7 Best Snow Blowers to Clear Your Driveway of 2023

While snow certainly looks beautiful falling from the sky, it can be somewhat of a pain to deal with.

Removing snow from your driveways and walkways can be a never-ending task in areas with lots of snow throughout the winter season.

The best way to combat this incessant snowfall is with the proper snowblower fit for the task.

Snow blowers are available in a wide range of sizes, price points, and with differing capabilities. The perfect one for your home will depend on a number of factors.

Cub Cadet 26-inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start: Best Overall Snow Blower

Our overall top snow blower pick packs the most features and snow removal capabilities into a competitive price.

The Cub Cadet 26-inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start is no match for its competitors.

The 243cc ultra-powerful engine effortlessly clears a depth of snow up to 21 inches. Choose from 6 forward speeds and 2 reverse speeds to remove snow at your pace.

Dual LED headlights guide you along your way and zero-turn, single-hand power steering makes your job as simple as it can be.

Added bonuses include a 200-degree turning radius for the steel snow chute and remote pitch control.

Key Features Cub Cadet Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower

• Power Type: Gas
• Clearing Width: 26 inches
• Stage Type: Two-stage
• Throw Distance: 40 feet

Snow Joe 18" Electric Snow Blower: Best Compact Cordless Snow Blower

Snow Joe is the latest evolution in cordless tools and snow-clearing technology.

Powered by Snow Joe's exclusive ion+ 24V lithium-ion battery system, this cordless snow blower offers up to 40 minutes of runtime on a single charge. We did a full test run on a 4-inch snow-covered asphalt driveway and it had no problems doing the same job as gas-powered snow blowers.

There are a few features that the manufacturer is missing or can improve on such as adding a battery life indicator which is helpful when plowing and blowing wet snow.

But with no emissions and zero gas required, it's the perfect choice for clearing snow from your mid-size property without harming the environment and with easy rechargeable batteries.

Key Features Snow Joe Cordless Electric Snowblower

• Power Type: Electric
• LED Lights
• Dual battery powered
• 18 Inches wide
• Adjustable hand crank chute
• Safety Switch

Snow Joe 18" Corded Electric Snow Blower: Best Corded Snow Blower For Small Driveways

If you have a smaller driveway and want to stay on budget, then it might be worth considering one of Snow Joe's less mobile snow blowers.

These are not cordless but at half the price and can still help keep your walkways clear during the winter months.

The Snow Joe 18-inch Corded Electric Snow Blower truly packs a punch for its size when compared to larger, gas-powered snow blower models.

The powerful 15-amp motor and 4-blade heavy-grade steel rotor can move up to 720 pounds per minute of snow up to 10 inches deep.

This electric-powered machine requires relatively zero maintenance – no gas or oil required!

The compact wheels provide easy maneuverability and the 20 W halogen headlight will keep your plowing path well-lit.

Key Features of Snow Joe Corded Electric Snowblower

• Power Type: Electric
• Clearing Width: 18 inches
• Stage Type: Single-stage
• Throw Distance: 25 feet

Troy-Bilt 24" Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start: Best Gas-Powered Snow Blower

For those who experience constant and heavy snowfall over the winter season, a powerful, gas-powered snow blower is a must.

The Troy-Bilt 24-inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower utilizes a powerful serrated auger that can quickly handle heavy snow up to 12 inches in depth.

The 208cc engine features a push-button electric start and the self-propelled drive can be set to 8 different speeds (6 forward and 2 reverse).

With a full 200 degrees of available rotation, the extended chute can be positioned exactly where you want your snow discharged.

The electric start, two-stage technology, and available snow cab ensure a pleasant snow removal experience even on those frigid winter mornings.

Key Features Troy-Bilt Two-Stage Gas Snowblower

• Power Type: Gas
• Clearing Width: 24 inches
• Stage Type: Two-stage
• Throw Distance: 30 feet

Toro Power Clear 21" Single-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower: Best Single-Stage Snow Blower

In areas with just moderate snowfall over the course of a winter season, a single-stage snow blower will do just the trick.

The Toro 21-inch Single-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower is the perfect blend of power and efficiency with its 212cc 4-cycle OHV engine.

