Snow blowers are a great way to remove snow and ice without breaking your back, which is probably why there’s been a surge in their popularity over the past few years. Without a doubt, these machines are very helpful, especially in areas which get a lot of winter precipitation. And in areas which get really heavy snowfall totals, they can be a real lifesaver.
However, the increase in their popularity has prompted some manufacturers to flood the market with them. Which means there are now dozens of different models available, making it difficult for consumers to choose the best snow blowers available. Fortunately, I’ve solved this problem by creating a list of the top ten models I feel are the best snow blowers on the market today.
10. Earthwise 14-Inch Cordless Electric Shovel (SN74014)
People who use this cordless electric shovel can do away with having to worry about filling a gas tank or dragging an electrical cord through snow drifts because this unit uses a 40-volt 4Ah battery as its power source. It has a 300-pound per minute capacity and can throw snow up to a distance of 32-feet, clearing a 14-inch wide and 8-inch deep path as it does so. This blower also comes with its own charger, so charging the battery is a snap. This makes this unit ideal for winter conditions and a blower that will make a welcome addition to anyone’s collection of winter supplies.
9. Toro 15-Amp 18-Inch 1800 Power Curve
This blower is manufactured by one of the top manufacturers in the industry, the Toro company. This electric model is designed to clear a path 18-inches wide and 12-inches deep, so snow can be quickly and efficiently removed from sidewalks, patios, and driveways. This model uses “Power Curve” technology that prevents the unit from clogging and has a chute that can be adjusted to a 160-degree angle, so users can decide where they want to throw the snow. Other features found on this blower include a lift handle, a zip deflector, and a quick level. And since it’s easy to assemble, users can have it up and running in no time flat.
8. Troy-Bilt Squall 179cc Electric Start Gas Thrower
Designed to handle heavy snowfalls, this blower can clear path up to 21-inches wide and 13-inches deep in just one pass. It’s manufactured using 8-inch deluxe tires that provide good traction and a 179cc 4-cycle OHV gas engine that built to deliver power and performance. With its easy-chute technology, users can decide where to throw the snow up to a 180-degree angle. This makes this an ideal blower for extremely heavy conditions and is designed to provide many seasons of service. It’s also a unit that’s backed by a warranty by the manufacturer.
7. EJWOX 16-Inch Snow Thrower
This thrower is designed to be used for residential areas and is an ideal solution for removing snow from walkways, patios, decks, and sidewalks. It has an adjustable handle that can be adjusted to fit the size of the user and can clear a path that’s 16-inches wide and 6-inches deep in just one pass. And with the capability of removing up to 700-pounds of snow per minute, areas can be quickly and effectively cleaned, throwing the snow up to 20-feet away. Another great feature that can be found on this thrower includes a 90-degree adjustable blade rotor.
6. Ryobi RYAC801 16-Inch 10-Amp Electric Blower
Designed to be used by homeowners who need to remove large amounts of snow from around their home, this blower has many of the features that professional models have but is designed to be compact. It features a powerful 10-amp motor and can clear a path up to 16-inches by discharging the snow up to a distance of 20-feet. And not only does it start instantly but also runs nice and quietly. This makes it an ideal solution for homeowners who want to clear their driveway or sidewalks and is built to provide many seasons of service without a whole lot of upkeep.
5. Cub Cadet Snow Thrower
This Cub Cadet snow thrower provides the user with professional level quality but does so at a fraction of the cost of professional blowers. It’s a two-stage unit with a 3-blade impeller that can clear a width of up to 24-inches and a height of up to 21-inches. It has a powerful 308cc OHV engine that delivers power and performance and has 15-inch by 5-inch tires that get good traction in snowy conditions. This makes this heavy-duty machine a go-to option for individuals who have a whole lot of snow to clear but don’t have a whole lot of time to clear it.
4. Snow Joe Hybrid Single Electric Blower (iON18SB)
This electric blower uses cordless battery technology to give the user the power they need to clear snow from their sidewalks, pathways, and driveways. Using a 40-volt battery that can deliver up to 50-minutes of run-time, this unit can clear a path 18-inches wide and 8-inches deep with every single pass it takes. Displacing up to 500-pounds of snow a minute, this unit will get the job done quickly and efficiently. And if the battery becomes completely discharged during a heavy snow cleanup, it can be easily hooked up to an extension cord and used as a corded snow thrower.
3. Wen 5662 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Blaster
This electric blower makes short work of even heavy snows. It has the ability to remove up to 490-pounds of snow at a time and clear a path 18-inches wide and 7.8-inches deeps. With its durable and powerful 13.5-amp motor, it can shoot snow up to 20-feet away and has large 6-inch wheels that allow it to navigate easily over snowy paths. It also has a quick-adjust chute that can be rotated a full 180-degrees so the user can choose where they deposit their snow. All of these features make this an ideal unit for clearing heavy residential snow.
2. Ariens Deluxe 921024 254cc 24-Inch Two-Stage Blower
Heavy duty snowfall often requires a heavy duty solution and that’s where the Ariens 921024 Deluxe comes in handy. It has many features that make it suitable for both professional and residential use and makes short work of heavy snowfalls. It’s powerful 254cc engine not only delivers power but also delivers reliability and is capable of functioning even in sub-zero conditions. This unit can throw snow anywhere from 3-feet to 50-feet and features auto-turn steering technology that makes it easy to use. All of these features ensure that the user can dig themselves out after that big snow storm.
