We have taken the time to review the best cordless snow blowers for the 2021 season. Whether you have a large or small property, our research will help you make the right buying decision. We looked at this year’s lineup from all of the top manufacturers and have plenty of suggestions for you. Enjoy our review…
Our Top Picks at a Glance
- BATTERY POWER: 48V
- CLEARING WIDTH: 18 inches
- THROW DISTANCE: 20'
- AUGER MATERIAL: rubber-tipped steel
- TYPE: single-stage
- BATTERIES INCLUDED: YES (2)
- SELF-PROPELLED: NO
- WEIGHT: 40 lbs
- WARRANTY: 2 years
- BATTERY POWER: 56V
- CLEARING WIDTH: 21 inches
- THROW DISTANCE: 35'
- AUGER MATERIAL: rubber
- TYPE: single-stage
- BATTERIES INCLUDED: YES (2)
- SELF-PROPELLED: NO
- WEIGHT: 25 lbs
- WARRANTY: 5 years (batteries 3 years)
- BATTERY POWER: 56V
- CLEARING WIDTH: 24 inches
- THROW DISTANCE: 50'
- AUGER MATERIAL: steel
- TYPE: 2-stage
- BATTERIES INCLUDED: YES
- SELF-PROPELLED: YES
- WEIGHT: 126 lbs
- WARRANTY: 5 years (batteries 3 years)
Choosing the Best Cordless Snow Blowers – What to Consider
Whether you own a traditional suburban home, a larger property, or anything in between, you might be in need of some help to choose the best cordless snow blower for this winter. You can read our entire cordless snow blower buying guide below, but here are some basic things to consider when shopping.
- Weight: Most of the cordless snowblowers are very lightweight when compared to their gas-powered counterparts. Just make sure that if you do buy a heavier one, that it is self-propelled.
- Power: Generally speaking, the higher the voltage the more power. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you need to buy the highest voltage since you may be just fine with a smaller blower if you have a smaller property.
- Warranty: While these machines are well-built and expected to last for years, the fact is that cordless snow blowers just haven’t been around long enough to know if they will stand up to many years of abuse. Make sure the machine has at least a two-year warranty.
- Runtime: Depending on how large your property is and how much snowfall, you may need just a few minutes to zip around and clear the snow or you may need an hour and multiple sets of batteries.
- Self-Propelled: For smaller and medium properties, you likely do not need a self-propelled blower since these are so lightweight anyway. However, if you have a large property and a climate where you get lots of snow, then be sure to get self-propelled.
We have broken our review into three sections:
- If you own a small property and receive a moderate amount of snowfall
- If you own a large property and receive a moderate amount of snowfall
- If you own a large property and receive a heavy amount of snowfall
Scenario #1 – Small Property / Moderate Snowfall
This recommendation is for you if you…
- Own a property of less than .5 acres
- Have a driveway of less than 90 feet
- Receive a moderate amount of snowfall each year
Our recommended snow blower for your situation is the Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 48-Volt iON+
- [POWER SOURCE TYPE]: Battery Powered
- [POWERFUL]: 1200 W brushless motor clears up to 14 tons of snow per charge
- [DURABLE]: 4-blade rubber-tipped steel auger clears a path 18” wide x 10” deep in a single pass
- [48V POWER]: Included 2x 4.0 Ah batteries offer up to 40 minutes of rechargeable runtime
This snow thrower packs a lot of punch for its size! At just 40 pounds, and with folding handles, this machine takes up surprisingly little space in your garage or storage shed/closet and is very easy to maneuver.
What we LOVE about the Snow Joe Snow Blower:
- Runtime: 40 minutes is plenty for your average suburban home
- Price: This model is perfect for budget shoppers
- Assembly: Almost no assembly required
- Rubber Auger: Safe for all surfaces, decks, pavers, and even grass
- Lightweight: Easy to carry around and store – lift with one hand
Snow Joe 24V-X2-SB18 Specs:
- Weight: 40 pounds
- Batteries Included: YES (2)
- Batteries Charge Time: 40 minutes
- Clearing Width: 21″
- Clearind Depth: 10″
- Throw Distance: 35′
Other Recommended Alternatives
Scenario #2 – Mid-Size Property / Moderate Snowfall
This recommendation is for you if you…
- Own a property of more than .5 acres and less than 1 acre
- Have a driveway longer than 90 feet
- Receive a moderate amount of snowfall each year
Then, the best cordless snow blower for your situation is the EGO Power+ 21″ 56v SNT2100
- Peak power technology combines the power of 2 ego power plus 56-volt batteries
- High-efficiency brushless motor
- 21-inch clearing width, clears 8” Snow in 10 Car Driveway
- Up to 35 feet snow throwing distance
We gave this EGO model our “Most Versatile” award because it can handle just about any snow clearing job you can throw at it! Its 56V power is more than enough for all but the heaviest and deepest snowfalls of the year. We also love that it shares its battery packs with EGO’s complete line of lawn equipment. And EGO has been called “the Tesla of snowblowers”!
