If you live anywhere that gets considerable amounts of snowfall each year, then you know how much time you spend clearing walkways and paths for your car. This is why finding the best snow blower for your home can make a world of difference in maintaining your home during the winter. .
While snow shovels are straightforward, they aren’t as thorough or as fast as a snow blower. With that said, snow blowers require a good amount of research in order to find the right one. I spoke with snow and ice management experts for their guidance when shopping for the appliance.
SKIP AHEAD How I picked the best snow blowers | What’s the different stages of snow blowers? | The best snow blowers | Why trust NBC Select?
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
How I picked top-rated snow blowers
To learn more about all of the important aspects to consider when choosing a snow blower, I spoke with snow and ice management experts for their advice. Here’s everything they recommend I keep in mind when making this list:
- Type: When shopping for a snow blower, it’s helpful to think about the three main types of snow blowers, according to Tom Canete, the president of Canete Snow & Ice Management. Snow blowers come in either single-stage, two-stage and three-stage versions, each of which is better suited for certain types of snow management and have different power levels. Because they’re more appropriate for non-professionals rather than landscapers doing large area jobs, I only included single- and second-stage snow blowers. I break down these types of snow blowers below, according to Canete’s guidance.
- Special features: In addition to the type of snow blower, I considered snow blowers that have a multitude of helpful safety features, which not only prevent hazards but ultimately make the job of hauling snow a lot easier, according to Canete. Aligning with Canete’s guidance, I included snow blowers with all of the following features: an electric start (rather than a pull start), front-facing headlight, tire chains, airless tires, heated hand grips and a snow blower enclosure. I will explain how these features work below.
- Gas versus electric: Aside from multi-stage snow blowers, you should decide between a gas- or battery-powered snow blower (the latter is also known as electric), each with their own benefits and drawbacks, according to Canete. “Gas-powered snow blowers are more reliable for heavy-duty tasks and offer better performance, but they can be harder to maintain and are less environmentally friendly,” he says. On the other hand, battery-powered snow blowers aren’t as loud as gas ones or as strong. I divided the list below into gas- and battery-powered snow blowers.
What’s the difference between a single, two and three-stage snow blower?
The different stages of a snow blower simply refers to the mechanical power and work that a snow blower uses to maneuver the snow. The higher the stage, the more powerful it is and the more efficiently it can handle large depths of snow, according to Lou Manfredini, a home expert at Ace Hardware.
“Single-stage uses a rotating blade to grab the snow and then propel it from the chute,” he says. “These machines are agile and can handle snow falls of up to 12” really well. Two-stage units have a rotating blade to grab the snow and then another one to propel the snow.” Additionally, a two-stage snow blower is ideal for cleaning up large home properties, according to Manfredini.
“Three-stage snow blowers are designed for the toughest conditions and can handle deep, dense snow,” says Canete. All snow blowers have an auger, which is a part of the appliance that breaks up the snow, making it easier to throw and move, according to Canete. This type of power is more suited for long-term and large area maintenance.
Want more from NBC Select? Sign up for our newsletter, The Selection, and shop smarter.
The best snow blowers to use in 2025
All of the snow blowers below have at least 4-star average rating from 500 reviews or more on Amazon, or at least 100 reviews at a major retailer like Home Depot, Lowe’s or Ace Hardware*.
Electric snow blowers
Ego Power Power+ 56-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
The Ego Power electric snow blower has a 4.3-star average rating from 1,839 reviews on Amazon, is available in both a single- and two-stage version, and has a high-efficiency brushless motor. The auger has a 21-inch width at the bottom and it can throw snow as deep as 8 inches, meaning it’s ideal for quickly clearing out snow from sidewalks or small pathways around your home as far as 35 feet, according to the brand. It also has a push-to-start button, which is a lot easier than using a pull option on a gas appliance, for example, and multiple speed controls. The front of the machine also has two headlights, so you can clear out your driveway in the evening or at dusk.
Stage type: single and 2-stage options | Power type: electric | Special features: headlights, airless tires, folding handle, brushless motor | Start type: push to start
Ryobi 40-Volt Brushless Cordless Electric Snow Blower
What we like
- Airless tires
- Has a lightbar
- 18-inch clearing width
Something to note
- Doesn’t last as long as gas
You can start this electric snow blower from Ryobi by pressing a button, and thanks to the powerful brushless motor, it has a runtime of 30 minutes and a long motor life, according to the brand. It has a single lightbar at the front, a folding handle, an adjustable snow chute so you can control the direction of the snow and a strong auger that can throw snow up to 25 feet. It also has airless tires, so you don’t have to worry about them going flat “when working around sharp objects or on rough, unpaved surfaces,” says Canete. It has a 4.1-star average rating from 1,232 reviews at Home Depot and works on snow up to 10 inches deep.
Stage type: single | Power type: electric | Special features: LED lightbar, brushless motor, folding handle, adjustable snow thrower | Start type: push to start | Weight: 46 pounds
Greenworks 40-Volt Cordless Snow Blower
What we like
- Rotating snow chute
- Clearing width over a foot
- Collapsible
The Greenworks snow blower, which has a 4.1-star average rating from 1,274 reviews on Amazon, has a clearing width of 16 inches and a depth of 8 inches, so you can use it to clear out the walkway leading to your front door or the sidewalk in front of your home. It can throw snow up to 20 feet, according to the brand, and the snow chute on top rotates 180 degrees making it easy to maneuver the snow. Plus, it collapses so you can store it under a workbench or next to a garage wall.
