We've Reviewed & Compared some of the Best Gas & Electric Snow Blowers on the Market in 2022.
Snow blowers can be broken down into two main categories: Gasoline and electric.
Gas is more powerful, but also costs more to use, while electric requires no fuel, but lacks in power.
I've tested most of these quite thoroughly, and want to bring my real world experience to you in order to help you make a more informed decision before making a purchase!
That being said, let's get started with the basics first! Before buying a snow blower, you should know what type of snow blower best suits your needs. There are two types of snow blowers, gas-powered, and electric-powered.
Gasoline Snow Blowers
When it comes to small snow blowers for home use, there is no better choice than a gas-powered snow blower. This type of snow blower is ideal for homeowners who need something with enough power and fuel efficiency to clear their driveway quickly.
These machines are quite easy to use and even novice users will find them manageable. They move over the snow on two or four wheels, depending on type. The rotating blades of bigger models can push up to 1000 pounds of snow in half a minute, making it possible for anyone with this machine to clear several feet of heavy snow within just minutes.
The best snow blower for sale this season is a gasoline one. No other type of machine compares in terms of power and convenience. Keep in mind that these machines can be a bit on the expensive side, so they are only suitable for users who have a large driveway to take care of. If you're not dealing with a Midwest or Upstate New York Winter, an Electric Snow Blower should take care of ya just fine (more on those below)!
#1 Choice - Husqvarna ST224 (Best for Large Driveways or Pathways)
The controls are easy to master, it's easy to move around due to being self-propelled and my 68 year old grandmother has no problem using it either!
This is my #1 choice for Gas-Powered snow blowers, and I think you'll love it too!
What People Love About It:
- Moves a 'ton' of snow, quickly - it's great for people with large driveways and/or pathways.
- Very Easy to Use - It starts up easily with the electric push button start, and the Power Steering makes it easy to maneuver, even for my 68 year old grandmother!
- Features Features Features - People love the hand warmers, the all metal housing, headlight and electric start.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Our Top 3 Gas-Powered Recommendations
Husqvarna ST224 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.4/5
Husqvarna ST224 is our #1 choice due to it's self-propelled 208 cc 4-stroke engine, power steering, and it's ability to clear out just about all types of snow, quickly.
PowerSmart PSSAM24, Self-Propelled 212cc 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
The PowerSmart PSSAM24 is a 2-stage gas snow blower, featuring a self-propelled (6-forward and 2-backwards speed) engine
Briggs & Stratton 1022e Single-Stage Snow Blower, With Push Button Start
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
The Briggs & Stratton 1022e has a 22-inch wide clearing path with a 12.5-inch intake height. It's powered by 208cc engine with 9.50-foot pounds of torque
#2 Choice - PowerSmart PSSAM24 Self-Propelled 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower
The engine, blades, and all the technology it boasts will get the snow out of your space as efficiently and swiftly as one can expect from a machine of its price.
If you're looking for a snowblower to last you a long time, and get that snow away from your driveway as quickly as possible, then the PowerSmart PSSAM24 is a buy you won't regret.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
#3 Choice - Briggs & Stratton 1022e Single-Stage Snow Blower
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Electric Snow Blowers
Electric snow blowers range from light-duty ones which might be limited by how much weight they can push through them and their ability to handle ice, heavy wet snow, or more than an inch or two at once to medium-duty machines which can typically handle up to 4" of less dense snow at a time and more than one inch of ice on the blades. There are even some commercial-grade machines that may be larger with higher power motors and bigger engines you might see on a gas machine, however, these ones will require wiring for the motor and extension cords.
You can see that using an electric snow blower is still a great choice for clearing driveways and sidewalks, as long as it is one of the better models like the ones featured in this article. It has all the features you need to clear snow efficiently and quickly, including powerful motors that know how to do their job properly!
#1 Electric Choice - EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch Cordless Snow Blower
For an electric model, the EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch Cordless Snow Blower does the job extremely well!
I had the pleasure of testing one of these in 10" of wet snow, and the blower went through it with no problem. While it's not meant for commercial use, or large lots, it cleared my driveway and walkway much better than expected!
If I ever were to get rid of gas-models, this is what i'd want in my garage instead.
What People Love About It:
- It's Surprisingly Powerful for an Electric Snow Blower! Tested it in 10" of wet heavy snow, and it blew through it like a champ!
- It's Quiet! - No concern about waking up your neighbors if you're cleaning your driveway late at night or before the sun comes up!
- Easy to Use - Even though you have to keep the drive engaged to keep the motor running, it is very easy to move the levers controlling speed and direction of the snow itself!
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Our Top 3 Electric Recommendations
EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch Cordless Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.4/5
The EGO+ Power SNT2102 21" Snow Blower is Battery Powered, Cordless, and much more powerful than we expected! Cleared 10" of web packed snow with no problem!
Snow Joe SJ627E Snow Thrower w/Dual LED Lights
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
The Snow Joe SJ627e can clear a 22" wide path 13" deep fairly easily! The motor is quote powerful, and throws snow up to 25' away in our testing!
Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
The Snow Joe SJ625e features the same powerful 15 amp motor as it's bigger brother the SJ627e and can give you 21" wide and 12" deep paths in one pass!
#2 Electric Choice - Snow Joe SJ627E Snow Thrower w/Dual LED Lights
For an electric model, the Snow Joe SJ627E is still a pretty decent snowblower all things considered.
It's quiet, so you won't disturb your neighbors. Yet it still has a powerful engine, can clear a path 22" wide and 13" deep in one pass, and can throw snow up to 25 feet with it's 40 volt, 15 amp motor!
It is corded, so you'll need to plug it in, so make sure you get the optional outdoor extension cord, and you'll be good to go!
What People Love About It:
- It's light weight - At just 35 pounds, it's easy to push around and even take up stairs to clean off your deck!
- Easy to Assemble - Assembly is easy and straight forward and should not take longer than 30-minutes
- Works 'okay' in heavy snow - It may take you a few passes to clear snow higher than 13", but take your time and be patient and the snow joe can do it. I tested it in 7" of wet & heavy and it worked fine.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
#3 Electric Choice - Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
According to one Amazon Review, this is "A Cheap Electric Snow Blower That Will Get The Job Done!"
I too have to give it props, though not the top of the line, the Snow Joe SJ625e snow blower has enough specs in it to be considered a good enough option for a homeowner on a budget.
It is ideal for small to medium-sized properties with a manageable volume of snow. It's not going to clear 2 foot walls of snow, but you know that - you get the Snow Joe SJ625E so that you don't have to spend hours shoveling.
What People Love About It:
- Works well in wet snow - I tested it in our first (early) storm and was able to clear 6 inches of heavy wet snow surprisingly well.
- Easy to Assemble - Assembly can be completed within 30-minutes if you're slow, or just 10-minutes if you're quick!
- Works 'decent' in heavy snow - It's electric, it's not as powerful as gas, BUT you can still use it in a snow a BIT deeper than 12", you just need to walk slower and be more patient. As one reviewer put it, it's better than a snow shovel!
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Different Stages (Both Gas & Electric)
The next portion of this guide will introduce you to the three most common types of snow blowers that are available on the market today: single-stage, and two-stage models. There are also three-stage models, but we won't be going into those as they're less common, and two stage is generally enough for 99% of homeowners. These come in both gasoline and electric.
Single-Stage Snow Blowers:
Single Stage Snow Blowers use one impeller (fan) and auger (screw-like blades) to move large piles of snow from anywhere on your property, including driveways and sidewalks. These devices typically do not allow the user to adjust the direction of the snow output (it shoots out to the right). While they are not capable of throwing snow as far as two-stage blowers, they are cheap and reliable.
#1 Single-Stage Choice - Briggs & Stratton 1697116 Snow Thrower
Honestly, the Briggs & Stratton 1697116 is a pretty damn good snowblower, and also my #1 recommended SINGLE-STAGE snow blower.
For those with a small or medium lot that don't need a two-stage snow blower, then the B&S 1697116 is a great choice!
The quality is great, and the tires are metal and hard rubber, not the cheap plastic that comes with other brands.
What People Love About It:
- Moves a 'ton' of snow, quickly - it's great for people with large driveways and/or pathways.
- Very Easy to Use - It starts up easily with the electric push button start, and the Power Steering makes it easy to maneuver, even for my 68 year old grandmother!
- Features Features Features - People love the hand warmers, the all metal housing, headlight and electric start.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Our Top 3 Single-Stage Recommendations
Briggs & Stratton 1697116
Single StageSnow Thrower
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
For those with a small or medium lot that don't need a two-stage snow blower, then the B&S 1697116 is a great choice & my #1 recommend single-stage blower!
Briggs & Stratton 1022E Single-Stage Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.2/5
The Briggs & Stratton 1022e has a 22-inch wide clearing path with a 12.5-inch intake height. It's powered by 208cc engine with 9.50-foot pounds of torque
Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Single Stage Snow Thrower
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
The Snow Joe SJ625e features the same powerful 15 amp motor as it's bigger brother the SJ627e and can give you 21" wide and 12" deep paths in one pass!
To see our full list of recommended Single-Stage Snow Blowers, go here:
#2 Choice - Briggs & Stratton 1022e Single-Stage Snow Blower
The engine is amazing, the augers are made from thermoplastic urethane and do an amazing job clearing the snow, and the electric start just makes it a pleasure to start and get going.
On top of all of this, it's got a THREE-YEAR warranty, the longest warranty I've seen of any snow blower, gas or otherwise!
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
- The chute is operated manually. Not a big deal, but still worth noting
#3 Single-Stage - Snow Joe SJ625E Electric Snow Thrower
According to one Amazon Review, this is "A Cheap Electric Snow Blower That Will Get The Job Done!"
I too have to give it props, though not the top of the line, the Snow Joe SJ625e snow blower has enough specs in it to be considered a good enough option for a homeowner on a budget.
