Buying a a snow blower can be confusing for most people. There are countless models to choose from. Which one is right for you? Electric, battery or gas? Well, we thought it would be useful to put together this buying guide to help you decide on the best electric snow blower for your own specific needs.
The more you know the easier it will be for you to make a smart buying decision.
Best Electric Snow Blower
Clearing snow from your garden is one of the worst jobs in the world. Not only do you have to spend time outdoors when it’s freezing cold, but it’s very strenuous on your body too. At least you can make things a hundred times easier on yourself by investing in the best electric snow blower.
Before you decide which electric snow blower to buy you should know there are two different kinds. If you opt for a corded electric snow blower you’ll need to be plugged into an outlet at all times. Cordless models run on batteries and give you a little more freedom.
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We’re going to look at the best electric blowers in each category today. It will help narrow down your choices. Afterwards, we’ll look at why you should stay away from gas-powered models. Let’s begin by looking at the snow blowers you should pay close attention to:
Corded Electric Snow Blowers
- Snow Joe Ultra SJ625E — 21-Inch Electric Snow Blower
- Snow Joe Ultra SJ621 — 18-Inch Electric Snow Blower
- Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E — 18-Inch Electric Snow Blower
- WEN 5662 Snow Blaster — 18-Inch Electric Snow Blower
- Snow Joe SJ615E — 15-Inch Snow Blower
Battery-Powered Snow Blowers
- Snow Joe iON8024-XR — 24-Inch Battery Snow Blower
- GreenWorks Pro 80V — 20-Inch Battery Snow Blower
- PowerSmart DB2401 — 40V 18-Inch Battery Snow Blower
- EGO POWER+ SNT2102 — 56V 21-Inch Battery Snow Blower
Snow Joe Ultra SJ625E
21-Inch Electric Snow Blower
Features:
- Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- 3 W LED light for safe nighttime clearing
- Powerful 15-amp motor moves up to 800 lbs of snow per minute
- Steel auger with 2 rubber blades cuts 21″ wide and 12″ deep in one pass
- 180° adjustable directional chute throws snow up to 20 ft
- Compact wheels for easy maneuverability
- ETL approved; Full 2-year warranty
The Snow Joe Ultra SJ625E comes with an extremely powerful 15-amp motor, which will let you plough through up to 800 pounds of snow per minute. Two other features let you tackle so much snow. It has a robust steel auger with 2 rubber blades, plus it comes with an impressive clearing width (21-inches) and intake depth (12-inches).
A scraper blade on the base of the unit will let you clear snow down to the ground. This will prevent any surfaces from being damaged. It’s uncommon because single stage snow blowers are known to cause damage to certain surfaces. The auger does all the work and it has to touch the ground to pick up snow.
Two stage snow blowers, on the other hand, work in a completely different way. The auger collects the snow, but it never touches the ground. Once it’s finished with the snow it’s sent to the impeller to be thrown far away. It will give you peace of mind to know the single stage Snow Joe Ultra SJ625E won’t destroy your garden.
Snow Joe Ultra SJ621
18-Inch Electric Snow Blower
Features:
- Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- Powerful 13.5-amp motor moves up to 650 lbs of snow per minute
- 4-blade steel auger cuts 18 in. wide by 10 in. deep with each pass
- 180° adjustable directional chute throws snow up to 20 ft
- 20 W halogen light to clear paths day or night
- Compact wheels for easy maneuverability
- ETL approved; Full 2-year warranty
Overview
When you first laid eyes on the Snow Joe Ultra SJ621 you’ll be forgiven for thinking it’s a little old fashioned. The design certainly isn’t as modern as other Snow Joe models. It still has important things you’d expect in any contender for the best electric snow blower. For example, the unit is ETL approved.
The ETL mark was born in a time when Thomas Edison was still perfecting the electric light bulb. Everyone knew innovation was going to come on leaps and bounds, so they needed to make sure products reached a certain standard. The ETL mark on the Snow Joe Ultra SJ621 is proof it complies with North American safety standards. It’s actually the fastest growing safety certification in North America.
