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If you live in a snowy climate, winter means the arrival of snow shoveling season. Shoveling your driveway can be grueling work in heavy snow, but there’s definitely a better way.
Snow blowers make clearing snow quick, easy and even a little fun. But for the uninitiated, shopping for a snow blower can seem intimidating.
How do you choose from all the snow blowers on the market? Here we’ve rounded up the top 10 best snow blowers for 2022 to make your life easier.
It’s important to buy the best snow blower you can afford so you can clear snow as quickly as possible.
With hundreds of models on the market, some find it easiest to simply buy one with a brand name they recognize. Or they simply buy the model that their local home improvement store has on sale.
A better solution is to buckle down and do extensive research on features and options before buying.
But the best solution is to rely on the research we’ve done for you — saving you an immense amount of time and hassle!
Here’s our comprehensive guide to buying a snowblower, along with our compilation of the best snow blowers out there.
Snow Blowers | Product Information | Check Price |
---|---|---|
![]() | Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower | 21-Inch | 15 Amp Motor | Check Price |
![]() | Greenworks 20-Inch 13 Amp Corded Snow Thrower 2600502 | Check Price |
![]() | Earthwise SN74018 Cordless Electric 40-Volt 4Ah Brushless Motor, 18-Inch Snow Thrower, 500lbs/Minute, With LED spotlight (Battery and Charger Included) | Check Price |
![]() | PowerSmart DB7279 24" Two Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start | Check Price |
![]() | Snow Joe SJ619E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower | 18-Inch | 14.5 Amp Motor | LED Lights | Check Price |
![]() | Snow Joe SJ620 Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower | 18-Inch | 13.5 Amp Motor | Check Price |
![]() | Toro Single Stage Snow Blower Power Clear 518 ZR 38472 | Check Price |
![]() | Greenworks 16-Inch 10 Amp Corded Electric Lawn Mower 25142 | Check Price |
![]() | Snow Joe SJ622E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower | 18-Inch | 15 Amp Motor | Check Price |
![]() | Husqvarna ST224 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Electric Start Snow Blower 970468501 | Check Price |
The top 10 best snow blower reviews
There are hundreds of snow blowers to choose from these days. For that reason, we’ll be focusing primarily on electric and rechargeable snowblowers in these reviews.
We’ll also throw in value choices for one-stage and two-stage units. One important note before we begin: Since you’ll be likely to use an extension cord for these machines, be sure that the extension is rated for the amperage of the snowblower.
You’ll be safer using a cord that’s rated a little higher than that of the motor, especially if you’re using a long extension.
Snow Joe SJ625E 15
- Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- 15-amp motor moves up to 800 lbs. of snow per minute
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain. Chute Rotation Turning Radius (Deg) - 180
- 3 W LED light for safe nighttime clearing.Tires: 8 inch (2.5 inch width)
The Snow Joe SJ625E has a 15-amp motor and a 21-inch steel auger, making it one of the largest and most powerful electric machines available.
There are a few snowblower manufacturers whose names automatically mean “quality,” and one of them is Snow Joe.
The company claims this thrower can move 800 pounds of snow per minute at a depth of 12″; we have no way of measuring that, of course, but you’ll be able to do much more than just steps and walks with this model.
It can easily compete with most one-stage gas blowers, although you may find that if you get too ambitious with deep coverings, you may experience some clogs in the chute.
By the way, that chute is adjustable over a 180-degree range. Being in the low price range, this machine is a keeper.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Reputable, reliable brand. | Snow chute may clog in deep snow. |
Affordable price | Constantly maneuvering around the electric cord. |
Powerful 15-amp motor. | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
GreenWorks 2600502
- 13 amp motor delivers powerful results for gas alternative ; Dual LED lightsfor greater visibility any time of the day
- Adjustable 180 degree directional chute makes snow throwing manageable ; Easy electric start for hassle free operation
- Discharge snow up to 20-feet. 7-inch wheels for greater mobility
- Only works on 120 volts ; 20-inch clearing path and 10-inch clearing depth
The specs on this Greeenworks 2600502 blower are similar to the Snow Joe SJ625E’s, with a 13-amp motor and a nominal 20-inch auger (as well as a rotatable chute), but you’ll find there’s less oomph in its performance.
One obvious reason is that the auger is really 18″ and it’s just enclosed in a 20-inch housing, and the other is that the 2600502’s motor is 13 instead of 15 amps.
Quite honestly, though, we’d expect more from a SnowJoe than a GreenWorks.
This is still a good thrower for up to about four-inch snowfalls, though, and it’s cheaper than the SJ625. Adjustable 180 degree directional chute makes snow throwing manageable.