A great choice for medium-sized driveways and those with limited garage storage, this snow blower is most efficient at removing between 2 to 9 inches of snow.

This single-stage snow blower is actually self-propelled – a not-so-common feature of single-stage models.

With a guaranteed quick, electric start and an advanced 210 degree chute turning radius, this product is well-worth the cost.

Key Features of Toro Single-Stage Gas Snowblower

• Power Type: Gas
• Clearing Width: 21 inches
• Stage Type: Single-stage
• Throw Distance: 35 feet

Ariens 24-inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start: Best Two-Stage Snow Blower

A two-stage, gas snow blower is a necessity in cold climates with harsh winters.

The Ariens 24-inch Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower with Electric Start includes just about every feature you need for an extreme winter season.

The powerful 208cc engine and steel auger can handle a depth of up to 20 inches of snow. A 205 degree chute rotation allows you to guide the snow exactly where you want it.

The shell of the snow blower is all-steel construction – ensuring you the durability that will last a lifetime.

With a self-propelled drive, electric start, and 8 operating speeds (6 forward and 2 reverse), this snow blower is perfect for those long and tiresome winters.

Key Features of Ariens Two-Stage Gas Snowblower

• Power Type: Gas
• Clearing Width: 24 inches
• Stage Type: Two-stage
• Throw Distance: 40 feet

CRAFTSMAN Select 26" Two-stage Gas Snow Blower: Best Priced Self-Propelled Snow Blower

The CRAFTSMAN® Select 26 is the perfect tool for clearing snow from driveways, sidewalks, and decks.

Powered by a 243cc 4-cycle OHV engine, this machine starts with the push of a button and has 6 forward and 2 reverse speeds to give you control in any condition. With a 26-inch clearing width and 20-inch intake height, this machine can take on even the deepest snowdrifts.

This machine is best suitable for heavy-duty tasks and large areas to cover.

Key Features CRAFTSMAN Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower

• 4-cycle 243cc OHV engine
• 6 forward & 2 reverse speeds
• Single hand control
• Options of manual and push-button electric engine start

How We Picked Our Top Snow Blowers

We used five main criteria, in no particular order, to evaluate our top picks for snow blowers.

Customer Ratings

The products we sourced boast a high number of satisfactory customer reviews. Most of the products have at least 1,000 customer reviews and at least an average 4-star rating. Alternatively, products may be deemed “best sellers” or “top picks” by the applicable retailer.

Brand Accessibility

To ensure these snow blowers are easily purchased by anyone interested, we chose products from large and accessible retailers including Amazon, Lowe’s, and Home Depot.

Pricing

By comparing different makes and models of snow blowers with similar features, we were able to justify the price of all of our top snow blower picks.

Quality & Features

Our snow blower picks are equipped with the necessary features to get the job done and the standard of quality needed to last for years to come.

What Is the Difference Between a Single-Stage and Two-Stage Snow Blower?

As you begin shopping for a new snow blower, you will notice most models are described as either single-stage or two-stage (or even three-stage).

The stage you choose for your snow blower will depend on the quantity of snow you need to remove and the type of snow that falls where you live.

Single-Stage Snow Blowers

A single-stage snow blower uses a single mechanism to move the snow. A front auger lifts the snow from the ground and blows it in another direction through the discharge chute.

Single-stage snow blowers are ideal for snow removal of up to 6 to 8 inches in depth and work best on flat, paved surfaces.

Single-stage snow blowers are sometimes referred to as snow throwers.

Two-Stage Snow Blowers

A two-stage snow blower utilizes two mechanisms to clear snow.

First, a front auger spins in a corkscrew-like motion to gather up the snow. Then, a separate impeller throws the snow in another direction.

In climates with heavier and denser snowfalls, a two-stage snow blower is a must. These snow blowers can handle up to 24 inches of snow.

Two-stage snow blowers work on gravel and dirt surfaces in addition to paved ones and can accommodate steep slopes.

Two-stage snow blowers fitted with accelerators are referred to as three-stage snow blowers and are used to clear even larger volumes of snow.

What Should You Consider When Buying a Snow Blower?