Stage type: single | Power type: electric | Special features: rotating snow chute, brushless motor, folding handle, airless tires | Start type: push | Weight: 17.5 pounds
Westinghouse 120-Volt Corded Electric Snow Blower
What we like
- Chute-clearing tool
- Rotating chute
- 2-step start
This electric snow blower has a 100-foot power cord and powerful steel auger with a rubber lining which helps lift snow off the ground, making it easier to throw the snow up to 25 feet. It has a clearing width of a foot and a half and depth of 10 inches, so it can handle days worth of snowfall and moves over 700 pounds of snow per minute, according to Westinghouse. It also comes with a stick for clearing out any snow stuck in the chute or auger, which Canete says is a major benefit because you don’t have to risk injury by putting your hand in the appliance. The appliance also has a 4.7-star average rating from 238 reviews at Home Depot.
Stage type: single | Power type: electric/corded | Special features: LED headlight, 180-degree rotating chute, collapsible handle | Start type: push and lever | Weight: 35.2 pounds
Snow Joe Electric Snow Blower with Dual LED Lights
What we like
- Almost 2-foot clearing width
- Has two LED lights
- Comes with cleaning stick
If you live in an area that gets multiple feet of snow every year, the Snow Joe snow blower handles snow up to 13 inches deep and can throw it over 25 feet. With 4-star average rating from 5,390 reviews on Amazon, it has a durable and fully steel auger that quickly loosens the snow before pushing out through the rotating shoot on top. It weighs a little over 34 pounds, but thanks to the wheels on the back, it’s easy to maneuver across the ground.
Stage type: single | Power type: electric/corded | Special features: two headlights, rotating snow chute, snow cleaning stick | Start type: push | Weight: 34.8 pounds
Gas-powered snow blowers
Toro Power Clear Self-Propelled Gas Snow Blower
What we like
- Self-propelling
- Collapsible snow chute
- Clears up to 1 foot of depth
This gas-powered snow blower has a clearing width of 18 inches and can clean snow as deep as one foot. With 4.3-star average rating from 1,567 reviews at Home Depot, it has a thorough auger that clears up snow all the way to the pavement, according to the brand, so there’s little residual snow leftover. You can rotate the snow chute using the lever and collapse it for easier storage. Since it isn’t electric, it requires non-ethanol fuel, according to Toro.
Stage type: single | Power type: gas | Special features: rotating and collapsing chute, push start | Start type: push | Weight: 59 pounds
Troy-Bilt Storm Gas Snow Blower
What we like
- Serrated auger
- Tall clearing capacity
- Good for sloped surfaces
This snow blower from Troy-Bilt has a 26-inch clearing width and a 20-inch depth capability, the largest of all the appliances on this list. The auger is also serrated to help break up even firm snow on pavement or concrete. It also has a long snow chute that you can rotate up to 200 degrees and the tires have added traction to help them move through tough snow.
Stage type: two | Power type: gas | Special features: rotating chute, anti-skid shoes, serrated auger | Start type: push | Weight: 235 pounds
How to shop for a snow blower
Below are a few tips based on guidance I received from both Canete and Manfredini when it comes to shopping for a snow blower, regardless of which type you want.
Decide between gas or electric
Start by deciding on a gas-powered or electric snow blower, because this will determine the type of maintenance and work you’ll have to do after buying. Electric snow blowers are relatively quiet compared to gas, they require charging and/or a power cord, and they’re generally better for the environment according to Canete.
Gas snow blowers call for a particular type of fuel rather than charging, they don’t have a power cord but are often heavy compared to electric models. Which one you choose is based on your lifestyle, but if you’re new to the appliance, an electric may be easier to operate because they’re more straightforward. Also, remember that just because a snow blower is labeled as having an “electric start” doesn’t mean that it’s an electric machine.
Choose the best stage type and size
If you only get minimal snow buildup around your home each year, then a single stage is a more appropriate choice. If you get many feet of snow and/or have a large surface area to clear, such as a driveway, then choose a two-stage snow blower with an extra wide clearing width and tall depth (at least 12 inches).
Look for special features
Canete also recommends looking for snow blowers with helpful safety features, such as LED lights, tire chains (for cutting through snow), a chute-clearing stick, a snow blower enclosure to shield you from getting hit with snow, airless tires and heated handles. Some of these won’t be available all together in every appliance, but decide which ones are best suited for your preferences.
Meet our experts
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
- Tom Canete is the president of Canete Snow & Ice Management, Landscaping and Garden Center.
- Lou Manfredini is a home expert at hardware and appliance retailer Ace Hardware.
*Any inclusion of Ace Hardware in this story was made independently of Manfredini, who we only consulted for shopping tips and guidance. We did not ask Manfredini for product recommendations.
Why trust NBC Select?
I’m a commerce editor at NBC Select, where I write about many types of home appliances and accessories like vacuums and heated blankets. I also cover kitchen and cleaning topics for the site. I spoke with a snow and ice management expert as well as a home appliance expert for this story.
Catch up on NBC Select’s in-depth coverage of tech and tools, wellness and more, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to stay up to date.
