The truth is, it can be quite frustrating when you have to clear huge amounts of snowfalls before you can get out of the house. And in most cases, snow shovels aren’t as effective as you’d want them to be. Thankfully, snow blowers have come to your rescue. These machines pick up snow and throw it out of your way in no time and quite effortlessly. If you have searched for these machines before, you must have realized that there are tons of them available in the market and ascertaining which is the best can be tricky. Hence, to make things easy, we have prepared this article of the best snow blowers just for you.
The Best Snow Blower
1PowerSmart 2-Stage Briggs & Stratton Gas Snow Blower
The PowerSmart DB72024PA is a 2-stage gas snow blower that is suitable for clearing sidewalks, driveways, parking lots and areas where a snow shovel would be ineffective. Weighing only 190 pounds, this machine is considerably light. And with a dimension of 34 x 30 x 25 inches, the PowerSmart can be transported and stored with no hassle.
Two very important components of the PowerSmart DB72024PA are the impeller and auger, which measure 6 inches in radius. This large radius implies that these components facilitate easy and quick lifting of snow on each pass. The auger is responsible for taking snow into the snow blower while the impeller serves as a launcher of snow to the chute. What’s more, the PowerSmart DB72024PA is equipped with a 208cc gasoline engine that generates a torque of about 10 foot-pounds to propel the machine forward. Also, with the electric push starter, you can get the machine running in a single attempt. For these reasons, the PowerSmart DB72024PA is one of the best snow blowers you can get at a pocket-friendly price. Our guide to the best leaf blowers features some amazing products perfect for other periods of the year, so be sure to check them out.
208cc gasoline engine
Self-driving system
34 x 30 x 25 inches and 190 pounds
40 inches throwing distance
- BrandPowerSmart
- ModelDB72024PA
- Weight187 pounds
Foldable handles
Long throwing distance
Self-driving system
Complex controls
Not suitable for curvy driveways
Somewhat heavy
2Snow Joe SJ627E Electric Snow Blower w/Dual LED Lights
The Snow Joe SJ627E is an ergonomically designed single-stage snow thrower that runs on a 120-volt electric motor. The machine has to be powered from a GFCI-protected extension cord that is longer than a hundred feet. And do not forget to loop the cord through the extension cable restraining hook to prevent it from distracting you during a snow operation. As a single-stage snow blower, the Snow Joe SJ627E is equipped with a steel auger, which discharges snow through the chute, by the action of its rubber-tipped blades.
Unlike most snow blowers, you don’t need to lubricate the Snow Joe SJ627E throughout its lifetime, because it has been lubricated right from the factory. This means that you get to save money that would have otherwise been used to buy lubricants. In addition, the Snow Joe SJ627E is designed with an impressive 22-inch clearing width, which is wider than what the regular electric snow blowers offer. You may also like some of the best backpack leaf blowers from our list, so be sure to read our reviews of the best ones on the market.
Dual headlamps
120-volt electric motor
180-degree adjustable chute
23.4 x 22 x 26 inches
- BrandSnow Joe
- ModelSJ627E
- Weight34.8 pounds
Suitable for clearing large expanse of land
Suitable for night use
2 years warranty
Not recommended for snows with more than 15 inches in depth.
Somewhat pricey
May have defective chute deflector
3Snow Joe iON18SB Cordless Brushless Single Stage Snow Blower
The Snow Joe iON18SB single-stage blower is a very practical and lightweight machine that weighs only 31 pounds. The light construction allows you to effortlessly clear areas filled with snow during the winter. In fact, the machine clears over 500 pounds of snow per minute, which makes it more effective than any battery-powered snow blower. The Snow Joe iON18SB is powered by a 40-volt Lithium-Ion battery, which enables the machine to clear any snow on its 20-inch wide path. Hence, you don’t have to spend a lot of time clearing a large area.
Another impressive quality of the Snow Joe iON18SB blower is its cordless feature. This makes it suitable for long-distance maneuvering and easy control. In addition, the machine can be switched on or off with the simple press of a button. So, gone are the days when you have to struggle with short cords. Plus, you don’t have to disturb your neighbors when clearing up snow because the machine is noiseless, unlike most snow blowers which emit loud noises. To keep your lawn perfect when the snow is gone, be sure to pick some of the best cordless lawn mowers from our list.
Lightweight
50 x 20.5 x 28 inches
40-volt Lithium-Ion battery
180° auto-rotate chute
- BrandSnow Joe
- ModelION18SB
- Weight32 pounds
Noiseless
Completely cordless
2 years warranty
Poor battery capacity
Inconsistent chute throw
Poor control
4Snow Joe 80-Volt iONMAX Cordless Two Stage Snow Blower
Snow Joe is a brand recognized globally for using state-of-the-art technology in manufacturing high-quality machines. The brand utilized the proprietary EcoSharp technology and a long-lasting polymer construction to design the Snow Joe iON24SB-XR. The Snow Joe iON24SB-XR is the only two-stage wireless snow thrower you can find in the market today. Its engine can pick up and grind the hardest snowfalls easily, making it suitable for complex snow jobs.
