Best Snow Blower Reviews 2021 — Easily Remove Snow from Driveway with Snow Blowers

Snow blowers are a great tool to have to make your life easier this winter!  Whether electric or gas, they remove snow from decks, driveways & sidewalks, leaving a freshly cleared path. To help you get the best snow blower for the money, we've reviewed some of the top models in the market, from some of the very best brands.

Winter is still coming…

Game of Thrones may be over, but year after year, winter still comes for us all.

Depending on where you reside, a snow blower can be a “nice-to-have” tool or a complete necessity. If you reside in an area that hardly gets hit by winter storms, you may get away with not buying a snow blower and resort good ol’ shoveling by hand or hiring a plow truck when the need arises.

But, if you live in an area that gets 3 or more big snowfalls per year, you should definitely get a snow blower.

These powerful machines will make your life much easier as they buzzes through snow pileups, saving you significant effort and time — and save your back! 

With so many different models and brands in the market, it can be overwhelming to narrow down your search to choose the best snow blower for your needs.

First, you will need to decide whether you are going for gas-powered or electric-powered snow shoveling machine. You will also choose among single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage versions. While some models are well equipped to handle major snowstorms with 18″ or more of snow, other models are only meant for lighter snowfalls of 8″ or less. 

Well, there’s just so much to be considered, and our buying guide will give you all those factors, in detail, to help you make the right buying decision. As always, we also scoured the internet to find informative videos, and put them all in one place, to save you time.

We wonder of Westeros might not have feared winter so much if they had a few of these!

Before we get to our reviews, let's take a minute to talk about when and how to get the best prices on snowblowers and snowthrowers!

How to Save Money When Buying a Snow Blower

The weather forecast predicts a big snowstorm is on its way. You head to the supermarket to pick up a few things, only to discover your favorite shopping spot is completely out of bread, milk and water. Fearing you’ll be snowed in for a few days, you settle for whatever you can find — even if it means not really getting what you wanted or paying higher prices than usual.

It’s the law of supply and demand, and the same thing happens when it comes to snow removal machines. When a large snowfall is predicted, people head out to get two things: food and supplies to deal with the snow.

If you wait until snow is in the forecast, prices will go up and the most popular snow blowers are likely to be out of stock in retail stores.

There are two times of the year when you can get the best prices on snowblowers:

So, what do you do if you miss those prime shopping times? Will you have to pay top dollar for a snow blower? In most cases, if you head to a local retailer, the answer is yes. 

But if you shop online, you can get some really good deals. Why?

And if you have waited until a storm is just a few days away, there is even a chance you could get one day shipping if you go Prime. The amount you save could be worth the annual membership fee (and if you are new, the first month is free).

On top of that, many online sellers actually put their snow blowers on sale right before a big snowstorm — kind of like a “reverse” supply and demand — the retailers are competing with each other for your business!

Best Snow Blowers 2021 Reviews

Snow blowers are presented in order of high to low for price range (at the time of this writing), which may or may not be an indicator of the power level — although in general, the more powerful, and the more features a blower has, the more it is going to cost.

For the less expensive models, we only chose snow throwers that met our criteria of quality and value for your money.

We have provided a mix of gas and electric blowers (single and two stage) to give you with an idea of what is out there, but keep in mind that just about all of the brands we have showcased make some of each.

Troybilt Website

Husqvarna 254cc Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower Review

Poulan Pro Two Stage Gas Snow Thrower Review

Briggs & Stratton SnowShredder™ 1-Stage Gas Snowblower Review

Ariens Path Pro 21" 208 cc Single-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower Review

PowerSmart 24” 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower Review

EGO POWER+ Cordless Electric Snow Blower Review

Snow Joe® Ultra Electric Snow Thrower Review

WEN Snow Blaster Electric Snow Thrower Review

Greenworks Corded 1-Stage Snow Thrower Review

You may be wondering why we started this buying guide with an infographic about snow shoveling — well, there are a few reasons.

First, at Enjoy the Outdoor life, we care about our readers. Even if you make the decision to purchase a snow blower to make your snow removal job easier, there will be times when you will be doing some shoveling, so we want you all to stay safe. While it is definitely great exercise, staying warm and hydrated, and maintaining proper posture is essential to prevent injuries while shoveling. 

Which brings us to the other reasons...