One of the reasons why it’s so safe is because of the 20-watt halogen light. It sits directly on top of the auger, and when you’re working in low light conditions it will illuminate the path in front of you. It’s also powerful enough to brighten up large areas of your garden. You can never rely on your regular lights because you’ll always come across shadows and dark patches.
Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E
18-Inch Electric Snow Blower
Features:
- Ideal for clearing snow off mid-to-large sized driveways and walkways
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- Powerful 15-amp motor moves up to 720 lbs of snow per minute
- 4-blade steel auger cuts 18 in. wide by 10 in. deep with each pass
- 180° adjustable directional chute throws snow up to 25 ft
- 20 W halogen light to clear paths day or night
- Universal chute clean-out tool included to help remove snow build-up
- Compact wheels for easy maneuverability
- ETL approved; Full 2-year warranty
Overview
You’ll notice the Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E is almost identical to the SJ621 model. In fact, the only real difference is the amount of snow it can handle. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice it runs on a 15-amp motor instead of a 13.5-amp one. Here is the perfect opportunity to explain how you would choose the right electrical cord.
First of all, we’re going to look at a few things you don’t need to pay much attention to. They’re extremely important in the grand scheme of things, but a bit of common sense will tell you if a cord is suitable or not. You must use cords marked (W) for outdoor use. They’ll be able to keep any water out, plus they won’t tear apart when dragged across the ground. Cords with a legitimate safety listing are also vital.
You need to pay very close attention to the power rating of each cord. It’s comprised of the overall length, maximum current, and wire gauge. There are a couple of things you need to know. Firstly, a lower wire gauge number means thicker wires, which gives you a greater flow of electricity. A shorter cord means there will be less resistance. Ideally, you want a short cord with a low gauge number.
Let’s pick the best electrical cords for the last couple of snow blowers. The Snow Joe Ultra SJ621 uses a 13.5-amp motor, so you would choose a 50 foot cord with a 14 gauge (medium duty). The Snow Joe Ultra SJ623E uses a 15-amp motor, so you’d choose a 50 foot cord with a 14 gauge too. These are only the minimum requirements and you should maybe use a lower gauge (12) with a 15-amp motor.
Snow Joe SJ615E
15-Inch Electric Snow Blower
Features:
- Ideal for quick snow pickups on mid-sized driveways and walkways
- No gas, oil or tune-ups make it effortless to start and maintain
- Powerful 11-amp motor moves up to 440 lbs of snow per minute
- 2-blade cold-and-abrasion-resistant plastic auger cuts 15 in. wide by 8 in. deep with each pass
- 180° adjustable directional chute throws snow up to 20 ft
- Compact wheels for easy maneuverability
- ETL approved; Full 2-year warranty
Overview
The Snow Joe SJ615E is the least powerful snow blower we’re going to discuss today. It is perfectly suitable if you own a small home in Kansas, but if you live on a large estate in New York it’s never going to meet your needs. The 11-amp motor still moves 440 pounds of snow per minute.
You don’t always need the biggest snow blower on the market. There are times when a small model will suit your needs. If you don’t have a large garden there will be tiny areas where wide models won’t be able to fit into. A snow blower with a clearing width of 15 inches will squeeze into more places. It means you won’t be forced into digging your shovel out.
You’ll also find some of the other crucial features you’d expect in the best electric snow blower. To get it up and running you’ll only need to press a button, which will be easily accessible. The adjustable chute will be able to turn 180 degrees. This ensures you won’t accidentally launch snow towards vehicles, pedestrians, or windows you forget to close.
— Best Battery Powered Snow Blowers
The next 4 snow blowers are all powered by batteries, and although they’re more expensive, they are also worth the cost because you’re not tethered to an electrical cord.
