8 Best Snow Blowers of 2024 [Reviews]

For the northern portion of the country, every winter brings a vicious fight against mounds of snow. This year, you might want to arm yourself for that fight with one of the best snow blowers.

We analyzed snow blowers from Home Depot, Lowe’s, Amazon, and Walmart to find the best models. We ranked each based on its performance, ease of use, and durability, then reviewed the top eight snow blowers. We also have a handy buyer’s guide to help you choose the best snow blower for your home and budget.

Our Top Picks

Best Single-Stage Snow Blowers

1. Best gas-powered: Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE

2. Best battery-powered: Ego Power+ SNT2112

3. Best corded electric: Earthwise SN75022

Best Two-Stage Snow Blowers

1. Best overall: Toro Power TRX HD 1432 OHXE

2. Runner up: Ariens Deluxe 30

3. Best battery-powered: Ego Power+ SNT2405

Best Three-Stage Snow Blowers

1. Best overall: Cub Cadet 3X 30 TRAC

2. Runner up: Craftsman SB650

Top 3 Single-Stage Snow Blowers – Reviews

1. Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE – Best Gas-Powered / Best Overall

The best single-stage gas-powered snow blower is the Toro SnowMaster 824 QXE. This keen snow-clearing machine is the most potent single-stage model we found; it quickly clears paved surfaces as large as a 20-car driveway. However, it’s also the most costly single-stage blower on our list. 

Performance: Its 252cc OHV engine delivers superior performance. This blower’s highly efficient, plowing through up to 2,800 pounds of snow per minute and throwing it up to 45 feet away. It has a heavy-duty steel auger that works well on heavy snow, wet snow, and ice.

Ease of Use: The SnowMaster 824 QXE is very user-friendly. Toro’s Personal Pace Self-Propelled System works intuitively, and its metal-reinforced poly skid shoes effortlessly glide across snow and ice. It has a quick electric start, and its Quick Stick chute control is easy to use. 

Specifications

• Chute Rotation: 210°
• Clearing width: 24 in.
• Engine: Toro Premium OHV,  4-cycle, 252 cc 
• Fuel tank capacity: 0.575 gal.
• Intake height: 18 in.
• Max throwing distance: 45 ft.
• Plowing capacity: 2,800 lb. / min.
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 131 lb.

Drive type	Self-propelled
Forward speeds	Variable
Reverse speeds	0
Traction	Tires

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Self-propelled ✓ High-quality engine ✓ Far throwing distance ✓ Steel auger  ✓ Easy to maneuver  ✓ Quickly clears large areas of snow	✗ Expensive

2. Ego Power+ SNT2112 – Best Battery-Powered

The best cordless electric single-stage snow blower is the Ego Power+ SNT2112. It uses Ego’s Peak Power system, combining the might of two 56-volt Arc Lithium batteries. Ego has the industry’s top-rated battery platform, so it’s no surprise that this blower is a beast. It can clear up to a 12-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on a single battery charge. 

Performance: Its high-efficiency brushless motor and reliable ARC Lithium batteries give it excellent performance. The blower plows through up to 1,500 pounds of snow each minute and throws it as far as 40 feet away. Its sturdy steel auger quickly cuts through heavy snow and ice. It works well with small to moderate amounts of wet snow but struggles when clearing a lot of it.

Ease of Use: It’s very easy to use. The SNT2112 has an electric push-button start and handle-mounted joystick chute control. It also has bright LED headlights, so you can clear snow in the early morning and evening hours. 

Specifications

• Battery: 56-volt, 5 Ah ARC Lithium (2)
• Chute Rotation: 200°
• Clearing width: 21 in.
• Intake height: 18 in.
• Max throwing distance: 40 ft.
• Max runtime: 36 min.
• Motor: Brushless
• Plowing capacity: 1,500 lb. / min.
• Warranty: 5 years for the tool, 3 years for the battery
• Weight: 50.6 lb.

