If you live in an area that receives heavy snow annually, you’re likely familiar with the incredible difference that having the best snow blower on the market can make. These snow blowers require a large investment, but the savings of time and effort you’ll gain in return are well worth your while. If you make the right investment the first time around, one snow blower is all you should need for your entire lifetime.
High-end snow blowers today can last up to 40 years if you take care of them properly. Snow blowers pay for themselves. You’ll wonder why you ever hesitated to try this efficient clearing method.
Many homeowners struggle when it comes to determining what type of snow blower they should invest in. With so many different snow blowers and manufacturers to choose from, it can be difficult to narrow your search down to the perfect snow blower for your household. Luckily, we’ve simplified this task for you and compiled a review of the greatest snow blowers on the market!
Please note Snow Blowers should be handled with care (click here for more information).
View The Best Snow Blower for the Money, Below.
- Snow Joe iON18SB Electric
- Cub Cadet 3X TRAC Snow Blower
- Greenworks 2600502 Corded Snow Thrower
- Toro 721 QZE Snow Blower
- Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18
- Cub Cadet 2X 24 Two-Stage Snow Thrower
- EGO Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower
- Troy-Bilt Storm 2410 2 Stage Snow Blower
- Ariens 921046 Deluxe Electric
- Husqvarna ST224 Dual Stage 208cc Snow Thrower
1. Snow Joe iON18SB Electric
Best Electric Snow Blower for Small Areas
Read Customer Reviews →If you need power you can rely on at a price you can afford, the Snow Joe iON18SB is the best option for you. This snow blower is a top-quality investment that keeps its costs affordable for homeowners with a low budget. This snow blower comes with many notable features that will serve any user well - especially if they’re working with a small residence. It's a powerful tool you can use to take care of driveways on small properties.
The Snow Joe iON18SB will work best if you have a driveway that's shorter than 50 ft in length. That's not to say that other homeowners can't use this device as well, but they may want to invest in more than one battery. The battery in question provides 50 minutes of run time, making this electric blower ideal for small properties but not as good for larger properties. The battery also makes it more appealing to those who want to maintain their home without worrying about increasing their carbon footprint.
You’ll be able to stay on top of all your yard work without having to worry about fuel, oil changes, tune-ups, or any other pesky problems that come with using a gas-powered device. Additionally, the Snow Joe iON18SB blower is extremely quiet when in operation, making it ideal for people with noise restrictions in their neighborhoods. A 500-watt brushless motor powers this machine, giving it some of the best efficiency on the market and extending the blower's lifetime.
This electric snow blower can remove up to 500 pounds of snow per minute. It can also clear a path that's 18 inches in width and up to 8 inches deep - more than enough for most driveways. It only weighs 32 pounds, making this snow blower ideal for anyone who needs to transport the device around their home.
The Snow Joe iON18SB Snow Thrower is perfect for people who need a quality device to take care of the winter snowfall.
Check Price on Amazon ➞VIEW ON HOME DEPOT ➞
2. Cub Cadet 3X TRAC Snow Blower
Best Gas Snow Blower for Ease of Use
Read Customer Reviews →If you want a gas-powered snow blower to rely on this winter season, the HD Cub Cadet 3X Snow Blower is one of the best that this year’s line-up has to offer. It's designed with high-quality, durable materials that are built to last for many years to come - you can expect to use the Cub Cadet 3X TRAC snow thrower for decades if you give it proper care. This snow blower comes with everything you need to weather this winter season well. It even throws in luxuries you’d be hard-pressed to find with other comparable snow blowers! It will make your winter maintenance responsibilities considerably more manageable.
It has a 26-inch wide clearing path and can tackle drifts up to 18 inches deep with each pass. You’ll be able to clear out your driveway, walkway, or deck without any issue. The Cub Cadet 3X TRAC Snow Blower is powered by an impressive 357cc Cub Cadet OHV 4-cycle engine. You can make quick work of any snowfall you need to remove, thanks to its 12-inch serrated auger. Plus, you can relocate the snow anywhere you’d like, due to the 200-degree rotating chute.
Last but not least, the HD Cub Cadet 3X will provide you with luxury working features to ensure comfort while you clear out your driveway. Take advantage of heated handgrips and trigger control steering. The Cub Cadet 3X TRAC also comes with headlights. This will allow you to set your own hours when it comes to clearing. Even though it's a gas-powered snow blower, it features an electric push start button to simplify things. The Cub Cadet 3X gas snow blower is one of the best investments you could make.
