An electric snow shovel is an outdoor tool for picking up and throwing snow out of the way. It is like a snow shovel with an electric motor and a paddle auger. Electric snow shovels usually have an 8-amp or 10-amp motor that gets power from a 120V outlet (corded) or a lithium-ion battery pack (cordless). Here are a few examples of top-rated corded and cordless electric snow shovels that might help you to clear snow from decks, stairs and walkways.
How do electric snow shovels function?
The effort of shoveling snow with a shovel can be both hazardous and exhausting. Every year, scores of adults and children visit emergency departments due to the arduous labor of shoveling snow.
An electric snow shovel is made to eliminate a lot of the effort involved in cleaning light snowfall from tiny areas like porch stairs, narrow walks, patios, and decks. They are substantially more compact and smaller than a single-stage snow blower. They come in a variety of sizes, but typically have a clearance width of 11 to 13 inches. Fluffy snow is ideal for electric snow shovels. The effectiveness of flinging snow may be diminished if it is wet.
While pushing an electric snow shovel still involves some effort because it is not self-propelled like a two-stage snow blower, it is less laborious than physically scooping snow. An electric snow shovel is carried by the user, similar to how a string trimmer or brush cutter is used. The majority of electric snow shovels have an adjustable handle to improve comfort while using them.
Electric snow shovels come in a limited variety, since they all work on the same fundamental principle. An electric snow shovel has a spinning paddle that collects snow and tosses it forward. The paddle blades sweep up and hurl snow out of your way. The snow can only be thrown forward, since these electric shovels lack a discharge chute and a deflector. As a result, you have limited influence over where the snow lands.
Can you use an electric snow shovel on gravel?
Even though gravel driveways frequently receive snowfalls, they are difficult to shovel. Shoveling snow off the top of a gravel driveway is nearly impossible. If the snow is fresh and light, you could brush it away before spreading a deicer like calcium chloride or rock salt.
On a graveled surface, generally speaking, avoid using an electric snow shovel. For gravel roads, not even single-stage electric snow throwers work well. Injuring someone, shattering glass, and ruining the plastic auger paddles are all possible consequences of using an electric snow shovel or snow thrower on gravel.
When crossing gravel roads or pedestrian walkways, always bring the auger blade to a complete stop. Look over the area carefully to make sure there are no stones, sticks, cables, bones, or other foreign things before using the electric snow shovel. You should stop using the electric snow shovel right away if the auger paddle comes into contact with something unexpected. Before starting the power tool again and using it, check the auger blades for damage and make any necessary repairs.
Two-stage snow blowers, however, may operate on gravel driveways. However, you must ensure that the adjustable skid shoes on the bottom of the auger housing are in the proper position. If the scraper blade makes contact with the gravel surface, then you should adjust the runner skid shoes to prevent this from happening.
Can I clear snow from my home’s roof using an electric snow shovel?
There is only one thing worse than shoveling snow: shoveling snow on a roof while trying not to fall off. It is not, however, advisable to bring an electric snow blower up onto the roof. Most manufacturers would probably advise against using their snow blowers to remove snow from your home’s roof.
The best way to clear snow from your roof is probably with a snow roof rake. This is crucial since heavy snowfall may harm a roof significantly, especially when it begins to melt. However, you shouldn’t fling snow from the roof using an electric snow shovel or a snow thrower. Most electric shovels that can move a considerable volume of snow will be awkward and perhaps hazardous to use on a roof.
Electric Snow Shovel vs. Snow Blower
The biggest problem with electric snow shovels is that they do not have wheels. This means that you have to carry and push the snow shovel when you clear snow from the ground. This is not such a hassle when clearing small areas such as the patio or walking path. However, this becomes an issue with larger areas and might make you almost as tired as if you were using a manual shovel.
You might consider getting a single-stage snow thrower if you have back issues or shoulder problems. Single-stage electric snow throwers have small wheels, so they can be pushed around. They also have wider augers, bigger motors and adjustable discharge chutes. However, you can buy an electric snow shovel for under $200, so it is definitely cheaper when compared to your average single-stage snow thrower or two-stage snow blower.
Small Electric Snow Shovel
The Toro 38361 Power Shovel is like a snow shovel with an electric motor and an auger blade. It probably clears similar amounts of snow without the heavy lifting associated with an ordinary snow shovel. The Toro Power Shovel is probably too small for deep snowfalls or large driveways, but it is big enough for clearing snow from decks and paths.
The Toro 38361 Power Shovel has a clearing width of 12 inches and a clearing intake height of 6 inches. It might clear snow up to 6 inches deep, but not any deeper. It is limited to clearing flat, smooth areas: do not use it on gravel. Not only that, but it prefers light, fluffy snow over icy wet snow.
The Toro Power Shovel has a 7.5-amp motor with a cord lock feature that prevents the cord from pulling out unexpectedly. It does not have any wheels, and it is not self-propelled at all. You push it forward and backward while its bottom slides over the pavement or deck.
The Toro Power Shovel will not satisfy your snow throwing needs if you want to clear snowfalls deeper than 6 inches. It also will not work for large driveways or gravel surfaces. It does not have a directional snow chute, so you have almost no control over where the snow lands. The snow can only be thrown directly forward.
