5 BEST ELECTRIC SNOW SHOVELS
Electric and battery-powered snow shovels are products that have caught our eye after record snows in the past few years. They are “relatively” inexpensive compared to their beefy gas cousins and they’ll tackle the back-breaking work without breaking a sweat.
WHAT ARE THEY
Cheaper than a traditional snow blower, an electric snow shovel is essentially a narrow snow thrower, making it perfect for sidewalks and walkways. Much lighter than a snow blower with wheeled systems that ease usage, consider these snow throwers traditional shovels on steroids. Some are more powerful than others varying from 7.4 Amps to 15 Amps. Blade types also vary so be mindful of that depending on the way you’ll use it.
WHO NEEDS THESE
- City Dwellers who are required to keep their sidewalk clean and dig out their car after a storm.
- Folks with decks and patios that need to be cleared especially for egress.
- Small Driveway owners
- Older folks who have trouble shoveling
BUYING GUIDE – THINGS TO CONSIDER
- Amp Motor Size
- Snow Moved Per Minute
- Ease Of Use
- Adjustable
- Ergonomic
- Weight
- Blade Construction
- Directional Discharge Shoot
TOP 5 ELECTRIC SNOW SHOVELS
Toro 38361 Power Shovel 7.5 Amp Electric Snow Thrower
Toro electric snow shovels are the #1 brand of snow throwers in the U.S. That’s probably has as much to do with brand recognition and price point as it does performance but nonetheless this is a powerful snow thrower in a 12 inch wide footprint capable of clearing small driveways in minutes and small enough to tackle narrow stairways.
PROS
- Blows 300 pounds of snow a minute
- Cuts 12 x 6 path down to the curb
- Discharges snow up to 20 feet
- Super lightweight at 12.5 pounds
- Adjustable ergonomic handles
- Cord Control System keeps the cord out of the way
- Low price under $100
CONS
- Only moves snow forward – No directional discharge capability
- Metal handle is only “rust resistant”
- Handles only 4 inches of snow
- Plastic blades
- Only a 2-year warranty
GreenWorks 26022 10 Amp 16″ Corded Snow Thrower
The 10 Amp electric snow thrower from green works is built for performance at an inexpensive price point. The sleek and smart design features a rubber grip handle bar for added comfort and the wheels make for maneuvering the 26-pound snow thrower easy.
PROS
- Blows 600 pounds of snow a minute
- Clears a 16-inch path
- Discharges snow up to 25 feet
- Directional discharge chute
- 4-year warranty
- Lightweight at 26 pounds
- Adjustable Ergonomic Handles
- Cord Control System
- Low price under $120
CONS
- The crank the directs the snow can be flimsy in heavy wet snow
- Plastic blades won’t perform well in ice
Snow Joe SJ621 18-Inch 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Thrower With Headlight
One of the more powerful electric snow throwers on our list the 13.5 Amp model from snow joe mimics a traditional snow blower at a fraction of the cost. Snow Joe carries a wide variety of snow movers and is pretty well respected.
PROS
- Moves up to 650 pounds of snow per minute
- Cuts up to 18-inch wide and 10-inch deep in one pass
- 4 steel blades instead of plastic
- 180-degree directional adjustable discharge chute up to 20 feet
- Headlight makes it easy to use at night
CONS
- Heavier at 33 pounds
- More costly at close to $200
- Bigger footprint makes it more difficult to store
GreenWorks 2600202 13 Amp 20″ Corded Snow Thrower With Light Kit
Next on our list is the another smart designed snow thrower from GreenWorks. It has similar specs as the Snow Joe above but costs less and clears a bit larger path.
PROS
- 20-Inch clearing path and 10-inch clearing depth
- 180-degree directional adjustable discharge chute up to 20 feet
- Steel blades instead of plastic
- 4-year warranty
- Three adjustable handle positions for increased comfort
CONS
- Bigger footprint makes it more difficult to store
- Heavier at 32 pounds
Snow Joe SJ625E 15 Amp Ultra Electric Snow Thrower with Light, 21″
The last on our list is the 15 Amp beast from Snow Joe. This is capable of clearing mid-sized driveways with the same efficiency of a traditional snow blower. It clears the widest path of all of the featured snow throwers and is an Amazon Bestseller.
PROS
- Powerful 15-amp motor
- Cuts a path 21 inches wide by 12 inches deep
- The chute can be adjusted to control the height and direction of the snow stream
- Moves up to 800 lbs of snow per minute
- Steel auger with 2 rubber blades
- Price at around $200 you get the performance of a traditional blower
CONS
- Heavier at nearly 36 pounds
- More difficult to clear narrow areas like stairs
Do you have a favorite electric snow shovel? Let us know… Leave a comment below.
Hello, thank you for this informative post. I had no idea these were available on the market, but I still remember all the snow I shoveled last winter! Some of these look like they would work great for those who clear commercial spaces (i.e. parking lots). Which model(s) would you recommend for a family that has to clear the sidewalk and a long driveway?
Hi Carmen
While I’d stick to small spaces with most of these electric snow shovels…I do feel like the Snow Joe SJ625E 15 Amp Ultra Electric Snow Thrower with Light, 21″ is beefy enough to handle a longer drive way. Good luck this winter:)