This impressive snow blower is made from only the best materials. It’s one of the best gas-powered snow blowers on the market and would serve any homeowner well.
Check Price on Amazon ➞VIEW ON CUB CADET ➞
3. Greenworks 2600502 Corded Snow Thrower
Best Snow Blower for Your Budget
Read Customer Reviews →Make light work of snow with this electric-run snow blower. Lightweight and easy to maneuver, you can throw snow out of your path up to 20 feet away, working through depths up to 8-10 inches and clearing paths 20 inches wide. The motor runs on 13 amps and includes dual LED headlights for illuminating nighttime jobs. The 7-inch wheels allow you tight, easy turns and improved mobility. You can adjust the chute for aiming your cleared snow. There's no gas or no fumes— just happy and nature-friendly snow removal.
This Greenworks 2600502 Corded Snow Thrower is quiet, battery-free, gas-free, and eco-friendly. It's also lightweight for easy pushing and moving. Not to mention, it won’t break the budget. It's a fantastic option for environmentally-conscious people living in areas with lighter winters.
Check Price on Amazon ➞4. Toro 721 QZE Snow Blower
Best Guarantee for a Snow Blower
Read Customer Reviews →The Toro 721 QZE is the best snow blower in the mid-sized wide-range category, and an ample choice for mild to tough winters. It churns through 9 inches of snow or more to pave a clear path that's 21 inches wide. It throws cleared snow up to 35 feet away through a chute that you can effortlessly adjust with the squeeze of a trigger on the handle, unlocked with a slide grip. It's guaranteed to start with electricity but runs on gas and brings tons of power.
It's the best snow blower for a mid-range budget, using its excellent power to remove both light and heavy snow. The adjustable handle-trigger chute is the winning detail. It saves you time removing snow from difficult areas. You can move the snow right where you want it.
Check Price on Amazon ➞VIEW ON HOME DEPOT ➞
5. Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18
Best Snow Blower in Cordless Electric Category
Read Customer Reviews →The Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 is a reasonably priced, battery-powered, and completely cord-free snow blower. It uses two 4.0 Ah batteries, providing up to 30 minutes runtime with no emissions, clearing 10-inch snow depths and 18-inch-wide paths. The 1200-Watt brushless motor uses 4 rubber-tipped blades on a strong steel auger to clear out light to medium snow. It removes around 14 tons of snow per charge! When the Snow Joe is fully charged, that’s around 700 pounds of snow per minute.
It's perfect for those wanting a lower budget model that’s fume-free, cordless, and still powerful enough to remove most snow (save heavy-duty wet snow). It's also an environmentally conscious choice that won’t break the bank.
VIEW ON HOME DEPOT ➞
6. Cub Cadet 2X 24 Two-Stage Snow Thrower
Best Depth for a Snow Blower
Read Customer Reviews →A true-blue heavy-duty two-stage gas snow blower, this Cub Cadet covers all bases— but it isn’t as expensive as the other sturdy models out there. It's gas-powered and starts with a 243cc electric engine to help clear paths of 24 inches wide and up to 21 inches deep! Go backward or forwards with 8 different speed settings: 6 forward and 2 reverse. Throw snow up to 30 feet away as you plow forward. You can easily change direction with a remote lever.
This snow blower is worth the money for all its power and capabilities. It's made to last you years and years, and it's dynamic enough to tackle both residential and heavy-duty snow removal.
VIEW ON CUB CADET ➞7. EGO Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower
Best Cordless Electric Snow Blower for Heavy Duty
Read Customer Reviews →Get the most out of an electric cordless snow blower on a medium to high budget. The EGO Power+ has the longest charge and run time of all our top electric snow blowers. It has power aplenty to toss snow 35 feet and clear around 8 inches quickly and efficiently. It creates 21-inch-wide paths with easy operation. It's light-weight and has the ability to start with just the push of a button. You can also switch between various speeds. This snow blower is quiet, gas-free, and a great choice for the environment.
This is our top electric snow blower choice. It has great power, is completely cordless, and compares well to gas-powered models— it’s fume-free and won’t break the bank.
