Best Snow Blower Brands of 2026

A snow blower has only one job to do, but it needs to do it really well. A great model will start instantly and hurl snow 40 feet or more, leaving a clear trail in its wake. To test this ability in dozens of models each year, our engineers and technicians use a proprietary blend of dampened sawdust, which simulates an exceptionally heavy snow load.

If you’re considering a shift from shovel to snow blower, you’ll want to think about how much area you have to clear and how much snow you get, says Dave Trezza, who leads snow blower testing at Consumer Reports. "Are your snowstorms 2 or 3 inches, or do you typically get 6 to 12 inches of snow?" he says. "If you get larger, heavier snowfalls, you’re going to need a bigger snow blower."

To find the right snow blower, start with our buying guide to zero in on which kind of machine will work best for your property—battery- or gas-powered, and how many mechanical “stages” the machine should have. Next, turn to our product ratings, which currently have more than 100 models.

But what if we haven’t tested the particular tool you’re eyeing at the local home center or online sale? Is it a better bet to buy a Troy-Bilt or Cub Cadet, a Toro or a Husqvarna? That’s where our brand scores can help.