Additionally, Snow Joe iON24SB-XR is fitted with a 2500-watt brushless motor that has the capacity to generate over 3.5 horsepower. Such an amount of power would suffice in moving more than 1,000 pounds of snow per minute. And unlike gas-powered snow blowers, this machine uses less energy in generating the force needed in driving the snow blower at low speed. In fact, gas-powered snow blowers require about 7 times more horsepower to generate the same amount of torque as this essential tool for winter.
2500-watt brushless motor
Proprietary EcoSharp technology
2-stage heavy-duty steel auger
3 headlamps
- BrandSnow Joe
- ModelION24SB-XR
- Weight56.4 pounds
Sturdy construction
Self-propelled
Suitable for night use
No lock on the control lever
Extra batteries needed for large snowfalls
Unsuitable for steeped surfaces
5PowerSmart PSS2240C 24 in. 212cc 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
The PowerSmart PSS2240C Gas Snow Blower delivers a snow clearing action that measures 24 x 20 inches. This is arguably the largest snow clearing capacity a gas snow blower can offer. Hence, it is suitable for clearing regions with high amounts of snowfalls.
Also, the PowerSmart PSS2240C Gas Snow Blower does not let you down in terms of speed variation. It is built with 6-forward and 2-backward variable speed control, which facilitate easy driving experience. In addition, the machine comes with a 180-degree rotational chute that facilitates enhanced snow blowing control and long-distance throw of over 40 feet.
Long-distance throw of over 40 feet
147 pounds
180 degrees chute rotation
33 x 26 x 26 inches
- BrandPowerSmart
- Weight147 pounds
Suitable for heavy-duty operations
Strong wheels
Long-distance throw
Heavy
Quite expensive
Hard to maintain
6Snow Joe Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
The Snow Joe SJ623E Snow Blower is equipped with a powerful 15-Amp motor that clears over 720 pounds of snow per minute. The steel auger of this machine is also powerful, as it clears snow of 18 x 10 inches in one pass. As if that’s not enough, the chute of this machine can be rotated to an angle of 180 degrees by the press of a button. This helps to facilitate a throw as high as 25 feet, which gives you a great impetus for sweeping over a large expanse of land covered with snow.
A snow blower of 34 pounds is not particularly weighty for a machine designed for heavy-duty operations. And so, you can easily keep it in your garage storage or anywhere you deem fit. Also, if for any reason you have to clear snowfalls at night, then you don’t have to worry. The Snow Joe SJ623E is equipped with a 20-watt halogen headlight that will come in handy at such times.
20-watt halogen headlight
15-Amp motor
720 pounds of snow per minute
34 pounds
- BrandSnow Joe
- ModelSJ623E
- Weight34 pounds
Adjustable chute
Suitable for heavy-duty operations
Suitable for night use
Short cord
Has to be plugged in to the mains
Slightly weighty
7Toro 38381 18-Inch 15 Amp Electric 1800 Power Curve Snow Blower
The Toro 38381 Curve Snow Blower is designed with cutting edge technology to provide maximum power and performance. It has a 15-Amp series wound motor that facilitates its operation in either AC or DC current mode. This motor generates adequate power to allow its rubber auger to clear over 700 pounds of snow per minute and discharges snow through its chute to a maximum distance of 30 feet. For this reason, the machine can handle considerably large operations in a short time.
The Toro 38381 Snow Blower is also designed to clear a width of 18 inches snow on its path and cut through 12 inches snow depth. Hence, the machine is suitable for clearing driveways with minimal passes, so as to save time and energy. And also, the snow cutting depth of this machine is comparable to single-stage gas-powered snow throwers. What’s more, Toro offers a two-year warranty for the 38381 Snow Blower. You may also find useful some of the best leaf shredders from our list, so take a minute to check them out.
15-Amp series wound motor
Two years warranty
Zip deflector and power curve technology
160-degree chute adjustability
- BrandToro
- Model38381
- Weight24 pounds
Easy-to-use control panel
Lightweight
Long throwing distance
Suitable for only light snowfalls
Extension cables may be difficult to master
Small wheels
8Craftsman 179cc Electric Start Single Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower
Most single-stage snow blowers run on electricity, but the Craftsman snow blower is powered by gas. It comes with a strong 4-cycle engine that you can rely upon to give you adequate power. This snow blower will be all you need to clear huge amounts of snowfalls for your patio, sidewalk or any small area. However, it won’t be suitable for clearing large spaces like driveways.