Drive type	Push
Traction	Tires

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ High-efficiency brushless motor ✓ 5-year warranty ✓ Weather-resistant construction ✓ Steel auger  ✓ Reliable batteries	✗ Struggles with large amounts of very wet snow

3. Earthwise SN75022 – Best Corded Electric

The best corded electric snow blower is the Earthwise SN75022. It’s the most affordable model on our list but also the least potent. Still, it has plenty of power for homeowners with light to medium snowfall. 

Performance: With its 15-amp motor, the blower plows through as much as 880 pounds of snow each minute. It quickly clears up to a foot of snow off paved driveways and can throw snow up to 30 feet away. However, it struggles with over a few inches of wet snow and can’t cut through ice. 

Ease of Use: It’s lightweight and easy to push with its auxiliary handle and 6-inch rear wheels. 

Specifications

• Chute Rotation: 180°
• Clearing width: 22 in.
• Intake height: 12 in.
• Max throwing distance: 30 ft.
• Motor: 15 Amps
• Plowing capacity: 880 lb. / min.
• Warranty: 2 years
• Weight: 30.9 lb.

Drive type	Push
Traction	Tires

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Lightweight ✓ Affordable  ✓ Easy to maneuver  ✓ Cord retention hook ✓ Potent for a corded model	✗ Not great for wet snow ✗ Can’t break up ice ✗ Not as durable as the blowers on our list ✗ Less features than other blowers on our list

Top 3 Two-Stage Snow Blowers – Reviews

1. Toro Power TRX HD 1432 OHXE – Best Overall

The best two-stage snow blower is the Toro Power TRX HD 1428 OHXE. It’s a beast of a blower, suiting spaces as large as an 18-car driveway, even in areas with frequent snowstorms. Like a military tank, it has track belts instead of tires, so it quickly moves across steep slopes and gravel driveways. This blower’s feature-packed and easy to use, but it costs a pretty penny.

Performance: It has superb performance as it’s equipped with Toro’s largest engine — a 420cc 4-cycle model. It plows through 3,200 pounds of snow each minute and throws the snow up to 60 feet away. The blower’s steel auger cuts through ice and heavy snow, and it also does an excellent job removing wet snow.

Ease of Use: It’s easy to operate. The TRX HD 1428 is self-propelled with a hydrostatic transmission for easy maneuvering and smooth (infinite) speed control. Its bright LED lights illuminate your path at night, and its patented anti-clog tech keeps you on task. Additionally, it has single-handed chute control, push-button starting, a hand warmer, and smooth steering.

Specifications

• Chute Rotation: 200°
• Clearing width: 32 in.
• Engine: Toro 4-cycle, 420 cc
• Fuel tank capacity: 1.2 gal.
• Intake height: 21 in.
• Max throwing distance: 60 ft.
• Plowing capacity: 3,200 lb. / min.
• Warranty: 5 years
• Weight: 310 lb.

Drive type	Self-propelled
Forward speeds	6
Reverse speeds	2
Traction	Tracks

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Self-propelled with hydrostatic transmission ✓ High-quality engine ✓ Far throwing distance ✓ Quickly clears large areas of snow ✓ Clears deep snowfall ✓ Commercial-grade auger gearbox ✓ 5-year warranty ✓ Steel auger	✗ Expensive

2. Ariens Deluxe 30 – Runner Up

The Ariens Deluxe 30 is our second favorite two-stage blower. Costing about half as much as the Toro Power TRX HD 1432 OHXE, it’s a tremendous deal. Although it doesn’t handle steep slopes like Toro’s flagship snow blower, the Deluxe 30 is a monster machine that’s durable and user-friendly. It has a cast iron gear case, a reliable engine, and thoughtful safety features.

Performance: Its Ariens AX 306cc engine provides peak performance and up to 15 ft. lb. of torque. It plows through 2,350 pounds of snow each minute and throws it up to 50 feet away. Its 14″ serrated steel auger effortlessly digs through heavy snow, ice, and wet snow. 

