Shoveling is one of the most dangerous physical activities that homeowners are faced with if they live in an area that tends to experience a lot of snow.
If you’ve been searching for a snow blower to help keep you safe and to allow you to enjoy the snow, rather than dread it, there are hundreds of different machines for you to choose from.
However, it’s important that you find the best model for your needs, and below are five of the top snow blowers you can get your hands on.
Comparison Chart
Best Snow Blower Reviews
Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower
Designed with the everyday homeowner in mind, the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower is a convenient and easy to use solution for getting rid of moderate to heavy snowfalls with ease. It has plenty of user-friendly features that are specifically designed to make removing snow easier and faster.
Product Highlights
The main features of the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower include:
- Easy start: Instead of having to worry about a difficult ignition, this snow blower is easily started with a push button switch, and it will automatically turn on and be ready to use.
- Space saving: If you’re running out of room in your garage, there’s no need to worry about clearing space as the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower is designed with a very compact shape that can easily be stored in the corner of your garage.
- Ergonomic design: Your comfort is of the utmost importance to make plowing your driveway easier, which is why you’ll love the machine’s ergonomic grip on the handles and the 180-degree chute that is entirely adjustable with the help of a crank.
- Halogen light: You can never predict whether you’ll need to shovel during the day or in the evening after work, which is why the 20-watt halogen light on the front of the snow blower will become very useful in low lighting situations.
What’s to like about the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower
- Deals with up to 12 inches of snow: You’ll easily be able to remove up to 12 inches of snow in a single pass with the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower. However, if you think the snow is higher than a foot, it might require more than one pass but don’t worry since the motor will be able to handle the job.
- Multiple storage options: You don’t have to keep this snow blower in an insulated garage, especially as the majority of the parts are made out of plastic. It’s also very lightweight, so you can easily hang it up until it’s needed. Likewise, it can be stored outside under a cover without any issues.
- Requires no maintenance: Even after using the snow blower for two consistent years, you won’t have to worry about dealing with any additional maintenance costs, especially as it does not use gas or oil for fuel.
What’s not to like about the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E Snow Thrower
- The engine may overheat: If you’re tackling large snow removal projects, such as an accumulation of over 12 inches, the engine will have a difficult time plowing through the snow. This is also true if you’re working with wet snow and it’s always best to go slow until you get an idea of how much snow the snow blower can handle.
- Small wheels: Although the wheels were integrated for easy maneuverability, they have the tendency to get stuck on bumps and points in the concrete as you blow away the snow.
PROS
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CONS
Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
What we have here is a very large and powerful electric snow blower that has the ability to cut a very wide path and move a whole lot of snow at once. It’s definitely not the smallest snow blower out there, but with that said, if you need something that can handle large jobs, then this is a fantastic option to consider.
Product Highlights
Let’s take a quick look at what this large and powerful snow blower brings to the table.
- Wide Path: One of the most impressive features about this particular snow blower is the fact that it comes complete with two rubber blades that have the ability to cut a path 21 inches wide and 12 inches deep with a single pass. Keep in mind that this is a steel auger with rubber blades, so you can rest assured that it is also quite durable.
- Lighting: Keep in mind that this snow blower does come complete with a 3 Watt LED light to help illuminate the path in front of you.
- The Chute: This Snow Joe snow blower has a 180 degree adjustable chute that has the ability to throw snow up to 20 feet in any direction, thus making your life quite a bit easier.
- The Motor:The 15 amp motor that this particular snow blower comes with is more than powerful enough to take care of even the largest of jobs, and moreover, it is powerful enough to move up to 800 pounds of snow per minute.
- Weight: What is quite surprising about this snow blower is the fact that it weighs under 35 pounds, thus making it fairly lightweight and easy to maneuver.