Purchasing a snowblower can put a dent in your wallet.

In order to make an informed purchasing decision, you need to be knowledgeable on all of the types of snow blowers and available features they have to offer.

Be sure to ask yourself these questions before purchasing a new snowblower.

How Much Snow Falls In Your Area During an Average Storm Event

The type of snowblower you purchase will vary significantly based on your local climate.

If your area only experiences a few snowfalls over the course of the winter season, you can probably get away with just using a shovel for snow removal.

If your area is known for its heavy winters and consistent snowstorms, you will need a pretty impressive snowblower. A two-stage or three-stage snow blower will provide enough power and functionality for those heavy snowfalls.

If your area falls somewhere in the middle, a single-stage gas or electric snow blower should do the trick.

What Type of Snow You Get In Your Area

In addition to the quantity of snow that you will need to remove, the quality of the snow also plays a role in the type of snow blower you should buy.

Light, powdery snow is easily removed with a shovel or small, single-stage snow blower.

Wet, slushy snow may prove difficult for a single-stage snow blower and is a better match for a gas-powered two-stage option.

What Material Your Driveway Is Made Of

If your driveway is either gravel or dirt, a single-stage snow blower with a rubber-tipped auger will not only wear down quicker, the auger will gather up your driveway material and throw it along with the snow.

For dirt and gravel driveways, it is best to use a two-stage with a metal auger that does not quite touch the ground.

If your driveway is paved, you do not necessarily have to worry about the type of auger you choose.

What the Size and Slope of Your Driveway Is

Small driveways with not a lot of change in elevation are a perfect fit for single-stage snow blowers. It is relatively easy to push a single-stage snow blower with these driveway conditions.

When driveways are sloped or large in size, pushing a snow blower can become strenuous. In this case, self-propelled snow blowers are ideal.

Self-propelled snow blowers move using their own motor rather than being physically pushed by the operator.

For this reason, self-propelled snow blowers, often two- or three-stage types, are the best option for large and/or steep driveways.

Which Power Source Is Best For Your Snow Blower?

Snow blowers can be powered with gas, electricity, or even a battery.

While electric-powered snow blowers certainly have appeal in terms of environmental impact and convenience, larger, two-stage snow blowers are typically only available as gas-powered options.

Smaller, single-stage snow blowers are available with battery power that uses reusable lithium batteries to allow a cordless operation.

What Extra Snow Blower Features Are Available?

Here are some other features to consider when selecting a snow blower for your needs.

Power Steering

Turning a snow blower can take lots of physical assertion. Available on larger, two- and three-stage snow blowers, power steering provides mechanical assistance while turning your machine.

Electric Start

Starting a gas-powered snow blower requires a few (or a dozen) pulls of the starter rope and can lead to flooding the engine. With electric start, this operation is simplified to plugging in your machine and pressing a button.

Chute Rotation & Pitch Controls

Every time you turn your snow blower or if the wind direction changes, you will have to adjust the location and angle of the snow chute. With automated chute controls, you can make these adjustments with the hit of a button.

Headlights

Not all snow blowers come with headlights. If you need to clear snow first thing in the morning or later in the evening, headlights are a must.

How to Keep Your Snow Blower Functioning For Years

Like any other major equipment, you shouldn't keep your snow blower lying around exposed to the elements.

Your snow blower will ideally be placed indoors either in your garage or a shed. While it can be placed in your basement you might find it trying to lug it out.

If you have to keep it outside, buy a waterproof protective covering with straps to tighten over your snow blower so it doesn't blow away.

Another important note is to make sure your snow blower is sitting elevated off the ground.

You want to prevent it from sitting directly on snow or water which can cause damage to your unit.

You paid good money for it and you want to make sure it stays operational for many years to come.

Purchase Home Warranty Coverage

Your snow blower typically comes with a two-year warranty. However, you probably want to use your snow blower for more than just two years.

You can provide extra coverage by purchasing a home warranty that covers equipment like a snow blower.

Coverage is low cost compared to something like homeowners insurance and typically covers a lot of other appliances and home systems.

Make sure you shop around for coverages because not all home warranty cover all items like snow blowers.