Prices are accurate at the time of publication.
Toro
- A good snowblower should efficiently clear snow, be easy to operate, and last through many winters.
- Our top choice is Toro's 37798 because of its quality construction and 24-inch clearing width.
- If you're not quite ready to buy a snowblower, check out our guide to the best snow shovels.
When winter is in full swing and snowstorms are frequent, it's time to pull out the right tool for the job: the snowblower. This type of snow-removal equipment clears snow quickly with minimal effort, making it a must-have for anyone who lives in a place where snowfalls are common.
To find the best snowblowers, we reached out to an expert on the topic, Derek Palma, Midwest regional parts and service manager of Northern Tool + Equipment. If you're not sure what to look for when buying a snowblower.
Here are the best snowblowers in 2021
- Best snowblower overall: Toro 37798 Power Max 824 OE 24-Inch Two-Stage Gas Snowblower
- Best snowblower on a budget: Snow Joe SJ627E 22-Inch Snowblower
- Best single-stage snowblower: Toro Power Clear 38753 721 E 21-Inch Gas Snowblower
- Best cordless electric snowblower: Ego SNT2102 21-Inch Cordless Electric Snowblower
- Best electric snow shovel: Greenworks 2600802 12-Inch Electric Snow Shovel
Toro
The Toro 37798 Power Max 824 OE 24-Inch Two-Stage Gas Snowblower and its powerful 252cc engine will allow you to clear large driveways with minimal effort.
Pros: Far throw distance, variable speed, remote chute control
Cons: Expensive
An impressive 24-inch width gives this Toro 37798 Power Max blower the ability to carve a wide swath. Combined with the 20-inch depth, it allows you to clear a huge amount of snow with every pass. This productivity means that not only will you do less work, you'll also get finished much faster than you would with a smaller blower.
As Palma recommended, we made sure that our top pick included an easy chute-control system. The straightforward chute controller of the Toro Power Max 824 OE allows you to easily and quickly adjust the direction of the expelled snow. You move the joystick-style controller wherever you want the chute to go, and since it's mounted on the main control panel, you can always stay safely behind the machine at all times.
The heavy-duty rubber tires are 4 inches wide, allowing you to use this blower on relatively steep slopes, and it will maintain traction without sliding and slipping around.
If you know you'll be tackling large amounts of snow and want to be prepared to move it safely and effectively, we're confident that this model is a great choice. However, it is very expensive, and if you have a smaller area to work with or don't get a lot of snow, you might want to consider a more compact option.
Snow Joe
The length of your power cord will limit you, but the low price and 22-inch width of the Snow Joe SJ627E Snowblower still make it a great choice for some users.
Pros: Low price, instant start, LED headlights, includes a chute cleaning tool
Cons: Limited to length of power cord, not practical for clearing large areas
This Snow Joe unit costs significantly less than our other blower options but should still be a valuable alternative to using a snow shovel. It's not as portable as cordless options; you'll need to plug it into your home's power outlet. Since it's better suited for walkways and decks, this limitation should be less of an issue.
The Snow Joe SJ627E has a relatively easy chute adjustment system and a convenient electric quick start. Our expert recommends both features when you're looking for a snowblower. A rotating handle on the primary handle allows you to swivel the chute up to 180 degrees, and twin LED headlights also increase visibility and safety in low-light conditions.
Another valuable feature of this blower is its lightweight design, which makes it much more comfortable to push and steer than heavier models. If you don't have a lot of space to clear, it's much more practical to move a 35-pound machine than one weighing twice as much, especially considering it's not self-propelled. You'll appreciate this light weight if you plan on carrying it up a set of stairs to clear off a deck.
The Home Depot
The Toro Power Clear 38753 721 E 21-Inch Gas Snowblower is lightweight and self-propelled, perfect for light jobs.
Pros: Compact, lightweight, easy to maneuver, self-propelled
Cons: Not meant for heavy snowfalls, no headlight
If you need a light-duty blower to handle sidewalks, pathways, decks, or small driveways, this single-stage blower from Toro is a great choice. It's small enough to be easy to maneuver and operate but still has a wide, 21-inch width to make it productive. Its self-propelled mechanism is another convenient perk, allowing you to finish the job with minimal effort.
Although the chute adjustment handle isn't as convenient as others — it uses a long handle attached to the chute instead of a controller mechanism up by the handle — it's still straightforward to use and allows you to stay completely behind the machine while you work. The electric start mechanism also makes this model a good choice for those who lack sufficient upper body strength or dexterity or who just want the option of opting out of a pull-start.
Even though this single-stage machine doesn't have the power of a two-stage blower, it can still power through snow up to 9 inches deep and launch it 35 feet away. Palma recommended Toro as one of his most trusted blower brands, citing its machines' ability to perform when you need them to.
Ego/Facebook
If you don't want to bother with gas and snow in your area is measured in inches instead of feet, then the Ego SNT2102 21-Inch Cordless Electric Snowblower is a great choice.
Pros: Twin headlights, relatively quiet operation
Cons: 45-minute run time might be too short for some
Even though it might lack the raw power of a gas model, Ego's battery-powered blower is still packed with a nice amount of useful features. A pair of LED headlights make it ideal for use in low-light conditions.
Your neighbors will thank you since it's significantly quieter than its gas-powered counterparts. It's powerful enough to handle depths of up to 10 inches and launch snow a nice medium distance away.
We're also big fans of the fact that this blower includes two 5.0Ah batteries, allowing you to keep one on the charger while you're working. These two batteries, combined with the 40-minute charging time on the rapid charger, mean that you won't need to worry about running out of juice while you work. The convenient LED charging indicator makes it easy to know how much time is left before they're fully charged. This blower is also a convenient option for those short on storage space, thanks to a foldable handle that collapses down.
The main drawback is that the Ego SNT2102 is not self-propelled, so you'll have to use a bit more elbow grease when using this blower. We consider this blower a great choice for areas with relatively light snowfalls and homeowners who don't want to deal with messy fuel.
Amazon
A low-cost alternative to a snowblower, the Greenworks 2600802 12-Inch Electric Snow Shovel will take up significantly less room in the garage.
Pros: Lightweight, low price, easy to use
Cons: Only for light-duty use
Although it's technically not a snowblower, this power shovel from Greenworks could be a great choice for those who lack the space for a larger machine. Its 12-inch width isn't practical for large areas, but this compact size does make it a versatile option for tasks that bulkier blowers wouldn't be able to handle, like, clearing narrow pathways. It's also easier to carry up and down the stairs to clear off an elevated deck.
A secondary, weed whacker-style handle makes it comfortable to use and should help maintain control and reduce arm fatigue as you go. Best of all, it will take up about the same amount of space as a shovel.
The Greenworks Electric Snow Shovel will require a bit more effort to use than a self-propelled snowblower but should still be much more comfortable than a standard snow shovel. Plus, it launches snow further than you could on your own.
We've used a variety of Greenworks power tools in our time, including leaf blowers and lawn mowers, and have always been impressed with how well they perform. If you're looking for a reliable, light-duty tool for clearing snow, this should get the job done.
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