
- One-lever chute angle and deflection adjustments
- Six forward speeds and two reverse speeds
- Electric start for less effort
“Novus Snow and Ice Management, we endorse the use of TORO snow blowers for New York City sidewalks,” Saenz told The Post. “Their exceptional flexibility, ease of maneuvering, and compact design make them exceptionally well-suited for conquering the unique challenges presented by urban environments.”
As always, Novus Snow and Ice Management emphasized the importance of regular maintenance and adherence to safety guidelines “to ensure the optimal performance and longevity of your snow blower investment.”
This Toro is no exception. This 252cc, two-stage gas model can clear paths of snow up to 26 inches wide and throw it up to 45 feet. It’s self-propelled and features a trigger- and lever-free power steering system for easier maneuvering. It also has a one-lever chute control system that allows the user to change the direction and deflection angle for easier use.
Other benefits that buyers will experience are an electric start option for an easier start, as well as hand-warming grips, a heavy-duty handle, and knobby 15-inch tires for plenty of grip. While it does have a headlight, it only has one mounted on the side, which means heavy snow thrown may block light and the user’s vision.
Stage: Two-Stage | Fuel Source: Gasoline | Clearing Width: 26 inches | Throwing Distance: 45 feet
Pros:
- Very lightweight design that comes with two batteries
- Runs very quietly compared to gas models
- Steel auger with a rubber tip for durability
- Built-in LED headlight
Cons:
- Can only handle up to 10 inches of snow
- No handle-mounted deflection control
Snow blower shoppers looking for a good deal on a relatively capable little snow blower should consider the Snow Joe IONMAX Cordless Snow Blower. This battery-powered model runs on two 24-volt rechargeable batteries, operating quietly and efficiently while removing paths of snow up to 18 inches wide (though it can only handle snow up to 10 inches deep).
This one-stage snow blower features a handle-mounted chute angle adjustment, though deflection requires a manual adjustment at the chute. It has a built-in, front-mounted LED headlight to illuminate the path in front. It also features a steel auger with a rubber-tipped edge for improved durability.
Stage: Single-stage | Fuel Source: 24-volt battery | Clearing Width: 18 inches | Throwing Distance: 20 feet
Pros:
- As powerful as most gas-powered snow blowers while much quieter
- Self-propelled and lightweight
- Throws 28-inch wide paths of snow up to 60 feet
- One-lever chute angle and deflection adjustment
Cons:
- It is a bit more expensive than a typical 28-inch snow blower
When it comes to battery-powered snow removal, the EGO POWER+ SNT2807 is essentially the king of the snow pile. This battery-powered model features a two-stage removal system with traditional steel augers and impeller. This allows it to remove paths of snow up to 28 inches wide and throw it up to 60 feet. It rivals most gas snow blowers in this range but runs much more quietly.
We’ll admit that, as a premium choice, the SNT2807 is a bit expensive. However, its features include four bright LED headlights, power steering, one-lever chute and deflection adjustments, heated handles, and durable 16-inch tires. It also comes with two 56-volt batteries and a charger.
Stage: Two-Stage | Fuel Source: 56-Volt battery | Clearing Width: 28 inches | Throwing Distance: 60 feet
Pros:
- Compact, lightweight design with a lot of power
- Heavy-duty steel auger
- Power steering with adjustable speeds
Those committed to a greener, quieter winter will find the SNT2405 to be a good fit. This battery-powered snow blower features a two-stage design with self-propulsion, making it capable and easy to use. It can clear paths of snow up to 24 inches wide and throw that snow up to 50 feet. It uses two 56-volt batteries (which it comes with) and features a compact design.
This model features handle-mounted chute and deflection adjustments, as well as adjustable speeds for both the propulsion and auger. It also has four LED headlights for nighttime snow removal. What it doesn’t have is something of a bummer — no heated handles for this snow blower.
Stage: Two-stage | Fuel Source: 56-volt battery | Clearing Width: 24 inches | Throwing Distance: Up to 50 feet
Pros:
- Powerful yet quiet design
- Front-mounted LED headlights for improved sight
- Actual steel augers (not a paddle)
- Handles up to 12 inches of snow
- Folding handles for easy storage
Cons:
- Comes with smaller batteries than the larger models
For the best single-stage snow blower, our top choice is the EGO POWER+ SNT2112. This battery-powered model is lightweight and quiet, yet it can clear paths of snow up to 18 inches wide and 12 inches deep. And, since it features high-speed, steel augers, it can throw it up to 40 feet despite being a single-stage blower.
This model has a lot of built-in features that make it worth a look. Aside from the steel augers, it features front-mounted LED headlights for snow blowing in the dark. It also has adjustable speeds to adjust the throwing distance as well as throttle battery life. It comes with 56-volt batteries, though they’re only the 5-amp batteries while the larger EGOs come with the 7.5-amp options. The model also has foldable handles for easier storage, making it an excellent option for light-duty snow removal.