Check Price on Amazon ➞VIEW ON HOME DEPOT ➞
8. Troy-Bilt Storm 2410 2 Stage Snow Blower
Best Snow Blower for Harsh Snow-Heavy Winters
Read Customer Reviews →With hulking power and stellar features, this Troy-Bilt has the capability to clear just about any snow situation imaginable. This model has a self-propelled drive, allowing you to one-handedly plow through even the thickest snowfalls (up to 12 inches). The heated hand grips make even the coldest jobs comfortable. This snow blower will clear 26-inch paths in no time. It's the top choice for areas with harsh and snow-heavy winters.
The Troy-Bilt is a massive beast with everything you could want in a two-stage gas snow blower. It powers through just about any type of snow in record time.
Check Price on Amazon ➞VIEW ON HOME DEPOT ➞
9. Ariens 921046 Deluxe Electric
Best Snow Blower for Large, Residential Estates
Read Customer Reviews →If you need an electric snow blower that can handle a large workload, the Ariens 921046 Deluxe should be your go-to. This snow blower manages to put winter in its place without requiring too much work on your end, making it one of the best investments out there. It's self-propelled, which makes it easier to manage and work with. You’ll be able to take advantage of the many different operational speeds and features that come with the snow blower. It also comes with 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds, allowing you to do your best work with extreme ease and efficiency.
Additionally, it can clear an impressive amount of space when it comes to taking care of your pathways. It can clean out a path that measures 21 inches by 28 inches with every pass. In addition to this, the Ariens 921046 Deluxe electric snow blower is designed to handle extra-heavy snow packed in at the end of your driveway without any issue at all.
This snow blower also comes with an impressive clearing distance. You can push the snow out to areas up to 50 ft away. You can also easily guide the snow to any area of your yard with the dispensing chute. This is thanks to the 205-degree rotating remote chute control. It also comes with a deflector to ensure that the snow only goes where you want it to.
Last but not least, the Ariens 921046 Deluxe snow blower comes with halogen headlights. This means you can do your work without depending on overhead sunlight. Work during whatever time frame your hours permit. This feature is best for people who tend to come home after the sun has already set. You’ll be able to have your best winter yet, thanks to the helpful and efficient features of the Ariens 921046 Deluxe Electric Snow Blower.
The Ariens 921046 Deluxe is a powerful machine that's perfect for any large task or project you may encounter. It’s one of the best snow blowers on the market and comes highly recommended for any homeowner that has a large residential estate to take care of.
Check Price on Amazon ➞VIEW ON HOME DEPOT ➞
10. Husqvarna ST224 Dual Stage 208cc Snow Thrower
Best Snow Blower for Large Areas
Read Customer Reviews →This is arguably our heaviest duty two-stage gas snow blower, with a 208cc and 6.3 HP engine for handling all types of snow depths and types. It clears 24 inch-wide paths and swathes of snow within a reasonable time. The bright, LED headlights allow you to clear snow early in the morning, at dusk, or late into the evening. This model includes a ribbon auger that brings air into the snow as it works, making it lighter to toss aside, cutting down the removal time.
This is our number one choice for size and power. It will handle any snow condition. It's a pricey buy but worth every single dollar for how much time, back-breaking work, and cold temp exposure it will save you.
Check Price on Amazon ➞TRACTOR SUPPLY CO ➞
Buyer’s Guide Questions
When is the Best Time to Buy a Snow Blower?
Many people make the mistake of waiting until they see the first signs of snow to invest in a snow blower. However, if you buy off-season, you’ll have a better chance of finding the right snow blower at an incredible price! The question remains: when exactly is the best time to invest in a new snow blower?
Despite veteran shoppers’ instincts to wait until after a season is over to invest, you’ll actually find a better deal on snow blowers before their season starts. You’ll start seeing these deals as early as August. You should make your investment before the middle of October. This will ensure you’re able to get the best snow blower at the best price.
Why so early, you ask? The answer is actually quite simple. Many snow blower manufacturers produce other products throughout the year. Because many people wait until they see snow to invest in snow blowers, these manufacturers often find that they have trouble keeping up with demand and sell through their stock quickly – even if they keep their assembly lines running longer than usual.
This means that when bargain hunters go shopping in the spring and summer for a snow blower at record pricing, there’s often nothing left. However, when you look for snow blowers in the early season, there tends to be a wider variety available. Additionally, many manufacturers and retail stores sell these snow blowers at a discount. This encourages homeowners to get in before the first flurries begin to fall.
