The best cordless snow blower may not be as powerful as a gas powered unit but if you’re only shifting light snow then it’s far more convenient. The Snow Joe iON18SB came out on top of our cordless snow blower reviews.
The pricing on this snow blower is really competitive and represents good value for money. The other two cordless snow blowers we reviewed were really excellent too.
The 56V unit from EGO is really powerful but its higher price tag pushed it into a close second with the Power Smart DB2401 not far behind.
If you need a 2 stage snow blower then you’ve got to go gas. However, if you’re trying to decide between an electric snow blower and a single stage gas snow blower then we’d skip them both and rather get one of the cordless snow blowers we reviewed below. There’s no cable to fuss with, no fumes and a lot less noise.
Here are the best battery powered snow blowers for the money.
PowerSmart DB2401
Cordless Snow Blower Comparison
- Battery: 40V
- 50 min. run time
- Clearing width: 18"
- Weight: 32 lbs
- Price: $$$
- Battery: 56V
- 70 min. run time
- Clearing width: 21"
- Weight: 70 lbs
- Price: $$$$$
PowerSmart DB2401
- Battery: 40V
- 25 min. run time
- Clearing width: 18"
- Weight: 43 lbs
- Price: $$$$
Best Cordless Snow Blower Reviews
Although this cordless snow blower is fairly lightweight (32 lbs) it has plenty enough power to clear up to 8-inches of light snow from driveways, decks and sidewalks. It comes supplied with a 40V rechargeable battery and charger which gives you as much as 50 minutes operation on a single charge.
Because it’s so light you can easily carry it to the area you want to clear instead of trying to push it through the snow.
It uses a 500W brushless motor which delivers plenty of power. Brushless motors are more efficient and more durable so this unit will last you for years to come.
The controls on the handlebar are pretty simple. You get a start button which starts the snow blower up instantly, a switch for the chute rotation and an LED headlight for night time snow blowing.
The chute auto rotates when you activate the chute control switch and offers a 180-degree rotation. You’ll be able to throw the snow as far as about 10 to 15 feet depending on the snow.
The auger is made from heavy duty steel and also comes equipped with two rubber blades. We really liked the scraper bar which makes it easier to clear almost down to the ground without damaging the surface.
This cordless snow blower has an 18” clearing width and will shift as much as 500 pounds of snow every minute. This is not going to give you the kind of power you get from a gas snow blower but for light snow this is the best cordless snow blower for the money.
Need to clear heavier, wet snow and still want to get a cordless snow blower? Then you’ll have to pay around triple the price for the very impressive Ego snow blower that we review below.
- Auto rotate chute direction control
Auto rotate chute direction control
- Up to 50 minutes operation on a single charge
Up to 50 minutes operation on a single charge
- Really quiet
Really quiet
- Shifts light snow like a champ
Shifts light snow like a champ
Really quiet
- Adjustable handlebar could be more rigid
Adjustable handlebar could be more rigid
- Chute clogs up a little on really wet snow
Chute clogs up a little on really wet snow
- Battery cover doesn’t close securely
Battery cover doesn’t close securely
Although this cordless snow blower is fairly lightweight (32 lbs) it has plenty enough power to clear up to 8-inches of light snow from driveways, decks and sidewalks. It comes supplied with a 40V rechargeable battery and charger which gives you as much as 50 minutes operation on a single charge. Because it’s so light you can easily carry it to the area you want to clear instead of trying to push it through the snow. It uses a 500W brushless motor which delivers plenty of power. Brushless motors are more efficient and more durable so this unit will last you for years to come. The controls on the handlebar are pretty simple. You get a start button which starts the snow blower up instantly, a switch for the chute rotation and an LED headlight for night time snow blowing. The chute auto rotates when you activate the chute control switch and offers a 180-degree rotation. You’ll be able to throw the snow as far as about 10 to 15 feet depending on the snow. The auger is made from heavy duty steel and also comes equipped with two rubber blades. We really liked the scraper bar which makes it easier to clear almost down to the ground without damaging the surface. This cordless snow blower has an 18” clearing width and will shift as much as 500 pounds of snow every minute. This is not going to give you the kind of power you get from a gas snow blower but for light snow this is the best cordless snow blower for the money. Need to clear heavier, wet snow and still want to get a cordless snow blower? Then you’ll have to pay around triple the price for the very impressive Ego snow blower we review below.