Ease of Use: It’s easy to push with self-propelled drive and auto-turn steering. Its skid shoes work well on both paved surfaces and gravel. It has a push-button electric start and intuitive controls.  Additionally, it comes equipped with bright headlights and toasty hand warmers. 

Specifications

• Chute Rotation: 200°
• Clearing width: 30 in.
• Engine: Ariens AX 4-cycle, 306 cc
• Fuel tank capacity: 0.317 gal.
• Intake height: 21 in.
• Plowing capacity: 2,350 lb. / min.
• Throwing distance: 3 – 50 ft.
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 275.6 lb.

Drive type	Self-propelled
Forward speeds	6
Reverse speeds	2
Traction	Tires

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Self-propelled ✓ Quickly clears a lot of snow ✓ Clears deep snowfall ✓ High-quality engine ✓ Steel auger ✓ Cast iron gear case ✓ Family-owned American manufacturer	✗ Small gas tank

3. Ego Power+ SNT2405 – Best Battery-Powered

The best battery-powered two-stage snow blower is the Ego Power+ SNT2405. Like the Ego Power+ SNT2112, it uses Ego’s Peak Power system to combine the strength of two 56-volt Arc Lithium batteries for superb performance. It has almost half an hour of runtime and comes with a fast-fueling dual port charger. 

Performance: The SNT2405 runs on two independent brushless motors— one for the drive and one for the auger. It can clear up to 2,100 pounds of snow each minute and throw it up to 50 feet away. The variable-speed steel auger works well on heavy snow, wet snow, and ice. 

Ease of Use: It’s easy to use and comfortable to push. The blower has self-propelled drive and adjustable skid shoes. Its four bright LED lights illuminate your path after dark, and its handle’s height adjusts to comfort. 

Specifications

• Battery: 56-volt, 7.5 Ah ARC Lithium (2)
• Chute Rotation: 200°
• Clearing width: 24 in.
• Intake height: 20 in.
• Max throwing distance: 50 ft.
• Max runtime: 27 min.
• Motor: Brushless
• Plowing capacity: 2,100 lb. / min.
• Warranty: 5 years for the tool, 3 years for battery
• Weight: 150 lb.

Drive type	Self-propelled
Forward speeds	5
Reverse speeds	1
Traction	Tires

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Self-propelled ✓ 2 brushless motors ✓ Steel auger  ✓ Quickly clears a lot of snow ✓ Clears deep snowfall ✓ Weather-resistant construction ✓ 5-year warranty	✗ Less potent than the gas two-stage models on our list

Top 2 Three-Stage Snow Blowers – Reviews

1. Cub Cadet 3X 30 TRAC

The Cub Cadet 3X 30 TRAC is the best three-stage snow blower. It has tracks instead of tires, making it great for clearing steep slopes and gravel. It’s also ideal for flat and uneven properties with heavy snowfall. It’s a potent piece of power equipment with highly durable construction and user-friendly controls. 

Performance: Its 420cc OHV engine provides premium performance. It has a center-mounted steel accelerator, so the serrated steel auger spins very quickly. It clears heavy snow, wet snow, and ice at lightning-fast speeds – about 50% quicker than most two-stage blowers.

Ease of Use: It’s easy to use with a push-button electric start and trigger-controlled power steering. You can operate its self-propelled drive with one hand, making the machine easy to maneuver. Additionally, it has dual LED headlights, a hand warmer, and reversible skid shoes. 

Specifications

• Chute Rotation: 200°
• Clearing width: 30 in.
• Engine: Cub Cadet OHV, 4-cycle, 420 cc
• Fuel tank capacity: 1.25 gal.
• Intake height: 23 in.
• Max throwing distance: 40 ft.
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 321 lb.

