Best Snow Blowers for Clearing Snow

There are several types of snow blowers available. The best snow blowers are designed to clear snow quickly and efficiently. Finding the right snow blower for your needs will depend on the area being cleared and the amount of snow you typically get in a season.

Gas snow blowers provide plenty of power and are available in single, two, and three-stage models. Gas models are typically used on medium-to-large driveways, commercial use and in heavy snowfalls. Gas-type blowers require additional engine maintenance. Since they pack plenty of power and are heavier, a gas snow thrower can be more difficult to maneuver if not equipped with power steering. Gas snow blowers also have many variations of engine features available such as, electric start, electronic governing and electronic fuel injection.

Electric snow blowers are perfect for clearing patios, porches, walkways and small-to-medium-sized driveways. They are a smart, eco-friendly choice for the average homeowner. These types of snow blowers handle light-to-moderate snow and work best when used on smooth, paved surfaces. Use them on sidewalks, single-car driveways and decks. For hard-to-reach areas, corded snow blowers are great to use in conjunction with a larger gas-powered one.

Corded, electric snow blowers have their benefits. They don’t require regular maintenance, oil changes or gas fill-ups, making them easier to maintain. You can plug in and go since there's no pull cord to start-up. They are generally more economical and weigh less than their gas-powered counterparts. Another advantage is corded, electric snow blowers are quieter than a gas model. One thing to note is they don’t typically have as much power as a comparable gas model.

Cordless snow blowers can handle light-to-heavy snow for larger areas. They offer the convenience of movement since users can move around freely without the hassle of tangled wires. Cordless, electric snow blowers also operate with less noise than their gas-powered counterparts, making them more neighbor friendly. With zero emissions and the absence of gas-powered engines, cordless snow blowers are a “greener” alternative than gas-powered and offer a more sustainable solution for snow removal.

Another popular option for those on a budget is snow shovels. Since snow shovels require no fuel, electricity or ongoing maintenance costs, they’re a cost-effective option. Snow shovels also allow for a hands-on approach, giving you direct control and precision to target specific aeras for snow removal.

Single-stage snow blowers feature an auger that breaks up snow and then lifts and tosses it aside. They are small and lightweight, making them ideal for maneuvering in tight areas. They typically lack a self-propelled element, which means you have to push the machine forward. These snow blowers' range between 10 to 24 inches in width. It’s best to use these snow blowers in light to moderate snow and are ideal for smaller paved and sloped driveways and sidewalks. While they can handle removing high quantities of light, dry snow, they can struggle with heavier wet snow.

Safety Tip: Do not use this blower on gravel. As the auger touches the ground, everything it collects will be thrown to the side. This can lead to tearing up grass or turning debris into high-speed projectiles.

Two-stage snow blowers feature a corkscrew-shaped, slow-turning auger that lifts snow, and an impeller that blows it, allowing them to clear a wider path with more power. This allows for more snow to pass through the snow blower and launch it through the air.

Two-stage models are bigger, heavier and more powerful than single-stage snow blowers. Their larger auger can easily chew through compacted ice and snow. You can use this machine on gravel surfaces since the auger does not touch the ground. Many of them have a self-propelled mechanism that allows you to plow through a long stretch of snow without slowing down.

Two-stage snow blowers are built for removing large amounts of snow and are best suited for snowy climates with medium-to-large-sized driveways.

Three-stage snow blowers design features a durable, center-mounter steel accelerator that spins 10 times faster than the augers to break down and quickly clear heavy, wet snow. This machine is built to power through the thickest snow and ice. It can handle up to 18 inches of snow of the wet and heavy variety. With this much power comes a higher price tag. A three-stage snow blower is recommended for those that live in climates that receive heavy snowfalls. These machines can handle high snowdrifts and the heavy snow that piles up at the end of the driveway with ease.

Snow blowers have features such as hand warmers, headlights, speed control and more. Here's what to look for in a snow blower when shopping:

• Heated handles: Though gloves will protect your hands against the cold, they don't always keep them warm. Look for blowers that feature hand warmers to keep your fingers comfortable no matter how windy and snowy it gets.
• Headlights: Blowers with headlights make it easy to see when darkness sets in early on those short winter days.
• Electric start: Many gas-powered blowers now feature electric start mechanisms which replace pull-cords and enable you to get started with the touch of a button.
• Chute control: Rotates the direction of the chute from the dash, allowing you to precisely direct the snow as you maneuver curves. Chute controls can be used from the operator's position or at the chute itself and are electric or manual.
• Drift cutters: Features narrow steel bands on the sides of the auger that knife through hard-packed, icy snowdrifts, making it easier to power your way through and clear walkways more efficiently.
• Skid shoes: Metal or composite attachments that act as a spacer that keeps the bottom of your snow blower from touching the surface of your driveway. This keeps the concrete from being scratched and ensures greater safety by keeping stones or gravel out of the path of your snow blower.
• Tire chains: When conditions are especially icy these rugged tire chains will give you added traction when you need to keep working.
• Speed control: Units with this feature include multiple speeds in both forward and reverse to ensure comfortable use. Although these snow blower accessories are optional, they do help make snow clearing more comfortable and protect your machine for longevity.
• Cab: This is a small shelter that attaches to the snow thrower to prevent the user from getting soaked with snow as it flies out of the path of the auger. There are cabs to fit walk-behind and ride-on snow blowers and many have the added benefit of a headlamp that helps light the path as you work.
• Covers: Durable, weatherproof fabric drape used to protect the snow blower when not in use. Generic versions are available, but it is usually advised to purchase one made specifically for your brand and model if possible.
• Tractor attachments: An attachment that can mount to a tractor to temporarily transform it into a snow blower.

Gas snow blowers:

• Powerful with many different options available to suit user's needs
• Different stage types available
• Greater clearing-width availability

Corded Electric snow blowers:

• Lightweight
• Easy to use for paved surfaces
• Economical with quiet operation

Cordless snow blowers:

• Easier to use with little-to-no maintenance
• Utilizes batteries that are compatible with a variety of different tools

Single-stage snow blowers:

• Lightweight, compact and easily maneuverable. Recommended for areas with light and medium snowfalls up to 8"

Two-stage snow blowers:

• Greater performance and throw distance than single stage. Self-propelled, for medium and heavy snow falls up to 12"+

Three-stage snow blowers:

• Extra auger increases cutting and bogging. Ideal for icy conditions, commercial use and heaviest snows up to 18"+