The Best Electric Snow Blowers
When it comes to getting your driveway and walkways clear of that pesky blanket of snow, you want a machine that is going to do the job right. If you live in colder climates where winter lasts for months on end, an electric snow blower can be just what you need.
Winter can be a pain. It's dark and cold and some days it seems like there's so much snow we might never get out from under it! But when we look on the bright side--it gives us an excuse to stay inside by the fire, warm ourselves with hot cocoa, curl up with a good book - no matter how you spin it, winter is fun!
There's just one problem: clearing all that snow off your driveway. It can be a real pain to shovel by hand and even harder if the snow is heavy and powdery. If you live in an area where you get a lot of snow and/or have a big stretch of the driveway to cover, we recommend getting yourself an electric snow blower for those early mornings when it's still dark and cold outside--and you'd rather snuggle up under your blanket than go out there with a shovel!
#1 Electric Choice - EGO Power+ SNT2102 21-Inch Cordless Snow Blower
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
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Cons
Electric snow blowers are an investment but they're definitely worth it because of how easy they make this unpleasant task. With no fuel or oil required, these machines are inexpensive to operate. They also make quick work of heavy, wet snow which you'll find yourself doing a lot in the colder months.
There are a few things to consider when buying an electric snow blower: the amount of power it produces, the width and speed of its blade, and how many inches of snow the machine can clear at once.
Our favorite electric snow blowers are:
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
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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 'adequate' 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
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Cons
Gas Vs Electric Snow Blowers
- Electric models are ideal for light to medium snowfalls while gasoline ones can handle heavy snowfalls.
- Gas-powered machines require more maintenance than electric ones do although they will last longer if taken care of well.
- Gas machines can work well in all weathers but they tend to emit harmful gases that affect the environment and pose a potential threat to children around the area.
Electric snow blowers, despite their environmental advantages, aren't the ideal tool for every winter job.
As for which is better, while I prefer gas myself 99% of the time, It all depends upon your own personal preferences as well as the conditions under which you intend to use it (driveway/sidewalk/parking lot, etc.).
If you live in an area that gets a light dusting of snowfall and you only need to use the machine sporadically over the course of winter, then an electric model is ideal.
If you live in a place with moderate to medium or heavy snowfall, then gas-powered models can be great as well.