Review - 56V EGO Cordless Snow Blower
If you’re looking for a cordless snow blower that will perform like a gas snow blower then this beast from EGO is the way to go.
You’d better have deep pockets though because it’ll set you back almost three times the price that the Snow Joe costs. The high price tag is the only reason we’ve put this at number two in our best cordless snow blower list.
The performance is far superior to the Snow Joe but we’re not sure that the high price tag justifies it. That being said, being able to clear wet and heavy snow without the noise, fumes and gasoline bill is pretty hard to beat.
It has a 21” intake which isn’t the widest we’ve seen but should be fine for most drives. It comes supplied with two 56V 5Ah batteries and a charger. These batteries will give you over an hour of operation and they take around 40 minutes to recharge.
The auger has a variable speed control which allows you to determine how far the snow is thrown. At maximum speed you’ll be able to throw snow around 35 feet.
The batteries are compatible with any of the other EGO Power+ products so it’s worth standardizing on some of their other great products. They also make one of the best cordless weed eaters we’ve reviewed in a while.
The chute rotates 180 degrees and is controlled by a lever on the handlebar. We liked how bright the two LED headlights were and we could easily see ourselves using this at nighttime.
Besides the benefits we mentioned above, the quick-fold handle also makes this cordless snow blower far more compact and easier to store than a gas unit. We were skeptical when we first heard about the claims of gas power from a battery powered snow blower.
After putting it through its paces with some heavy snow we were really impressed with the performance.
- Plenty of power - shifts wet, heavy snow
Plenty of power - shifts wet, heavy snow
Auto rotate chute direction control
- Long operation time - over an hour
Long operation time - over an hour
Up to 50 minutes operation on a single charge
- Batteries compatible with other EGO products
Batteries compatible with other EGO products
Really quiet
- Quick recharge
Quick recharge
Shifts light snow like a champ
Really quiet
- Throws snow really far
Throws snow really far
Quick recharge
Shifts light snow like a champ
Really quiet
If you’re looking for a cordless snow blower that will perform like a gas snow blower then this beast from EGO is the way to go. You’d better have deep pockets though because it’ll set you back almost three times the price that the Snow Joe costs. The high price tag is the only reason we’ve put this at number two in our best cordless snow blower list. The performance is far superior to the Snow Joe but we’re not sure that the high price tag justifies it. That being said, being able to clear wet and heavy snow without the noise, fumes and gasoline bill is pretty hard to beat. It has a 21” intake which isn’t the widest we’ve seen but should be fine for most drives. It comes supplied with two 56V 5Ah batteries and a charger. These batteries will give you over an hour of operation and they take around 40 minutes to recharge. The auger has a variable speed control which allows you to determine how far the snow is thrown. At maximum speed you’ll be able to throw snow around 35 feet. The batteries are compatible with any of the other EGO Power+ products so it’s worth standardising on some of their other great products. They also make the best cordless weed eater we’ve reviewed in a while. The chute rotates 180 degrees and is controlled by a lever on the handlebar. We liked how bright the two LED headlights were and we could easily see ourselves using this at nighttime. Besides the benefits we mentioned above, the quick-fold handle also makes this cordless snow blower far more compact and easier to store than a gas unit. We were sceptical when we first heard about the claims of gas power from a battery powered snow blower. After putting it through its paces with some heavy snow we were really impressed with the performance.
Review - PowerSmart DB2401 Lithium-Ion 40V 18" Cordless Snow Blower
If you have a fairly small area that needs clearing then this cordless snow blower from Power Smart is ideal. It’s not going to perform like a gas unit will but it will perform just fine when clearing light snow of up to around 8 to 11 inches.
The real benefit is that you get to clear snow from your drive without the noise, gas fumes and maintenance issues that go along with a gas engine.
This snow blower is really light too which makes it great if you have limited mobility.
The intake is only 18” wide so you may have to do a few passes to clear your drive.
You’ll have to work pretty quickly though because the 4Ah battery only gives you around 25 minutes of run time.
The handle to rotate the chute could have been a little more robust but it seems to work just fine.
