Best snow blowers (2026)

A snow blower turns a long session with a shovel into a few minutes of walking. This page compares six machines on Amazon, from a power shovel for steps to a 28-inch gas two-stage, by what their listings say. We haven't tested them ourselves. One safety point before anything else: CPSC says most snow blower injuries happen when people try to clear the discharge chute with their hands.

By Tom Calder · Updated October 30, 2026 · 6 products, prices indicative

Our picks

Our top pick 4.5

EGO 21-inch snow blower

Single-stage, cordless · 21 in · Two 56V 6.0Ah batteries, included · Up to 45 ft

Most paved driveways, without gas

Researched

Check price →

Runner-up 4.5

EGO 24-inch two-stage

Two-stage, self-propelled, cordless · 24 in, 20 in intake · Two 56V 7.5Ah batteries, included · Up to 50 ft

Deep snow, without gas

Researched

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Also good 4.5

Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO

Two-stage, gas, electric start · 28 in · 306cc Ariens AX gas engine · Up to 55 ft (listing)

Big driveways and heavy snow

Researched

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All 6 compared

Pick	Type	Clearing path (maker)	Power	Throws snow (maker)	Price
1. EGO Power+ SNT2134 21-inch Cordless Snow Blower Our top pick Single-stage, cordless · 21 in · Two 56V 6.0Ah batteries, included · Up to 45 ft Most paved driveways, without gas 4.5	Single-stage, cordless	21 in	Two 56V 6.0Ah batteries, included	Up to 45 ft	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A cordless single-stage blower with a 21-inch steel auger, which EGO says clears a 14-car driveway of 8 inches of snow on one charge of its two included batteries. Push-button start, heated grips and a chute you aim from the handle. Like any single-stage machine, the auger works right at the ground, so it suits paved driveways rather than gravel. Best for Most paved driveways, without gas Good No gas, oil or pull cord Heated grips and handle-mounted chute control Two batteries and a charger included Worth knowing About 66 lb Charge the batteries before the storm, not during it Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your driveway is gravel, or you regularly get more than a foot of heavy, wet snow.
2. EGO Power+ SNT2405 24-inch Two-Stage Self-Propelled Snow Blower Runner-up Two-stage, self-propelled, cordless · 24 in, 20 in intake · Two 56V 7.5Ah batteries, included · Up to 50 ft Deep snow, without gas 4.5	Two-stage, self-propelled, cordless	24 in, 20 in intake	Two 56V 7.5Ah batteries, included	Up to 50 ft	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The cordless pick for deep snow: a two-stage, self-propelled machine with a 24-inch path and a 20-inch intake that throws snow up to 50 feet. EGO says it clears an 18-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on its two included batteries, and it drives itself forward and in reverse. At about 210 pounds it needs a spot in the garage. Best for Deep snow, without gas Good Two-stage, for deep and heavy snow Self-propelled, with reverse No gas, oil or pull cord Worth knowing About 210 lb Takes up real garage space Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you only get a few light snowfalls a year; a single-stage blower or power shovel is plenty.
3. Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Two-Stage Gas Snow Blower (ST28DLE) Also good Two-stage, gas, electric start · 28 in · 306cc Ariens AX gas engine · Up to 55 ft (listing) Big driveways and heavy snow 4.5	Two-stage, gas, electric start	28 in	306cc Ariens AX gas engine	Up to 55 ft (listing)	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched For long driveways and the heavy, wet bank the plow leaves at the end of the drive: a 306cc two-stage machine with a 28-inch path that Ariens says moves 72 tons of snow an hour, with electric start, Auto-Turn steering and an LED headlight. It runs on gas, so it needs fuel, oil and a place outdoors to run, and at about 268 pounds it lives in the garage. Best for Big driveways and heavy snow Good Widest path here, 28 in Electric start Auto-Turn steering Worth knowing Gas and oil upkeep About 268 lb Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you have a short driveway or only light snow; a cordless blower is quieter and simpler.
4. Snow Joe SJ627E 22-inch Corded Electric Snow Blower Single-stage, corded · 22 in wide, 13 in deep · 15-amp motor, 120V cord · Up to 25 ft Mid-size driveways on a budget 4.0	Single-stage, corded	22 in wide, 13 in deep	15-amp motor, 120V cord	Up to 25 ft	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched The most-reviewed blower in our search: a 15-amp motor and all-steel auger clearing a 22-inch path, and at under 35 pounds it's easy to lift over a step or into a trunk. You need an outdoor-rated extension cord and you have to keep it clear of the auger. It also runs off a wall outlet, so it's no use during a winter outage. Best for Mid-size driveways on a budget Good Light, at 34.8 lb No batteries to charge or fuel to store Two LED lights for clearing after dark Worth knowing Tied to an extension cord Doesn't work when the power's out Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if your area loses power in winter storms; pick a battery or gas machine instead.
5. Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 18-inch Cordless Snow Blower Single-stage, cordless · 18 in wide, 10 in deep · Two 24V 4.0Ah batteries, included · Up to 20 ft Light snow on walks and short driveways 3.5	Single-stage, cordless	18 in wide, 10 in deep	Two 24V 4.0Ah batteries, included	Up to 20 ft	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A compact cordless blower for light snow: an 18-inch path, a rubber-tipped auger and a chute that turns 180 degrees, running on two 24-volt batteries that come in the box. It throws snow about 20 feet, so it suits walks, patios and short driveways, not deep or wet snow. Best for Light snow on walks and short driveways Good Light and compact Batteries and charger included Chute turns 180 degrees Worth knowing 10-inch depth per pass Shortest throw here, about 20 ft Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you get heavy, wet snow or have a long driveway.
6. VOLTASK 48V 16-inch Cordless Snow Shovel Power shovel, cordless · 16 in wide, 8 in deep · Two 24V 4.0Ah batteries · Up to 26 ft Steps, decks and walkways 3.5	Power shovel, cordless	16 in wide, 8 in deep	Two 24V 4.0Ah batteries	Up to 26 ft	Check price →
Our verdict Our verdictResearched A power shovel rather than a full blower: a 1,200-watt brushless motor and a 16-inch path, on wheels with an adjustable handle, for the steps, decks and paths a big machine can't reach. VOLTASK lists up to 30 minutes of runtime on its two 24-volt batteries, which is enough for paths, not a whole driveway. Best for Steps, decks and walkways Good Reaches steps and decks Brushless motor Wheels take the weight Worth knowing 8-inch depth per pass Up to 30 minutes of runtime (listing) Who shouldn't buy it: Don't buy it if you want one machine for a whole driveway.