Easy electric start for hassle-free operation.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Affordable price | Works in snow up to 4 inches deep. |
Less powerful motor | Not the most powerful. |
Smooth operation | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Earthwise SN74018 Cordless Electric Snow Thrower
- 18 Clearing Width, 12 Clearing Depth, 30 Snow Throwing Distance
- Powerful 40-Volt Brushless Motor: 4Ah Battery and Charger Included
- Moves 500 lbs of Snow Per Minute
- 2 LED spotlights, Ergonomic Handle, Rear 6 Wheels, Dual Blade Auger
- Easy Chute Adjustment: 180 Degree Rotating Ch
The Earthwise electric snow thrower is planet-conscious because it is battery-powered, and it does not require oil or gas to function. This means that it does not emit harmful fumes to the environment.
It has a powerful brushless motor that can move 500 lbs of snow per minute. This battery snow blower is a reliable outdoor companion during the winter months.
It operates quietly and efficiently, which makes it ideal for your home.
The 40-volt brushless motor of this snow thrower is powered by a 4Ah battery that comes with a fast charger in the package.
It gives you superb run time and convenience that you can rely on when you need to clear snow in your yard.
This brushless motor is quiet and planet-conscious. It has a long service life, so you have great value for money
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Reputable brand | Not suitable for bigger jobs. |
Lightweight & easy to maneuver. | Not the highest qualiity. |
Quick and easy snow removal. | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Power Smart DB7279 24-Inch
- 212cc engine offers powerful snow-clearing action
- 2 stage blower allows a snow clearing width of 24 in. and a clearing depth of 16 in. Making it a perfect choice for regions receiving heavy snowfall
- 40 throwing distance puts the snow out of your
Here’s one of the two exceptions to our rule: a two-stage machine, which we include not because of the manufacturer’s name, but because of its value for a real workhorse.
The Power Smart DB7279 Smart features a 208cc gas engine with four forward and two reverse speeds, electric start, and a 24-inch steel auger. The intake height is 21″, so you can easily use this blower on heavy and 18-inch snowfalls.
You’d pay a whole lot more for a comparable Toro or Snow Joe. One important fact: this thrower does not meet California emission standards.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Suitable for heavy snow. | Does not meet California emission standards. |
Good price for the quality. | Handles are very short. |
Powerful performance | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Snow Joe SJ619E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
- Versatile: ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- MAINTENANCE-FREE: No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- Led light: 3 W LED light for safe nighttime clearing
- Powerful: 14. 5-Amp motor moves up to 650 lb. of snow per min
Responding to the need for an easy-to-use machine that could tackle heavier snowfall on mid-sized driveways and walkways, Snow Joe developed the Snow Joe Ultra SJ619E that delivers the power of a gas machine with the convenience of an electric unit.
Driven by a powerful 14.5-amp motor, the Snow Joe Ultra moves up to 650 lbs. of snow per minute.
Its durable steel auger with 2 rubber blades cuts a path 18 inches wide by 8 inches deep with each pass. Features a 3 W LED light for safe nighttime clearing.
Powered electrically, the Snow Joe Ultra SJ619E is effortless to start and maintain. No gas, oil, or tune-ups are necessary.
Responding to the need for an easy-to-use machine that could tackle heavier snowfall on mid-sized driveways and walkways, Snow Joe developed the Snow Joe Ultra SJ619E that delivers the power of a gas machine with the convenience of an electric unit.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Affordable price | Have to remember to charge battery. |
Can clear snow up to 8 inches deep. | Not ligthweight |
Quiet operation | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Snow Joe SJ620
- Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways.
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain.
- Powerful 13.5-amp motor moves up to 650 lbs of snow per minute.
- 4-blade steel auger cuts 18 in. wide by 10 in. deep with each pass.
- 180° adjustable directional chute throws snow up to 20
The Snow Joe SJ620 is basically a lower-level version of the SJ625E we’ve already reviewed.
It clears 18″ of snow at a time instead of 21″, and isn’t quite as powerful (13 vs. 15 amp motor), but its steel auger and rotatable chute provide the same functions, user experience and results on slightly lesser snowfalls – six inches shouldn’t be an issue.
If you want electric and don’t need “all” of the 625E, the 621 is worth a long look.
Responding to the need for an easy-to-use machine that could tackle heavier snowfall on mid-sized driveways and walkways, Snow Joe developed the Snow Joe Ultra SJ620.
Driven by a powerful 13.5-amp motor, the Snow Joe Ultra moves up to 650 lbs of snow per minute.