Snow Joe iON8024-XR
24-Inch Battery-Powered Snow Blower
Features:
- Revolutionary battery-powered, self-propelled two-stage snow blower
- 80V Max (2 x 40V/5.0 Ah) EcoSharp rechargeable lithium-ion batteries provide up to 30 minutes* of whisper-quiet runtime and are compatible with all iON tools
Integrated, illuminated push-button display: LEDs indicate direction, speed selection, battery power levels - Cutting-edge 4-speed digital drive system (3-speed XPORT for rapid return at the end of a snow-clearing run)
- Serrated steel auger moves up to 1000 lbs of snow per minute; cuts a path 24 in. wide by 13 in. deep without damaging surface
- Thumb-control 180° auto-rotate adjustable chute throws snow up to 32 ft
- One-handed lock-and-adjust chute deflector to put the powder precisely where you want it
- Ergonomic trigger grips provide optimum comfort and reduce stress from squeezing for comfortable clearing
- Dual 3 W LED headlamps light the way for safe nighttime snow removal
- Powerful 2500 W brushless motor increases battery efficiency, maximizes motor performance, decreases noise and vibration and extends motor life
- TracAssist snow tires for maximum traction in winter-weather conditions
- Reversible skid shoes
- Load sensing technology to optimize engine performance
- ETL approved; Full 2-year warranty; Includes 2 batteries dual-port charger
Overview
Snow Joe introduced the first two stage battery-powered snow blower to the world and their latest model is breathtaking. It has all the amazing features you’d expect in a two stage blower. Even though it weighs 105.8 pounds you’ll have no problem pushing it around. The digital drive system gives you 4 speeds to choose from, so you won’t have to put much effort into operating it.
A clearing width of 24-inches is the biggest one we’ve seen today. When combined with an intake depth of 13-inches you’ll be able to pick up tons of snow in a single pass. The machine is capable of clearing up to 1,000 pounds of snow per minute. The 80V Max EcoSharp batteries will last around 30 minutes, which should give you plenty of juice to clear your garden.
The integrated push-button display makes the Snow Joe iON8024-XR easy to control. When you’re holding onto the ergonomic handles everything you need will be positioned directly in front of you. LED bulbs will illuminate it so you can see what you’re doing in the dark. You’ll be able to change speeds, adjust the angle of the chute, check the battery indicator, start the machine, and a whole lot more.
GreenWorks Pro 80V (2601302)
20-Inch Battery-Powered Snow Blower
Features:
- 20 in. clearing path with up to 10 in. of clearing depth for efficient snow removal from your driveway, sidewalks, patios and more
- Brushless motor technology for quiet, maintenance-free operation
- 180-degree rotating chute for desired snow displacement
- LED lights allow for better visibility during early morning and late evening shoveling
Weight: 30 lbs.
Overview
GreenWorks isn’t like other companies in the power tool industry. Their main goal is to provide customers with products capable of protecting the environment. They are hugely popular at the moment because everyone wants to become more eco-friendly. It’s why homeowners choose them over brands that have existed for over a hundred years. They’ve shown the best electric snow blower can match a similar gas-powered model.
Everyone knows Tesla will eventually become one of the biggest brands in the world. Elon Musk has blown people away with his battery-powered cars. The 80-volt batteries inside the GreenWorks Pro snow blower use the exact same high-quality Panasonic cells. A runtime of 45 minutes should let you clear the snow from your garden. If you have a bigger garden you’re in luck.
You’ll be able to charge up the 2-amp battery in roughly 30 minutes, which is perfect if you’re willing to invest in a spare battery. You’ll always be able to keep one on the charger. Corded electric snow blowers will never run out of power, but the GreenWorks Pro will be able to keep going all day too. The only difference is you’ll have more freedom and you won’t need to worry about getting tangled up.
PowerSmart DB2401 40V
18-Inch Battery Snow Blower
Features:
- No cords, oil, or gas needed!
- 40 V 4.0 Ah rechargeable Battery with 25 minutes of run time
- 2200 rpm’s to clear a path 18 in wide by 11 inches deep
- 180 Degree Chute rotation and lightweight design
- Throws snow up to 30 feet
Overview
The PowerSmart DB2401 might not be packed full of amazing features, but there is definitely a few you’ll appreciate. The first one is the amount of snow it will be able to blast through. It has an 18-inch clearing width and 11-inch intake depth, plus the motor spins at 2,200 rpm. You should keep a digging bar and cooking spray handy for extra help. Digging bars are ideal when you want to remove thick chunks of ice, plus cooking spray will stop snow from sticking to shovels.