Pros
- Powerful motor
- Can handle lots of snow
- Throws snow long distance with an adjustable chute
- LED light included
- Good price for the quality
- Durable auger blades
Cons
- Compact wheels aren’t the best for rough terrain
- Not ideal for very heavy and wet snow
WEN 5662 Snow Thrower
The WEN 5662 Snow Thrower has a ton of features that the everyday homeowner is sure to appreciate ranging from a moderate clearing path to an easily adjustable chute. It also boasts exceptional power, making it easier to get rid of heavy and moderate snowfall in under an hour.
Product Highlights
There are plenty of highlights that make the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower a great choice, including:
- 180-degree adjustable chute: If you’re looking for complete control over where you throw snow, be sure to use the 180-degree chute that is adjusted with the help of the hand crank.
- Easy maneuverability: With the help of two, six-inch wheels that are designed to never go flat, you’ll be able to maneuver the snow blower in the roughest conditions possible easily.
- Easy to store: For homeowners dealing with minimal space in their garage, you’ll be able to collapse the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower’s frame completely, so it can either be stored in a compact spot or easily transported.
- Rugged design: To help make removing snow easier and more reliable, its rugged built deals with heavy and light snow with the help of the 2000 RPM motor.
What’s to like about the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower
- Incredibly easy to push: When compared to other snow blowers, the wheels on the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower are far superior as they help to make pushing the machine very easy.
- Simple to assemble: There is only one step to the assembly, and that is attaching the handle to the base of the unit, which is incredibly simple and does not even require instructions to do. You’ll be able to unbox, setup, and start using the snow blower within a couple of minutes.
- Clears powdered snow with ease: Instead of having to go over the same spots with a shovel after clearing the majority of the snow away, the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower creates a clear and clean area during your first pass.
What’s not to like about the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower
- Constructed out of plastic: If you’re looking for a snow blower that feels like it’s worth hundreds of dollars, this isn’t the one for you. It’s made mostly out of plastic to help with its lightweight feel, but it causes the machine to feel cheap.
- Easily clogs: For the times when you’ll be dealing with very wet snow, this is not the ideal unit for you as it tends to clog when working with slush easily..
- Requires a long extension cord: For anyone who intends on clearing their driveway, you’re going to need a very long, cold-resistant extension cord to help you access all areas of your property without worrying about cords getting unplugged.
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CONS
Greenworks 20-Inch Snow Thrower
As a relatively well-known brand for people who need to clear moderately sized properties, the Greenworks 20-Inch Snow Thrower is an incredibly useful tool to have at your disposal. If you’re tired of having to deal with shoveling your driveway and walkways, this machine is designed to make the task relatively easier.
Product Highlights
A few of the most outstanding highlights of the Greenworks 20-Inch Snow Thrower include:
- Optional light: When you order this snow blower, you’ll have the ability to choose between a model that comes with a light and one without, depending on how often you plow snow in low lighting conditions.
- Adjustable chute: In order to make it easier to create convenient piles of snow away from walkways, the adjustable chute makes it easier to throw any snow up to 20 feet away from where you’re standing.
- Low noise and vibration: In an effort to make this snow blower more convenient to use when compared to gas models, you’ll appreciate the low noise and vibration that helps to make it easier and more comfortable to get rid of plenty of snow.
What’s to like about the Greenworks 20-Inch Snow Thrower
- Can handle up to 17” of snow: As long as you take short passes and can tilt the snow blower upwards, you can plow away accumulated snow as high as 17”. You’ll also find that the Greenworks 20-Inch Snow Thrower cuts through up to 10” of snow with ease.
- The cord lock is convenient: The integrated cord lock is incredibly useful as it helps to make sure that the snow blower doesn’t get unplugged when connected to an extension cord, so you have access to consistent power.
- Great for two-car driveways: If you’ve been looking for a snow thrower recommended for driveways for more than one car, this is the one for you as it can easily get rid of fresh and compacted snow with a single pass.
What’s not to like about the Greenworks 20-Inch Snow Thrower
- Push start not weatherproof: In the event that you let the start button get exposed to water, and it freezes, you’re going to find that you won’t be able to turn the motor on, and you’ll have to wait for the surrounding ice to thaw.
