Best Snow Blowers for DIYers
The right snow blower depends on your snowfall and driveway. Single-stage handles light, flat clearing; two-stage chews through deep, heavy snow and gravel; battery models now rival gas for many homes.
What to look for
- ·Single-stage suits light snow and paved surfaces. Two-stage handles deep, heavy snow, wide driveways, and gravel.
- ·Battery two-stage models now match many gas units for suburban use, with no fuel or pull-starts. Big snow country may still want gas.
- ·Match clearing width and throw distance to your driveway. Self-propelled wheels are worth it on anything but a short, flat path.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| EGO Power+ SNT2807 Two-Stage (Battery) | Editor's pick | $1,400 to $1,800 | The best battery two-stage |
| Toro Power Max 826 OHAE Gas | Editor's pick | $1,100 to $1,400 | Dependable gas two-stage |
| Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Gas | Editor's pick | $1,300 to $1,600 | Heavy snow country |
| Ryobi 40V HP Two-Stage (Battery) | Best value | $1,000 to $1,300 | Value battery two-stage |
| Toro SnowMaster 824 | Best value | $900 to $1,200 | Fast clearing for moderate snow |
| Cub Cadet 2X 26 Two-Stage Gas | Best value | $900 to $1,200 | Value two-stage gas |
| Toro Power Clear 721 Single-Stage Gas | Budget pick | $600 to $750 | Light snow on paved drives |
| EGO Power+ 21 inch Single-Stage (Battery) | Budget pick | $500 to $700 | Quiet battery clearing |
| Greenworks 40V Single-Stage (Battery) | Budget pick | $250 to $400 | Lowest-cost light clearing |
Editor's pick
EGO Power+ SNT2807 Two-Stage (Battery)
$1,400 to $1,800
A top two-stage battery blower that throws snow up to 50 feet and self-propels through deep, heavy snow with no fuel or pull-start. Gas-like power, battery convenience.
Best for: The best battery two-stage
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Toro Power Max 826 OHAE Gas
$1,100 to $1,400
A proven two-stage gas blower with strong throwing power and easy controls. A reliable workhorse for deep snow and wide driveways.
Best for: Dependable gas two-stage
Typically available at Home Depot, Ace Hardware.
Ariens Deluxe 28 SHO Gas
$1,300 to $1,600
A heavy-duty two-stage built for serious snow country, with a wide auger and long throw. The pick for big snowfalls and large driveways.
Best for: Heavy snow country
Typically available at Home Depot, Ariens dealers.
Best value
Ryobi 40V HP Two-Stage (Battery)
$1,000 to $1,300
A battery two-stage that scoops and throws snow up to 50 feet with self-propelled wheels and long runtime. A strong value for cordless deep-snow clearing.
Best for: Value battery two-stage
Typically available at Home Depot.
Toro SnowMaster 824
$900 to $1,200
A fast single-stage-style blower with two-stage-like capacity for medium snow, lighter and quicker than a full two-stage. A nimble value for moderate snowfall.
Best for: Fast clearing for moderate snow
Typically available at Home Depot, Ace Hardware.
Cub Cadet 2X 26 Two-Stage Gas
$900 to $1,200
A capable two-stage gas blower at a mid-range price, with a 26 inch width and good throw. A solid value for typical deep-snow driveways.
Best for: Value two-stage gas
Typically available at Home Depot, Tractor Supply.
Budget pick
Toro Power Clear 721 Single-Stage Gas
$600 to $750
A top single-stage gas blower for light to moderate snow on paved driveways, quick to start and easy to handle. A dependable budget pick.
Best for: Light snow on paved drives
Typically available at Home Depot, Ace Hardware.
EGO Power+ 21 inch Single-Stage (Battery)
$500 to $700
A quiet battery single-stage for light to moderate snow with no fuel or maintenance. Great for smaller paved driveways and walkways.
Best for: Quiet battery clearing
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Greenworks 40V Single-Stage (Battery)
$250 to $400
An affordable battery snow blower for light snow, walkways, and decks. Limited capacity, but the lowest-cost way into cordless snow clearing.
Best for: Lowest-cost light clearing
Typically available at Amazon, Lowe's.
Frequently asked
Single-stage or two-stage snow blower?+
Single-stage blowers are lighter and cheaper, good for up to about 8 inches of snow on paved surfaces. Two-stage blowers handle deep, heavy, wet snow, wide driveways, and gravel, throwing it farther. Choose by your typical snowfall.
Are battery snow blowers good enough?+
For most suburban driveways, yes. Battery two-stage models now rival gas in throwing power and run 30 to 135 minutes depending on the unit, with no fuel, oil, or pull-starting. Heavy snowfall regions may still prefer gas for endurance.
What size snow blower do I need?+
For a short, flat, paved driveway with light snow, a single-stage or compact battery unit is plenty. For a long or wide driveway, deep snow, or gravel, get a two-stage with at least a 24 to 28 inch clearing width.
Can a snow blower handle gravel driveways?+
Use a two-stage blower on gravel and set the skid shoes to keep the auger off the surface. Single-stage blowers contact the ground and will throw gravel, so they are meant for paved surfaces only.
How much do snow blowers cost?+
Single-stage gas and compact battery units run about $400 to $800, two-stage gas around $1,100 to $1,600, and two-stage battery models around $1,400 to $1,800. Match the spend to your snowfall and driveway size.