Our Top Picks
- 28-inch clearing width
- 14-inch steel auger
- Cast-iron gear case
- Trigger power steering
- Cast-iron auger and impeller
- Heated grips and LED lights
- 26-inch clearing width
- Six forward speeds
- Heated grips and headlight
- Cordless 56V power
- Steel auger
- Two batteries included
- 24-inch clearing width
- Six forward speeds
- Steel serrated augers
Our Review Criteria: Clearing width and intake height come first, since together they set how much snow a single pass can move. We compared manufacturer specifications for throwing distance and engine or battery power, and weighed how each machine is built: single-stage versus two-stage design, auger and impeller material, gear case, and drive system. We read owner feedback and independent reviews to surface the strengths and honest drawbacks a spec sheet hides, and judged how easy each machine is to handle. We verify every pick is currently available and swap out any model that goes out of production.
Waking up to a driveway buried in snow is a fast way to ruin your morning. You have places to be, and shoveling by hand is back-breaking work. You need a machine that can handle the heavy lifting for you.
We analyzed the market to find the top snow blowers that actually get the job done. Whether you need a compact electric model for a walkway or a gas-powered machine for a long driveway, we have you covered.
What Are the Different Types of Snow Blowers?
Snow blowers come in three types, single-stage, two-stage and three-stage, and here is how they stack up against each other.
Single-Stage Blowers
Single-stage snow blowers are usually the most affordable option. They use a single auger to scoop up the snow and throw it directly out of the chute.
Because the auger makes contact with the ground, these machines clean down to the pavement. However, this also means they aren’t suitable for gravel driveways, as they will pick up rocks and launch them.
Most of these models are electric or battery-powered, though some gas versions exist. They are lightweight, easy to maintain, and perfect for smaller paved areas with light to moderate snowfall.
Two-Stage Blowers
Two-stage machines separate the work into two steps. First, the auger breaks up the snow. Second, an impeller fan throws it out of the chute.
This separation puts less stress on the engine and allows the machine to clear deeper drifts. The auger does not touch the ground, which makes two-stage snow blowers safe for gravel surfaces.
These are typically gas-powered and self-propelled. They cost more and require engine maintenance, but they are necessary if you live in an area with heavy, wet snowfall or have a large driveway.
Three-Stage Blowers
Three-stage blowers are the heavyweights of snow clearing. They feature an accelerator that sits between the auger and the impeller. This accelerator grinds through heavy, wet ice and snow faster than a two-stage model.
These machines are built for speed and volume. They are up to 50 percent faster than two-stage units but come with a hefty price tag.
You generally only need a three-stage blower if you deal with massive snowfalls, massive plowing piles at the end of your driveway, or commercial-grade clearing tasks.
How Do You Choose the Best Snow Blower?
You choose the best snow blower by matching it to your terrain and typical snowfall, then weighing the factors below when buying a snow blower.
Gas vs. Electric
Gas blowers offer unlimited runtime and higher power. They can handle wet, heavy snow and large areas without tethering you to an outlet. However, they are loud, heavy, and require regular engine maintenance.
Running a gas engine in an enclosed space carries a real risk. According to the CDC, more than 400 Americans die each year from unintentional carbon monoxide poisoning not linked to fires, and more than 100,000 people visit an emergency department for it every year, so always start and run a gas snow blower outdoors, away from doors, windows, and vents (1).
Electric models are quieter, lighter, and start with the push of a button. Electric snow blowers are great for small decks and walkways but struggle with deep drifts. Cordless snow blowers offer more freedom but are limited by battery life.
What Are the Top Snow Blower Brands?
Snow Joe, Husqvarna, Briggs & Stratton, and Greenworks are the manufacturers that have built the strongest reputation for reliability in winter weather.
Product Reviews
We rated these five snow blowers on clearing power, intake size, drive system, and build quality, so you can match one to your driveway and the snow you actually get.
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Snow Blower
Best Snow Blower for Heavy Snowfall
When the forecast regularly drops a foot or more, the Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO is the machine that keeps up. SHO stands for Super High Output: a 306cc engine spins a 14-inch serrated steel auger and a high-output impeller that can throw snow up to 50 feet.
The 28-inch intake is the widest in this lineup, so a big driveway clears in fewer passes, and the cast-iron gear case is built for the load that width and power put on it. Auto-Turn steering lets the machine pivot on its own as you guide it, and push-button electric start gets it going on sub-zero mornings.
It is a heavy, premium tool aimed squarely at deep-snow regions and large properties.
What We Like
Built for Deep, Heavy Snow
The Super High Output impeller and 14-inch steel auger move snow fast and far, clearing wet, packed drifts that bog down lighter machines.