It’s heavy enough to keep you a little safer too, because the snow blower weighs 43 pounds. You’ll be able to lean on it without falling over. Still, you should always wear the right footwear in case you slip. Loose clothing is a bad idea too, because if you fall it could get caught in the machine. While we’re on the subject of safety always wear ear defenders and eye protection.
EGO POWER+ SNT2102 — 56V
21-Inch Battery Snow Blower
Features:
- Peak power technology combines the power of any 2 EGO ARC lithium batteries
- 21 in. clearing width
- Includes two (2) 5.0Ah batteries and the Rapid Charger.
- Throws snow up to 35 ft.
- Weather-resistant, heavy duty steel and composite construction to handle challenging conditions
- Variable-speed auger control
- Convenient, handle-mounted chute adjustment
- High-efficiency brushless motor
- 2 bright LED headlights for increased visibility for night time snow removal
- Quick-fold handle for compact storage
- 5-year limited warranty
Overview
The best electric snow blower will always be able to launch snow towards a certain spot in the distance. You will have to adjust the direction of the chute, but the deflector height will need to be adjusted too. The EGO POWER+ SNT2102 works in a completely different way. Instead of messing around with the deflector height you’ll adjust the auger speed. At maximum speed it will throw snow roughly 35 feet away.
Watch this indepth Video Review
All of the models we’ve looked at today are excellent, but a few of them look pretty flimsy. It’s what happens when most of the parts are comprised of plastic. The robust steel chassis on the EGO POWER+ SNT2102 snow blower looks strong, plus it will handle the harshest winter conditions. Unfortunately, it weighs 70 pounds because durable plastic will always be lighter than steel.
Once you buy a SNT2102 snow blower you’ll be able to use the 56-volt battery in various EGO products. This will save you lots of money if you plan on building up a collection of power tools. It’s possible to do the same with lots of other cordless blowers too. If you stick with EGO you’ll have tools like lawn mowers, string trimmers, chainsaws, and leaf blowers waiting for you.
VIDEO | Watch this snow blower in action
Why Buy an Electric Snow Blower?
Every snow blower has its own unique benefits, but electric models share a lot of things in common. It’s the complete opposite when it comes to gas-powered models. They do reign supreme in a few categories, but they’re completely different. Here are the top reasons why electric snow blowers come out on top:
Gas Blowers Are Usually Much Heavier
Gas-powered snow blowers are heavier for a couple of different reasons. The obvious one is the fact they’ll come with a large engine. They’re also usually a lot more heavy-duty than their electric counterparts, so they’ll have a wider clearing width. 32-inch blowers can weigh 300+ pounds, but even 22-inch models hit the 300 pound mark.
They do come with features that help you move them around. Power assisted steering, multiple speeds, and large snow tires come to mind. It still doesn’t mean it’s easy to maneuver them around your garden. The best electric snow blower will weigh roughly 30-40 pounds. You won’t run into any difficulties handling them.
Electric Models Don’t Make Much Noise
When a two stage gas-powered snow blower is clearing snow it’s not the auger and impeller making lots of noise. The main thing you’ve got to worry about is the air-cooled engine and exhaust. Even if you choose a premium brand it’s not going to help very much. We can use any of the popular Husqvarna heavy-duty models as an example. The noise level at your ears will be 88 decibels.
If you’re exposed to 90 decibels for a prolonged period of time you will experience hearing loss. Newer models come out with quieter exhaust systems, but they’ll never be whisper quiet like the best electric snow blower.
When you operate a gas blower you’ll have no choice but to wear ear protection. This is good for your hearing, but it has a big downside too. You’ll always have to be extra vigilant to make sure you know what is happening around you. If you’re operating an electric snow blower you’ll hear what’s coming.
The Vibrations Are Almost Non-Existent
Grabbing onto a heavy-duty snow blower with a large engine is a little like riding a bull. It’s going to vibrate so much your arms will begin to fatigue by the time you’ve finished clearing your garden. Electric models are designed to vibrate as little as possible. Keep in mind, if you’re throwing out tons of snow every minute it’s always going to shake.
If you feel like your snow blower is vibrating more than normal there could be an actual problem you need to deal with. When paddles on single stage blowers are thrown off balance or damaged the machine could vibrate excessively. When auger bearings seize or wear down it causes excessive vibrations too.
