Put down the shovel and acquire a snow blower if you frequently find yourself clearing your driveway and walkway after snowstorms. The backbreaking effort is taken care of for you by a fantastic snowblower, which moves even the heaviest snow quickly and easily, freeing up your shovel for smaller duties.
Snow blowers come in cordless battery-powered, electric, and gas varieties. Gas-powered blowers are more durable and can handle heavier snowfall, but electric blowers work best in lighter snow and smaller spaces. Due to their silent operation and environmental sustainability, cordless alternatives are gaining popularity despite not having the same power as gas options.
Whether they are electric or gas-powered, snow blowers are made to be single-stage (also referred to as “snow throwers”), dual- or triple-stage apparatuses. The term “stage” describes how many operations the machine can complete. While deciding between gas and electric clearing, Cheryl Higley, Education and Content Director at SIMA Snow and Ice Management Association, advises taking the sort of surface you will be clearing into account. According to her, “Concrete and asphalt driveways can be cleared with any snow blower; however, if you’re clearing a gravel driveway, you will need to choose a 2-stage blower.”
We looked into the most widely used gas, battery-operated, two-stage, and single-stage snow blowers while keeping in mind Higley’s observations. After snowstorms, we tried seven of those solutions on our own driveways and sidewalks, rating them according to their value, design, performance, size, usability, and safety.
Quick List
Ariens ST28DLE Deluxe SHO 28"
The Unstoppable Gas Behemoth
If your area gets hammered by winter and you need a machine that will never, ever quit, the Ariens Deluxe SHO is it. This is the heavyweight champion of our lineup. The moment you fire up its 306cc engine, you can feel the raw power. It chewed through a deep, compacted snowbank without a single hiccup, and its Super High Output impeller threw a plume of snow a good 50 feet away. The all-steel construction feels like it could last for decades.
It’s a heavy machine, but the auto-turn steering makes it surprisingly manageable. For anyone who deals with “lake effect” snow or storms that dump over a foot at a time, this is your answer.
Who It’s For: Homeowners with large driveways in heavy snow regions who need uncompromising power and durability.
Pros: Incredible throwing power, commercial-grade steel build, reliable engine.
Cons: Heavy, premium price point, requires gas engine maintenance.
EGO POWER+ SNT2405 24" 2-Stage
The Cordless King of Convenience
We were skeptical that a battery-powered machine could truly replace a gas two-stage. The EGO SNT2405 proved us wrong. This is, without a doubt, the most impressive cordless snow blower we’ve ever tested. With two big 7.5Ah batteries clicking into place, it fired up silently and tore into heavy snow with the confidence of a gas model. It’s quiet enough to clear your driveway at 6 a.m. without waking the neighbors.
The controls are intuitive, the runtime was enough to clear a 1,500 sq. ft. driveway with power to spare, and the best part? No gas, no oil, no pull-cords, and no winterizing the engine. It’s the future of snow removal, and it’s already here.
Who It’s For: The user who wants gas-level power and two-stage performance without any of the noise or maintenance.
Pros: As powerful as many gas models, incredibly quiet, zero maintenance, push-button start.
Cons: High initial investment, runtime is finite (though excellent).
Husqvarna ST224 24"
The Smart Gas-Powered All-Rounder
For many homeowners, the Husqvarna ST224 is the perfect sweet spot. It has the reliable gas power needed for moderate-to-heavy snow, but it’s loaded with features that make the job less of a chore. The standout feature is the power steering. Squeezing a trigger on the handle makes turning on a dime effortless—a huge advantage over wrestling a heavy, locked-wheel machine.
It started instantly with the electric start, the heated handles were a welcome luxury on a cold day, and it had no trouble clearing a 12-inch snowfall. It may not have the brute force of the Ariens SHO, but it has more than enough power for 95% of winter storms, and it’s far easier to handle.
Who It’s For: The average suburban homeowner who wants a powerful, reliable, and easy-to-maneuver gas snow blower.
Pros: Power steering is a game-changer, heated grips, great balance of power and features.
Cons: Not as powerful as top-tier SHO models.
EGO POWER+ SNT2112 21" Single-Stage
The Pavement-Clearing Specialist
Don’t confuse this with a flimsy electric snow shovel. The single-stage EGO SNT2112 is a serious tool for quick cleanups on paved surfaces. What impressed us most was the steel auger—unlike the plastic paddles on many single-stage models, it helped break up packed snow and cleared right down to the blacktop.
It’s incredibly lightweight and easy to whip around. For storms under 8 inches, this machine will have your driveway and sidewalks cleared faster than your neighbor can even get their big gas machine started. It’s the perfect secondary machine or the primary tool for someone with a smaller paved driveway.
Who It’s For: Homeowners with small-to-medium paved driveways who get light-to-moderate snowfall.
Pros: Clears down to the pavement, lightweight and easy to store, powerful for its size.
Cons: Not suitable for gravel driveways or very deep snow.
PowerSmart Gas Snow Blower 24" 2-Stage
The Budget Workhorse
If you need the capability of a two-stage blower for deeper snow or a gravel driveway but don’t want to spend a fortune, the PowerSmart is a compelling option. It’s a no-frills machine that focuses on the fundamentals: a solid 212cc engine, self-propelled wheels, and the ability to cut through over a foot of snow.
In our testing, it performed reliably. It doesn’t throw snow as far as the premium brands and lacks creature comforts like power steering, but it gets the job done at an unbeatable price point for a two-stage.
Who It’s For: The budget-conscious buyer who needs a machine that can handle more than just a dusting.
Pros: Excellent price for a two-stage, electric start, gets the job done.
Cons: Lacks premium features, build quality isn’t as robust as top brands.
Greenworks 80V 20” Brushless
The Compact Cordless Option
The Greenworks 80V is a solid, lightweight cordless option for smaller jobs. It’s perfect for clearing decks, patios, and short driveways. It’s whisper-quiet and very easy for anyone to handle. While it doesn’t have the raw power of the EGO single-stage, it’s a capable performer in light, fluffy snow up to about 6 inches. The biggest selling point might be the battery, which is compatible with the entire Greenworks 80V line of tools, from lawnmowers to leaf blowers.
Who It’s For: Those with smaller areas to clear, or anyone already invested in the Greenworks 80V battery platform.
Pros: Very lightweight and easy to maneuver, great battery ecosystem.
Cons: Only for light snow, not as powerful as other cordless options.
Snow Joe 15A
The Plug-In-and-Go Solution
For the smallest of jobs, a corded electric model offers unbeatable simplicity. There’s no gas to store and no batteries to charge. The Snow Joe SJ627E provides a surprising 22-inch clearing width and enough power for fresh snow up to 8-10 inches. The main challenge, as with any corded tool, is managing the extension cord. It can be cumbersome and you have to be careful not to run over it. But for the price and maintenance-free operation, it’s a fantastic choice for a small townhouse driveway or a large deck.
Who It’s For: Users with very small, easily accessible areas to clear who prioritize cost and zero maintenance.
Pros: Extremely affordable, no maintenance, surprisingly wide clearing path.
Cons: The hassle of managing an extension cord is a major drawback.