Winter feels like it has arrived already, with some parts of the country already covered in snow. You are probably already dusting off your snow shovels and thinking about purchasing salt for your sidewalks. Maybe you have recently moved into a larger property or are just thinking about how to make snow removal easier. One obvious answer is to invest in a snow blower. If this is your first blower purchase ever, maybe you don’t even know where to start. There are so many different types of snow blowers, or snow blowers with different features and it can be hard to know what you really need. Is the one that costs $200 more going to actually be that much better?
In this guide, we are going to discuss some of the different features you want in a snow blower, and we will end with some recommendations! A snow blower is a big purchase, so you want to make sure that you choose something you will be happy with and that will last a long time.
A Single-Stage Snow Blower
This is a snow blower that has just one high-speed auger that brings the snow up off the ground and pushes it up through the discharge chute. In general, a single-stage machine is meant to handle snow about six inches high. It is strong enough to break up snow that has been compacted down by snow plows, as long as you get to the snow before it has frozen over. This machine is best for even-leveled surfaces, not hills or inclines.
A Two-Stage Snow Blower
This is a significantly heavier duty machine than a single-stage snow blower. This machine can handle up to 18 inches of snow because it scoops up snow in two phases: first the metal auger picks up the snow and ice, then the high-speed impeller throws it out through the discharge shoot so that you can keep moving and not have to worry about a clogged-up chute. If you live anywhere where there is heavy snowfall, this is probably the way to go!
A Three-Stage Snow Blower
You might have guessed it: a three-stage snow blower is even more powerful than a single-stage or two-stage. You can clear about two feet of snow at a time with this one, making it perfect for winter storms. The biggest difference between this one and a two-stage snow blower is timing. A three-stage snow blower has a third auger that speeds up snow removal, meaning that you can have your snow cleared in no time. In fact, if you had a three-stage snow blower and a two-stage snow blower of the same size, your three-stage snow blower will work 50 percent faster! If you want speed, dependability, and power, then a three-stage snow blower is the one for you!
Think About Your Driveway
Maybe you live somewhere where you do not have a lot of snowfall and so you do not need the most powerful type of snow blower. A single-stage snow blower might be for you, but remember that there are a couple of other factors to consider. First, if you have an inclined driveway, then a single-stage snow blower probably will not work for you because the machine does not have enough power. Second, if you have a dirt driveway, then the rubber auger on a single-stage machine will pick up the dirt rather than just the snow. This will destroy your machine. A single-stage snow blower is best for flat driveways made out of asphalt, and this type of machine is only good for removing about half a foot of snow. It does not matter if you have a small driveway, if you live somewhere where there tends to be a lot of snow build-up, you are going to have to opt for a more powerful machine.
Machine Maneuverability
Snow blowers can be really heavy, to say that least. When you are clearing your driveway, you are going to have to move the machine around, not just pushing it, but also turn. Turning is where it can be hard, but luckily they now make machines with power steering. This is a control that allows you to make a 180º turn with ease. If you are worried about your back, look for this feature!
The Material of the Chute
This is probably something that you have not thought about: the material of the chute that spits out the snow. It might seem like a steel chute would be longer-lasting and, therefore, better than plastic, but we would actually recommend getting a plastic chute. The inside of a plastic chute is smooth and slippery, so snow does not easily stick to it. Plastic also has some flex to it, so it is less likely to crack in cold temperatures. Steel chutes can chip, crack, dent or bend. The biggest problem with steel though is that steel can rust and once it does, snow sticks to it like a magnet!
Headlights
This might not matter to you, but if you clear snow at night or in the early morning, then headlights are very important! Also remember that daylight hours are very short during the winter, so if you plan on clearing snow outside of your 8-5pm work schedule, then headlights are a must.
Different Types of Power
There are three popular types of snow blowers, in regard to power: electric, gas, and battery. The battery is the least popular of the three but is gaining in popularity. So really, the main contenders are gas and electric. Gas snow blowers require extra care, but gas snow blowers can be more powerful than electric. Electric snow blowers tend to be smaller, cheaper and made for clearing small spaces. You will also have to plug an electric machine into an outlet, so keep that in mind.
Best Overall Gas Snow Blower: PowerSmart PSS2240C 2-Stage Electric Start Gas Snow Blower
This is one powerful machine, with the ability to clear up to a depth of 20 inches of snow, 24 inches wide. The drive system allows you to adjust the speed and the chute allows for 180º rotation. For regular use during the winter, you really cannot get better than this!
Best Overall Electric Snow Blower: Snow Joe SJ627E Electric Snow Thrower
This machine is electric, which we had warned is not always as powerful as a gas machine. This Snow Joe, however, is pretty much the best you can get for an electric machine! This snow blower is built like a workhorse, with the ability to blow throw deep snow and sent it away up to 25 feet! This machine can clear paths that are 22 inches wide and 13 inches deep, making it ideal for large driveways.
Best Electric Snow Blower, Runner-Up: Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 Cordless Snow Blower
Ok, the name on this one is kind of misleading: this is called a cordless electric snow blower, but really that means battery-powered. As a battery-powered machine, you get the best of both worlds with this: the noiseless-ness and ease of an electric machine, with the cordless functionality of a gas machine. This snow blower is moderately powerful, but not quite as powerful as the two machines mentioned above, as it only throws snow 20 feet away. Still, this is a powerful machine that can clear up to 14 tons of snow with one battery charge. This is a great option if you are clearing light to moderate snowfall.
There you have it, some of the features you should be looking for in a snow blower with our top three picks! We hope you are able to find the best machine for your needs!
If you want to start gardening you can check out this article to know what tools you might need.