12 Best Electric Snow Blowers for Heavy Snow

A snow blower/thrower is a machine that is intended to solve the excessive snow piling up in homes during winter. It works like an automatic shovel, minus the burden of back pain and muscle strains. But choosing the right type of snow thrower needs some work on the part of the potential buyer.

How to Buy the Best Snow Blower for Your Needs

Buying the best snow thrower to suit your needs isn’t just a case of matching your budget to the selling price of a thrower. The amount of snow you typically want to move,  the type of ground it falls on, whether you want a gas or electric thrower, your physical capabilities, how much money you want to spend, the size of the area you need to maintain, and, your personal preference for design, all play a major role in the decision-making process.

Types of Snow Blowers

Snowblowers come in two different types of machines: single-stage and two stages. One blows the snow out of the chute while the other uses a fan to throw snow.

Single Stage Snow Thrower

Both machines have an auger, the part of the equipment that comes into contact with the snow to grab it and move it through the machine.  On single stage machines the auger comes into contact with the ground, so, if you have a gravel surface, or a soil/dirt surface, a single stage thrower is NOT what you should use.  Single stage throwers are usually smaller than two stage machines and this makes them ideal for use in small areas, such as decks and walkways, and also, makes them easier to handle for people who have physical limitations.

Two Stage Snow Thrower

Two stage snow throwers are usually bigger and more powerful than single stage machines.  If you have a large area to clear this is probably the better choice. The auger on two stage snow blowers doesn’t touch the ground and this makes it the machine of choice on gravel.

The auger (first stage) works in conjunction with a fan (second stage) that sucks the snow through the system and ‘throws’ it out of the chute. This is accomplished with great force and allows snow to be thrown at greater distances than the single stage machine. Two stage snow throwers have a larger cutting path and are more powerful.  This, and the fact that they have more features, such as gears and reverse mode, makes them ideally suited for clearing larger areas.

Whichever machine meets your needs, both will take the strain off your back and get you back in the warmth of your home faster than snow shoveling.

Gas & Electric Snow Throwers

Most single-stage snow throwers are electric and need little more than plugging into the socket. For safety, an outdoor power cord should be used and care should be taken that you always know where the power cord is so that you don’t run over it.

There are some gas-powered single-stage machines and these are usually a bit bigger and heavier than their electric counterparts, though at the same time, lighter and more maneuverable than the two-stage machines.

Two-stage snow throwers tend to be heavy-duty machines, which usually means a gas engine and so require maintenance. Two-stroke engines will need a gas/oil mix, and this is simple for the homeowner to manage. The oil mix is available in pre-measured units and is just added directly to the gas in the gas can. For larger 4-stroke engines an annual oil change may be required.

Amount of Snow

Because they are smaller and lighter in weight, single-stage snow blowers are better for snowfalls that are 6 inches and less.  For heavier snowfall, the two stage throwers are the best machine for the job.

In really heavy snowfall it is better to use the snow thrower to keep the levels low rather than try to deal with a foot and more of snow at one time.  While this may seem like a chore, it will go faster and easier than leaving the snow to accumulate and potentially freeze.

Size & Type of the Area

The size and slope of the terrain dictate the type of snow blower to buy.  A single-stage blower is ideal for a small flat driveway and walkway; a large driveway (length or width) that is also very sloped requires a machine with gear-driven wheels for power steering.

Rather than take it out on your back, use a machine that will do the work for you, in this case, you are typically looking at a two-stage snowblower.

If you have to deal with heavy snow and ice, consider getting a machine with a serrated auger as they are great at breaking down heavily packed snow and ice. You may also want to buy a snow blower that has tracks rather than wheels if you have a large area that is also sloped. Tracks have a better grip than wheels and can make a large job much more manageable.

Budget

It’s better to get the snow thrower that you need rather than ‘make do’ with less. Requiring minimal maintenance, the best machines can provide years of use and save you a fortune on hiring a snow ploughs to do the work. Get the best machine for the job and save yourself time and energy.

Best Snow Blowers

1. Toro Power Shovel 38361

Toro has a long-standing reputation in outdoor equipment, for both consumer and commercial uses…so coupled with many excellent reviews by owners, I can’t see where anyone could go wrong buying a Toro electric snowblower.