Stage: Single-stage | Fuel Source: 56-volt battery | Clearing Width: 21 inches | Throwing Distance: 40 feet
Pros:
- Powerful, 357cc gas engine for heavy snow
- Power steering and one-hand operation
- Electric start for easy fire-up
- Heated grips for all-day comfort
Cons:
- It may be too big for smaller garages and driveways
The Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 30-inch snow blower has the size and power to handle some tough snow. With a clearing width of 30 inches and a maximum depth of 20 inches, this powerful two-stage blower will easily handle most storms. It features a 357cc engine to provide power, plus an electric start option for easy fire-up.
Snow blower shoppers will appreciate this 3090 for its self-propulsion and power steering, as well as its one-hand operation feature. This feature allows the user to hold the propulsion lever down with one handle, leaving the other free to adjust the chute or deflector. It also has heated grips for comfort, though it might not be comfortable in smaller garages during the off-season or for weaving between vehicles in a tight driveway.
Stage: Two-stage | Fuel Source: Gas | Clearing Width: 30 inches | Throwing Distance: 40 feet
Pros:
- Three-stage design allows it to cut through snow up to 23 inches
- Self-propelled with power steering and heated handles
- Powerful 420cc engine for heavy snow
- Electronic fuel injection for better fuel flow, more power, and reliable starting
If you live in an area where 23-inch snow storms are the norm, check out the Cub Cadet 3X Max three-stage snow blower. This model features a three-stage design that allows it to handle snow up to 23 inches deep and 30 inches wide, throwing it up to 40 feet away. It features a powerful 420cc motor and power steering—a good thing, as it’s extremely heavy (over 300 pounds).
This gas snow blower features Cub Cadet’s IntelliPOWER engine, which means it has fuel injection for easier starts, more power, and better fuel flow for the conditions. It also features a heavy-duty auger and gearbox and dual LED headlights for low-light snow blowing.
Stage: Three-stage | Fuel Source: Gas | Clearing Width: 30 inches | Throwing Distance: 40 feet
Pros:
- Compact, easily maneuverable design
- Relatively powerful 212cc engine
- Electric start for easy fire-up
- Not self-propelled but uses a paddle design to pull through snow over walkways
Cons:
- No handle-mounted adjustments
For walkway clearing, there may be no better option than the Toro Power Clear 21-inch snow blower. This model features a single-stage design with a paddle-style auger. While it’s not self-propelled, the paddle auger helps pull the blower through the snow, requiring less effort from the user over walkways.
The Power Clear features a compact design that’s easily maneuverable, making it a good fit for winding walkways. It also has an electric start for easy start-up and a relatively powerful engine that allows it to clear 21-inch paths of snow and throw it up to 35 feet away. Unfortunately, there aren’t any handle-mounted adjustments, so chute direction and deflection must be done manually.
Stage: Single-stage | Fuel Source: Gas | Clearing Width: 21 inches | Throwing Distance: 35 feet
Pros:
- Track drive system designed to improve ground contact in any condition
- One-hand operation for easy use and adjustments
- Electric start for faster, easier starts
- Large enough to work quickly but compact enough to pass between vehicles
Cons:
- Will be more difficult to maneuver when it’s not running
For standard driveways, the goal is to clear them quickly while still being able to pass between vehicles, and that’s what the Troy-Bilt Storm Tracker 28 can offer. This model features a 28-inch clearing width, allowing it to be maneuvered between vehicles when needed, as well as a 40-foot through distance. It also features a track-drive system that improves ground contact for the self-propulsion system over driveways of any sort.
This model has all of the standard Troy-Bilt features. It has a one-hand operation, which allows the operator to hold one lever down during operation and adjust the chute with the free hand. It also has heated handles, handle-bar mounted chute controls, variable speeds, and more. But, the track system and this model’s weight (almost 280 pounds) will make it more difficult to maneuver when it’s not running.
Stage: Two-stage | Fuel Source: Gas | Clearing Width: 28 inches | Throwing Distance: 40 feet
Pros:
- Lightweight design is perfect for walkways, decks, or small driveways
- Throws 6 inches of snow up to 25 feet
- Runs quietly on 60-volt batteries
- Easy to store in the off-season
Cons:
- No chute to adjust or redirect discharge
If you just need a smaller option for removing snow from a small walkway, deck, or driveway, the Toro Power Shovel is a great option. This model operates like a hand-held single-stage snow blower, with the user guiding it through the snow. It clears paths 12 inches wide and throws it up to 25 feet. And, it’s extremely lightweight and easy to transport, so users could clear a deck with it, then clear their driveways or walkways. This model uses Toro’s 60-volt battery system, allowing it to run cleanly and quietly.
The downside to this model is that it doesn’t have a chute to adjust the snow discharge, so it always shoots it forward. That’s not ideal when the wind is blowing inward, so users may have to get creative with the way they shovel.
Stage: Single-stage | Fuel Source: 60-volt battery | Clearing Width: 12 inches | Throwing Distance: 25 feet
What to Know When Choosing a Snow Blower
We mentioned earlier that you can’t just grab the first snow blower on sale at your local home center. You’ll want to pick a model that truly fits your needs and your property’s layout, allowing you to finish quickly and do some sledding with the kiddos.