What we LOVE about the EGO Snow Blower:
- Assembly: Only need to attach the chute and insert the batteries and you can be literally blowing snow within 10 minutes of opening the box.
- Chute Control: The chute rotation control mounted on the handles works flawlessly – unlike some other models.
- Battery Warranty: 3-year warranty on the battery packs and real-world use has proven they can last for up to 10 years.
- Build Quality: Although most of this machine is “plastic” (it saves cost and weight) it is by no means “cheaply made”. It is a very tough plastic resin housing.
- Storage: The unit folds extremely well which means it takes up very little space in the garage and can be hung easily during the off-season.
EGO Power+ 56v SNT2100 Specs:
- Weight: 60 pounds
- Batteries Included: YES (2)
- Batteries Charge Time: 40 minutes
- Clearing Width: 21″
- Clearind Depth: 10″
- Throw Distance: 35′
Pros
- Rugged build quality
- Runtime is enough for most homes
- Shares batteries with entire line of lawn tools
Cons
- Can be tough to find in stock
- Customer service can be hard to get in touch with
Pro Tip: Some users have asked us about buying additional batteries for this unit. That way they have one set of batteries charging while using the other set. This is a great idea, however, the batteries themselves can be quite expensive – almost $250 for each battery. Since EGO products all share the same batteries, it is better to just purchase another EGO product that will come with batteries – like the lawnmower. For the price, it is almost like you get the tool for free!
Here is a good video showing the features in-depth
You can view the SNT2100 User Manual Here
Other Recommended Alternatives
Scenario #3 – Large Property / Heavy Snowfall
This recommendation is for you if you…
- Own a property of more than 1 acre
- Have a driveway longer than 90 feet
- Receive a significant amount of snowfall each year
- Just want the biggest baddest snowblower on the block!
Then, the best cordless snow blower for your situation is the EGO Power+ SNT2400 24 in. Self-Propelled
- Peak Power technology combines the power of any two EGO POWERplus 56V ARC Lithium batteries
- Throws snow up to 50 feet
- Clears an 18-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on a single charge when used with the two recommended 7.5Ah ARC Lithium batteries (available separately)
- 24-inch clearing width/20-inch intake height
This. Thing. Is. A. Beast. That’s the short version of this recommendation.
If you have a larger area to clear and want to replace your gas-powered blower with no worries then this is your pick. This is a two-stage blower, and it is self-propelled. Just look at this thing and you will realize the build quality. This is the most powerful cordless snow blower on the market and it will clear away even the largest winter storms.
Comparable gas models weigh almost 200 pounds, whereas the weighs just over 100 pounds. That is almost half the weight. This makes the EGO much easier and safer to maneuver. The lighter weight also makes this blower much easier to transport when needed.
The serrated steel auger sets this blower apart from the competition, cutting through even the hardest-packed snowdrifts. The 56V battery pack provides enough power to throw even the heaviest, wettest snow. With a clearing path of 24″ and depth of 13″ this is definitely a top-rated cordless electric snowblower.
What we LOVE about the EGO Snow Blower:
- Steel Auger: Breaks up even the most compacted ice and snow – even the stuff the plow deposits at the end of the driveway!
- Maneuverability: Compared to similar self-propelled gas models, the SNT2400 is so easy to maneuver due to being signifiantly lighter.
- Safety: Due to the lighter weight, this model is significantly safer to use than a heavier gas model
- Warranty: All of the EGO tools come with a 5-year warranty and the batteries have a 3-year warranty
- Build Quality: The steel & composite build is confidence inspiring for the rough use this machine will surely encounter.
- Storage:
Pro Tip: Many owners report that the blower performs extremely well even at the lowest speed setting. However, the batteries discharge quite quickly at the highest and “turbo” speed setting. Try clearing your area at the lowest speed setting first, and only increase the speed if it has trouble clearing.
