Pricing Guide: How Much Does a Snowblower Cost?

If Old Man Winter has got you snowed in yet again, consider a snowblower to save time and bodily wear and tear. Homeowners spend $950 on average for a new snowblower and most blowers cost $285 to $1,600. 

Prices vary widely depending on what type of snowblower you need.

Snowblower Type	Best for	Average Price
Corded snow shovel	Small paved areas and flat terrain	$90
Cordless snow shovel	Small paved areas and flat terrain	$210
1-stage gas snowblower	Small paved areas and flat terrain	$715
2-stage gas-powered blowers	Large, rocky, or uneven driveway	$1,430
3-stage gas-powered blowers	Large, rocky, or uneven driveway	$1,910

Don’t forget the dark horses of the snow-blowing world — the corded and cordless (battery) snowblowers. This technology is improving all the time, and these blowers will set you back $200 and $610 on average. 

If you love mowing on your tractor during the summer months, consider a riding mower snowblower attachment. The price of a riding mower snowbloer attachment averages $2,250.

How Much Does a Snowblower Cost?

National average cost: $950
Extreme low end: $110
Extreme high end: $3,700

Typical price range: 

• Small Gas-Powered (1-Stage): $715
• Medium Gas-Powered (2-Stage): $1,430
• Large Gas-Powered (3-Stage): $1,910
• Corded Electric Snowblower: $200
• Cordless Battery Snowblower: $610
• Corded Electric Snow Shovel: $90
• Cordless Battery Snow Shovel: $210
• Riding Mower Attachments: $2,250

A note about these prices: This guide does not include the prices of handheld or backpack snowblowers or power brush/power broom snowblowers. We have included only walk-behind models, corded and cordless snow shovels, and tractor snowblower mounts.

We calculated these numbers by averaging the top 10 best-selling snowblowers in each category from Home Depot, Lowes, and other online retailers. (Note: In some categories, there were fewer than 10 models available.) The minimum and maximum numbers are the highest and lowest costs we could find for a residential snowblower across all categories.

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Cost Estimator By Type

There is a type of snowblower for every need and budget. The least expensive types are the corded snow shovels, which start just over $100. The highest costs belong to the three-stage gas models that will handle just about any residential snowblowing need.

Let’s compare the prices for the different types of snowblowers then look in more detail at the different types of snowblowers by power type. 

Type of Snowblower	Price
Corded electric snow shovel	$90
Corded electric snowblower	$200
Cordless battery snow shovel	$210
Cordless battery snowblower	$610
Small gas-powered (1-stage)	$715
Medium gas-powered (2-stage)	$1,430
Riding mower attachments	$2,250
Large gas-powered (3-stage)	$1,910

Gas

Gas-powered snowblowers are like your trusty old steed or longtime canine companion. As long as they are fed (oil, gas, lubrication, etc.) and sheltered (proper off-season storage), you can count on them to provide reliable, powerful performance year after year. 

Gas Pros:

✔ Most powerful performance
✔ Longest run time
✔ Best width and throwing distance
✔ Track drive models for icy or steep terrain
✔ Will perform for more than a decade if well maintained

Gas Cons:

✗ Heavy
✗ Noisy
✗ Regular tune-ups 
✗ Require gas and oil to operate
✗ More end-of-season maintenance
✗ Need a large storage space

Electric and Battery Snowblowers and Snow Shovels

Electric and battery-powered snowblowers are the new kid i(on) the block. With their quiet lithium-ion batteries and lightweight corded power, electric and battery-powered snowblowers seem like a good alternative to the noisier, clunkier gas-powered neighborhood. 

And yet, what glitters is not always as long-lasting as gold. These models have their downsides as well, including expensive battery replacement costs and performance limitations. 

Electric/Battery Pros:

✔ Lightweight
✔ Quiet
✔ No oil, gas, belts, spark plugs
✔ No gasoline smell or fumes
✔ No tune-ups
✔ Less maintenance than a gas model
✔ Smaller models take up less storage space than larger gas machines
✔ Can use batteries from other same-brand household tools 

Electric/Battery Cons:

✗ Less run time (for battery models)
✗ Less powerful (in general for smaller models)
✗ Not as much width or throwing distance
✗ Doesn’t do well on uneven terrain
✗ Cords may hinder maneuverability
✗ Batteries limit run time

Other Factors That Affect Cost

Part of owning snowblowers and other power tools is considering their maintenance costs, longevity, usage, and performance. 

