The Best Snow Blowers of 2024, Tested and Reviewed by Our Editors

Pros:

• Cordless
• Quiet
• Lightweight
• Maneuverable

Cons:

• Small clearing path

A cordless snow shovel frees you of the electrical outlet and lets you roam about with your shovel. Shovels excel on small properties, staircases, decks and paths. This compact snow shovel is lightweight, maneuverable and capable of going places no snow blower may ever see.

The Greenworks 40V cordless snow shovel has a folding handle for easy storage, cordless freedom, and, best of all, the same 40V battery with system can be used with over 75 other Greenworks tools. If you’ve bought into the Greenworks family, then this tool may be an obvious choice.

What to Consider When Buying a Snow Blower

Choosing the right snow blower can be a daunting task. You’ll see a huge selection of single-, two- and three-stage models in varying widths and with a dizzying array of features. According to McGuthrie, these are the most important things to look for:

• How much snowfall do you typically get? There are three types of snow blowers. The more stages, the more snow the machine can handle (when compared to a comparable model). Single-stage snow blowers are ideal for up to six inches of snowfall, two-stage snow blowers are great for up to 12 inches of snowfall and three-stage snow blowers can handle up to 18 inches of snowfall.
• What type of terrain are you clearing snow from? Key step-up features found in two-stage snow blowers are ideal when tackling gravel surfaces or cracked pavement, even if you’re only clearing a small or mid-sized area. Consider a model with power steering or a track drive when tackling rough surfaces, and an auger-assisted or push-propelled machine if you’re clearing a solid, even paved surface.
• What do you need from your snow blower? Once you’ve determined your basic snow-clearing needs, think about your needs as the operator to help identify any features or accessories that would be beneficial. Power steering and electric start are helpful features designed to make clearing snow easier by reducing the strain on your body with reliable starting and easy handling. Headlights are great for low-visibility conditions and heated hand grips help keep your hands warm during the cold months.

Why You Should Trust Us

I’ve been clearing snow around my home in the mountains for over 20 years. Plus, running a landscaping business for many years has landed me plenty of snow removal jobs. I’ve used a multitude of powered snow shovels, cordless blowers and corded blowers, plus and many brands of gasoline-powered single and two-stage blowers. They all get the job done and are suitable to tackle many tasks.  For this article, I enlisted the help of the entire team at Family Handyman who have actively been reviewing and testing snow blowers over the winter. I also consulted with professional snow removal expert, Dale Sorter of Boulder, Colorado for his thoughts on homeowner’s needs.

How We Found the Best Snow Blowers

The team here at Family Handyman consulted with snow experts and tested many of the blowers in various snowy conditions on a multitude of surfaces. Using our custom testing guidelines, we looked for features in snow blowers that had proven successful in our tests such as battery voltage, warranty, throwing distance and more.

We had our list in hand and selected models that operated on gasoline, battery and electric power. We selected single-stage and two-stage blowers, and snow shovels to ensure that there would be a snow blower or shovel suitable for anyone in this best of round-up.

FAQ

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

Snow blowers and snow shovels are designed to accomplish the same task: Remove snow. They both use an auger to impel the snow and then throw the snow to a new location. So what’s the difference?

A snow shovel is more compact and can easily be moved around cars and patio furniture. They typically have one handle and two wheels that you push through the snow which is thrown in a forward direction. They can handle moderate snow depths, typically about 8-inch maximum. These shovels are less expensive, can be electric-powered and are easy to store.

A snow blower on the other hand typically has two handles and is capable of clearing deeper snow and wider paths. A number of bells and whistles may be added to a snow blower such as heated grips, multiple headlights and self-propulsion. The snow usually comes out of a chute, which is used to adjust the throwing height and angle. You can clear snow more quickly with a blower but it will also require more prep work. The price is usually a little steeper as well.

What is the difference between an electric snow blower and a cordless snow blower?

You might be asking yourself, “Isn’t a cordless snow blower running off electricity?” You would not be wrong. The distinction in these tests and reviews is that an electric snow blower or snow shovel is required to be plugged into an electrical outlet. There are no batteries or “stored power” for the machine.

A cordless snow blower typically runs off a rechargeable lithium-ion battery. The batteries range in voltage (power) and run times (amp hours or Ah). The bigger the blower, usually the higher the voltage, with most single-stage snow blowers coming in at around 40v. You charge the battery in a charger, place it into your machine and you’re off to clearing snow without having to be near an outlet.

What factors should I consider when selecting a snow blower?

Consumers should consider the same factors we had when testing snow blowers when picking the best snow blower for them. How big are the areas in which you need to clear snow? For example, an apartment dweller may opt for a snow shovel whereas someone with a two-car wide driveway may want a wider, single-stage snow blower.

How much snowfall do you need to clear each winter? Residents who are accustomed to consistent, heavy snowfall may choose to get a high-powered machine with a wide clearing path. Headlights and a long battery run-time may be sought after.

Those who have steep terrain to plow or lots of gravel, are going to lean toward a self-propelled, two-stage snow blower. Knobby tires are almost a must. Heated grips can help make a challenging chore like clearing snow a more pleasurable experience.

Do I need a snow blower?

It’s never too late to consider adding a snow blower or snow shovel to your snow removal tool collection. There’s a blower for any and all types of jobs—big snow, frequent or infrequent snow, large and small areas. We hope this review helps you find a snow blower that is ideal for your needs. Next, check out our picks for the best hand-powered snow removal tools for a power-free snow removal.

Mary Henn, shopping editor, contributed to this piece.