If you want to make quick work of clearing snow from walkways and driveways, then you need a snow blower. Snowblowerhelp.com is a website where we publish reviews and helpful articles about snow blowers.

Which snow blowers are the best for getting rid of snow? Do you need a cordless snow thrower, a gasoline-powered snow blower or an electric snow thrower? Should you choose a single-stage or two-stage snow blower? Choosing the right snow blower is essential for controlling snow during the snowy season.

Which is the best snow blower?

The answer depends on your needs and on your preferences. Here are some things to consider:

• How deep are the snowfalls your area regularly receive?
• What is the size of the locations you want to clear?
• Do you want an electric or gas powered snow thrower?
• Do you want a cordless snow thrower?
• How much can you afford to pay for a snow blower?

These are just a few of the questions you might ask yourself before buying a snow thrower. You may also take a look at my guide to the best snow blowers for residential use.

Let us continue by answering some more questions about snow blowers.

Is it a snow blower or a snow thrower?

Well, both terms refer to a snow removal machine, but it’s how it handles the snow that makes the difference. A snow thrower picks up the snow with its auger and shoots it out of the chute in one motion, or in a single stage.

A snow blower gets rid of the snow in two stages. First, it gathers the snow with its auger blades. The snow is then thrown out of the chute by the power of an impeller to complete a second, separate stage.

Snow throwers are therefore single-stage machines, while snow blowers are two-stage machines. However, this is just being technical, and you won’t have to worry too much about the spelling. People will know what you are talking about when you use either term.

Should I buy a single-stage or two-stage snow blower?

Well, that depends not just on what you want, but on what you need to get the job done. Single-stage snow throwers are cheaper, smaller and less powerful than the more expensive two-stage snow blowers. Snow throwers work best for clearing small areas such as a sidewalk or deck. It is recommended for a light snowfall (less than 10 inches), but it will not work well for heavy snowfalls.

The augers of single-stage snow throwers are made from rubber or plastic. It cleans very close to the ground surface and is recommended for paved surfaces only. If you use it on gravel, it might pick up and throw bits of gravel around, which could damage the machine or crack a window pane. The cleaning path of a single-stage snow thrower is not as wide as a dual-stage snow blower, but it is easier to push around due to its smaller size.

Dual-stage snow blowers are best for clearing large areas such as a driveway. It also handles heavy snowfalls of more than 10 inches deep. It usually has a metal auger which picks up the snow. The snow is then blown out of the chute by the impeller. Two-stage snow blowers have a wider cleaning path (24 inches or wider) than single-stage snow throwers, but they are bigger and heavier to handle.

Should I buy an electric or gas snow blower?

The most common snow throwers and blowers can be divided into basic three types: single-stage electric, single-stage gas and two-stage gas. There are also three-stage snow blowers on the market, but they might be too big for clearing residential areas.

Electric snow throwers can also be subdivided into corded electric and cordless electric models. You might even find hybrid electric snow throwers which can use either an extension cord or its own battery pack as a power source, such as the Snow Joe iON18SB-HYB.

I will continue by looking at the basic features common to each type. This might help you to decide which is the best snow blower for you.

Single-Stage Electric Snow Throwers

• Electric motor is relatively quiet and needs no fuel, oil or engine maintenance.
• It requires a cold weather outdoor extension cord.
• Made for clearing small, short driveways and walks that are paved.
• Auger makes contact with the ground, so keep away from gravel surfaces.
• It can handle snowfalls up to 10 inches deep.
• Smaller and easier to operate than a two stage snow blower.
• Some models have halogen or LED headlights.
• The largest models can clear a 22-inch wide path.

If you are interested in learning more about specific single stage electric snow throwers, then you may read my review of the Snow Joe SJ620.

Single-Stage Cordless Snow Throwers

You might be looking to get rid of the slightly clumsy power cord that provides power for the electric motor. Cord-free snow throwers rely on battery power to turn the auger blades. If you want to go cordless, then read our review of the Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO cordless snow thrower.

Dual-Stage Cordless Electric Snow Blower

I had no idea that you could make a two-stage electric snow blower, not to mention a self-propelled cordless electric dual-stage snow blower! However, the Snow Joe company has created a 24-inch cordless electric snow blower called the ION8024-XR, which receives power from an 80-volt battery pack. What a surprise! Read my review of the ION8024-XR for more information.