Its durable, 4-blade rotor, constructed of heavy-grade steel, cuts 18 inches wide by 10 inches deep with each pass, clearing up to 2450 square feet per hour!
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Affordable price | Less powerful than the SJ625E |
Powerful for the price | The cord is short from the motor. |
Handles big driveways | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Toro Single Stage Snow Blower Power Clear
- Toro Snow Blower Power Clear 518 ZR 38472 with 99cc Toro OHV engine is equipped with an 18-inch clearing width to move up to 1,100 pounds of snow per minute.
- Great for small, paved surfaces, the 38472 will clear up to nine inches of snow from driveways that fit four to eight cars.
The Toro Single Stage Snow Blower is one of Toro’s best selling lines, and it’s easy to understand why. It’s durable and powerful (for an electric blower) yet lightweight at just 25 pounds.
“Power Curve” refers to the curved rotor and funnel housing, which can move more snow with fewer clogs. Don’t expect miracles, though,
because its auger only clears an 18 inch path and it isn’t built to handle tightly packed snow or depths of more than about ten inches.
The chute can rotate 160 degrees and there’s an ergonomic, adjustable handle to make life easier.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Lightweight and easy to carry. | Not made for heavier jobs. |
Great for small paved surfaces. | Expensive |
Can clear up to nine inches of snow from driveways. | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
GreenWorks 25142
- 10 Amp Electric Motor delivers enough power to cut through touch grass. Assembled Product Weight: 48.0 Pounds
- Durable 16-Inch cutting deck gets the job done quicker and more efficiently
- 2-in-1 feature provides mulching and rear discharge capabilities
- 5 position height adjustment offers a range of cutting height from 5/8-Inch to 2-5/8-Inch for the perfect cut on all types of grass
- 7-Inch rear wheel and 6-Inch front wheels.
Your mission is to find a good electric snowblower that’s easy on the pocket? Here it is.
This lightweight GreenWorks 25142 model has a 10 amp motor and a 16-inch auger, and can remove lighter coverings that’s four inches deep (the company claims six inches) without breaking much of a sweat.
To be sure, it’s not the equal of a gas-powered one-stage unit, or even the Snow Joe models we’ve reviewed. But it’s going to clean your walk quietly, easily and at a very friendly price.
Durable 16-Inch cutting deck gets the job done quicker and more efficiently. The 10 Amp electric motor delivers enough power to cut through touch grass.
Features a five position height adjustment that offers a range of cutting height from 5/8-Inch to 2-5/8-Inch for the perfect cut on all types of grass.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Extremely affordable | Cord can be cumbersome. |
Quiet operation | Only for light coverings of snow. |
Converts easily from rear bag to mulch. | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Snow Joe SJ622E
- Ideal for clearing snow off mid-to-large sized driveways and walkways
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- Powerful 15-amp motor moves up to 720 lbs of snow per minute
- 4-blade steel auger cuts 18 in. wide by 10 in. deep with each pass
This Snow Joe SJ622E is nearly identical to the Snow Joe SJ625E we discussed earlier. The only real differences are a smaller auger, four pounds less weight, and the price.
It’s a solid machine and will do the job, but we’d choose the SJ625E unless we had to clear steps or paths that are only 18″ wide, rather than the 21″ the bigger unit can handle.
Make quick work out of the heavy white stuff nature throws your way with our most powerful electric snow thrower, the Snow Joe Ultra SJ622E.
Boasting a 15-amp motor, this snow-throwing dynamo can move up to 720 pounds of snow per minute. Its durable, 4-blade rotor, constructed of heavy-grade steel, cuts a full 18-inch wide by 10-inch deep swath of snow with each pass.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Great price | Smaller auger |
Lightweight | Most of the internal parts were plastic. |
Constructed of heavy-grade steel. | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Husqvarna ST224P
- 24-Inch Two-Stage Snowblower
- Power Steering - Convenient trigger control power steering allows superior maneuverability in adverse conditions.
- Handle height adjustment
- 208cc OHV Engine - with throttle control to idle down engine when not clear
Here’s our one-stage gas-powered value choice, the Husqvarna ST224P Gas Snow Blower machine.
It’s powered by a 208cc engine, has a 24-inch clearing path, a rotating chute, and will charge through snow up to six inches deep.
It’s definitely not the machine we’d select if we lived in the snow belt, as Husqvarna makes much bigger, and frankly, better blowers than this one.
But the company has a well-deserved reputation for the quality of its snowblowers and heavy equipment, and it’s unusual to be able to pick up “anything” made by the company at a price like this.