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The honest bit

Most households with a short, paved driveway don't need a gas two-stage machine. A cordless single-stage blower or a power shovel handles typical snowfalls with no fuel to store, and a good shovel is still the right tool for a light dusting. If your power often goes out in winter storms, skip corded models: they stop when the power does. Whatever you buy, charge it or fuel it and try it before the first storm, not during it.

Before you buy

Single-stage or two-stage.

A single-stage blower's auger scoops and throws snow in one go and works right at the ground, so it suits paved driveways and the light-to-moderate snowfalls most get. A two-stage machine adds an impeller for deep, heavy snow and rides just above the surface, which makes it the choice for gravel and long driveways.

Battery, cord or gas.

Battery machines start with a button and need no fuel, but the batteries must be charged before the storm. Corded machines are light, but they tie you to an outdoor-rated extension cord and don't work in an outage. Gas machines clear the most snow but need fuel, oil and running outdoors.

Match the clearing path to the job.

An 18- to 22-inch path suits walks and one- or two-car driveways; 24 to 28 inches saves passes on long or wide ones. A power shovel is for steps, decks and paths.

Never clear a jam with your hands.

OSHA's advice is to turn the snow blower off, wait for all moving parts to stop, and then use a long stick to clear wet snow or debris.

Run gas machines outdoors only.

CPSC warns never to leave a gas-powered snow blower running in an enclosed area: the exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can kill in minutes. Don't add gasoline to a running or hot engine.

How we choose

We verify every product's specifications against at least two independent sources, re-check its US price and stock on a schedule where we can track it automatically, and cross-check safety-relevant claims against official guidance. Every review is labeled Researched or Used and reviewed by us: where we've bought a product, or been sent it free, and used it ourselves, its review says which; where we haven't, our verdict is a considered spec-and-evidence comparison, not a hands-on test — and commissions never change a ranking either way. Read our full methodology →

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Common questions

Do I need a single-stage or two-stage snow blower?

For a paved driveway and typical snowfalls, single-stage is usually enough. Two-stage machines are for deep or heavy, wet snow, long driveways and gravel, where a single-stage auger working at ground level would scrape the surface.

Are cordless snow blowers any good?

For many home driveways, yes. EGO says its 21-inch model clears a 14-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on one charge of its two batteries. The catch is charging: keep the batteries charged before a storm is due.

How do I clear a clogged snow blower safely?

Turn it off and wait for all moving parts to stop, then use a long stick to clear the wet snow or debris. That's OSHA's advice. CPSC says most snow blower injuries happen when people try to clear the chute with their hands.

Can I run a gas snow blower in the garage?

No. CPSC warns never to leave a gas-powered snow blower running in an enclosed area, because the exhaust contains carbon monoxide, which can kill in minutes. Start and run it outside, and don't add gasoline while the engine is running or hot.

Corded or cordless?

Corded blowers are lighter and never run out of charge, but you need an outdoor-rated extension cord, and they stop when the power does. Cordless machines need charged batteries but keep working in an outage.

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