The Toro Power Shovel is for people who want to clear snowfalls that are less than 6 inches deep from patios, decks, stairs and walkways. It might also work for clearing snow from the lawn. It works well for light snow, but it does not work so good for wet snow. If you get back pain from using a snow shovel, then the Toro Power Shovel might be what you need.
Cheap Electric Snow Shovel For Decks And Steps
Shoveling snow is a chore, but don’t worry, since the Snow Joe 323E is designed with a back-saving contour to decrease operator stress and exhaustion. If you wish to replace your shovel with an electric snow shovel, then the Snow Joe 323E is a low-cost and compact electric snow shovel developed to clear snow off platforms, stairs, and footpaths.
The 323E has a strong 10-amp motor and a twin blade paddle auger that can throw snow up to 20 feet while clearing a 13-inch wide by 6-inch-deep track. If the snow is higher than 6 inches, you will need to make more than one pass.
This lightweight electric snow shovel can handle both light, fluffy snow and heavy, wet snow. Just be cautious when removing the heavier, deeper snow. It may take almost as long as a manual shovel to accomplish the work, but it requires less physical effort.
In truth, the Snow Joe 323E electric snow shovel will not replace a single-stage gas-powered or electric snow blower, but it might save you time and effort when compared to the old back-breaking shovel (buy on Amazon).
Electric Snow Shovel With LED Light
If you are looking for an electric shovel that has a headlight, then look no further than the Snow Joe 324E. This model has a headlight: the 2-watt LED light is small, but it appears to be bright enough to be useful when clearing snow in the dark.
The Snow Joe 324E is the perfect size for clearing snow from decks and sidewalks. It has a maximum clearing width of 11 inches wide by 6 inches deep. The two-blade plastic paddle auger might throw fluffy snow forward up to 20 feet away. Of course, you have no way of changing the direction of the snow throwing, except by actually turning the electric snow shovel to the left or to the right.
This corded electric snow shovel has a 10-amp electric motor. It is powerful enough for its 11-inch width, but do not expect it to handle more than dry, powdery snow. There are other Snow Joe electric snow shovels, with 8-amp or 9-amp motors, or the 13-inch wide 323E, and yet it seems like the 324E model is the only one that has a headlight.
Keep in mind that the auger blade is made from plastic, so be careful not to shovel straight into a rock or a hibernating garden gnome, since this might shatter the auger blade. In addition, this 11-inch electric snow shovel is not a good choice for clearing thick and heavy snow. If you regularly have to shovel wet snow, then you should get a single-stage electric snow thrower, such as the 21-inch Snow Joe SJ625E (it also has an LED light).
The main reason for getting the 324E instead of the other models is that it has an LED light. Overall, the Snow Joe 324E seems to provide a good balance between price and performance, even though it does not have the power to handle wet snow. It is a cheap 11-inch electric snow shovel, so do not buy it if you have a large driveway.
Cordless Electric Snow Shovel With Battery
The Greenworks Pro 2600602 is an 80V cordless snow shovel with a 2-Ah lithium-ion battery. A fully charged lithium-ion battery should provide a working time of between 30 and 45 minutes. The battery is recharged between use with the 80V rapid charger in only 30 minutes. This battery-powered snow shovel has a 12-inch wide auger, and it might clear snow that is not deeper than 6-inches. It should be able to clear both light snow, and the heavier, wetter stuff.
This Greenworks Pro 80V cordless snow shovel is able to move a surprising amount of snow, yet it is probably best to only use this tool for stairs, decks, and paved walkways. You should not try to use it on a gravel driveway, that’s for damn sure. It will take you too long to clear a driveway, and gravel stones will damage the auger blade. You also should not try to use it for clearing snow from a roof.
The Greenworks Pro 2600602 weighs about 15 pounds, but it might feel too heavy for some people, since the majority of the weight is at the bottom end. Even so, the heavy 80V battery at the top end might balance the weight, but you still have to be strong enough to be able to carry and move this cordless snow shovel with your hands (it’s got no wheels). Moreover, do not forget that these cordless snow shovels do not have discharge chutes that can adjust the direction of the snow. The snow is thrown straight ahead, between 15 and 30 feet away.
In brief, this Greenworks Pro 80V cordless snow shovel might be a little bit heavy to handle for some people, because of the large battery and 12-inch auger width. However, this also makes it more powerful than other smaller cordless snow shovels: as a result, it can throw both dry and wet snow. Of course, heavy snow will be more challenging to throw, and it will use more battery power (check price on Amazon).
Conclusion
I think that the Snow Joe 323E is one of the most affordable 13-inch electric snow shovels that you can buy. However, you might dislike dragging around an outdoor extension cord: in that case, the Greenworks Pro 80V cordless snow shovel should work just as well as the corded tools.
If you think that the Greenworks 80V cordless snow shovel might be too heavy to for you, then you could try the 40V model (click here to read review).
You might also consider getting a less powerful 24V cordless snow shovel, such as the Snow Joe 24V-SS11-XR (reviewed right here), that only weighs about 10 lbs.
At the present time, that is all I have to say about electric snow shovels. Thank you for reading my electric snow shovel buying guide!
Photo by Sangga Rima Roman Selia on Unsplash