It is ideal for small to medium-sized properties with a manageable volume of snow. It's not going to clear 2 foot walls of snow, but you know that - you get the Snow Joe SJ625E so that you don't have to spend hours shoveling.
What People Love About It:
- Works well in wet snow - I tested it in our first (early) storm and was able to clear 6 inches of heavy wet snow surprisingly well.
- Easy to Assemble - Assembly can be completed within 30-minutes if you're slow, or just 10-minutes if you're quick!
- Works 'decently' in heavy snow - It's electric, it's not as powerful as gas, BUT you can still use it in a snow a BIT deeper than 12", you just need to walk slower and be more patient. As one reviewer put it, it's better than a snow shovel!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Cost-effective. Price-wise, the Snow Joe SJ625E is cheaper than the Snow Joe SJ627E and cheaper than gas-powered snow blowers.
Cons
- Weaker than gas-powered snowblowers. More of a question of need, if you have a large property, or have to deal with higher volumes of snow than usual, then you might need a higher-powered machine.
- It's NOT battery powered, so you're stuck having to use an extension cord. To me, this is the greatest nuisance of using an electrical snow blower.
Two-Stage Gas Snow Blowers:
Two-Stage snow blowers are the most powerful type of blowers out there. They use dual impellers to move large piles of snow quickly and easily. These devices have the ability to throw snow up to 35 feet away, making them great for clearing driveways in a single pass.
The biggest drawback is that these machines are typically more expensive than single-stage machines, with prices starting at about $400-$500 on Amazon. The other major downside is that they are heavy (usually 150 pounds or more) which makes moving them around your property more cumbersome.
#1 Choice - Husqvarna ST224 (Best for Large Driveways or Pathways)
The controls are easy to master, it's easy to move around due to being self-propelled and my 68 year old grandmother has no problem using it either!
This is my #1 choice for Gas-Powered snow blowers, and I think you'll love it too!
Pros & Cons
Pros
- The Power Steering on this model makes it easy to handle, definitely worth the upgrade!
Cons
- At 198.6 pounds, it's not exactly light weight. The power steering is a MUST, and makes it quite manageable.
- The (self-propelled) reverse speed is a bit too slow to be useful.
Our Top Two-Stage Recommendations
Husqvarna ST224 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Husqvarna ST224 is our #1 choice due to it's self-propelled 208 cc 4-stroke engine, power steering, and it's ability to clear out just about all types of snow, quickly.
PowerSmart PSSAM24 Snow Blower, 212cc 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
The PSSAM24 is a 2-stage gas snow blower, featuring a self-propelled (6-forward and 2-backwards speed) engine
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO 28 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
Overall Rating: 4.3/5
Ariens Deluxe is a snowblower to get when you're waging a fierce war with the elements of winter, not when you need a little shoveling done.
#2 Choice - PowerSmart PSSAM24 212cc 2-Stage Gas Snow Blower
The engine, blades, and all the technology it boasts will get the snow out of your space as efficiently and swiftly as one can expect from a machine of its price.
If you're looking for a snowblower to last you a long time, and get that snow away from your driveway as quickly as possible, then the PowerSmart PSSAM24 is a buy you won't regret.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- It's built to last. Of course with a little TLC now and again, you have a snowblower that can last you many, many winters. You get the PowerSmart PSSAM24 when you're one of those people who doesn't want to keep buying snowblowers every wintertime.
Cons
#3 Choice - Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO 28 in. Two-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
Though not a perfect machine (no snowblower is perfect), it comes very, very close to being so.
It has every feature that comes with most new snowblowers in the market while retaining that classic flare for power and performance the classic snowblowers had.
I can easily say that I recommend this machine so long as it fits the needs of your property.
It's got so much POWERRRRRRRRR, I can't recommend it enough!
Let's put it this way, the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is a snowblower to get when you're waging a fierce war with the elements of winter, not when you need a little shoveling done.
Pros & Cons
Pros
Cons
Single-Stage vs. Two-Stage Snow Blowers
This is really a personal decision as to which type of machine you should purchase. If your budget allows, the two-stage machines are great (especially if you live in an area that gets frequent heavy snowfalls). They do cost more than single-stage units, but they are much easier to use and can clear larger amounts of snow with each pass. Another benefit to these devices is that their long handles allow them to be easily maneuvered by virtually anyone who needs to clear snow off his/her property.
If your budget is tight and you don't foresee the need to use a snow blower frequently (or you don't get large amounts of snow), then a single-stage machine will suit your needs well. They are much cheaper than two-stage machines, have fewer moving parts that can potentially break down, and are easier to store. In short, if you're on a budget or rarely experience significant snowfall, a single-stage unit should do the trick just fine.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and that it provided some insight into each of the types of snow blower models available on the market. If you see anything I missed or have any questions at all please leave a comment below!
Conclusion
As you can see, there are several different types of snow blowers with various capabilities and features. If you're interested in buying a new machine for your property, consider your needs carefully and choose the best unit according to budget and preference. For more information about any of these items or related topics, please leave a comment below!
Thanks for reading and happy shoveling! 🙂
* Please keep in mind that this list is subject to change as newer models become available.