- Chute requires cleaning: Due to the heat of the engine, you’ll find that any accumulated snow will melt and get slushy inside, causing it to clog. You’ll need to frequently clean the chute in order to make sure the snow continues to be thrown at the same distance.
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GreenWorks Pro 80V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower
If you are looking for what has to be one of the most powerful and largest battery-operated snow blowers out there, then this option is a great one to consider, especially thanks to the rapid charge capabilities that you get with the included battery.
Product Highlights
Let’s take a closer look at what you get with this very innovative and powerful battery-operated snow blower.
- The Battery: Perhaps the best feature that you get with this snow blower is the fact that it comes complete with a super powerful 80 Volt lithium ion battery that provides you with up to 45 minutes of runtime on a single charge. What is also really cool is that you actually get a second battery included for free. Keep in mind that the battery here is also compatible with other Greenworks 80 Volt tools.
- Charging: Something else that you might appreciate about this battery operated snow blower is the fact that with the rapid charging system you can fully charge one of the batteries in just 30 minutes.
- The Motor: What’s also quite impressive here is that this snow blower comes complete with a brushless motor that features a maintenance free design, which means that it will last longer and provide you with a longer runtime. This motor is powerful enough to handle some fairly heavy and wet snow.
- The Path: This snow blower has the ability to clear a path up to 20 inches wide and 10 inches deep, which is fairly impressive all things considered.
- The Chute: The other thing worth mentioning about this snow blower is the fact that it comes complete with a 180 degree rotating shoot that can launch snow well over 20 feet into the distance.
Pros
- Ideal for large jobs
- Good battery life for the power level
- Very durable design
- Fast charging
- Batteries can be used for other Greenworks 80V tools
- Wide path
- Quiet and maintenance free brushless motor
Cons
- Battery does not work well in extreme cold
- Not the most maneuverable
BUYER’S GUIDE
When it comes to choosing the perfect snow thrower for everyday use, you’re not only going to need to find a machine that is built to last but one that has everything that you could ask for. As a first-time snow thrower buyer, below are some of the most important things to look out for to make sure you’re making the right purchase.
Types
There are three main types of snow blowers that you can get your hands on, which are single stage, two stage, and three stage. Some are better for certain purposes whereas others might have too much power for moderately sized properties.
- Single-stage: Single-stage snow blowers have less power than their two counterparts, but they are the perfect tool for dealing with sidewalks and small to medium sized properties. In most cases, a single-stage blower will offer up to 20” of clearing space with a 13-amp motor.
- Two-stage: If you have a larger property, you’re going to want to invest in a two-stage snow blower simply because it will deal with more snow in less time. Also, if you’re prone to experiencing wet and heavy snow, a two-stage blower will not only cut through chunks of snow, ice, and slush with ease but also throw the snow farther away.
- Three-stage: For massive industrial or commercial snow removal, a three-stage snow blower can be your best bet as it boasts an ample amount of power under its hood. With that being said, it’s not ideal for residential properties as you’re going to invest a lot of money into fuel and it will require a lot of storage space.
Engine (Power)
The power of the snow blower you choose is all dependent on the average height and thickness of snow you might be dealing with whenever there’s a storm. The more powerful the engine is, the more expensive the machine is going to be, and it’s important that you don’t over or underspend when choosing a snow blower.In most cases, you’ll be able to get the most out of a 13-amp motor, but if you’re likely to deal with more slush and heavily compacted snow that is above 12” in height, opting for a more heavy duty motor is your best bet.
Speed
At the end of the day, the most important thing is to make sure that your snow thrower is faster than shoveling on your own; otherwise, it’s not worth the investment. Typically, when you take a look at snow blowers, it will explain how quickly the augers turn (RPM), and this should give you an idea of how much snow the machine will get through in a single pass.When it comes to single-stage snow blowers, you can expect to deal with up to 700 pounds of snow in one minute, especially if you choose one of the more heavy-duty models on the market.
Clearing Width
Clearing width is all up to personal preference as some people might want a snow blower that has a width based on the size of their sidewalks and driveways. It’s important to remember, the wider the clearing width, the less time you’ll spend blowing snow away, and as such, a machine that offers 20” of clearing width is ideal for most properties.