Drive type	Self-propelled
Forward speeds	6
Reverse speeds	2
Traction	Track

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Self-propelled ✓ Quickly clears a lot of snow ✓ Clears deep snowfall ✓ Heavy-duty cast aluminum auger gearbox ✓ Steel chute ✓ Steel auger  ✓ High-quality engine	✗ Expensive

2. Craftsman SB650

Our second favorite three-stage snow blower is the Craftsman SB650. It’s less potent than the Cub Cadet 3X 30 TRAC, but it’s one of the most affordable three-stage snow blowers. It costs about 30% less than the 3X 30 TRAC and works well on gravel and concrete with up to 21 inches of snow. 

Performance: It has a high-performance 357cc Craftsman engine and a steel auger that cuts through ice and heavy snow. However, the machine struggles with large amounts of wet snow and doesn’t throw snow as far as most snow blowers. 

Ease of Use: It’s user-friendly and easy to maneuver with a push-button electric start, self-propelled drive, and power steering. You can adjust the speed with one hand and make turns with the touch of a finger. Its adjustable skid shoes delicately glide across concrete, preventing scuff marks.

Specifications

• Chute Rotation: 200°
• Clearing width: 28 in.
• Engine: Craftsman 4-cycle, 357 cc
• Fuel tank capacity: 1.5 gal.
• Intake height: 21 in.
• Max throwing distance: < 20 ft.
• Warranty: 3 years
• Weight: 283 lb.

Drive type	Self-propelled
Forward speeds	6
Reverse speeds	2
Traction	Tires

Pros and Cons

What we liked	What we didn’t like
✓ Self-propelled ✓ Quickly clears a lot of snow ✓ Clears deep snowfall ✓ Steel auger  ✓ Affordable for a three-stage model	✗ Short throwing distance ✗ Struggles with large amounts of wet snow

Buyer’s Guide to Snow Blowers

When buying a snow blower, consider your yard size and the amount of snowfall you anticipate. Then look at the following snow blower characteristics: 

• Design Type
• Power Source
• Clearing Capacity
• Throwing Distance
• Weight
• Price

Design Type

There are three main snow blower design types to choose from:

• Single-stage blowers are best for small paved areas with under a foot of snow. They are lightweight and relatively inexpensive, but also the least efficient. Single-stage machines have an auger that scoops up and throws snow in one motion, so they’re sometimes called “snow throwers”.

• Two-stage snow blowers are best for medium to large areas with 1 to 2 feet of snow. Two-stage machines use a two-step process to clear snow faster than single-stage models. First, the auger scoops up the snow and passes it to an impeller. Next, the impeller blows the snow through the discharge chute.

• Three-stage snow blowers are best for large areas with up to 2 feet of snow. Most models quickly handle all types of snow, but they are expensive. They work like two-stage models but with an extra auger called the accelerator auger that speeds up snow removal.

Power Source

Snow blowers run on gas, batteries, or corded electricity.

Corded Electric Snow Blowers

Corded blowers only come in single-stage models. They’re the most affordable but also the least potent. They work best on small paved areas with under a foot of snow.

Corded electric models are lightweight, low maintenance, and have unlimited runtime. They don’t emit toxic fumes, but their extension cord keeps you on a leash. 

Spec	Typical Range
Clearing width	18 – 21 in.
Ideal max snow depth	8 – 12 in.
Plowing capacity	450 – 800 lb. / min.
Max throwing distance	20 – 30 ft.
Price	$150 – $250

Cordless Electric Snow Blowers

Cordless snow blowers typically run on Lithium-ion batteries and come in single- and two-stage models. Their price and potency fall between corded electric and gas-powered snow blowers. Some models handle large areas with heavy snowfall, while others are better suited for small patios and narrow walkways. 

Battery-powered snow blowers don’t keep you on a leash and are often easier to use than gas blowers. They don’t emit toxic fumes, but lithium mining is terrible for the environment. They’re low maintenance, but their batteries are costly and need replacing every 2-3 years. They have the shortest runtime, and their batteries take a while to recharge.

