Buy Snow Blowers Online

If you find yourself digging your sidewalk and driveway out from many snowstorms each winter, you may want to put down the shovel and get a snow blower. A great snowblower takes care of the backbreaking work for you, moving even the heaviest snow quickly and easily, so you can keep the shovel around for handling smaller tasks.

“When choosing a snow blower, consumers should consider: the type of snow (heavy/wet, powdery, etc.); the accumulation amount they plan to clear; and the surface type they’ll be clearing (not all snowblowers should be used on gravel surfaces for instance). Also, understand dealer support in terms of replacing wearable parts and pre- [and] postseason maintenance,”

With Higley’s insights in mind, we researched the most popular two-stage, single-stage, gas, and battery-operated snow blowers. We then tested seven of those options on our own driveways and sidewalks after snowstorms, evaluating them on their design, performance, size, usability, safety, and value.

After researching the top battery-operated, electric, and gas-powered picks on the market, we tested seven snow blowers in our own driveways, sidewalks, and walkways each time after several storms. First, we unpacked and assembled each snow blower, noting how long it took, what tools were required, and how clear the instructions were.

After ensuring we fully understood the instructions, charged the batteries, or added the fuel, we tested these snow blowers in conditions of four inches of snow or more and larger snow drifts. We timed and evaluated each snow blower’s performance, design, and ease of use, including how easy it was to turn on (via choke or electric start), maneuver through the snow and when turning, and how easy each feature (including the snow chute) was to use.

We also used any included ice scrapers to clear any clogs (always turning the machine off completely before using) and noted their helpfulness. We also noted whether the snow blower’s handles folded for easy storage or if it was bulky and required more storage space.

Snow blower/Snow thrower

You may see these terms used interchangeably, but the key to remember is that a snow thrower is not as powerful or efficient a snow remover as a snow blower.

Snow throwers, whether powered by gasoline or electricity, are single-stage machines designed for lighter snowfalls. They have lower-rated engines, snow-scooping augers made of rubber instead of metal, and, most important, scoop up and discharge the snow in a single operation.

Snow blowers invariably are two-stage or three-stage machines. They have engines rated at higher horsepower and augers made of metal and use separate operations to collect the snow and discharge it.

Power

You can find snow throwers and snow blowers powered by gasoline or electricity (corded and rechargeable battery). Gas-powered models, such as our best overall pick, the Ariens Classic 2-Stage 24 in. Snow Blower, generally are more powerful than electric snow blowers but emit fumes.

Also, they require engine oil, which must be mixed with gasoline. Some models may need to start by means of a choke. Gasoline-powered snow blower engines are rated in horsepower or cubic centimeters (cc); a higher number indicates more power. If you prefer to know the horsepower of a product rated in cc, divide by 15. A medium-sized machine, for instance, might have a rating of 300 cc, which translates to about 20 horsepower.

Electric models are lighter and quieter than gas-powered products but generally are better suited for lighter snowfalls and for clearing narrower spaces. Two-stage electric snow blowers, such as our best cordless electric pick, the EGO Power+ 2-Stage Snow Blower, are rated in amps.

According to Cheryl Higley, Education and Content Director at SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association, you should also consider the type of surface you will be clearing when choosing gas versus electric. She notes, “Concrete and asphalt driveways can be cleared with any snow blower; however, if you’re clearing a gravel driveway, you will need to choose a 2-stage blower.

The paddles on electric and 1-stage blowers make contact with the surface, so you risk throwing rocks and gravel with these machines. This poses a hazard to anyone who might come into the path and will also damage the paddles.”

Stage

Snow blowers, whether gasoline or electric powered, are designed as single-stage (sometimes known as “snow throwers”), two-stage, or three-stage machines. “Stage” refers to the number of operations the machine performs.

Single-stage snow blowers are the least powerful and are designed for areas that experience light to moderate snowfalls, generally under 12 inches. These machines have rubber augers that collect the snow and blow it out their discharge chutes in a single motion. You can find single-stage snow blowers in gas-powered, as well as electric-powered models such as our best budget pick, the EGO Power+ Auger-Propelled Snow Blower.

Two-stage snow blowers, such as our top pick for long driveways, the Toro Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower are designed for heavier snowfalls, up to about 18 inches. These machines, equipped with augers generally made of serrated steel or other metal, scoop up the snow and channel it into components called impellers, which shoot the snow out the discharge chute.