Snow Blower Stages
Snow blowers come in one of three stage types: single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage. In this case, the term “stage” refers to the number of augers or paddles the snowblower uses to scoop and throw snow. Here’s how they work:
- Single-stage snow blowers have one set of augers or paddles running horizontally across the front of the blower. They run at very high speeds to grab snow and force it up and out of the chute with enough speed to travel 30 to 40 feet. Single-stage models are suitable for snowfall up to 8 inches.
- Two-stage, also known as dual-stage, snow blowers have an impeller-type auger between the main augers and the chute. In these models, the horizontal augers spin slower to feed greater amounts of snow to the impeller. The impeller then spins at high speed to shoot snow up to 50 or so feet. Two-stage models are suitable for snowfall up to 18 inches.
- Three-stage snow blowers add an additional element — an accelerator. The accelerator breaks up heavy, compacted snow and forces it through the auger and impeller at greater speeds, throwing snow similar distances as two-stage models but working faster overall. Three-stage models are often the only option for snowfall over 18 inches.
Fuel Sources
There are two main fuel sources available: gas and electric. The most common models are still gas-powered, with loud engines that create emissions but produce more power. Electric snow blower models are available in plug-in (very inconvenient) and battery-powered options.
When battery-powered options first became available, they were underpowered and a bit of a gimmick. Today, they’re powerful, long-lasting, and very quiet. Also, they don’t produce emissions, which could be important to eco-conscious homeowners. Also, they require far less maintenance than a gas model, which requires draining the fuel each spring, changing spark plugs, and swapping air filters.
Which to choose is a matter of preference (except in areas where gas-powered models are banned). Gas-powered snow blowers are best for pros and those with large driveways since they can be refueled indefinitely. Batteries need to be recharged or swapped, and batteries will always drain faster than they can be recharged, so this could lead to some downtime making them inconvenient for larger properties.
Maneuverability and Propulsion
Maneuverability and propulsion are important factors. There are a few options, however:
- Push style: Basic snow blowers will free-spinning wheels that the user must push into the snow. They’re light but can be difficult to use.
- Self-propelled: More expensive models with driven wheels that push the snow blower forward or pull it backward. These are easy to use but can be very heavy.
- Self-propelled with power steering: Some snow blowers have a feature known as power steering. Essentially, the model is self-propelled but when the operator wants to turn, they squeeze a lever that stops one wheel from spinning, allowing the snow blower to turn as the opposite wheel continues to drive forward.
Clearing Width and Throwing Distance
Keep clearing width and throwing distance in mind as both factors are important for finding the right snow blower to fit a property.
Clearing widths range from very small (18 or so inches) to very large (30 to 34 inches wide). This refers to how much snow the snow blower can remove in one pass. Smaller clearing widths are easier to maneuver and store but take longer to clear snow. Wider widths can be cumbersome and difficult to get between vehicles (remember, you want to scrape windshields in the winter, not your paint) or on some walkways, but they can clear much more snow.
Throwing distance refers to the maximum distance that a snow blower can throw snow. The typical range is 20 to 50 feet. While it might not seem necessary to get a snow blower with a 40 or 50-foot throwing distance, it’s important to remember that this is the maximum distance and wet, heavy, icy snow will not travel nearly as far. For wide driveways, a longer throw that can keep thrown snow from accumulating back on the driveway may be important.
Extra Features
While this might be the last section of considerations, the information here is just as important. There are many additional things that shoppers should be aware of.
- Electric start: Models with electric start functions plug into an extension cord. The user then simply holds a button to start the snow blower rather than pulling the pull cord over and over again.
- Heated handles: Heated handles can help operators maintain a comfortable grip and control over their snow blower. Even though most folks wear gloves when they blow snow, it helps keep the gloves from freezing and keeps fingers warmer longer.
- Headlights: Blowing snow in the dark is rarely anyone’s idea of a good time. Headlights ensure the operator can see what they’re doing regardless of when they’re able to get out after the storm.
- Track drive: Most snow blowers have wheels but some have tracks that propel the snow blowers, similar to those found on an excavator. This provides more traction and a more stable base on rough terrain.
- Skid shoes: Skid shoes are adjustable, wearable plates on either side of the main auger housing. They can be adjusted higher to lower according to the terrain as they determine how close the auger will come to striking the ground.
Snow Blower FAQs
Which is better, 1 stage or 2 stage snow blower?
It depends on the circumstances but they each have their uses. However, two-stage snow blowers are the best blend of capability and affordability.
How many CCs is a good snow blower?
It depends on the size of the snowblower. A 24-inch model with a 200cc engine is typically fine, while a 30-inch model might require a 300cc engine or larger to power the auger and impeller.
What is the most reliable brand of snowblower?
It’s generally accepted that Toro makes the best snow blowers. However, Troy-Bilt and Cub Cadet make quality residential-style, gas-powered snow blowers as well. When it comes to battery-powered snow blowers, EGO is by far the best option.
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