Year after year, thousands of people are injured while shoveling — from minor cuts,  abrasions and twisted ankles, to  more serious back and hip injuries, torn rotator cuffs, and ruptured biceps.

Snow Blower vs Shovel: Which is Safer?

A study by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that over 158,000 people sought medical treatment for injuries sustained while shoveling or removing ice in 2015 (as compared to only a bit over 15,000 snowblower injuries). In 2016, the number went down to about 138,000 but that is still way too many (in comparison, snow blower related injures dropped to between 5,500 and 6,000 a year). This is such a serious, and preventable injury that a 17-year longitudinal study was done on snow shoveling related injuries.

But it's actually worse than that...

Every year, 100's of people actually die while handling the routine task of shoveling snow, mostly from heart attacks.  And it's not just people who are out of shape, sedentary, "older" or who have a history of cardiovascular disease (although they are at higher risk). 

Many people who appeared otherwise healthy, have also suffered from shoveling-related heart attacks. Research shows that this is often due to factors such as holding breath while shoveling, being in a rush, shoveling early in the morning when circadian rhythms actually make them more susceptible to cardiac incidents. Not to mention the fact that many people with underlying cardiac issues may not even know about it. 

Add the fact that the cold air restricts the blood vessels decreasing the amount of oxygen that gets to the heart, and it's potential recipe for disaster.

Now we are not trying to "scare" you into buying a new snow blower.

But if you or a loved one is not in the best of health, or you have a large area to shovel (especially if you are in a region that gets a lot of heavy snow) this may be one of the best investments you could make. 

Even if you get a smaller, power snow shovel to switch between it would help reduce some of the stress on your heart and body.

And please, if you don't buy one, make sure you keep yourself safe when shoveling!

By the way, in case you were wondering, about snow blower related fatalities...

We tried to find up to date information, but it wasn't readily available. We did learn that between 1992 and 2010, there were a total of 19 deaths (significantly less than from shoveling). 

The majority of snow-blower related fatalities (and injuries for that matter) are due to "user error" — things such as not following safety instructions, reaching hand into machinery to clear jams and carbon monoxide poisoning from running gas powered snow throwers in an enclosed space.

So, as long as you follow common sense safety tips, and follow the owners manual, snow blowers are safer than shovels (even though they are a piece of machinery) 

We'll talk more about how to properly operate a snow blower later.

Okay, now that we got our Public Safety Announcement out of the way, it's time to get down to business.

Whether electrical or gas-powered, snow blowers can clear snow off decks, driveways, sidewalks, and more using their motor-powered auger that picks up snow and throws it flying. The machine is guided along by the operator, leaving behind a freshly cleared path.

Indeed, this snow shoveling machine pays for itself quickly, making you wonder how you ever survived without it.

While there are many different factors that come in to play when choosing the right snow blower for your home, ultimately the decision depends upon the answers to these three questions:

The answer to these questions will determine the type of snow blower you get, more so than price. For example, if you live in a high snow area, with a large yard and a house on a hill, and get a cheap power snow shovel you might save a few hundred dollars but in the long run, you will have wasted your money because it won't get the job done.

If your budget doesn't allow you to get the right snow blower for your needs, you'd be better off waiting until next year (you could spend a little bit now on you favorite winter activity like snowboarding to make up for another year of careful snowing).

Snow Blower Frequently Asked Questions

We will cover everything in more detail further on in this buying guide but let’s start with some quick highlights, common questions and factors you will need to consider.

Snow Blower vs. Snow Thrower: What's the difference?

Many people refer to these two machines as the same thing, sometimes interchangeably. But the truth is that they are different. A snow blower is a powerful snow scooping monster that removes all that white stuff from your walkways and driveway. It has a wide clearance, can move wet and heavy snow, and easily crunches through most icy snow. A snow thrower, on the other hand, is more of a small woodland beast. It’s a single-stage machine that’s designed to pick up the snow and blow it aside in just one swoop. After a light dusting of the white stuff, these machines can clear your sidewalk, porch, patio or driveway quickly. They are lightweight, affordable, and come with a decent width clearance.

What is the difference between a snow blower and a power snow shovel?