Toro 38361 Power Shovel Electric Snow Blower is a compact snow blower designed for easy snow removal from smaller areas such as your driveway or patio. If you’ve been using a shovel to move snow you know how hard and time consuming this chore can be. With Power Shovel you’ll be moving snow without breaking a sweat. No more frosty fingers and backache.

This is an electric snow blower so there are no maintenance issues often associated with gas-powered snow blowers like spark-plug cleaning, refusal to start, fuel spills and similar. Having to attend to these problems in freezing weather, when your fingers are numb from frost is really frustrating.

With the ability to clear 1000 square feet of 4-inch deep snow in twenty minutes, this snow blower is perfect for most residential homes. Equipped with a small 7.5 amp motor this unit is lightweight and yet powerful enough to meet your needs and then some. It is really easy to use; just plug it in, press the start lever and off you go.

They call this a power “shovel” because it is intended to take the place of the manual snow shovel. It was designed to be used for limited snow removal around steps, patios, decks, and small drives and walkways. At 13 lbs, it is light enough to carry from place to place for spot snow removal.

Some people have also used this electric snow blower to remove snow from roofs, but this requires a great deal of safety precaution, plus careful operation of the unit so as to not damage the roof. Frankly, I don’t believe I would do this unless it was a real emergency.

I have seen videos of people using this snow blower on snowdrifts over 2 feet deep, but it requires a great deal of effort and I wouldn’t think a person would want to try this very often. The Toro Power Shovel–38361 was designed to be used with no more effort than a vacuum cleaner, and in snow 4 inches deep or less. Any use beyond this tends to defeat the design purpose.

2. Toro 1800 Power Curve—38381

The 1800 Power Curve was redesigned to include a new higher-amp motor (15 amp), plus some other new features. Be aware that there are some older model 1800′s with the 12 amp motor (model–38025) still being sold as current models.

Owners of Toro snow blowers are almost fanatical in the praise of their machines. Their machines seem to do far more work than the unit’s specifications would indicate.

Consumer Reports gives the 1800 Power Curve the highest rating of all-electric snow blowers—although they rate any electric model much lower than gas models. This is an area highly refuted by current owners of the 1800 Power Curve.

Although electric models are not made to be used on gravel drives and walkways, some owners have found ways to elevate the scraper on the bottom so it clears the loose gravel while removing most of the snow. However, I’m not sure this would work well if you had a large area to clear.

Like most electric snow throwers, the Power Curve uses the single-stage mechanism both for gathering and throwing snow out. Without an impeller, it relies on the auger for both operations. But what separates it from the rest is the larger motor power capacity of 15 Amp. You will normally see electric snow blowers equipped with 7 or 8 Amp motors, but this one is packed with a rather powerful motor for deeper and wider coverage of snow.

With the 160-degree adjustable chute feature of the Power Curve, you get to choose which direction you want the snow to be deflected and one of the best things about the Power Curve is that it only weighs 25 pounds.

Some users have complained about having a very short cord which they cannot extend to some areas of snow removal. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the Power Curve has a cord lock system that organizes the cord for better operation. Additionally, you always have the option of using an extension cord should you wish to work farther away from the house.

3. Toro 38381 18-Inch 15 Amp Electric 1800 Power Curve Snow Thrower

When you have to deal with snow up to 10” deep, a powerful 15 amp motor provides the power you need. Twice the weight and double the amps of the Toro 38361, the Toro 38381 Power Curve Snow Thrower packs one heck of a punch. Still classified as a lightweight snow thrower, the Toro 38381 can be handled easily by all members of the family and 10” of snow is quickly dispersed.

When you have a large area to clear you need somewhere to put all the snow. Working in unison, the Quick Lever adjustable chute and the zip deflector let you aim the snow where you want it to go.

These two features take a lot of pressure off your back because you don’t have to lift and tilt the Toro 38361Power Curve Snow Thrower to dump the snow just where you want it to be. With the 160-degree adjustable chute, you are in complete control.

The Toro 1800 has a patented Power Curve Design system that uses a specialized curved rotor and funnel-shaped housing for a very powerful snow removal performance. It enhances the ability of the machine to move forward and clean the area of snow all the way down to the pavement. This remarkable add-on is responsible for eliminating the possibility of clogging and delay.