Maintenance Costs

Gas-powered and electric snowblowers require regular maintenance. Here are some To-Dos:

• Safety First: Disengage the blower from the power source.
• Regularly check your fasteners, plates, and levers to make sure they are taut and in good working condition.
• Check the tire pressure.
• Maintain proper lubrication.
• Make sure the snow is cleared from the machine after each use by running your snowblower for a few extra seconds.
• Dry your snowblower after each use.

Gas-specific:

• Check the oil after every five hours of use to ensure it is clean and full.
• Replace spark plugs each year.
• Make sure you have enough gas!

One estimate puts yearly maintenance at $72.39 or less for gas models depending on whether you need to replace shear pins or skid shoes.

Make sure you can get parts for the brand of snowblower you choose in the event you need a replacement part. You may even want to see if the brand you’re considering has a local authorized service dealer. 

Longevity

Warranties

Most snowblowers come with a standard two- to five-year manufacturer warranty (some as low as one year). 

Battery-powered or cordless models usually have both manufacturer and battery and/or charger warranties. Battery/charger warranties range from 90 days to three years and are separate from the machine warranty. Be sure to read the warranty on your model to see how long you are covered in case of a manufacturer defect.

Battery life

Along with warranties, you may want to consider the life expectancy of your machine or battery. There are many decades of data for gas-powered machines. A well-maintained gas snowblower that is appropriately sized for your needs can last decades. 

There is not as much data on the longevity of corded or battery-powered models since they are relatively new on the snow scene. 

The battery is the lifeblood of a battery-powered snowblower. When you consider a battery-powered snowblower, ask two things: how long a battery charge lasts and how many charges or hours you’ll get from the battery. 

Depending on your particular battery and how well you maintain it, batteries can last up to five years. 

Battery replacement costs

Batteries can be pricey. 

Here’s an example: A Toro 21-inch battery-powered snowblower with battery and charger included is about $750. However, when you need to replace the 60-volt 7.5 Ah lithium-ion battery, plan to pay about $350. 

At that price, you may opt to buy a new cordless blower and gain the benefit of the updated technology. 

Bottom line: While your battery-powered machines may last five or even 10 years if well maintained, some people don’t want to hold on to old technology once it’s time to replace the battery since it could be a wiser investment to upgrade the machine at that point.

Usage

Performance

Gas is still the overall winner in the power category. If you prefer not to use gas, know that battery technology is catching up. There is at least one two-stage battery-powered snowblower that claims to match the performance of a gas-powered model at a comparable price.

To get the most out of your money, always buy the machine that is the right fit for your property. If you buy something that is too small, it will wear out more quickly; if you buy something that is too large, you may be spending money for power you don’t need.

Gas-powered specs

	Clearing Width	Intake Height (Snow Depth)	Snow Throwing Distance
	18” – 45” (Lawn tractor attachments up to 54.5”)	11” – 23.5”	Up to 50 feet (depends on the model)

Electric/Battery-powered specs

	Clearing Width	Intake Height (Snow Depth)	Snow Throwing Distance
	10” – 24”	4” – 20”	Up to 50 feet (depends on the model)

Extra Services

If buying a snowblower is on your fall checklist, you’ve likely included gutter cleaning, a yard cleanup, and end-of-season lawn chores as well. If you’d like to get these off your list a little faster, hire a pro to get the work done before the first blizzard blows your way.

Gutter Cleaning

Gutter cleaning is on everyone’s fall to-do list. If you’d like to hire the job out, plan to pay around $183.25 on average. Average gutter cleaning costs range from $120 – $203.33. Some pay as little as $72.50 or as much as $371.25.

Yard Cleanup

Fall yard cleanups might be even more popular than gutter cleaning. If it’s the fall season, you’ll want to get all leaves and debris cleaned up before the snow falls. The average homeowner pays $280 or anywhere between $170.50 – $374.30. The smallest yards go for as little as $94 while large, time-consuming jobs can be as much as $1,127.

Lawn Maintenance

Yes, there is grass (or weeds) underneath all of those leaves, and you’ll need to keep everything neat and trim until the grass goes dormant. Expect to pay $29 to $65 or $33 – $70 per hour to have a pro mow your lawn.

If you have cool season grass, fall is likely the perfect time to aerate, fertilize, and overseed the lawn. Lawn aeration will cost $100 – $434 per treatment. Add $48 – $190 for one fertilization treatment and $336 to $1,010 to overseed the lawn.

FAQ About Snowblowers

1. Who makes the most popular snowblowers?

The best snow blowers are made by:

• Ariens
• Briggs & Stratton
• Craftsman
• Cub Cadet
• Earthwise
• EGO
• Snow Joe
• Toro
• Troy-Bilt

2. How do I choose the right snowblower for me? 

To choose the right snowblower for your property, ask yourself these questions:

What is the size of your paved areas, and how much snow do you get?