Spec	Typical Range
Clearing width	18 – 22 in.
Ideal max snow depth	9 – 14 in.
Plowing capacity	575 – 1,800 lb. / min.
Max throwing distance	20 – 40 ft.
Price	$335 – $885

Gas-Powered Snow Blowers

Gas blowers come in single-, two-, and three-stage models. They’re the most expensive and most powerful. Consider a gas model if you have a large area to clear that gets a lot of snow.

Although heavy, many models are self-propelled. They have longer runtimes than battery-powered blowers but are higher maintenance and release toxic fumes. 

Spec	Typical Range
Clearing width	21 – 30 in.
Ideal max snow depth	9 – 20 in.
Plowing capacity	1,100 – 2,500 lb. / min.
Max throwing distance	25 – 45 ft.
Price	$500 – $2,000

Clearing Capacity

Homeowners with large yards and much snow prefer snow blowers with a higher clearing capacity, as described by the following specs:

• Clearing width measures how wide a path the snow blower clears in a single pass. Snow blowers with wide widths quickly clear large yards but may be too wide for narrow passages.

• Clearing depth, also called “intake height”, measures how deep the blower digs. If you get several feet of snow at a time, you’ll want to ensure your blower has a hefty clearing depth that handles deep snow.

• Plowing capacity measures how many pounds of snow the blower removes per minute. If you have a large yard and get heavy snow, you want a blower with a high plowing capacity. 

Design Type	Typical Clearing Width
Single-stage	18 – 22 in.
Two-stage	24 – 30 in.
Three-stage	36 – 30 in.

Throwing Distance

This measurement is exactly what it sounds like — how far a snow blower can throw the snow through the discharge chute. Typically, the farther the snow-throwing distance, the better. Most homeowners want the snow as far out of the way as possible. 

Adjustable Throwing Distance: Some snow blowers have augers with variable speed control. They allow you to adjust the throwing distance. This feature is helpful when clearing snow near neighbors or gardens. 

Design Type	Typical Throwing Distance
Single-stage	20 – 35 ft.
Two-stage	35 – 50 ft.
Three-stage	20 – 40 ft.

Weight

As you may have noticed from our top picks, snow blowers can be extremely heavy, especially two-stage models. Weight matters in a snow blower because you have to push it yourself, just like a lawn mower. 

That being said, most of the heavier models are self-propelled, which means they move themselves forward or backward. All you have to do is guide them. For reference, “power steering” usually means the same thing as self-propelled. 

Design Type	Typical Weight
Single-stage	30 – 85 lb.
Two-stage	150 – 285 lb.
Three-stage	240 – 320 lb.

Price

The average snow blower costs about $920, but prices vary by design type and power source.

Single-stage snow blowers are the most affordable and three-stage models are the most expensive, as shown in the table below.

Design Type	Average Cost	Typical Price Range
Single-stage	$520	$255 – $780
Two-stage	$1,400	$785 – $2,000
Three-stage	$1,910	$1,500 – $2,500

The next table shows the cost of snow blowers by power source.

Power Source	Average Cost	Typical Price Range
Corded	$200	$150 – $250
Battery	$610	$335 – $885
Gas	$1,270	$500 – $2,000

FAQ About Snow Blowers

1. How long do snow blowers last?

Most snow blowers last around 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance. More premium models can last even longer than that. 

2. When is the best time to buy a snow blower?

If you want to get a good price and have a wide selection of models in stock to choose from, the best time to buy is just before the snowing season starts, around August to October. 

3. How much does snow removal cost?

Most homeowners pay around $50 to $145 for professional snow removal. The average cost of snow removal is about $100.

When to Call a Pro for Snow Removal 

Even with the best snow blower, snow removal is cold and arduous. Thankfully, you don’t have to do it yourself. Save yourself the snow blower cost and let LawnStarter connect you with qualified snow removal pros. We work with experienced and affordable pros, and getting a free online quote is quite easy and quick.

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