You Won’t Release Dangerous Emissions
Everyone talks about how gas snow blowers release dangerous emissions into the atmosphere, but let’s take a deeper look at what that really means. It’s far too easy to write it off as a minor inconvenience. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) claim gas blowers create one pound of carbon monoxide for every hour they’re operational. You would need to drive 70 miles in your car to create the same amount of emissions.
In other words, gas-powered models are a much bigger problem than people think. You’ve got to take your health into consideration too. You’ll be breathing in a lot of those emissions, which could eventually lead to damage. Any kind of electric snow blower will create zero emissions.
Almost Zero Maintenance Is Required
When you own the best electric snow blower it will require almost zero maintenance. You’ll need to clean and dry the machine if you want to extend its lifespan, but it doesn’t get any more complicated.
Gas-powered blowers are a completely different kettle of fish. If you want to maintain one correctly you’ll need to know a bit about tools. Basic tasks include topping up the oil, draining any fuel you don’t use, and tightening loose nuts and bolts when necessary. It only gets a lot more complicated.
Do you have any idea how to inspect and replace the belts? Two stage models will have skid shoes and they’ll need to be replaced too. They’ll also need to be adjusted regularly. The spark plug will need to be changed and the shear pin will need to be replaced. It would be easy to list a lot more things.
You Don’t Have To Store Any Chemicals
Do you have any experience storing dangerous chemicals in your garage? Ask yourself if it’s really worth the effort. You’ll need to have spare gasoline and oil on hand at all times. To be honest, it’s not exactly hard to store your oil away. The hardest part is ensuring you buy the right kind for your snow blower.
A lot more things need to be taken into consideration when you’re storing gasoline. You’ll need to store it inside approved containers in accordance with local fire codes. It will need to be kept 50 feet away from any kind of ignition source. You’ll need to keep it away from your kids and sunlight. There are a few more rules you’ll have to follow.
Electric snow blowers don’t require any gasoline or oil, so you won’t need to keep them in your garage. The only chemicals you’ll come close to will be the ones inside your batteries.
You’ll Save Lots Of Cash In The Future
The best electric snow blowers we’ve looked at today are spread throughout different price points. The cost of gas-powered models vary a lot too, so we don’t want to focus on how much you’ll spend on a machine. If you know the price upfront you won’t run into any nasty surprises. Unfortunately, that doesn’t apply when it comes to future hidden costs.
Gas models will have added expenses you’ll need to keep paying until your machine eventually breaks down. It’s the gasoline and oil you’ll need to keep buying all the time in order to use your blower. If you use quality oil it’s going to eat an even bigger hole in your wallet.
Electric blowers will run on electricity, but you’ll spend nowhere near as much. Let’s use a little equation to work it out. We’ll use Power = Current x Voltage. A 15-amp motor and a 110-volt power supply equals 1,650 watts per hour. American households pay an average of 12 cents per kilowatt-hour of electricity, so an electric blower will cost roughly 20 cents per hour.
Extra Power Isn’t Really Necessary
There is one area where gas snow blowers will always win. The best electric snow blower will never be as powerful as the best gas model. Nobody in the world would be foolish enough to dispute this. The question you’ve really got to ask yourself is how much power do you actually need?
We talked about this when looking at the 15-inch Snow Joe SJ615E. Every other model we looked at was a lot more powerful. In fact, any of them would suit your needs unless you lived in an area with lots of heavy snowfall. Gas-powered blowers have the edge when it comes to power, but in most cases it’s not going to make any difference to you.
Why You Should Avoid Using A Snow Shovel
There are certain areas in your garden the best electric snow blower will never be able to reach. The only option you’ll have is to clear the snow with your shovel. You don’t need to worry about this because it’s likely you’ll be okay. It’s just a terrible idea to clear your entire garden with a snow shovel. Slipping over or hurting your back bending down are the least of your worries.
The number of people who suffer from heart attacks shoot up every year when it snows. Emergency rooms in the snowbelt states actually prepare for the worst. It’s because too many homeowners decide to clear their garden with a good old fashioned shovel. You need to realize tackling hundreds of pounds of snow is strenuous on the body. It’s tougher than a monster session at the gym.