The Toro 1800 is wrapped in a durable plastic body paired with a metal handle and it is equipped with a 180-degree adjustable chute control feature that gives you the ability to adjust the direction of your throw.

Powerful enough to toss up to 700lbs of snow in one minute and cut through snow up to a foot deep and 18” wide, this snow thrower can clear your property very quickly.

Don’t worry if your driveway gets blocked by snow banks left by the municipal trucks, this powerful machine can cut through packed ice and snow and clear your access.

4. GreenWorks Model 26012 (12″) Electric Snow Shovel

Greenworks electric snow blowers are made by the GreenWorks Tools, Inc. company, headquartered in Moorseville, North Carolina. The company also has an International distribution center located in Shanghai, China, so I think it safe to assume that its products are made in China.

Of course, today it is pretty safe to assume that almost all snow blowers—or at least the components—are made in China, or somewhere outside of the U.S.

It is also interesting that they are building their company on the concept of selling only environmentally friendly products. They only sell battery, electrical, or human-powered machines. It will be interesting to see how Greenworks develops as time goes on.

This model of electric snow blower is directly comparable to the Snow Joe 322P and the Toro Power Shovel. But the feature that really jumps out is the tremendous warranty. No other snowblower company offers anywhere near as good a warranty as GreenWorks. It is obvious they have a lot of confidence in their products, otherwise, if they had a lot of warranty claims over a lengthy period—they would go out of business.

5. GreenWorks Model 26022 (16″) Electric Snow Blower

This model electric snow blower fills a gap between the small Toro and Snow Joe models and their larger models. The GreenWorks 16″ is more comparable with the TroyBilt 1400 and the Yard Machine Snow Fox (12.5″) in design, features, and price. Of course, again, the warranty is the real outstanding feature of this electric snowblower.

The model 26022 does not have a regular directional chute. It has a front discharge area with manually movable fins that directs the snow discharge.

When looking at reviews it became obvious the owners either loved or hated this machine. I suspect that a few owners tried to use this light-duty blower beyond what it was intended for–soft snow 6″ deep or less.

6. GreenWorks Model 26032 (20″) Electric Snow Blower

This is the largest of the GreenWorks models and compares to the Snow Joe Ultra SJ620 and the Toro 1800 Power Curve. The two main differences are cost—the GreenWorks is less costly, and warranty—no one comes close to the GreenWorks 4-year warranty.

It is interesting to note that the GreenWorks 26032 weighs 46 lbs vs. the Toro’s 1800 Power Curve’s 25 lbs, and the Snow Joe Ultra SJ 620′s 35 lbs. This could be advantageous when trying to keep the machine from climbing up from the surface but can be a disadvantage if you need to move it around a lot.

While this snow thrower is marketed as being green and saving the environment, like most the other electric snow throwers, this simply means that you are not burning oil and gas.

The large 12 amp motor is powerful enough to clear a path of snow up to 10” deep and is wide enough to cut a 20” path. The easily adjustable directional chute allows you to throw snow up to 20 feet in 180-degree direction. Complete with a height adjuster on the ergonomic handle, the Greenworks 26032 is comfortable to use for all members of the family: no unnecessary bending or stretching.

A standard feature of the Greenworks 26032 is the cord locking system that keeps your extension cord securely in place as you clear the snow. The large rubber 8” radial wheels take the strain off your back and make this snow blower manageable to use on even sloped terrain. Steel blades covered in rubber make quick work of snow banks left by municipal snow ploughs.

7. Snow Joe Plus 322P

Snow Joe is one of the leading manufacturers of electric snow blowers. All their models have a rubber or rubber-tipped augers, and although they do a thorough job of cleaning concrete, they do have an occasional problem with compacted snow or ice.

It should also be noted that electric models scrape directly on the surface below the snow, and therefore, are not a good choice for gravel drives and walkways, regardless of size.

The 322P is ideal for clearing steps, patios, and decks. It is perfect for clearing raised decks where you would have to lift snow over a railing if you used a shovel. This might be a good second machine to have just for those small hard to reach places (and it takes up very little storage space).

8. Snow Joe SJ620 18-Inch 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Blower

If a dependable snow thrower is what you’re looking for, the Snow Joe SJ620 is a perfect choice. This is a serious piece of machinery able to clear large amounts of snow from bigger walkways and driveways.