Snowblower Type	Snow Location	Snow Depth
Cordless or corded snow shovel	Decks, stairs, patios	4” – 12”
Corded snowblower	Small driveways, decks, walkways	6” – 12”
1-stage snowblower (gas)	Small to medium driveways, decks, walkways	9” – 12”
Cordless snowblower	Small to medium driveways	6” – 18”
Lawn mower attachment	Heavy residential	12” – 18”
2-stage, aka dual-stage, (gas)	Virtually any residential need	23”
3-stage (gas)	Heavy residential or commercial	23”

What is your budget?

Snowblower Type	Average Cost
Corded electric snow shovel	$90
Corded electric snowblower	$200
Cordless battery snow shovel	$210
Cordless battery snowblower	$610
Small gas-powered (1-stage)	$715
Medium gas-powered (2-stage)	$1,430
Riding mower attachments	$2,250
Large gas-powered (3-stage)	$1,910

How much maintenance do you want to do? 

• Gas-powered: Requires oil, gas, spark plug and belt changes, lots of nuts and bolts.

• Electric (corded or cordless): Only requires an appropriate GFCI outlet, proper lubrication, and possible battery charging in the off-season.

What kind of driveway do you have?

If you have a gravel or sloped driveway, you’ll likely need at least a two-stage model. Single-stage models don’t handle gravel or uneven surfaces. If your land is exceptionally steep or icy, you’ll want to buy a model with a track drive system, meaning that it moves along a track (like a tank) instead of on wheels. This ensures it remains solidly in contact with the ground despite steep or icy terrain.

Do you want a pull start or electric ignition?

• Gas engines often have a pull start.

• Electric models offer a push-button ignition. Some gas models come with an electric ignition. 

• If you have a riding lawn mower attachment, you’ll use that ignition source.

3. What are other considerations when buying a snowblower?

Noise considerations:

If you prefer using the machine late in the evening or early in the morning, you may want a machine that is quiet to operate. Electric models excel in this category.

What kind of snow do you get? 

If you get snow that is often wet or heavy, you’ll likely need at least a two-stage model to handle the heavier load.

Do you require extra features?

Deluxe features often come on the two- or three-stage models. Here are a few:

• Heated hand grips 
• LED lights
• Brushless motor 
• Self-propelled machine 
• Electric start 
• Power steering
• Joystick-controlled chute

How much storage space do you have?

Consider where you’ll keep the blower throughout the year. 

Smaller electric power shovels are the most convenient to store; they take up very little space, as most are no more than 16” wide. Some can even be stored on a hook in the garage, as you would a manual tool, or in a coat closet. 

Some two- or three-stage electric models are substantially larger but fold down for more compact storage.

Gas-powered models will require the most room in your garage or storage shed.

4. When is the best time to buy a snowblower?

For the best combination of selection and price, look to buy a snowblower in May or June, some say. Others recommend waiting to buy a snowblower in August and shopping through early October.

Other options to buying a new snowblower:

• Buy used or refurbished.

• Buying used from Craigslist or Facebook can be dicey. You don’t know what you’re getting or whom you’re getting it from. This is not to say used isn’t a good option, but ask good questions and do an inspection to ensure you’re getting a solid machine.

• Online and in-store dealers will sometimes offer certified refurbished models. You know the machine is in good working condition, and it often comes with a short warranty.

• Buy in bulk. One online retailer offers discounts if you buy five or more. (Ask around the neighborhood for a few friends who may need a new snowblower…)

• Some retailers (online and local brick-and-mortar) offer scratch and dent discounts.

Conclusion

Whether Old Man Winter gracefully dusts your property with a few inches of light, fluffy snow or decides to huff and puff, snowblowers can make clearing snow less of a chore. The average homeowner pays $950, but prices typically range from $295 to $1,610. 

The key to getting a good deal is deciding exactly what you need and buying no more or less than that. 

Do you have a small walkway and light snow? Consider corded or cordless snow shovels, which start at an average of $90. 

Do you have a small driveway with light snow? Try a corded snowblower for around $200. 

If you have a small- to medium-sized residential property, try a single-stage gas blower or a cordless blower, which averages $715 and $610. 

For larger properties or heavier snow, consider a lawn tractor attachment or two- or three-stage gas blower, which average $1,430 and $1,910.

Whatever type you choose, homeowners agree that an appropriately sized snowblower saves time, muscle aches, and is an essential piece of equipment in your garage or storage shed.

Main Photo Credit: Jill Wellington / Pixabay