Cast-Iron Gear Case
Where budget blowers use aluminum, the Deluxe 28 uses a cast-iron gear case that stands up to the strain of the wide auger over many seasons. That gear case carries a longer warranty than the rest of the machine.
Auto-Turn Steering
Auto-Turn senses your input and feeds power to the wheels so the machine swings around on its own. On open pavement it makes a 250-pound blower feel manageable.
What We Don't Like
Heavy and Loud
At about 250 pounds it is a workout on inclines, and at full throttle it runs around 85 to 90 decibels, so early-morning clearing in a tight neighborhood is not its strength.
Lowest Speed Still Quick
Owners note the slowest drive speed can feel fast in deep, wet snow, forcing smaller bites. A premium price tag also puts it out of reach for occasional light snowfalls.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 250 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | Not stated |
| Plowing clearance (inches) | 28 |
| Plowing depth (inches) | 21 |
| Throwing distance (feet) | 50 |
| Power source | Gas |
| Engine power | 306cc |
| Price | $$$$$ |
| Warranty | 3-year limited (5-year gear case) |
Husqvarna ST327 Two-Stage Snow Blower
Best 2-Stage Snow Blower
The Husqvarna ST327 is a two-stage machine built for homeowners who clear large driveways and deal with deep, wet snow. A 291cc engine drives a 27-inch intake, and the cast-iron auger box and cast-iron impeller hold up to the dense, compacted snow a plow leaves at the end of the drive.
Trigger-controlled power steering lets you turn a 300-pound machine without wrestling it, which matters most on a sloped or curved driveway. Push-button electric start, LED headlights, heated grips, and a four-position handle round it out, and it throws snow up to 40 feet on the higher of its six forward speeds.
It is more machine than a small walkway needs, but for a big property in a heavy-snow region it is the most complete pick here.
What We Like
Trigger Power Steering
Steering a big blower through heavy snow is where most of them fight you. Squeezing a trigger disengages the drive to one wheel, so the ST327 pivots with light effort instead of a shove.
Cast-Iron Auger and Impeller
Both the auger box and the impeller are cast iron, not stamped steel or plastic. That is what lets the machine chew through icy, end-of-driveway pack without flexing or stalling.
Cold-Weather Features
Electric start, heated grips, and LED headlights earn their keep at 6 a.m. in January, when a pull cord and bare metal handles are the last thing you want.
What We Don't Like
Heavy and Hard to Store
At roughly 308 pounds it is a lot to maneuver with the engine off, and loading it onto a trailer or tucking it into a tight garage takes planning.
Overkill for Small Jobs
For a short walkway or a city lot with light snow, you are paying for power steering and a 27-inch intake you will rarely use. A smaller single-stage clears those faster and stores easier.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | 308 |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | 58.75 x 28 x 44 |
| Plowing clearance (inches) | 27 |
| Plowing depth (inches) | Not stated |
| Throwing distance (feet) | 40 |
| Power source | Gas |
| Engine power | 291cc |
| Price | $$$$$ |
| Warranty | Not stated |
YARDMAX YB6770 Two-Stage Snow Blower
Best Snow Blower for Large Driveways
The YARDMAX YB6770 gives you a wide 26-inch two-stage machine without the price of the big-name brands. A 7-horsepower 212cc engine drives serrated steel augers through an axe-shaped housing that helps chop packed snow, and the self-propelled drive offers six forward and two reverse speeds so you can match your pace to conditions.
The dashboard is the standout: it puts an LED headlight, speed control, heated hand grips, and a cup holder within reach. Push-button electric start has a recoil backup, and a remote crank aims the chute.
For a large or double-wide driveway where clearing width saves you time, it packs a lot of capability for the money.
What We Like
Wide 26-Inch Intake
The extra width over a typical 24-inch blower means fewer passes on a big driveway, which adds up when it is freezing out.
Six-Speed Self-Propelled Drive
Six forward speeds let you crawl through heavy drifts or move quickly across light snow, and the drive does the pushing for you.
Dashboard Controls
An LED headlight, speed selector, and heated grips on one dashboard are features usually reserved for pricier machines.
What We Don't Like
Aluminum Gear Case
The gear case is aluminum rather than the cast iron on premium two-stage units, so it is less suited to constant heavy-duty abuse over many years.
Brand Support Is Mixed
Owners report uneven customer service and the occasional assembly issue, such as an auger cable that needs adjusting out of the box, so check every cable and bolt before the first storm. Some also say the heated grips only take the chill off rather than getting warm.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | Not stated |
| Plowing clearance (inches) | 26 |
| Plowing depth (inches) | Not stated |
| Throwing distance (feet) | Not stated |
| Power source | Gas |
| Engine power | 212cc (7 HP) |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
EGO Power+ SNT2112 Cordless Snow Blower
Best Cordless Snow Blower
If you want to skip gas entirely, the EGO Power+ SNT2112 is the cordless pick. It runs on EGO’s 56-volt Peak Power system, drawing on two batteries at once, and a steel auger gives it an edge over the plastic augers on most battery blowers when snow is packed or lightly iced.