1. Ariens Compact 24-Inch 2-Stage Blower
This blower has many of the features needed to make it an ideal unit for clearing snow. It uses a powerful 208cc motor that has 6-forward and 2-reverse gears and has a 2.0-quart fuel capacity. It can clear a path up to 24-inches wide, so it’s ideal for clearing snow from sidewalks, driveways and parking lots. This machine can not only handle straightaways but can also tackle hills quite easily. And although it has a heavy-duty design, it doesn’t require a lot of effort on the part of the user to operate. This makes it not only a powerful snow-clearing option but a versatile one as well.
Snow Blower Buying Guide
Although in some parts of the U.S a snow blower is a nice luxury item that helps to clear away sidewalks during winter storms, for other areas of the country it’s an absolute necessity. No matter where you live, however, a freak winter storm can cover your sidewalk and driveway with incredible amounts of snow. Snow amounts that are almost impossible to clear away manually. And that’s why just about everyone can benefit from having one of these machines in their garage or tool shed.
Of course, the process of buying a new snowblower can be quite daunting to most people, especially since there are so many different models available and each of these models has their own particular settings and features. That’s why we’ve decided to write this little snow blower buying guide that should clear away some of the misconceptions about these machines and allow the consumer to buy the right snow blower for their own personal needs.
Snow Blower Types
The first thing a person needs to figure out before they run out and buy a brand new snowblower with all of the bells and whistles is what type they are going to need. Snowblower nowadays comes in a variety of different styles, and unsurprisingly each of the models each has its own pros and cons. Having said that, let’s take a look at some of these models and find out which ones are best at doing what.
Single Stage Electric Models
Single-stage electric snowblowers are some of the easiest and lightest models to use. They’re also some of the quietest. As a result, they’re good for short walkways or decks or for driveways that are nice and level. They work very much the same way as a push mower, and they have simple parts that don’t require a whole lot of maintenance. And since it’s electric powered, it doesn’t require the homeowner to keep fuel and oil on hand. However, having to plug it in can limit the user’s range, and since they aren’t really powerful, they can’t clear off large amounts of snow in just one pass.
Single Stage Cordless Models
What’s great about single-stage cordless models is that they are easy to start, don’t require the use of an extension cord and don’t require gasoline or oil. Instead, they use a lithium-ion battery to power them. Although this makes these machines extremely convenient to use, it also means that they aren’t very powerful. They can usually clear between 6 and 9-inches of snow but are better utilized against lighter amounts of snow. And because they’re powered by batteries, they can only be operated for a short period of time before they need to be recharged.
Single Stage Gas Models
These models are a little bit more powerful than the electric and battery-operated models, but they’re also a little more complicated to use. These snow blowers are capable of clearing up to 10-inches of snow and are suitable for the size of the average driveway or sidewalk. These models are also pretty lightweight and don’t take up a whole lot of storage space. These models are usually equipped with 4-cycle engines, so usually all that’s required is gasoline without the oil added to it like 2-cycle motors. And because they’re a little less powerful than 2 or 3-stage snowblowers, they also tend to cost a little bit less.
Two-Stage & Three-Stage Models
These snow blowers are designed for larger driveways and heavier snows. Generally speaking, 2-stage models can clear off anywhere from 16 to 18-inches of snow and can clear a path anywhere from 24-inches to 30-inches wide. Because these models are usually equipped with larger drive-powered wheels, they’re also better at handling inclines than other models. 3-stage models are even more powerful and are usually capable of clearing away 18 to 24-inches of snow, even if it’s heavy and wet. 3-Stage models are usually the heaviest of all the snowblowers and are usually used by professionals. Homeowners are usually better off using 2-stage models that are powerful but are easier to maneuver.
Other Snowblower Features To Consider
If you just followed the above information, especially when you use it in conjunction with our ten best snowblowers list, then you could easily pick out a snowblower that’s perfect for your needs. However, there may be some of you who want to consider a few extra features before actually committing to buying a new snowblower, so we decided to add in a few of the “extra” features that a person can consider. The following list includes features that aren’t essential but add a little bit of extra value to the snowblower.
- Power Steering—Although this isn’t essential is does make snowblowers easier to maneuver, particularly the larger models.
- Larger Tires—Of course, the larger the tire, the more traction the snowblower is going to have and that generally means that it’s easier to push.
- Snow Treads—Some people may want to avoid snowblowers and look for models with treads. That’s because tread allows the snowblower to maneuver in extremely difficult terrain and is particularly helpful with large snows.
- Remote Chute Control—Even though this feature isn’t vital, it does allow the operator to determine where the snow is launched and that may just be a feature that the operator’s neighbors appreciate, too.
- Headlights—Do you anticipate using the snowblower in low-light conditions? If you do, then you may want to get a model that has headlights so that you can see what you’re doing.
- Heated Handles—Heated handles are another great feature. It helps the operator remain comfortable even while they’re dealing with copious amounts of snow.
