![]() It earns a poor rating in our plow pile test. This single-stage gas model is slow to clear, struggles to get through heavier snow, and can get bogged down making it infuriatingly slow when used to tackle a mound of snow. In fact, we think no corded electric snow blower is worth buying because they’re so underpowered.īut you’ll see more variation across brands and models when it comes to single-stage gas and single-stage battery-powered snowblowers.Ĭase in point: The Ariens S18. ![]() And corded electrics-which perform uniformly badly in our tests. The exceptions are three-stage models, which perform uniformly well across brands and individual models. Performance varies from machine to machine. Below, we’ve highlighted the best snow blowers from our extensive tests, plus a few snowblowers to avoid. For more about snow blower stages and power sources, start with our snow blower buying guide to find the style that’s best for you.ĬR members can also jump right to our snow blower ratings to compare models. Three-stage machines add an accelerator-an additional motor to help the auger and impeller suck up and discharge even more snow. Two-stage machines have an impeller, or a small fan, that helps suck up additional snow and shoot it farther. They are also categorized by stages: Single-stage machines use a corkscrew-shaped auger to scoop and shoot snow out. Snow blowers are either gas powered (which are typically loud and require hearing protection) or electric. Some models can slice through 18 inches of snow and hurl it 40 feet or more, clearing a path as fast as you can push the machine along. ![]() We’ve found that the best snow blowers will clear your driveway in about a quarter of the time it would take you to shovel it. Keep in mind, too, that a snow blower isn’t a single-season tool-many last a decade or longer with proper maintenance, meaning you’re not just buying it for this winter, but for the next 10 or more.Īt Consumer Reports, we’ve tested more than 70 snow blowers (or snow throwers, as they are sometimes called). In general, low snowfall can often translate to sales on snow blowers, and as we head deeper into the season, manufacturers and retailers alike look to clear inventory before spring. Whether you’ve yet to receive your first inch of snowfall, or you’re on your third blizzard, it’s never too late or too early to consider a snow blower.
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