What is the Best Budget Snow Blower?
Before, many homeowners found that snow blowers came at prices they couldn’t afford. However, thanks to the advantages that mass production and assembly lines give us, you’ll be able to invest in snow blowers that are both affordable and capable of taking care of your home. When it comes to value, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better buy than the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18. This snow blower is capable of competing with high-end snow blowers.
However, unlike high-end snow blowers, it won’t cost you a fortune to find the best snow blower for you. You’ll be able to invest in one of the best-designed electric blower snow throwers on the market for less than $300! This is a great saving compared to the average price you’d have to pay for a comparable snow blower. The Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 is not only affordable – it comes with impressive power.
If you have a small residence to take care of, this means you’ll be able to clear out your driveway without having to exert too much energy. You’ll be able to spend more time focusing on your actual job or spending time with your family.You’ll have less to worry about when it comes to clogs in the snow blower and can spend more time focusing on the rest of your day.
What is a Single Stage Snow Blower?
With so many new product parts to learn, many homeowners that haven’t invested in a snow blower before might be confused when talk of snow blower stages begins. We’ll fix this with a simple explanation. Snow blowers are composed of several parts – including an auger.
The auger is responsible for scooping up snow in your driveway, breaking it down, and pushing it out of the dispensing chute. Some snow blowers have more than one part that takes care of this process. The extra part is called the impeller.
A single-stage snow blower only has one part (the auger) to take care of clearing out your driveway. Single-stage blowers are unique; they’re the only snow blowers that make contact with the ground when clearing the snow. You can also clear your grass. This ensures you can still trim your lawn down in the winter.
However, because a single-stage blower touches the ground, you shouldn’t use it on driveways made of gravel or crushed stone. The auger will pick up these loose pieces and send them flying through the air, which could be harmful to both your snow blower and you.
What is a Two-Stage Snow Blower?
If you’ve ever been confused by the different stages of snow blowers, you’re not alone. Many people looking to invest in their first electric or gas snow blower have never heard of these terms before. However, their meaning is actually quite simple.
The number of stages in a snow blower refers to the number of parts that work together to clear out your snow. The higher the stage count is, the more working parts the snow blower will have. Two-stage blowers work more efficiently than single-stage blowers. And three-stage blowers work more efficiently than two-stage blowers.
A two-stage snow blower uses two working parts to help clear out your driveway more efficiently. The first part is the auger. As explained above, this is the part of the snow blower that helps to scoop up the snow. In a single-stage blower, this is also the part that pushes the snow out through the dispensing chute. Two-stage blowers operate on a higher level.
With a two-stage blower, there’s another working part that helps the auger do its job. This part is called the impeller. The impeller is situated behind the auger. After the auger scoops up the snow into the snow blower, the impeller works to break the snow down into smaller, more manageable pieces and then force them out of the dispensing chute. This process is more efficient, allowing the two-stage snow blower to work faster than the single-stage.
It’s important to note that a two-stage snow blower will not be able to clear away all of the snow from your driveway. The auger in a two-stage snow blower doesn’t make contact with the ground during operation. This means that there will always be a thin layer of snow coating your driveway when you finish. However, this also serves as a silver lining.
Because two-stage snow blowers don’t make contact with the ground, these snow blowers are perfect for driveways made out of gravel or other types of crushed stone. You won’t have to worry about projectile objects hidden in your dispelled snow.
Single-Stage Versus Two-Stage Snow Blowers
Now you know the difference between the two main types of snow blowers, you’re likely wondering which type is best for your needs. There are obvious benefits with both electric and gas snow blowers – and obvious drawbacks as well. If you own a home with a concrete, cement, asphalt, or otherwise flat and smooth surface, you’ll likely want to invest in a single-stage snow blower. This is because you’ll get the cleanest clearing of your driveway with single-stage snow blowers.
The auger in a single-stage blower makes contact with the ground when it scoops up the snow. This ensures that you won’t have to worry about any excess snow freezing over if left unattended. If you own a home with a gravel or crushed stone driveway, you should invest in a two-stage snow blower. A single-stage snowblower won’t perform well on your driveway type. It will scoop up the loose parts of your driveway as well and send them flying through the air. A two-stage snow blower doesn’t make contact with the ground while you work, making it a better investment for those who have a driveway made of loose materials.
