The 5 Best Snow Blowers To Take On Winter Storms In 2025

An impressive 24-inch width gives this Toro 37798 Power Max blower the ability to carve a wide swath. Combined with the 20-inch depth, it allows you to clear a huge amount of snow with every pass. This productivity means that not only will you do less work, you'll also finish much faster than you would with a smaller blower.

As Palma recommended, we made sure that our top pick included an easy chute-control system. The straightforward chute controller of the Toro Power Max 824 OE allows you to easily and quickly adjust the direction of the expelled snow. You move the joystick-style controller wherever you want the chute to go, and since it's mounted on the main control panel, you can always stay safely behind the machine at all times.

The heavy-duty rubber tires are 4 inches wide, allowing you to use this blower on relatively steep slopes, and it will maintain traction without sliding and slipping around.

If you know you'll be tackling large amounts of snow and want to be prepared to move it safely and effectively, we're confident that this model is a great choice. However, it is very expensive, and if you have a smaller area to work with or don't get a lot of snow, you might want to consider a more compact option.

This WEN unit costs significantly less than our other blower options but should still be a valuable alternative to using a snow shovel. It's not as portable as cordless options; you'll need to plug it into your home's power outlet and may want to look into purchasing an extension cord along with it for added mobility. Since it's better suited for walkways and decks, this limitation should be less of an issue. 

The WEN 5664 Snow Blaster has a simple chute adjustment system and a convenient electric quick start — two features our experts specifically recommended to look for. A rotating crank handle allows you to swivel the chute up to 180 degrees, and a separate spring-loaded lever adjusts the arc height of the snow being thrown.

Another valuable feature of this blower is its lightweight design, which makes it much more comfortable to push and steer than heavier models. If you don't have a lot of space to clear, it's much more practical to move a 32-pound machine than one weighing twice as much, especially considering it's not self-propelled. You'll appreciate its light weight if you plan on carrying it up a set of stairs to clear off a deck. Plus, the collapsible frame makes it convenient to store once spring rolls around. 

If you need a light-duty blower to handle sidewalks, pathways, decks, or small driveways, this single-stage blower from Toro is a great choice. It's small enough to easily maneuver and operate but still has a wide, 21-inch width to make it productive. Its self-propelled mechanism is another convenient perk, allowing you to finish the job with minimal effort.

Although the chute adjustment handle isn't as convenient as others — it uses a long handle attached to the chute instead of a controller mechanism up by the handle — it's still straightforward to use and allows you to stay completely behind the machine while you work. The electric start mechanism also makes this model a good choice for those who lack sufficient upper body strength or dexterity or who just want the option of opting out of a pull-start.

Even though this single-stage machine doesn't have the power of a two-stage blower, it can still power through snow up to 9 inches deep and launch it 35 feet away. Palma recommended Toro as one of his most trusted blower brands, citing its machines' ability to perform when you need them to.

Even though it might lack the raw power of a gas model, Ego's battery-powered blower is still packed with a nice amount of useful features. A pair of LED headlights make it ideal for use in low-light conditions.  

Your neighbors will thank you since it's significantly quieter than its gas-powered counterparts, and it doesn't emit any odors. It's powerful enough to handle depths of up to 10 inches and will launch snow a nice medium distance away.

We're also big fans of the fact that this blower includes two 5.0Ah batteries, allowing you to keep one on the charger while you're working. These two batteries, combined with the 40-minute charging time on the rapid charger, mean you won't need to worry about running out of juice while working. The convenient LED charging indicator makes it easy to know how much time is left before they're fully charged. This blower is also convenient for those short on storage space, thanks to a foldable handle that collapses down.

The main drawback is that the Ego SNT2102 is not self-propelled, so you'll have to use a bit more elbow grease when using this blower. We consider it a great choice for areas with relatively light snowfalls and homeowners who don't want to deal with messy fuel.

Although it's technically not a snow blower, this power shovel from Greenworks could be a great choice for those who lack the space for a larger machine. Its 12-inch width isn't practical for large areas, but this compact size does make it a versatile option for tasks that bulkier blowers wouldn't be able to handle, like clearing narrow pathways. It's also easier to carry up and down the stairs to clear off an elevated deck.  

A secondary, weed whacker-style handle makes it comfortable to use and should help maintain control and reduce arm fatigue as you go. Best of all, it will take up about the same amount of space as a shovel. 

The Greenworks Electric Snow Shovel will require more effort than a self-propelled snow blower but should still be much more comfortable than a standard snow shovel. Plus, it launches snow further than you could on your own.  

