Quiet, efficient, and convenient, electric snow blowers are a practical choice when your modest snow-clearing needs don’t warrant buying a heavy, gas-powered machine. The wide variety of models available means there’s something for every climate, but that can also make it hard to choose. Of the most popular electric snow blowers, a few stand out for their reliability and ease of use.
Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
From one of the best-loved electric snow blower brands around comes this highly rated machine. The 15-amp engine provides enough power to blast through nearly any type of snow at 800 pounds per minute. The exceptionally wide 8-inch tires provide good traction, although they can still slip on icy hills.
The Snow Joe SJ625E uses a steel auger, giving it a durability advantage over most snowblower models, which use plastic augers. Like nearly all electric snow blowers, it’s a single-stage model, meaning the auger both takes in and discharges the snow, rather than relying on a separate impeller to discharge the snow.
Despite its power, this model runs fairly quietly at around the same noise level as a garbage disposal or blender. As an extra bonus, the LED headlight keeps you safe on dark winter days.
Because the chute is somewhat small for a snow blower of this size, the SJ625E struggles with wet snow, but you can reduce the risk of clogging by blowing the snow directly in front of you, rather than out to the side.
Snow Joe 40V Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower
If Snow Joe’s reputation appeals to you, but you don’t need a lot of power, and you appreciate being free from cords, this lightweight, cordless snow blower is well worth considering. Powered by a 40 V 4.0 Ah EcoSharp rechargeable lithium-ion battery, it can clear snow for up to 50 minutes on a single charge.
The 500 W brushless motor offers greater battery efficiency and reduced maintenance requirements over models with brushed motors. Like other Snow Joe models, the iON18SB is made with durable steel augers and rubber blades, along with a scraper bar at the base that lets you remove snow all the way to the surface of your deck or walkway without causing damage.
It eliminates the need for an exterior 15-amp outlet and lets you clear surfaces beyond the range of the average extension cord. It’s also slightly quieter than the corded Snow Joe SJ625E, making slightly more noise than a vacuum cleaner. These two benefits combined make it the perfect model for clearing snow at the edges of your property while still remaining in your neighbors’ good graces.
Weighing only 32 pounds and equipped with an adjustable handle, it’s easy to move from place to place and maneuver through the snow. It might look small, but it can blow through snow up to 8 inches deep, clearing a path 18 inches wide at the rate of 500 pounds of snow per minute.
Toro 1800 Power Curve (38381)
Another popular high-powered snow blower, the Toro 38381 makes light work of most types of snow up to 12 inches high. Toro’s Power Curve technology allows the machine’s rotors to funnel snow toward the middle, helping to prevent clogging even in heavy, wet snow. Only slush or ice slow this model down, as with any electric snow blower. Its relatively high capacity of 700 pounds of snow per minute will let you clear away sudden snowfall quickly.
The chute is fitted with a zip deflector that lets you choose to throw snow high, low, or in the middle up to 30 feet away, which is a little farther than most snow blowers can achieve. If you’re particular about exactly where the snow you remove ends up, this model should work well for you.
It’s on the lighter side, weighing only 25 pounds, which makes it easy to maneuver despite the somewhat small wheels. The cord lock system keeps your cord in place to prevent frustrating power disconnects while you work. Although pricier than some less powerful snow blowers, the Toro 38381 is a good investment if you need to clear snow regularly, but you don’t get quite enough snow to make it worth shelling out for a gas-powered snow blower.
TACKlife Snow Blower
This highly-rated snow blower might not be as well known as models from Snow Joe and Toro, but its performance is comparable. Although it isn’t designed for heavy, wet snow, it can cut a path of 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep through lighter snow. The 15-amp motor can handle up to 800 pounds of snow per minute, throwing it up to 30 feet. The steel auger helps the machine stand up to icy conditions.
This model’s safety features are a particular advantage. Its double safety switches mean the machine won’t give you a nasty surprise if you accidentally hit the start button. The overload protector prevents the motor from overheating. If the motor starts to overheat, the snow blower shuts down, and you’ll need to press the overload protection button to start it up again.
Its modest weight of 29 pounds makes this snow blower easy to maneuver and store.
Greenworks 20-Inch 13 Amp Corded Snow Thrower (2600502)
This Greenworks snow blower offers a combination of features that help it hold its own against more powerful, higher-priced models. Clearing a path of 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep, with a capacity of 800 pounds of snow per minute, it does the same with 13 amps as others do with 15 amps.
The 180-degree adjustable chute makes it easy to direct snow discharge, although the machine can throw snow a maximum of 20 feet, which is less than many models. At 30 pounds and mounted on 7-inch wheels for greater mobility, it’s no trouble to move around sidewalks and decks. Better yet, it folds down for easy off-season storage.
If you’re buying your first electric snow blower and wary of spending too much on a machine that will only end up languishing in the garage, this model is a good bet for the price. It’s also a wise choice if you want the power of a corded snow blower, but you don’t have an exterior 15-amp outlet.