Snow Thrower vs Snow Blower
When looking into descriptions of snow blowers, you may see the terms ‘snow thrower’ and ‘snow blower’ used to describe different types of snow blower devices. Many people assume that these two terms are simply variations of the same word and have no further meaning.
However, you might be surprised to learn that this is not the case. Although many people do use these two terms to describe snow blowers, there’s a clear distinction between them.
The terms ‘thrower’ and ‘blower’ are actually references to the different stages of snow blowers or removers on the market.
If you hear the term snow ‘thrower,’ chances are it’s referencing a single-stage snow blower. This process earns it the name ‘snow thrower’ because of the movements the mechanisms use to clear out snow.
If you hear the term snow ‘blower,’ it’s likely referencing a two-stage model or three-stage snow blower. This is because both two-stage and three-stage snow blowers incorporate the use of an impeller in addition to the auger.
In these snow blowers, the auger scoops up the snow (without making contact with the ground) and brings it into the auger chamber. From here, the snow is pushed into the impeller.
The impeller works similarly to a fan. It breaks snow down into smaller, more manageable pieces, forcing it through the dispensing chute. Because the impeller is so powerful, it’s able to propel the broken snow significantly farther than a single-stage model.
What to look for when buying a snow blower
Electric and gas snow blowers are incredibly useful tools. They make your winter significantly more bearable as a homeowner, helping you cut down the time and effort it takes to clear out your driveway.
They also tend to be more efficient and precise than shoveling snowor other manual snow removal methods. But to make the best investment for your snow-throwing needs, you’ll have to take a few things into account.
Stage Type
Think about the stage type you want to invest in. There are three different stage types you can choose from, but only two of these stage types are common for residential homeowners to use: single-stage or two-stage.
If you want to secure the best snow blower for your home, you’ll need to think about what type of driveway you have. If your driveway is made of cement, concrete, asphalt, or any other smooth and solid surface material, a single stage snow blower will make for a great investment this winter season.
Single-stage snow blowers are ideal for these types of driveways, thanks to how their augers work. They’ll help to ensure that your driveway is completely cleared of any snow.
However, if you have a driveway made of gravel or other loose stones, you’ll want to invest in a two-stage snow blower. As mentioned before, the two-stage snow blower operates differently than a single-stage. You’ll be able to clear your driveway without having to worry about any damage the snow might cause.
Power Source
When it comes to investing in a reliable snow blower, you’ll also want to consider the power source. You can choose from two power sources: electric or gas. If your driveway is shorter than 50 feet, you’ll get by with an electric snow blower. These snow blowers tend to be smaller and cheaper than gas-powered models. They also feature a push start button that many homeowners find appealing.
If your driveway is longer than 50 feet or is especially wide, you should consider investing in a gas-powered snow blower. These tend to be larger and more powerful than electric snow blowers. In fact, they can do up to twice the amount of work that an electric snow blower will. Some gas-powered snow blowers also feature an electric start button.
Clearing Width
Last but not least, you should consider the clearing width. If you have a wide driveway, look into gas-powered snow blowers because they can clear a larger width. However, if you have a fairly standard-sized driveway that doesn’t exceed 50 feet in length, electric snow blowers will suit you fine.
Are snow blowers worth it?
The simple answer is; If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, then a snow blower can definitely be worth the investment. Snow blowers can make clearing snow much easier and faster than using even thebest snow shovel, and they can also help to prevent back pain or other injuries that can occur from shoveling snow.
Snow Blower Alternatives
If you’re looking for an alternative to a snow blower, a leaf blower can be a great option. Leaf blowers are typically lighter and easier to maneuver than snow blowers – especially backpack blowers, and they can be just as effective at clearing snow from driveways and sidewalks.
Of course, leaf blowers have their limitations. They’re not as good at clearing large amounts of snow, and they can be less effective in very cold weather. But if you’re looking for a snow blower alternative, a leaf blower is definitely worth considering. Take a look at these cordless leaf blower options.
If you have a large garden and already own a riding lawn mower or a quality zero-turn mower, adding a snowplow to your lawn mower could be a good option.
Another option is to fit a snowplow attachment to a qaulity wheelbarrow. These attachments can be very useful for clearing snow from driveways, sidewalks, and other areas around your home.
Click here for a Snowblower Case Study. Snow Blowers are used in gardens across the globe, but they are also used on the roads for industrial and safety purposes – read the study here.