Apart from having a 13.5 amp motor, it packs a heavy-grade rotor with four blades. This hardware allows the machine to move a maximum of 650 pounds of snow every minute and can throw the same to a remarkable twenty feet.

This robust unit is built ergonomically, so the strain on the operator is kept at a minimum. The snow moving blades are made of heavy-grade steel and propel the snow twenty feet into the air. Furthermore, the 180-degree adjustable discharge chute with deflector allows you to easily set the desired height and direction of the snow stream.

The body frame of the Snow Joe SJ620 is built to emphasize better maneuvering of the machine and fitting control. The pivot wheels allow an easier way to turn the thrower at the end of each pass.

Additionally, the ergonomic grip is well-suited for the hands while the compact size and shape of the machine enable you to store it in tight spaces when the winter ends.

Although it does not have an impeller found in double-stage snow throwers, it is powerful enough to cut up snow, regardless of it being dry, compacted, or wet and the auger is made from tough steel with four separate blades.

With this unit you get the efficiency of a gas-powered snow thrower with all the convenience of an electric one; the push-button start and hassle-free operation. If you’ve ever had to change a spark plug in cold weather, you know how frustrating it can be. The Snow Joe SJ620 Snow Blower comes with a full two-year guarantee.

Due to its lightweight, the machine doesn’t do well with hard, crusty snow. But if used regularly there wouldn’t be enough time for a crust to form.

9. Snow Joe Ultra 622U1 19-Inch 13-Amp Electric Snow Thrower

10. Ariens AMP (24″) Electric Two-stage Snow Blower

I wanted to treat the Ariens Amp (24″) Electric Two-stage Snow Blower separately, because it may be the pioneer of future models by other manufacturers. This is one of the few battery-powered snow blower on the market today, and it is designed to compete with gas model two-stage snow blowers.

Negative comments about battery-powered snow blowers are active on the forums, but, for the most part, these are not owners. However, one thing to remember is that Ariens has been building battery-powered riding lawn mowers for quite some time, so if anyone can build a workable battery-powered snow blower—it would likely be Ariens.

Most people seem to like this unit, because it eliminates all the mess, smells, starting problems and maintenance of similar gas models. The only complaint seems to be the short run time per battery charge–as low as 20 minutes per charge. The recharge time can take as long as 6-7 hours (2-3 hours with optional quick charger).

One issue that seems to be of concern to a few people is how long the batteries themselves are going to last. The manufacturer claims the batteries are good for 200 recharges. This would mean if you used the machine 20 times per year, the batteries would last for 10 years. And, if you only used the machine 10 times per year, the batteries would last for 20 years. I guess only time will tell.

It is also noted, however, that batteries need to be on their charger whenever the machine is not in use, so they will be trickle-charged and not run down from disuse. The battery charger is built-in, or you can purchase a “Quick-Charge” kit separately. Just remember that “quick-charges” are hard on batteries and should be done sparingly.

Battery-powered equipment is only going to become more popular as time goes on, especially as new battery materials are developed. We had better hope that battery efficiency improves as gasoline prices and availability deteriorate.

If you are looking to spend around $1,500 for a two-stage snow blower, and are tired of the mess of changing oil, storing gasoline, and refilling your snow blower in the wind and cold (or dark of night), then the Ariens AMP (24″) Electric Snow Blower may be just the ticket for you.

There is little doubt that it can do a good job of clearing snow…they just need to alleviate the concerns over the batteries—both the length of run-time per charge and the overall longevity.

11. WORX WG650 18-Inch 13 Amp Electric Snow Blower

The WORX company was founded in 1996 and owns its own design, engineering, and manufacturing facilities. It is now the biggest manufacturer and exporter of professional and home power tools in China.

The company offers equipment powered by 120-volt household current, standard battery packs, and some products are powered by high-efficiency Lithium batteries.

WORX WG650 18-Inch 13 Amp Electric Snow Blower is a reliably efficient and fast working model in their product line. It can be used both for large and small snow clearing tasks.

With its ergonomic design and a handle that can be adjusted in three different positions, the Worx WG650 Snow Blower is ideal if you’re experiencing back problems. Furthermore, its 13 Amp motor is powerful enough to carve a path 18 inches wide and 9 inches deep, thus clearing snow from your driveway and walkway quickly and effectively. This snow blower is easy to customize and its compact design allows for easy storage.