One thing we didn’t like: they charge extra if you want a blower with a headlight. Most machines come standard with them.
The Husqvarna has been developed for homeowners who need a high-performing snow thrower to clear snow from large driveways to pathways.
It works regardless of surface type thanks to the adjustable skid shoes. Husqvarna ST 224p has been designed for use in all snow conditions; 6-18 inches.
It has an efficient two-stage system with high throwing capacity. The unit has industry exclusive 4-position height adjustable handles for optimal comfort.
Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Reputable brand | Headlight costs extra |
Affordable price | Not suited for heavy jobs. |
high-performing snow thrower. | |
Best Snow Blower Reviews |
Electric or Gas?
One of the most important decisions when shopping for a snow blower is: electric or gas? Here we explain the advantages of both.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Electric vs Gas
- An electric snow blower is quiet and light, and virtually maintenance-free. Of course, it also requires a power cord which will limit the range of the machine as well as its manoeuvrability, and most will have a difficult time clearing snow that’s deeper than four inches or so.
- A gas snow blower can be used anywhere on your property without being attached to a power source, but will make more noise and require gas, oil and engine maintenance. It can also handle heavier depths.
(There’s also a door #3 with a cordless snowblower, needing frequent recharging and usually only suitable for small jobs. Most people don’t pick door #3, but we’ll include one of these cordless models in our list.)
Single-Stage or Two-Stage?
Single-Stage
A single-stage has a plastic or metal blade assembly (known as the auger) that picks up the snow and expels it through a chute.
These snow throwers only work on hard surfaces like pavement because the auger makes direct contact with the surface; they have a hard time with surfaces like gravel, and can damage decks, lawns and wood structures.
These machines are good in depths up to 6-8 inches, while some powerful ones may be able to clear snow as much as a foot deep.
They perform better on level surfaces and with fluffy or light snow, and can have difficulty working in wet, heavy stuff.
Two-Stage
A two-stage has a more powerful engine and what’s known as an impeller added to the mix.
The auger picks up the snow and the impeller is responsible for throwing it; this means the machine can be used to remove heavier, wetter stuff at much higher depths (some models can even handle two feet of the white stuff), and throw it much further.
The auger on a two-stage unit never touches the ground, and its height can be adjusted to clear any surface easily. These snow throwers are usually wider than single-stage blowers, so they can cover large areas of ground more quickly.
Two-stage snowblowers are also more likely to have extra features.
These can include electric start, heated hand grips, power steering, remote adjustments for the snow chute, and variable-speed transmissions.
Choosing the Right Type for You
OK, you electric folks can rejoin us now; we asked you to sit tight because electric snowblowers are only available as single-stage models.
At this point, you should have a good idea whether a single-stage electric, single-stage gas or two-stage gas machine is right for your needs; the electric snow thrower works best in light coverings for steps, walks and small driveway areas near AC power.
Moderate snows or larger areas call for single-stage gas, while a two-stage unit will come in very handy in the snow belt; some homeowners in snowy areas have both one- and two-stage snow blowers, so they can use whichever is appropriate.
As you’ve probably guessed electric snowblowers are the least expensive option, and two-stage gas machines are the most expensive.
Things to consider when buying a snow blower
Here are some of the other factors to consider when shopping for the best snow blowers.
We briefly mentioned the difference in width between one- and two-stage machines, but there’s no standard auger width for either.
Consider the areas you’ll be clearing and look for a model which can take care of as much space as possible with a single pass. Keep in mind that two-stage blowers will normally have a much wider auger.
If you regularly get heavy snows, you’ll greatly appreciate having a self-propelled blower and power steering.
And if there’s one “must-have” feature, it’s electric start; think of how frustrating a pull cord is on a recalcitrant lawnmower in nice weather, and then picture having the same problem in the middle of a snowstorm in freezing temperatures.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve ever tried to find an air conditioner in the middle of a heatwave, you know there’s no sense waiting until winter to buy a snow blower.
The time is now to take an honest look at the type of snow you get and the areas you need to clear.
Then, armed with this information, you’ll be ready to buy the snow blower that fits your situation.
Ready to Buy a Snow Blower?
Now that you’ve browsed our selection of the best snow blowers on the market, learn the perfect time to buy a snow blower.
While snow blowers are easy to use, there’s still plenty to learn before buying one.
For example, find out if snow blowers work on gravel or if snow blowers can break ice.
And before you start clearing your driveway for the first time, get familiar with our snow blower safety tips.
This is a great comparison / recap – There are so many factors to consider. It’s important to do your research before choosing one, particularly if you live in an area that gets heavy snowfall.