The advantage of this type of snow blower is the intake duct can be kept clearer, assisting in more-efficient snow removal. Two-stage machines come in gas- and electric-powered models. Another facet to note about two-stage snow blowers is that, unlike single-stage models, you can adjust the height of the machine’s skid shoes. This can get the scraper bar low enough, even at surface level, to scoop off as much snow as possible.

Three-stage snow blowers add another element to the operation: Instead of moving collected snow into an impeller, these models add a halfway component called an “induction accelerator,” which chops the snow up and then moves it into the impeller. These machines are designed to collect more snow than other models, potentially getting surfaces to a stage where the sun can melt what’s left before it re-freezes, making the surface slick. Three-stage snow blowers only come in gas-powered models.

Clearing width

Consider how wide a path the snow blower clears with each pass. Typical clearing widths range from 18 to 22 inches, but some budget models may clear even less, and some more robust models may be able to clear 30 inches or more. Narrower clearing widths mean you may need to make more passes to clean the driveway or sidewalk. But they also have smaller footprints and can be stored in smaller spaces.

Warranty

Manufacturers commonly warrant residential-use snow blowers for two years for single-stage machines, or three years for two-stage and three-stage machines. Most warranties are dramatically reduced if you use the snow blower for commercial purposes.

Standout Features

Electric start

Increasingly, gasoline-powered snow blowers come with a one-button starter that avoids the need to pull the starter cord repeatedly. Generally, this is enabled by plugging the cord into a standard outlet, which supplies the power. Many of the gas-powered mowers on this list have this feature in addition to a choke, including both our best splurge pick, the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Snow Blower, as well as our best single-stage, gas pick, the Toro Power Clear Single-Stage Gas Snow Blower.

All electric snow blowers generally start by pressing a safety switch and depressing another lever that engages the augurs.

Variable speeds

Many snow blowers, including self-propelled models, have variable-speed control. Typically, this control is found near the handgrips and operated with a thumb. Some speed controls are designated and separated by stops; others have a continuous control. Higher-end models also may have more than one speed for reverse.

One-hand operation

This feature allows you to use one hand to control both the auger and the wheels, so your other hand can direct the discharge chute.

Heated handgrips

These provide added comfort so you can use the machine for longer periods. (You might be able to purchase them separately.)

FAQ

How do I decide among a single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage snow blower?

Ultimately, your decision comes down to how much snowfall you typically need to clear. A single-stage snow blower may be sufficient if your area is prone to light snowfalls of 12 inches or less and your home faces a narrow sidewalk or lacks a driveway. Two-stage snow blowers also can handle snowfalls of a foot or less. Opt for one of those if you wish to purchase an electric model since three-stage snow blowers are only gas-powered. We recommend spending the money on such a product if you wish to scoop as much snow off surfaces as possible, since two-stage models have adjustable skid plate heights.
How wide a clearance width do you need on a snow blower?

That depends on the width of the surface to be cleared and how much time you wish to spend doing the chore. We recommend blade widths of 20 to 38 inches, which are typically found on two-stage snow blowers, if you have a fairly wide or long driveway or wide sidewalk.
Do you need to mix oil and gasoline in a snow blower engine?

All internal combustion engines, including those driving snow blowers, require lubrication to keep the engine from overheating. Whether you need to mix oil with gasoline depends on whether the engine is a two-cycle or four-cycle design. (The “cycles” refer to how many piston strokes, two or four, it takes to initiate engine operation: intake air and fuel, compress the air and fuel, initiate combustion, and exhaust the fumes.) Most older snow blowers have two-cycle engines, while most products manufactured within the last five years or so have four-cycle engines.

Generally, a two-cycle engine has just a single tank, requiring oil to be mixed with the gas in carefully prepared ratios, depending on the product’s make and model. Four-cycle engines have separate tanks for gas oil and oil, so mixing the two isn’t necessary.

In any case, it is important to add the correct weight of oil to your snow blower to make sure it can start in cold weather. Read the owner’s manual for the recommended oil weight, such as SAE 5W-30.

Emma Phelps is an associate editor and has been with Long Beach Off-coast Depot since 2022. She researches, tests, and writes about home improvement, appliances, gardening, and outdoor products including humidifiers, air purifiers, and sewing machines. For this article, she analyzed testing insights and updated the product selections accordingly.

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