As mentioned before, it is equipped with a 13 Amp motor, which, coupled with a rubber-protected steel auger propels snow 30 feet into the air. The propelled snow is easily directed to the desired side via a 180-degree adjustable chute. The chute itself features two large handles which allow you to turn the chute effortlessly with your winter gloves.

There are only a few snow throwers out there that have a fully adjustable chute and the WORX WG650 is one of them. With this feature, you have the ability to move snow to any specific direction you want.

This is one of the most comfortable snow blowers on the market; the adjustable handle can be set to three different positions, allowing you to adjust it to your liking. Furthermore, the handle can be folded so the snowblower takes up minimal space in your shed or garage.

12. Yard Machines MTD 31C-040-800 Snow Fox Electric Snow Blower

The MTD Products, Inc. company (MTD) has been in business since 1932 and has been acquiring small outdoor equipment companies for quite some time. They primarily sell the various brands of equipment they have acquired, through “big box” retail stores like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart, Target, and the like.

Many of the brands they acquired have excellent, long-standing, reputations, but it is not known how changes in manufacturing will impact the reputation of the brands. For instance: Craftsman gas snow blowers have been built with Tecumseh engines for some time, but now are equipped with a special engine built in China just for MTD.

One can only assume that these types of changes are common throughout MTD’s entire product line. However, that is not to say these changes are either good or bad—only time can tell us that.

Here is a list of snowblower brands currently owned by MTD:

• MTD (started building snow blowers in 1968)
• Troy-Bilt (MTD acquired Garden Way company in 2001)
• Bolens
• Yard Machines

If you have smaller areas that need to be taken care of, than you should consider reasonably priced Yard Machines Snow Fox Electric Snow Blower.

Perfect for driveway and sidewalk, Yard Machines Snow Blower is capable of throwing snow 25 feet in the air and carving a path 12.5 inches wide and up to 6 inches high, providing safe, snow-free surfaces for you and your family.

Having a durable plastic molded housing, Snow Fox weighs only 20 pounds, providing you with easy maneuverability and longevity.

How to Store Your Electric Snow Blower

Fortunately, electric snowblower storage is not nearly as complex as it is for gas models. However, there are still some things you should do when putting away your electric snow blower until next season. The little bit of time it takes at the end of the snow season can pay off big time when you start next season—not to mention protecting the investment you have made in equipment.

Here is what I recommend when preparing your electric snow blower for storage:

• Clean the outside well. If you have used your blower around melting-salt, you should power wash it. Salt can rapidly eat through paint and metal and you may be quite surprised when you go to use your blower next season.
• Check your wheels and tires for any kind of wear or damage. Make sure there is no excessive wear on the axle shafts—that is a weak point on some models.
• Check all linkages on your chute adjusting mechanism and make sure all fasteners are properly in place with nothing missing or binding. It would be a good idea to use a good lubricant on all moving parts of the linkage. Of course, it is a good idea to lubricate all parts that have metal-to-metal movement. Be sure to follow your owner’s manual for any special lubrication points.
• Check for cracked and frayed belts. If you need a new one, buy it now and don’t wait until next fall and then not be able to find the one you need.
• Obviously, you will want to carefully check the electrical connections for your electric snow blower, as well as your operating switches (main and safety). It any of this system needs work or parts replacement—do it now. Don’t wait until the fall because it is too easy to forget and things always seem to fail when you need them the most.
• It is usually a good idea to spray all the exposed metal parts on your electric snow blower with a good rust preventive. This also keeps any condensation or high humidity moisture from accumulating on metal parts throughout the summer.
• If you have to store your machine in a dusty area, like an outdoor garden shed, it would be a good idea to cover it well.
  The lifeline of your electric blower is the power extension cord. It is always nice to have one that is especially made for electric snow blowers, because they are heavy duty and pliable in cold weather. But, regardless, your cord needs to be carefully inspected for any damage, cracks or worn connectors. I like to keep my snowblower cord separate from my other extension cords and hung up out of the way of any accidental damage.

That’s about it for electric snow blower storage, but it is always a good idea to check your owner’s manual for any special precautions you need to take for storing your particular model until the next season.