Snow Blowers Buying Guide
Bigger, better, and friendlier are the terms that best describe the latest snow blowers, also called snow throwers. The new
models feature easier steering and more convenient chute controls. And prices are down, thanks to pressure from major retailers
such as Home Depot, Lowe's, and Sears, which account for the majority of sales.
Types
You can spend as little as $150 or so for the smallest snow blowers and well over $2,000 for the largest models. Which type of snow blower is best for your driveway? That depends on its size, how much snow you typically get, and how much storage space you have in your garage or shed.
Single-stage electrics
These small snow blowers don't have driven wheels. Instead, the rubber-tipped auger that picks up and throws the snow also helps propel the machine. They're best for short, level driveways, decks, and walks with snow levels of four inches or less. About the size of a walk-behind mower, single-stage electrics are also lightest, smallest, quietest, and easiest to handle, and their electric motor frees you from fueling and engine maintenance. But their rubber-edged auger can pick up and throw gravel, and their narrow, 11- to 18-inch swaths typically mean clearing requires multiple passes. What's more, their modest pulling power is no match for steep slopes and might make the machine pull sideways. And, of course, the power cord limits range and maneuverability.
Single-stage gas
These small-to-midsize models are typically more powerful than electric versions and are a good choice for level, midsized paved driveways and walks with typical or expected snow levels of less than eight inches. They're still fairly light and easy to handle and take up about as much storage space as a mower, but free you from a cord. They also clear a larger, 20- to 22-inch swath and offer electric starting. But like the electrics, they're a poor choice for gravel driveways. Their auger provides only modest pulling power, and they tend to pull sideways on steep slopes. And their gas engines are often two-cycle (which need oil to mix with the gasoline) and require regular maintenance.
Two-stage gas
Like single-stage gas snow blowers, two-stage models begin by using the auger to pick up and throw snow. Unlike the smaller machines, they add a fan-like impeller above the auger to help throw snow out the chute—the "second" stage in their name—and are propelled by engine-driven wheels. These larger, more powerful models are best for long, wide driveways with snow levels higher than eight inches. Some models clear a swath 28- to 30-inches wide, and their driven wheels can handle steeper inclines. Two-stage snow blowers are also a must on gravel, since the auger doesn't touch the ground. On the downside, they're relatively heavy and expensive, and can take up as much storage space as a lawn tractor. Their gas engine also requires regular maintenance.