Headlights
It’s well known that during the winter, it gets darker earlier and if you’re someone who finds they’re clearing snow mainly at night without the help of outdoor houselights, it’s time to consider finding a snow blower that is equipped with headlights. They are typically affixed to the front of the machine, right above the augers, and help illuminate your path to ensure you’re clearing as much snow as possible.
Tires
The final thing that you should keep an eye out for is tires, especially if you’re someone who finds it particularly difficult to push heavy objects over an hour or longer.
Tires on a snow blower not only help make it faster to clear snow, but they also make it simpler to push the machine over heavily compacted snow. With the right tires, your snow thrower should give you control and still feel like you’re pushing a stroller on solid concrete.
Best Snow Blowers F.A.Q.
How to start a snowblower?
Learning how to start your snow blower is relatively simple, especially if you have an electric model. In most cases, all you’ll have to do is plug the machine into an outlet and push a button to start the engine.
With a gas blower, the process is a little more complex as you’ll have to make sure the gas and oil levels are perfect and you may either have a push-start ignition or have to use a pull-start cord.
What is a two-stage snow blower?
A two-stage snow blower is a phenomenal snow removal device for larger sized properties as it gives you the ability to clear more snow faster than if you were using a single-stage snow blower. It will also be far less expensive and heavy duty than a three-stage snow blower, which makes it the ideal median snow removal device for everyday use.In comparison to a single-stage snow blower, a two-stage model collects the snow through the auger, and then a fan will discharge the snow, helping to throw it farther away and faster than with a single-stage unit.
What to look for in a snow blower?
There are plenty of things you’ll have to consider when you start looking for the right snow blower. The most important pieces of information to have include: property size, what type of ground you’ll be working on, and any additional features you might be interested in, such as wheels and ergonomic handles.It’s also important to take the type of snow you typically experience into account since you’ll want to make sure you have a unit that does it all. If your property only sees a small to moderate amount of snow, a single-stage blower is your best bet, whereas more than 15” of snow should be left to a two or three-stage blower.
What size snow blower do I need?
Choosing the right snow blower based on size requires two things: knowledge of your property size and how much storage space you have. Even though having a snow blower with a large cleaning width can be beneficial, it can also be difficult to store during the offseason.
Ideally, 20” of cleaning width can help you get rid of snow off of walkways in a single pass and off of double car driveways in under 40 minutes.
How to clean snow blower carburetors?
There are two steps to cleaning a snow blower carburetor:
- Step 1: Clean the air filterMake sure that all of the air entering the carburetor is clean by taking a look at the air filter. If it’s clogged, you can either clean it or replace it to prevent harmful odors and black smoke.
- Step 2: Clean the carburetorWith the help of a carburetor cleaner (available from any hardware store), you’ll be able to get rid of any deposits and excess debris that has made its way into the air passages. You may also need to get rid of larger debris such as twigs and any grass that might have been picked up while plowing.
Final Verdict
If you’re looking for a top of the line snow blower that is going to give you the durability and resilience you’ve been looking for, the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower is a sure bet. It is not only built to last, but it’s also incredibly lightweight, easy to maneuver, and just as easy to store.
When you first unbox the blower, you’re going to realize how simple it is to put together, especially when compared to other snow blowers that come with dozens of pieces and screws as well as difficult-to-understand instructions.
You’ll easily be able to assemble the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower and begin using it in under five minutes.
Another thing that sets this snow thrower apart from the competition is the fact that it’s very easy to push, so much that you could compare it to pushing a baby stroller. Also, there’s no need to worry about the machine getting jarred on uneven pavement since it will move smoothly as you may your way down the sidewalk or driveway.
There are plenty of things to love about the WEN 5662 Snow Thrower, which is what makes it the best snow blower for moderately sized properties. Instead of dealing with overexerting yourself every time it snows, the blower will do all of the work for you, helping to keep your property clean and safe with every pass.