VIA MERCHANTPros:
- Compact and lightweight
- Easy to transport
- Economical
- Durable construction
- Replaceable parts
Cons:
- Only suited for paved surfaces
- Run time may be cut short depending on battery Ah
The Skil snow blower is a 40-volt single-stage blower with a 20-inch clearing width and is able to take on snow depths of up to 10.5 inches. With a 30-foot throwing distance, you can be sure to get the blown snow to land where you need it. Like most of the other cordless snow blowers we reviewed, a brushless motor runs this machine at low sound levels making it ideal for residential environments.
The auger on this device looks a little different. It is made from a sturdy, rubber-like material. This auger material and shape was just as capable as the other blowers. The blower easily cleared both fluffy and wet snow with ease on paved surfaces. It weighs in at the median compared to other blowers and was easy to load into the back of a truck or carry up and down staircases.
What to Consider When Buying an Electric Snow Blower
There’s a lot to consider when buying a snow blower, including the power source, how wide a path the snow blower clears in each pass and how far it throws snow. You should also take into consideration how easy the machine is to maneuver, especially on turns.
Swanson also urges customers to think about the following before making a purchase:
- How large is the area you need to clear? Do you have a single-, double-, or four-car driveway, or something larger?
- How deep is the snow usually? Do you typically get light-to-moderate snowfalls (less than eight inches)? Or heavy snowfalls, eight to 16+ inches?
- What kind of snow do you have to clear? Is the snow light and powdery? Or wet and heavy?
- What type of terrain is the snow on?
Cordless vs. Corded
When it comes to corded or battery models, there are a few things to think about to avoid common mistakes when removing snow. While corded snow blowers can throw several hundred pounds of snow quickly, it’s necessary to purchase a cold-weather extension cord and outlet—and the length of your cord may limit the space you can access.
Cordless snow blowers or battery models are great for convenience but don’t always do as well as corded or gas models in heavy and wet snow removal. Plus, you’re limited on time when it comes to battery life.
If you go with a corded electric snow blower model, you’ll need a winter extension cord that can reach the distance of the areas you want to clear. In addition, your cord will need to be able to handle the rated amps of your snow blower.
Single Stage vs. Two-Stage
Swanson notes that single-stage snow blowers are ideal for snow depths up to 8 inches and multi-person households with long driveways.
“Traditionally, single-stage snow blowers have been called snow throwers,” he says. “In these all-in-one snow thrower units, the auger breaks up snow and throws it as a single process.”
“Two-stage snow blowers have always been called snow blowers. These snow workhorses use both augers (stage 1) to shred snow and ice and an impeller to shoot it longer distances (stage 2). A two-stage blower will chop through ice, snow, and anything else a winter storm tosses your way.”
“If you’re looking for maximum snow power to tackle heavy snow storms and significant snow accumulation, we recommend this workhorse of battery-powered snow removal. Two-stage snow blowers easily move heavy, wet, or compacted snow and are self-propelling machines, ideal for roads and large spaces.”
Self-Propelled vs. Push
In general, self-propelled machines are best for those who have longer driveways or inclines that make it difficult to push a snow blower. Self-propelled snow throwers have a motor that propels the thrower forward, while non-propelled machines rely on the user and auger to propel them through the snow.
“Generally, 2-stage throwers include self-propelled modes because they’re larger units asked to remove greater amounts of snow, making them easier to use as you don’t have to exert as much effort to push them yourself,” says Swanson.
Why You Should Trust Us
As a lifelong DIYer, homeowner, professional tester and former landscaper, I have gobs of experience removing snow with both electric and gasoline-powered snow blowers. My admiration for electric tools has grown exponentially over the last few years. For this article, I also enlisted the help of Ethan O’Donnell who has been testing equipment for Family Handyman for many years and is a senior editor for the brand. Jason Swanson, vice president of Global Product Development & Management for Greenworks, also helped us determine what to look for in a snow blower.
How We Found the Best Electric Snow Blowers
Finding the best electric snow blower is dependent on each individual’s needs. We looked at a range of options that cover multiple budgets and driveway types. Those who live in snowy Midwest areas typically require more heavy-duty electric snow blowers than folks living in warmer climates, so we organized each pick by its best features for easy browsing.
While narrowing down our list, we considered well-loved brands from stores like Ace Hardware, Walmart, Amazon and Lowe’s.
Then we evaluated over a dozen snow blowers with hands-on testing. Each of the snow blowers on this list was tested in real conditions at our editors’ homes to remove snow of all types. In addition to performance, we also rated the ease of assembly and overall durability.
FAQ
How long do electric batteries last?
It depends on usage and the amp hours (or Ah) of the battery. The higher the amp hours, the longer the run time. During our tests, most of the batteries lasted about 30-45 minutes.
Can you leave an electric snow blower outside in the winter?
You can leave the blower outside but be sure to remove snow and ice chunks from the machine so it’s ready for the next use. The batteries may be stored outside but typically need to be warm, but not hot, in order for them to charge and run the machine.
Do you have to plug in an electric snow blower?
For our tests, we used only battery-powered electric snow blowers. In all cases, the batteries are removable and charged in a charging station. Therefore, it is not necessary to plug in an electric snow blower.
Is an electric snow blower worth it?
An electric snow blower is a great asset for anyone with snow to clear. They are economical and easy to maintain and store. And, they can ease the pain of snow removal allowing you to finish chores quickly and get to playing in the snow.
Rachel Brougham, freelance writer, contributed to this piece.
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