We've used various Greenworks power tools, including leaf blowers and lawnmowers, and have always been impressed with their performance. This tool should get the job done if you're looking for a reliable, light-duty tool for clearing snow.

Type: Snow blowers come in three different types: single-stage, two-stage, and three-stage models, so it's important that you choose the best one for your property. 

• Single-Stage blowers pull snow inside with a rotating auger and fling it out of their chute in a single motion. These light-duty blowers are smaller and easier to maneuver than other types, although they're not practical for large areas. Palma recommends single-stage blowers for areas like sidewalks, garage aprons, and decks. 
• Two-Stage blowers use a separate propeller — in addition to the auger — to launch the gathered snow out of the chute much further than a single-stage model can. Palma explains that if you want to clear a total driveway, you will need a two-stage gas-powered blower. 
• Three-Stage blowers are the most powerful and use another impeller to break up snow even more before launching through the chute. These commercial-style machines aren't practical for most homeowners, which is why we didn't include one on our list.  

Width: The width of a snow blower can vary from model to model. Wider options clear more snow with each pass but are bulky and more challenging to store. Narrower blowers are easier to steer and maneuver but are less efficient for clearing large areas. Palma says the best snow blower size for the average homeowner would be at least 18 inches and up to 28 inches wide. Our picks range from 18 to 24 inches, with the exception of our 12-inch electric snow shovel.

Power Source: Snow blowers are available in either gas or electric-powered versions. 

• Gas: Gas-powered machines provide a ton of power, so they're great for getting large jobs done quickly. They require more maintenance than electric blowers, though, and in addition to fuel and oil, they are more expensive. In the event of a power outage, you'll still be able to clear snow. 
• Electric: Electric snow blowers — corded or battery-powered — are lighter and quieter than gas and best for lighter snowfalls. Corded blowers are convenient to start and use, and although they have an unlimited runtime, are limited to the length of your extension cord. Battery-powered versions have the same mobility as gas-powered blowers, but their limited runtime isn't practical for large jobs. 

Useful features: Look for specific features or accessories that would be most helpful for your needs. Palma recommends looking for models that include a chute control system that's easy to use. "Simpler is better here," he says. An electric start mechanism is another convenient feature to look for, which will really come in handy on cold mornings when you don't want to spend extra time getting your blower up and running. If you plan on working early in the morning or late afternoon, look for a blower with built-in headlights.

Although I've used my share of snow blowers, I reached out to a certified expert in the field to ensure I had a good grasp of the current market and user needs. After reviewing and collecting a number of popular blower models on my own, I contacted Derek Palma, Midwest regional parts and service manager of Northern Tool + Equipment, to help point me in the right direction. Palma walked me through what to look for when considering a blower, such as property size, blower type, and useful features, and I used this information to assemble our list of options.

Should I buy a snow blower?

If you live in an area that has a few snowstorms a year with at least inches of snow each, and it regularly takes you more than half an hour to shovel your property, a snow blower could be a helpful investment. Keep in mind that it takes time to prep, use, and store the snow blower every time, and you'll still have to shovel tight spaces like stairs or around cars.

What are the best snow blower brands?

Palma names Honda as his top pick. "Honda only makes high-quality blowers," he says. "Their two-stage blowers are usually the most expensive, but I feel they are the best." They're wildly expensive, and their availability can be spotty, however. So, you may want to consider purchasing a secondhand machine. Palma adds that Toro is also high quality.

What is the difference between a single- or 2-stage blower?

All snow blowers use a rotating auger to draw snow inside. Single-stage blowers use a rotating, fast-moving auger that captures the snow and launches it out of a chute in one fell swoop. Two-stage blowers use an additional propeller to launch the snow through the chute, allowing them to clear more snow faster and throw it farther.

Which is better: gas or electric snow blowers?

As Palma puts it, "Gas is king." If you can afford it, a two-stage blower will have you covered for all conditions. If you prefer to avoid buying and dealing with fuel and oil, you might want to consider an electric model. They're convenient for their hassle-free startup — just plug them in and you're good to go — but their power cords limit the length of your reach. Electric blowers are typically less powerful than gas-powered machines, too, and are better suited for light-duty work.

When is the best time to buy a snow blower?

The best time to buy a snow blower is whatever the opposite of snow season is for you. Prices for snow blowers are generally lowest from spring through fall, but you can still score major discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday. 

What is the best snow blower for a gravel driveway?

Since single-stage blowers maintain contact with the ground while they work, they're not suited for gravel driveways. Two- or three-stage blowers feature augers that you can adjust and raise off the ground, making them ideal for use on gravel.