If you’re looking to spend under $400 and want something compact for the odd bit of snow clearing then this is one of the best cordless snow blowers for the money.
- Battery only lasts 25 minutes
Battery only lasts 25 minutes
Adjustable handlebar could be more rigid
- Chute rotation handle is a little fiddly
Chute rotation handle is a little fiddly
Chute clogs up a little on really wet snow
If you have a fairly small area that needs clearing then this cordless snow blower from PowerSmart is ideal. It’s not going to perform like a gas unit will but it will perform just fine when clearing light snow of up to around 8 to 11 inches. The real benefit is that you get to clear snow from your drive without the noise, gas fumes and maintenance issues that go along with a gas engine. This snow blower is really light too which makes it great if you have limited mobility. The intake is only 18” wide so you may have to do a few passes to clear your drive. You’ll have to work pretty quickly though because the 4Ah battery only gives you around 25 minutes of run time. The handle to rotate the chute could have been a little more robust but it seems to work just fine. If you’re looking to spend under $400 and want something compact for the odd bit of snow clearing then this is one of the best cordless snow blowers for the money.
Cordless Snow Blower vs Gas Snow Blower
Cordless Snow Blower vs Gas Snow Blower
There’s no question that a cordless snow blower is always going to be out-muscled by a gas machine. In fact, we reviewed some great $1000 two stage snow blowers if you need to shift some serious snow.
If you don’t need the power of a two stage unit then there are some good reasons to consider a battery powered snow blower. The real benefits of going with a cordless snow blower are as follows:
Noise - Cordless snow blowers are far quieter because they use electric motors.
Fumes - Cordless snow blowers are better for the environment and for your health because they don’t put out any gas fumes.
Maintenance - A little cleaning is all that’s required. No servicing or changing of oil, filters or plugs. The batteries will need replacing after 3 or 4 years though.
Weight - A battery powered snow blower will always be a lot lighter than a gas one because you’re not carrying a big internal combustion engine or fuel around with you. This makes them ideal for older folks or those with limited mobility.
If you're clearing snow from gravel then a lighter snow blower is less likely to sink into the gravel and cause trouble.
There’s no question that a cordless snow blower is always going to be outmuscled by a gas machine. In fact, we reviewed some great two stage snow blowers that’ll cost you less than a $1000. If you don’t need the power of a two stage unit then there are some good reasons to consider a battery powered snow blower. The real benefits of going with a cordless snow blower are as follows:
Noise - Cordless snow blowers are far quieter because they use electric motors.
Fumes - Cordless snow blowers are better for the environment and for your health because they don’t put out any gas fumes.
Maintenance - A little cleaning is all that’s required. No servicing or changing of oil, filters or plugs. The batteries will need replacing after 3 or 4 years though.
Weight - A battery powered snow blower will always be a lot lighter than a gas one because you’re not carrying a big internal combustion engine or fuel around with you. This makes them ideal for older folks or those with limited mobility.
Conclusion
Battery technology has come a long way and it’s become a lot more feasible to consider ditching gas and going with battery powered equipment.
The technology is still fairly pricey though but the ease of operation, reduced noise, weight and maintenance make it a very attractive option.
As with anything, you get what you pay for. It’s worth spending a little more to get some decent power and longer run time.
If you want the most powerful cordless snow blower then the 56V EGO is a great option but it’ll cost you. If you want the best cordless snow blower for the money then the Snow Joe iON18SB is a solid choice.
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Battery technology has come a long way and it’s become a lot more feasible to consider ditching gas and going with battery powered equipment. The technology is still fairly pricey though but the ease of operation, reduced noise, weight and maintenance make it a very attractive option. As with anything, you get what you pay for. It’s worth spending a little more to get some decent power and longer run time. If you want the most powerful cordless snow blower then the 56V EGO is a great option but it’ll cost you. If you want the best cordless snow blower for the money then the Snow Joe iON18SB is a solid choice.