A snow blower is simply a two-stage machine designed to chomp down snow with an auger, throwing it out using an impeller. It allows you to move huge amounts of snow on your driveways and sidewalks, sometimes to as far as 20 feet away. Just as the name suggests, a power snow shovel, on the other hand, is a simple power tool that looks like a shovel that’s designed to help you remove small amounts of snow from your yard or driveway.

What is the best snow blower for large or long driveways?

Larger areas (and more snow), means you will want one with more power to get the job done more efficiently. Most likely this means you will want to go for a either a two stage or three stage gas snow blower. If the area is really big, and especially if there is a slope, you may also want to choose one with motorized wheels.

What is the best snow blower for areas that get a LOT of snow?

More snow means you will probably want a larger auger and clearing width. For areas with heavy and frequent snowstorms, you should invest in a powerful two stage snow thrower, and probably one that uses gas. These powerful blowers will also go throw the packed snow piles left behind with the city snowplows come through your streets.

What is the best snow blower for heavy, wet snow?

Wet and heavy snow tends to clog the chute of your snowblower, causing it to malfunction or break down completely. You don’t want this, so it’s best to go for a snow removal machine that’s best suited for wet snow. This means a more powerful, heavyweight machine that can handle all that extra weight. Single-stage snowblowers won’t cut it. The stage-two models will do a good job clearing the heavy wet snow on areas it has accumulated. The three-stage blowers are even better. Although they can be expensive, they can handle huge, wet dumping of snow in the shortest time possible.

What is the best snow blower for small areas, like sidewalks and apartments?

If you only have a little bit of snow to clear, you don’t need to invest in one of the more powerful snow blowers. A small, single stage snow thrower or powered snow shovel will get the job done. If you are concerned about noise bothering your neighbors, go for electric.

What is the best snow blower for decks, patios and porches?

For decks, patios and porches, it is highly recommended that you use a single stage blower with a plastic scraper to protect the surface. There are some two stage blowers that have adjustable skid shoes that can raise the base so it doesn't actually touch the ground. The problem with this though option is that you are going to be left with a layer of snow still left behind which will still need to be removed or salted (or wait for it to melt). 

What is the best snow blower for hills, slopes and inclines?

If you have an area that on a hill or slope, you need to make sure you choose a snow thrower that is designed to handle such terrain. Depending upon the steepness of the incline, you may want to choose one that has powered wheels.

What is the best snow blower for a gravel driveway?

If there is gravel, special consideration needs to be taken because choosing the wrong type means it will pick up the gravel and throw it out along with the snow. You want one that has an adjustable skid shoes to lift the blower up from the surface. It will leave behind a layer of snow, but you won’t be damaging your gravel driveway.

Electric Snow Blower vs Gas: Which is better?

The answer to this question is: it depends on what you need. In general, gas mowers are more powerful, but they are also noisier. Electric, on the other hand are quieter and more convenient, but tend not to have as much power. Beyond that, electric and gas each have their own pros and cons which we cover below in the types of snow blowers section.

Electric Snow Blowers - Corded vs Cordless: Which is better?

While corded snow blowers are convenient, the area you can clear is limited by the length of the cord. They also won’t work if your power is out, but the benefit is that as long as there are no outages, you have an 'unlimited' power supply. Cordless, battery operated mowers are quiet and lightweight, but they are best suited for areas that are smaller, and don’t get too much snow at one time. You can use them for larger areas, but you might have to take a break in the middle to re-charge the battery (either that or get a second battery one so you can alternate).

Single Stage Snow Blower vs Two Stage vs Three Stage: Which is better?

The answer to this question depends on your property, and how much snow you get. Two stage snow blowers (and three stage) are more powerful than single stage mowers, but they also tend to cost more. But it’s not always about power – there are times when a single stage mower is the best choice. For example, if you are blowing a surface you want to protect, or only need something small. 

We will cover the pros and cons of the different stage types next.

Types of Snow Blowers for Residential Use

When choosing the right snow shoveling machine for residential use, there are two main things that you need consider in terms of type:

• Power Source — Gas or electric (which fall into corded or cordless)
• Stages — Single (one stage), double (two stage) and triple (three stage)

Single-Stage Electric Snow Blowers

These are perfect for low level walkways, driveways, and decks with snow magnitudes of less than 6″. This snow blower comes with a paddle-like auger that picks snow up and throws it out the chute where it is discharged.

It does its job in one brisk motion—hence its name.