The 21-inch single-stage design throws snow up to 40 feet and handles depths up to about 16 inches. It starts with a button, lights its path with an LED headlight, folds down for storage, and comes with two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger in the box, enough for up to roughly an hour of clearing.
For small-to-medium paved driveways and walkways, it gives you quiet, low-maintenance clearing without a single drop of fuel.
What We Like
Steel Auger
Unlike most cordless blowers, the SNT2112 uses a steel auger, which bites into packed snow and thin ice that stop plastic-auger machines.
Gas-Free and Quiet
No fuel, no oil changes, no pull cord. It starts instantly with a button and runs quiet enough for early mornings near neighbors.
Two Batteries and Charger Included
The kit ships with two 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger, so you get usable runtime out of the box instead of buying power separately. The handle folds for compact storage.
What We Don't Like
Struggles with Wet, Heavy Snow
As a single-stage machine it can ride up over warm, wet snow and leave a thin layer behind, and it is not built for deep drifts or long driveways.
Expensive Extra Batteries
Spare or replacement EGO batteries cost a lot, so adding runtime for a bigger job is a real expense.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | Not stated |
| Plowing clearance (inches) | 21 |
| Plowing depth (inches) | 16 |
| Throwing distance (feet) | 40 |
| Power source | Electric battery |
| Engine power | 56V |
| Price | $$$$ |
| Warranty | 5-year |
YARDMAX YB6270 Two-Stage Snow Blower
Best Value Snow Blower
The YARDMAX YB6270 is the value pick: a full two-stage gas machine at a price well under the big-name brands. A 212cc engine drives serrated steel augers and a self-propelled drive with six forward and two reverse speeds, so it pushes itself and lets you match your pace to the snow.
The 24-inch intake handles medium snowfalls up to about 16 inches deep, and a pin-lock axle switches between two-wheel drive for traction and one-wheel drive for easier turning. It skips the dashboard, heated grips, and headlight of its pricier 26-inch sibling, which is exactly how it keeps the cost down.
For a medium driveway and a buyer who wants two-stage clearing without paying for extras, it is the most machine for your money here.
What We Like
Two-Stage Power for Less
You get serrated steel augers, an impeller, and a self-propelled drive, the core of a real two-stage machine, at a price closer to single-stage units.
Six-Speed Self-Propelled Drive
Six forward speeds plus a pin-lock axle let you crawl through drifts or move quickly across light snow, and switch between traction and easier turning.
Steel Augers and Axe-Shaped Housing
The serrated steel augers and angled housing chop into packed snow instead of riding over it, which is more than many budget blowers manage.
What We Don't Like
No Comfort Features
There is no headlight, heated grips, or dashboard. For early-morning or after-dark clearing you will want a separate work light, and bare hands feel the cold.
Aluminum Gear Case and Spotty Support
The aluminum gear case is fine for residential use but not built for years of heavy abuse, and owners report uneven customer service and the odd shipping issue, such as a tire that arrives flat. Check it over before the first storm.
Product Specs
| Weight (pounds) | Not stated |
|---|---|
| Dimensions (inches) | Not stated |
| Plowing clearance (inches) | 24 |
| Plowing depth (inches) | Not stated |
| Throwing distance (feet) | Not stated |
| Power source | Gas |
| Engine power | 212cc |
| Price | $$$ |
| Warranty | 3-year limited |
| Product | Best | Weight | Dimensions | Plowing clearance | Plowing depth | Throwing distance | Power source | Engine power | Price | Warranty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Husqvarna ST327 Two-Stage Blower | Best 2-Stage | 308 lbs | 58.75″ x 28″ x 44″ | 27″ | Not stated | 40 ft | Gas | 291cc | $$$$$ | Not stated |
| Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO | Best for Heavy Snowfall | 250 lbs | Not stated | 28″ | 21″ | 50 ft | Gas | 306cc | $$$$$ | 3-year limited |
| YARDMAX YB6770 | Best for Large Driveways | Not stated | Not stated | 26″ | Not stated | Not stated | Gas | 212cc | $$$$ | 3-year limited |
| YARDMAX YB6270 | Best Value | Not stated | Not stated | 24″ | Not stated | Not stated | Gas | 212cc | $$$ | 3-year limited |
| EGO Power+ SNT2112 | Best Cordless | Not stated | Not stated | 21″ | 16″ | 40 ft | Battery | 56V | $$$$ | 5-year |