Pow'R'kraft 18" Gas Snow Shovel w/87cc 110v Electric Start
If you’re looking for a cheap gas powered snow shovel then this is one of the best for the money. At this price point you’re going to have to settle for a single stage machine with an 87cc engine which is fine if you’re only having to clear a few inches of light snow. In spite of the low price this unit comes with an electric start option to go along with the usual pull start. It will start in temperatures as low as minus 20 degrees and starts first time, every time. The lever on the handlebar gives you easy control of where you’re throwing the snow but the deflector locks into place so you’ll have to set that by hand. The auger is rubber edged and self propelled and they’ve incorporated a timing belt for improved durability. We liked that the handlebar folded down which makes storage of the unit a lot easier. This is a light duty snow shovel but it get’s the job done. Just don’t expect it to handle moderately wet or heavier snow.
Power Smart DB7659H 22-inch 212cc Two Stage Gas Powered Snow Shovel
At the mid-range end of the price scale we’ve got this great unit from Power Smart. For under $500 you get a two stage machine with a 212cc engine. This is actually the same 4-stroke engine that Toro use in their gas powered snow shovels. At 140 pounds it’s pretty lightweight but it packs plenty of power. There’s no electric start option but the pull start gets this beast going with the first pull without any problems. The scoop allows for a clearing width of 22-inches and can accommodate snow of up to 16-inches high. As with all two stage snow shovels it is self-propelled and has four forward speeds and two reverse speeds. There’s no power steering but at this weight it really isn’t necessary. The angle of the chute is controlled by the lever on the handlebar but, as with the cheaper unit above, the deflector angle is set by hand and locked into place. When it’s delivered there is some assembly required but it pretty straightforward and only takes around 30 minutes to do. If you’re looking for a compact gas powered snow shovel with enough power for medium to heavy snow then this is a great option at a reasonable price.
Briggs and Stratton 1696563 Dual-Stage Gas Snow Shovel with 306cc Engine and Electric Start
At the upper end of our price range you’ll find this beast. This is easily the best gas powered snow shovel we’ve seen for the money. It’s a few hundred dollars more than a grand but for that price you get a powerful 306cc engine and 14.5 foot pounds of torque. There just isn’t any snow that will stand in the way of this impressive machine. It comes with both electric and pull start and despite the engine size it starts really easily. It has a 29-inch clearing width and it will chew up and spit out the heaviest, wettest snow and sleet that you’re likely to encounter. This is a big and heavy machine but the power steering makes it a breeze to maneuver. For the extra money you get those nice-to-have features like heated handles, dash mounted chute rotation and on panel deflector control. We also really liked the free hand control which lets you drive with one hand while freeing up the other to operate the other controls. The adjustable skids make it ideal to use as a snow blower on gravel drives. It’s built of tough, durable materials and comes with a 3 year warranty.
Gas Powered Snow Shovel Buying Guide
If you’re looking to buy a gas powered snow shovel then these are some of the features you should look out for:
Single Stage or Two Stage - For lighter, fluffy snow a single stage gas snow shovel is fine. For heavier snow thicker than 12 inches you’re going to need to spend a little more money to get a two stage machine. You can still get a really good 2-stage snow blower under $1000 if you do a bit of research.
Wheels / Tires - On flat terrain the size of the tires isn’t too serious but if your yard has some steep areas or if you’re working in thicker snow then you need a gas snow shovel with 15-inch wheels or more. Also, make sure the tires have decent snow friendly tread.
Chute Control - The cheaper gas snow shovels usually have a lever on the handlebars to change the chute direction but normally don’t have a remote control for the deflector. If you want to be able to easily vary the angle that the snow comes out then get one with a deflector control on the panel.
Hand warmers - For long sessions of snow clearing you’ll be very happy you paid a little extra and got a gas power snow shovel with heated handles. Operating the controls on your gas snow shovel gets tricky if you’re wearing really thick gloves.
Power Steering - Only the really expensive gas snow shovels have power steering. This is because the higher priced units are bigger and heavier. For the cheaper to mid-range units it really isn’t necessary as they are generally pretty easy to move around.
Conclusion
When the snow starts falling and packing down onto your drive it’s time to invest in a decent gas powered snow shovel to save your back. There’s really no point in spending a lot of money if you only ever get light snow on your drive. The cheap unit we reviewed above will be fine for most applications. For heavier snow, or if you want some of the nicer features you’re going to have to spend a few hundred dollars more for something good. You could try to clear that drive with a regular snow shovel but having the best gas powered snow shovel is going to save you plenty of time and effort.