The Craftsman snow blower is equipped with a push-button start that switches on the machine within a split second. This feature is not available in other single-stage snow blower. And unlike most conventional snow blowers which have small and inflatable wheels, the Craftsman is fitted with big, sturdy wheels that will effortlessly cruise through snowfalls. This machine clears up to 21 by 13 inches snow on its path in no time. And with its rotatable chute, you can discharge the ground snow in any direction.
31.9 x 26.1 x 24.4 inches
Strong 4-cycle engine
Push-button start
2 years warranty for major components
- BrandCraftsman
- Model179cc Electric Start Single Stage
- Weight105 pounds
Quick start
Solid wheels
Affordable
Slows down in wet snow
Difficult to maneuver
Quite heavy
Snow Blower Buying Guide
Features To Look For In Snow Blowers
Motor Type - A very important feature to look for when buying a snow blower is the motor type. There are two motor types used in powering snow blowers: 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines.
Although the 2-cycle motor is fuel-efficient, it cannot be lubricated with oil. However, oil can be mixed with gasoline to get the job done. But this process is quite tedious and complicated because if the mixture is not properly done, it could result in serious engine damage. A snow blower equipped with a 2-cycle engine will consume lesser amount of gas than a 4-cycle engine, under similar operating conditions. However, it tends to have a shorter shelf life.
The design of a 4-cycle engine reduces the effect of wear-and-tear on the machine. However, the biggest let-down of the 4-cycle engine is that it requires constant maintenance. In fact, oil changes have to be done at the beginning and end of winter.
All in all, the 4-cycle engines are better than the 2-cycle models. As long as they are maintained regularly, then you have no problem.
Speed Control - Today, a lot of snow blowers are fitted with speed control, which allows users to adjust the speed of the machine’s driving system. Most single-stage snow blowers and few two-stage models are designed with a single forward speed option.
However, for the options with multiple speed variations, users can increase or decrease the speed if the clearing conditions permit, and get to finish the work in no time. For instance, if users encounter very compacted and fluffy snow, they can increase the speed for enhanced control and mobility. On the other hand, if they encounter dense snow, they can decrease the speed, so the impeller and auger blades can keep up with the task.
Wheels VS Tracks - Another component to consider when buying a snow blower is the driving mechanism. While some snow blowers are fitted with tracks, others come with wheels. The main distinction between wheel-driven and track-driven snow blowers borders on speed, traction and maneuverability.
Navigating with a wheel-driven snow blower is much more convenient than using track-driven systems because they are somewhat difficult to pivot on a single wheel. However, new designs of track-driven snow blowers are equipped with turn-sensing technology that helps to effortlessly spin the blower in you want it. And even though traditional track-driven snow blowers are usually slower when compared to wheeled blowers, cutting edge technologies like RapidTrak is bridging the gap that exist between both driving mechanisms.
Also note that track-driven snow blowers are quite weightier than wheeled throwers. This makes them more suitable for heavy-duty operations. They also have better traction control, which makes it easier to navigate them through steeped terrains. However, track-driven snow blowers are typically more expensive. But then, it’s unsurprising considering the number of qualities and advantages they have over wheel-driven blowers.
Types Of Snow Blowers
Single Stage Snow Blowers - A single-stage snow blower picks up snow with its auger and discharges it from the chute in a single action. These types of snow blowers do not blow the snow from the chute; instead, they throw it away through the auger. This is why they are sometimes called snow throwers. Single-stage snow blowers are generally small compared to the other two types of blowers.
These snow machines are not designed to work on steeped terrains because they have relatively less powerful engines. Instead, they are suitable for clearing sidewalks and short driveways that don’t have enormous snow accumulation. Also, the auger of a single-stage snow thrower makes direct contact with the ground, which makes it inappropriate for gravel-filled surfaces.
2-Stage Snow Blowers - A 2-stage snow blower has an auger that picks up snow, just like the single-stage blowers. However, the difference is that 2-stage snow blowers are equipped with an impeller that blows the snow out of the chute. This two-stage process makes the auger function more effectively. It is not involved with the expelling of snow from the chute. Hence, these types of snow blowers get more snow cleared in less time than a single-stage blower.
Furthermore, 2-stage snow blowers are typically constructed with large augers and engines to facilitate the clearing of steeper terrains. It is because of these numerous components that make a 2-stage snow blower heavier and larger than a single-stage thrower.
The major drawbacks of two-stage machines are their prices and fuel consumption rates. However, if you need to clear a large expanse of land, with a deep and inclined surface, then you have to go for at least a two-stage snow blower.
3-Stage Snow Blowers - These machines are inarguably the biggest, heaviest and most expensive snow blowers. They are equipped with gigantic engines that deliver an enormous amount of power, thereby getting work done in the shortest possible time. These machines are also fitted with large augers to facilitate easy and quick removal of snow.
The major difference between the 3-stage snow blower and other snow blowers, is that the wheels are not propelled by the auger. Instead, they are driven by the engine, which makes them powerful and long-lasting.
