The Best Snow Blower for Decks and Patios – Updated for 2022

After researching the best snow blowers for decks and patios here is what we found:

Just thinking about hauling a snowblower up the stairs to my deck is enough to make my back hurt. We researched this problem and found that lightweight cordless battery-powered snow blowers are the perfect tool for this job without needing to see a chiropractor afterward!

However, there are lots of these types of snow blowers on the market, so we put together this buyer’s guide to help you choose the best cordless snow blower tool for the job!

Here Are The Best Snow Blowers for Decks We Have Chosen To Include

Our Top Pick – Snow Joe 18″ Cordless

Our top pick is the Snow Joe 18″ cordless model for the following reasons:

• Lightweight (easy to maneuver up the stairs or around obstacles)
• Plastic blades (will not harm deck or patio surface)
• Maintenance-free (never worry if the engine will start)

Use it on my large deck for clearing the snow. Rubber edges on blades do a great job in not marking the wood.

Amazon Reviewer

If you want a slightly larger version, this model is the same but has a 20″ width rather than 18″

Runner Up – Snow Joe Corded 18″

This little guy did a great job on our deck and walkway – It’s a pretty big deck that runs the entire length of the house

Amazon Reviewer

As an alternative to the Snow Joe cordless model, this blower is very similar however it uses a cord that needs to be plugged into an outlet. If you have an outlet conveniently located to your deck or patio, then this might work for you.

Generally, we prefer the cordless models since they are more convenient, but if you don’t mind managing the cord then this one will work too. You don’t need to worry about charging batteries or how long the batteries will last. Plus, these ae usually a little cheaper since the batteries are the most expensive part of the cordless models.

This one has the same 18 inch clearing width as the previous model and it has more than enough power to clear the snow from your deck with its plastic/resin blades that will not harm your surface. It even has a big LED headlight in case you are out clearing snow in the dark!

Storage is no problem at all with the folding handles on this unit, making it easy and safe to store in the garage, shed, or even a closet inside your home.

An Alternative – Cordless Snow Shovels

We use it on our trex deck it is fine. Does not dig or scrape the deck

Amazon Reviewer

Depending on your unique situation, you may not need a snow blower at all! Have you ever heard of the cordless snow shovel?

At just 10-15 pounds and able to be stored in your coat closet, these are really neat machines. Think of these as a small cordless snow blower attached to the end of a broom handle. OK – that is over simplifying it, but my point is that you should consider these.

They use the same plastic scraper blades as the snow blowers above, so they will not harm your deck or patio and they are even lighter to carry around. If your deck or patio is the only thing you need to clear, then this is definitely your tool!

They will easily handle all but the biggest snowstorm or heavy wet snow. It is easy to maneuver around tight spaces close to your house and they usually have 20-30 minutes of runtime per battery.

Factors to consider when buying a snow blower for decks or patios

For snowblowers in general, there are many factors to consider including maneuverability, storage, safety, reliability, maintenance, and cost. We will go more into detail about all of these factors to consider, but for now here are the three most important challenges and factors to consider when choosing a snowblower specifically for clearing snow from your deck.

Maneuverability

The single most important factor to consider is maneuverability. When clearing snow from decks or patios, you need to be able to get up and down the stairs with ease, as well as be able to fit into tighter spaces.  A lightweight and smaller snowblower that is also powerful enough will do wonders for a deck.

Harm to your wood deck or patio

Let’s face it, you have a nice wood or composite TREX deck and you would like to have it look just as nice after you are done removing snow.  Traditional snow shovels and gas snow blowers can be hard on such as surface and leave it scratched or gouged.  Since cordless electric snow blowers have a rigid plastic paddle instead of metal, they won’t damage your wooden deck or paver patio.

Storage

Once the snow has been cleared, you want to be able to store away your snowblower easily. Large snowblowers need a lot of room and gas-powered snow blowers need to be stored in outdoor sheds or garages. Think about factors such as size, weight, gas vs no gas, and even the ability to fold away your snowblower into smaller areas. Some snow blowers are small enough and safe enough to store in a closet in your home.

Safety

One factor that many people overlook is the safety that needs to be in place when clearing snow from delicate areas such as a deck or patio. There are two types of safety to consider here. The first is the safety of yourself. In tighter areas like a small deck, you will want a smaller snowblower that is easy to lift and move. The second is the safety of your deck. Many larger snowblowers are built for big jobs that don’t require the necessity of being careful not to scratch or harm the surface you are clearing.

Best Snow Blowers For Decks and Patios

Different Types Of Snowblowers

There are three main types of snow blowers on the market today, and each has its own advantages and disadvantages. You will learn about the differences between each type of snowblower as well as a more in-depth and itemized list of considerations when making your final choice.

Gasoline-powered snowblowers

They’re loud, large, and difficult to maintain. They also are the most expensive types of snowblowers, not to mention the ongoing costs of fuel and fixes. Gas-powered snow blowers are the worst option, especially if you are expecting to clear snow from your deck.

Here’s the breakdown…

• Reliability – Lots of moving parts, gas and oil, lots of maintenance required.
• Maneuverability – Large snowblowers are difficult to maneuver in small areas.
• Maintenance –  Mixing gas, changing oil, cleaning carburetor, fixing starter engine.
• Storage–  You must have a large area to store this large machine..
• Safety – Large and hard-to-maneuver tools can be a safety hazard to both your deck and yourself.

Corded Electric Snowblowers

If you’re looking for a less expensive alternative, an electric snowblower is a better option. You will find electric snow blowers to be less costly up front and in the long term, as well as very easy to maintain. They are also smaller in size which makes them easy to maneuver on your deck surface. It’s as easy as plugging it in and pressing a button to get started.

Here’s the breakdown…

• Reliability: Plug-in and use immediately with less moving parts.
• Maneuverability: Lighter, easier to lift upstairs and maneuver in tight spaces however limited by a cord.
• Maintenance: No maintenance required.
• Storage: Smaller units with no gas fumes can be stored in a shed or in your home.
• Cost: Starting around $250 makes these great low price alternatives.
• Safety: Most of these are safe for decks and all are much safer than gas-powered snowblowers.

Battery-powered cordless snowblowers

What we have found to be the best snowblowers for decks are cordless snow blowers. Like electric snow blowers, they are smaller and lighter, easy to maneuver, less costly and easy to maintain. The only difference between electric and cordless snowblowers is the added step of charging a battery. However, this minimal extra step is worth it, because without a cord that is constantly attached to your snowblower you can have the benefit of moving across your deck easily without dragging a cord behind you.

Here’s the breakdown…

• Reliability: Less moving parts, no gas, low maintenance, high reliability.
• Maneuverability: Very light and no cords make these the most maneuverable.
• Maintenance: Just charge the battery, no extra maintenance required.
• Storage: Smaller units with folding handles and no gas, can store in a closet.
• Cost: Starting as low as $200, the most affordable snowblowers on the market.
• Safety: Safe for decks and safe for yourself.

Final Thoughts

As you can clearly see, cordless snow blowers are the right tool for the job and make the best snowblowers for decks and most other snow clearing needs. There’s just no comparison to having a lightweight and safer option for clearing snow from your deck or patio. If you need to clear the snow from your deck in a safe and efficient manner, explore the options we mentioned in this article and get that snow cleared.