Single-stage electric snow blowers are the quietest, easiest to use, and lightest models and they resemble a small walk-behind lawnmower. They have the advantages of not requiring gas to run or engine maintenance. They are, however, more limited in terms of clearing power.

Single-stage electric snow blowers come in two different versions: corded single-stage and cordless single-stage.

Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower

In single-stage gas blowers, the auger moves correspondingly as other single-stage units to drive snow from the deck and out through the chute, though the power is provided for by a gasoline engine.

These machines are perfect for even, mid-sized, paved walkways and driveways, with expected snowfall of up to 9″. 

These models are free from the limitations and hassles of a cord, they are more maneuverable, and tend to cost much less compared to two-stage and three-stage units. They also offer a little more in terms of clearing width and will generally clear a path of about 2 foot wide with each pass.

However, single-stage snow blowers (whether they are gas or electric) have limitations when it comes to power and throwing distance, which makes them a poor option for gravel driveways. They tend to curve sideways on sharp slopes and their auger offers modest pulling power.

Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower

Two-stage gas blowers (sometimes referred to as double stage snow blowers) bring a new twist to snow removal by including an impeller fan that helps spur snow into the output chute—increasing throwing distance and clearing power. Two-stage blowers are perfect for areas that receive snow accumulations of up to 8″ or more.

These types of snow throwers are more likely to come with extra features that make snow clearing more efficient, including wider clearing paths, greater intake heights, and power-driven wheels. They, however, have one drawback; auger doesn’t come in face-to-face contact with the ground to be cleaned. This results in a fine layer of snow being left behind after cleaning.

If you decide to buy a two-stage gas snow blower, ensure you go for one with more horsepower. The more the horsepower, the more the power the engine can generate. This will provide more strength to the wheels and assist the auger to get through heavy or deeper drifts. 

Three-Stage Gas Snow Blower

For excellent snow-clearing power, go for 3 stage snow blowers (sometimes called triple stage snow blowers). These gas-powered beasts have an accelerator and impeller fan added to the auger to make snow removal even faster.

They are capable of clearing snowfalls of up to 1 to 2 feet deep and are meant for homeowners who receive snow of up to 18″ or more of heavy, wet snowfall. Expect to clear up to 30″ with every pass! Their success emanates from the accelerator, which is actually another auger sandwiched between two sides of the regular auger.

The accelerator moves perpendicularly to the regular auger, which results in a speedy collection of snow. Other than the accelerator, most three-stage blowers come with additional attractive features that will make your snow removal task more comfortable.

Some of the features include electric start, power steering, heated hand grips, and chutes with excellent throwing distances. With all these great features, three-stage gas blowers have the disadvantages of being heavy, expensive, and requiring a lot of storage space. 

What to Look for in a Residential Snowblower

Should you go for electric or gas snow blowers, single stage or two-stage?

With so many options in the market, choosing a snow blower can seem a daunting task. Add that to the ever-changing gimmicks and features, and you may end up buying something that doesn’t suit your home environment. 

Here are some pointers to look out for when buying a powered snow shoveling machine for your needs.

Overall, the type of snow blower you choose will greatly depend on the area you intend to be clearing. Consider location, path, and terrain, and remember to stay within the scope of what you need rather than choosing a model based on features that may be more harmful than good.

Before we close out, remember when we talked about snow snow blower injuries, as compared to shoveling?

And do you remember that we said that the majority of those injuries were due to user errors, not because of the product itself?

This means that most of the injures could have been prevented!

We want you all to be safe, and to enjoy many, many winters to come. So, please, make sure you read the manual that comes with your snowblower, even if you have used one before. Each model has it's own little intricacies.

You also want to pay special attention to the maintenance instructions. Not only will proper care extend the life of your machine, but it will also ensure that it's safe to operate.

And remember, snow blowers are a type of machinery and as such, they should not be used while under the influence of alcohol or medications, and should not be operated by minors unless under the close supervision of an adult.

Be safe!

If you have never used a snow blower before, we recommend you take a look at this How to Snow Blow Your Driveway from WikiHow. It has lots of good information to get you started. 

With a quality snowblower, you can happily be singing "Let It Snow" while you work and play!

(Sorry, couldn't resist that one — it was way too easy. Apologies in advance if we got that song stuck in your head!)