EGO POWER+ Snow Blower (SNT2100)
Another of the few cordless models out there, the EGO SNT2100 is ideal for quickly removing light snow from pavement. With a generous width of 21 inches, it gets your sidewalks and driveway clear with minimal passes. The manufacturers claim it’s the only electric snow blower as powerful as a gas model, and many users find this model can handle more than it’s rated for, so it should see you through the occasional winter snowstorm.
The remote chute adjustment control on the handle lets you rotate the chute within a 180 degree range without stopping. Unlike most single-stage snow blowers, this model includes a variable-speed auger that gives you more control over how far you throw the snow. The maximum is 35, a little farther than average.
The LED headlights are another convenient feature you won’t find on every snow blower. At 69 pounds, it’s heavier than average, but still has a reputation for being easy to maneuver and store. On the downside, the blades are known to wear down quickly, and while they’re cheap and easy to replace, this does pose a minor maintenance issue.
WEN 5662 13A 18-Inch Electric Snow Thrower
It’s one of the lowest priced snow blowers on the market, but the WEN 5662 is known as a reliable performer and a top choice for locations that see only light, dry snowfall. The performance specs are modest, but its capacity of 450 pounds of snow per minute is plenty for most homes. The extension cord wrangler, a device that holds the extension cord and prevents it from slipping out, is a helpful extra feature.
Although this model is rated for snow up to 7.8 inches deep, some users find it struggles with anything over 6 inches as well as with snow that’s even moderately wet. In dry snow, however, it can handle even more than its rating suggests. Taking several passes to clear a surface gives better results.
Because this model is almost entirely plastic, it requires careful use and can’t handle icy conditions. Some users have reported the motor catching fire after as little as one year of use. Low cost is where this snow blower really shines. If you’re only looking to clear your patio and sidewalks and don’t want to drop a lot for a high-powered machine, give this model a try.
PowerSmart DB5017 18 in. 15 Amp Electric Snow Blower
An overall good buy for the price, this snow blower boasts the ability to clear snow up to 13 inches deep, which is more than most can handle. Even 3 or 4 inches of wet snow isn’t too much for this machine. Its 30-foot snow-throwing ability is nothing to sneeze at, either. Ease of assembly is another benefit the PowerSmart DB5017 machine offers, with users finding it takes around 10 to 15 minutes to put together.
The large starter button makes starting easy even in gloves, but the double safety switch protects you from accidents. The steel auger and sturdy, rust-resistant housing ensure this snow blower will see you through many winters to come.
Although the cord outlet is well placed to prevent the cord from dragging or tangling, the lack of any cord holder means you might need to wrap the cord around the handle to keep it from pulling loose.
Snapper 82-Volt Max Lithium-Ion Cordless Snow Shovel
Are you looking to clear away light snowfall with minimal hassle? The compact Snapper 82-Volt Max can help you do it. Powered by a 2Ah Briggs & Stratton Lithium-Ion Battery, this machine removes snow in a 12-inch-wide, 4-inch-deep path and runs up to 45 minutes on a charge.
Despite its small size, it’s got enough power to handle somewhat wet snow and thin layers of ice. Very light, dry snow can give it some trouble, though. With the motor positioned to optimize weight balance, the machine is easy to control, and its size makes clearing stairs and other tight spots no trouble. Although the weight of 19.7 pounds is decidedly low, keep in mind that this machine isn’t self-propelled, so you’ll need to push it as you work.
The price of this model is a little high compared to some similarly sized snow blowers, but if convenience is a priority for you, this snow blower is a smart investment.
Check the model number carefully before you buy. Model SXDSS82K includes a 2Ah Battery and Rapid Charger, but for model SXDSS82, the battery and charger are sold separately.
Earthwise Corded Electric Snow Shovel (SN70016 )
With its 12-amp motor and 16-inch clearing width, the little Earthwise SN70016 isn’t the most powerful electric snow blower around, but it’s one of the best bargains you’ll find on these machines, and it’s perfect for climates that rarely see heavy snowfall. For its size, it’s exceptionally capable, powering through snow up to 8 inches deep and moving 430 pounds per minute. That said, it’s best suited to an inch or two of fresh, dry snow and shouldn’t be used in snow that’s at all wet.
The thermal protection feature safeguards the motor by turning the snow blower off when it’s in danger of overheating. The cord retention hook comes as a handy extra feature even some higher-priced snow blowers lack. This snow blower’s compact size is ideal if you’re short on off-season storage space.
Especially in areas with only moderate snowfall, electric snow blowers have several important advantages over their gas-powered counterparts. Whether its the convenience, compact size, or eco-friendliness that appeal to you, getting to know the pros and cons of each model will help you choose the one that best meets your needs.
Before you decide, make sure you have a suitable exterior outlet and can get the manufacturer recommended extension cord for your preferred model to prevent your snow blower’s motor from burning out early.