They say around 16 percent of Americans have some kind of gym membership, but 80 percent of those people don’t even use it. It’s fair to say most homeowners who shovel snow are very unfit. The biggest danger is when you combine a fragile body with cold weather.
When it’s cold your heart rate and blood pressure will increase sharply. The bad weather will cause your blood vessels to constrict limiting the amount of oxygen reaching your heart. Your blood is a lot more likely to form clots until blood flow is completely cut off. Once this happens the cells in your heart muscle will begin to shut down. I’m sure you can guess what happens next, but death can be avoided.
How To Stay Safe When You’re Working Outside
There is a bigger risk of having a heart attack when shoveling snow, but you can still have one while operating the best electric snow blower too. Strenuous work and cold weather is a terrible combination. Unfortunately, if you want to clear your garden you’ll need to go outside. We’re going to look at some of the top ways you can prevent anything tragic from happening:
Try To Take Plenty Of Breaks – If you’re shoveling snow you’ll need to take a break every 15 minutes even if you don’t want to. You would never run on a treadmill at high speed for that long without stopping. When you’re using a snow blower you don’t need to be so strict, but it’s better to err on the side of caution.
You should stop as soon as your body starts to hurt too. It’s telling you it needs a break. If you keep going you won’t be able to move for a few days once you’ve finished. Pay close attention to how much you sweat. If you’re sweating heavily it doesn’t mean you should take off your clothes because you’re hot. It’s a sign you should go inside for a while.
Drink Water To Avoid Dehydration – When you’re working outside in winter you’ll forget to drink water. It will be so wet you might not realize you’re thirsty. If you end up dehydrated your heart will have to work harder to pump blood around your body.
When blood is having a hard time circulating around your body, constricted blood vessels and clots will become a lot more dangerous. Ensure you drink a large glass of water before going outside and keep replenishing your body with fluids after you’ve finished.
Warm Yourself Up First – Experience tells us you’re more likely to suffer from blood clots in the morning. It’s why you should never jump out of bed and reach for your snow blower straight away. I’m sure your neighbors will thank you if it’s early in the morning. If you do need to clear snow you should wait at least 30 minutes before doing anything.
If you went to the gym you would know it’s a good idea to warm up first even if you’ve been at work all day. You want to warm your muscles up and get the blood flowing around your body. March on the spot for a few minutes and perform some simple stretches.
You Can Work On An Empty Stomach – The American Red Cross says you should use common sense when eating food before strenuous work. It can cause nausea, vomiting, and cramps. This is because blood will flow towards your stomach to help with digestion. If you’re working outside in winter it could lead to a heart attack, so try to clear snow on an empty stomach when possible.
Cover Up Your Head And Neck – If the cold weather puts you at risk it makes sense to do everything possible to stay warm. Not only do you need to wear enough clothing, but you should layer them too. It will help to keep you insulated when you’re outside.
You should pay the most attention to your head and neck. That means it’s worth investing in a good hat and scarf. This is crucial because these areas are where you’ll lose 50 percent of your body heat. Make sure you tuck your scarf into your jacket to stop it from getting caught in your electric snow blower.
Stay Away From Stimulants – Drinking coffee might seem like a good idea before going outside, but you should actually stay away from it. Once you’ve consumed coffee your blood pressure will increase along with your sympathetic nervous activity. In other words, the stimulant could potentially trigger a heart attack.
You need to stay away from cigarettes too. Most people feel like they need to smoke to relax, but nicotine is a powerful stimulant capable of causing the same problems as caffeine. Give yourself an hour after you’ve finished work before indulging in either of them.
How To Choose The Best Electric Snow Blower
Hopefully you’ve come to realize a couple of things. Firstly, trying to remove snow from your garden without a blower is a bad idea. It’s simply not worth risking your life using a shovel. Also, you’ll know gas models should be avoided unless you live in a giant home. All you’ll need to do now is choose the best electric snow blower.
It’s going to be tough because there is more than one model to choose from. You’ll need to decide if you want a corded or cordless model. Look at the individual features and pick a machine based on your individual needs. If you want help you can always turn to Amazon. There are lots of unbiased reviews you’ll probably want to delve into.