Single-Stage Gas Snow Throwers

• Older models might have a 2-stroke gas engine: you have to mix the gasoline and oil.
• Newer models have 4-cycle gas engines, which run cleaner for less pollution.
• The engine is started with a recoil starter.
• More noisy than an electric thrower, and its engine needs maintenance.
• It clears paved driveways, but not gravel surfaces.
• The snow intakes are about 18 to 22 inches wide.
• Do not weigh as much as two stage snow blowers.
• It is not self-propelled, might be difficult to get up a steep incline.
• Works best if the snowfall is less than 10 inches deep.

Single-stage gas snow throwers are less popular than single-stage electric snow throwers, but there are a few models available that might be worth a look.

Two-Stage Gas Snow Blowers

• Powered by a 4-stroke gasoline engine that requires regular maintenance.
• The engine has electric start as well as recoil start.
• Moves around on self-propelled wheels or tracks.
• The gear box provides multiple reverse and forward speeds for the wheels.
• Auger does not make contact with ground, so you may use it for gravel driveways.
• It has an impeller that blows the snow out of the chute.
• Recommended for clearing a large driveway with a steep incline or gravel surface.
• It can clear snowfalls of more than 10 inches deep.
• Wide cleaning path of between 24 and 32 inches.
• More difficult to move and store due to its large size and gasoline engine.

You may read my review of the Ariens Deluxe 24 for more answers to your questions about dual-stage snow blowers.

Snow Blower With Tracks

Two-stage snow blowers that have tracks instead of wheels might be more expensive to buy, but they have better traction on steep inclines and slippery slopes. You may read my track drive snow blower buying guide to learn more about this type of snow blower.

Snow Blower With Headlights

Clearing snow in semi-darkness is not a good idea when it comes to safety. It helps if you can see where you are going and what you are doing. Some snow blowers have a headlight on its front. A lot of them do not have a light. You might need this if you have to remove the snow from the driveway very early in the morning or late at night. For example, the Husqvarna ST224 has a pair of LED headlights.

Electric Start Snow Blower

Electric snow thrower motors turn on with a single control, so there is no problem there. Gas snow blowers are another matter. They usually have a recoil starter, which you need to pull until the engine roars into mechanical life. However, many gas snow blowers now include an electric starter with a start button.

The electric starter box is easy to use. You plug an electric cord into an electrical outlet and then plug it into the electric start box. Press the button to turn the engine over. You can unplug it and start clearing snow once the gasoline engine is turning over smoothly. No need to pull the recoil start cord, although it serves as a backup starting method if no outdoor outlet or electrical power is available.

Dead-Man Control

A good safety feature is the dead-man control. The auger and impeller is turned on and spins when this control is pressed and pressure is constantly applied to the control. If pressure is released, the auger and impeller stop turning. This safety feature prevents the self-propelled snow blower from running forward if the operator should slip or otherwise lose control of the machine. It is similar to the controls you find on most lawn mowers.

Controlling The Drive, Auger And Chute

A single-stage snow thrower has a dead-man control button for starting or stopping the auger rotation. It has a handle on the chute for changing the throwing direction. When it comes to a dual-stage snow blower, it helps a lot if the control levers for the wheel drive and auger are on the same handlebar. This leaves your other hand free to work the remote control chute lever. A good two-stage snow blower will have a single lever or a joystick for remotely controlling the direction of the chute. Certain dual-stage snow blowers have a drive disengagement that stop one wheel to help with the steering.

Where is the chute cleaner?

Most snow throwers do not come with a plastic chute cleaner. There have been lots of injuries to fingers and hands because people use their hands to scrape away accumulated snow from the auger or chute. The auger then turns on for some undefined reason and causes injury. You should never use your hands to clean the auger or chute! You may read this article about snow blower safety to learn more.

If the snow thrower did not come with its own chute cleaner for knocking off bits of snow, then either buy a chute cleaner or use a broom handle. A snow blower with a dead-man control button for the auger will also prevent this from happening.

Conclusion

Safety first, so in order to operate a snow blower, you need to be in reasonable physical health. That means no serious diabetes, heart problems or back pain. Wearing outdoor gloves and some eye protection are also recommended.

You have reached the end of this page. Thank you for reading, and I hope you find the snow blower that satisfies your snow throwing needs.

Photo by Anna Hill on Unsplash