EGO Power+ SNT2400 Specs:
- Weight:
- Batteries Included: YES (2)
- Batteries Charge Time:
- Clearing Width: 24″
- Clearing Depth: 20″
- Throw Distance: 50′
Pros
- Enough power to handle any snowfall
- Much easier to maneuver than a similar gasoline model
- No extra maintenance items like oil change, spark plugs, etc…
Cons
- More expensive than most competitors
- Batteries die quicker at highest speed setting
You can view the SNT2400 User Manual Here
Cordless/Battery Snow Blower Basics & Buying Guide
Cordless Snow Blower Basics
For many years, snow blowers were always gas-powered. Hey, it takes a lot of power to move wet and heavy snow! Then, corded electric snow blowers were introduced to the market in the 1980s. They never gained much popularity since it is difficult to clear your driveway when tethered to an electric outlet. Modern advances in lithium-ion batteries have now made cordless snow blowers powerful enough to garner the attention of many homeowners.
What are the benefits over a gas snow blower?
With many gas blowers still on the market, what are the reasons why you would want to choose a battery snowblower?
One major benefit is that electric/battery models have almost zero maintenance tasks and costs. There is no oil to change, no gas to drain at the end of the season, and no spark plugs to change every few years. This is also a cost-benefit, since you may need to take your gas blower to a maintenance person for any of those tasks if you cannot do it yourself. Those bills add up over the years! Even an annual tune-up will cost $100 at a minimum.
And even if you do all the maintenance, It always seems that the gas snow blower isn’t working when you need it most.
How Much Battery Power Do You Need?
When you are shopping for a battery snowblower, one of the common questions you might have is about the battery power and how it is measured in voltage. Generally speaking, the higher the voltage, the more power the machine will have. However, voltage alone should not be your only buying consideration.
Most models on the market have between 40v and 100v battery systems. Use our suggestions above regarding your property size and climate situation.
The most common question buyers have is “are cordless snow blowers powerful enough”? The newest models can now handle snowfalls up to 13 inches!
That is powerful enough for all but the worst blizzard situations. In those cases, you can just make multiple passes to clear the snow. Electric motors actually have much more torque at low speeds than gas engines do, this is why electric cars like Tesla are so fast! For most homeowners in most climates, battery-powered snow blowers are powerful enough for the job.
How long do the batteries last?
Cordless snow blowers utilize the latest technology lithium-ion batteries, the same as used in electric cars. The leading cordless snow blowers have run times that range from 40-65 minutes.
This is long enough to clear any normal residential driveway. Since the batteries are removable, just add another battery pack if you really need more run time. Some brands have rapid chargers meaning that with two battery packs you could clear snow continuously by having one battery in the machine and one on the charger.
Maintenance Needed for Battery Snowblowers
Almost none really. This is one of the great benefits of cordless snow blowers. There is really no difference between the models here. Charging the batteries is the closest thing to maintenance on these machines.
Starting and Operating a Cordless Snow Blower
There really is no concept of “starting” a battery-powered snowblower. There is simply an on/off switch and a safety lever.
Additionally, there is no need to pull on a starter cord to start the engine. With electricity, you just push a button! The electric motor is very quiet compared to gas engines which means you can clear your driveway in the early morning hours without the fear of disturbing the entire neighborhood.
Lastly, the light weight of the electrics means they are much easier to maneuver and less likely to cause injury. This makes them ideal for ladies and seniors. This also makes it easier to store away when not in use. We all know that our garage space is a valuable commodity.
Overall electrics are just much simpler, safer, and more convenient machines than gas alternatives.
Two-stage blowers are the type that most people who truly need a snow blower have traditionally owned. These designs have both a front auger (the first stage) that feeds snow into the machine and an impeller (the second stage) that tosses it out of the chute. Two-stage blowers are heavy, and as Troy-Bilt’s Megan Peth told us, they have “engine-driven wheels that can handle uneven terrain and reduce the amount of effort it takes to remove snow.” We looked for models with power steering to assist with maneuvering these heavy machines. Quality 24- to 26-inch two-stage models start around $800, and they tend to include features we think are worth the investment: easily adjustable throwing chutes, larger wheels that can gain traction, intuitive controls, an effortless electric start, a reverse gear, and good service support, in addition to power steering. Of course, you can skip that stuff and pay less. But as Sikkema told us, “You can’t imagine all of the people who write me and the first thing they say is, ‘I don’t want to spend more than $500, but I also want it to last 20 years like my old one.’” Unfortunately, that’s not realistic.