We researched the best electric snow shovels and evaluated them based on their overall design, amperage and voltage, snow intake capacity, and battery life. Our top pick is the EGO POWER+ 56-volt 12 in. Cordless Electric Snow Blower because it has a variable speed trigger and 2-speed switch for added control as you clear your driveway or walkway. Plus, it can be paired with EGO’s other POWER+ attachments for a full suite of reliable and efficient power tools. This shovel also has a wide snow clearance of 12 inches wide, and it can easily tackle up to 6 inches of snow on a 4-car driveway with one battery charge. The louver adjustable knob also ensures that you can direct snow exactly where you want it to go in your yard. The throwing distance is also quite impressive on this shovel at up to 25 feet. A 5-year warranty for the tool and a 3-year warranty for the battery are also provided when you purchase this model. We recommend operating this shovel with two hands (as suggested in the operator manual) because it is rather heavy, which might make it difficult to maneuver for some users. We also wish this snow shovel had a higher snow clearance, but we recognize that its battery pack can only handle so much snow at once, and don’t completely fault this design flaw, since it’s an otherwise quite universal tool to have on hand. Price at time of publish: $399 This electric snow shovel is corded, so you will need to use a long extension cord, especially if you have a large driveway. However, its corded power status means that you can easily clean your entire driveway or yard without worrying about a battery running low. This shovel has an adjustable secondary handle, which makes it more comfortable for operators to use for a long period of time. A storage hook for the power and extension cord junction is also housed on the top handle. You really can’t go wrong purchasing this power shovel that clocks in under $100 and has a large snow intake capacity. Price at time of publish: $99 Similar to our best overall pick, this shovel’s battery can also be used across Toro’s suite of 60V Flex Force tools, which is super convenient, if you already own tools and additional batteries from the brand. This shovel is rather heavy, so it may be tiring to use for extended periods of time. However, we still recommend it for its efficient snow clearing power and long-lasting battery. Price at time of publish: $299 We love this snow shovel’s compact design, especially for navigating tight corners and steeper hillsides. It has a large secondary handle, which makes it more comfortable to grip, and it’s also lightweight, so you don’t have to worry as much about feeling top heavy while using an electric snow blower. We do wish this model had a longer battery life, as 18 minutes isn’t quite enough time to fully clean most driveways. However, if you have multiple batteries at the ready, you can easily swap them out and plug them into the charging system. This snow blower may be one of the expensive options on the market, but its upfront cost prevents you from purchasing additional batteries the next time you add a new RYOBI tool to your collection. Price at time of publish: $299 Although we love this model’s long battery life, it’s quite expensive compared to other picks in this list, especially when it has a lower amperage compared to other models. While the 80-volt battery is sure to offer enough power for most light snow falls, we wish it had an adjustable speed setting or other unique feature to help justify the steep expense. Nevertheless, this model’s simpler design and long-lasting battery make it a great option for anyone that’s looking for a reliable, no-frills electric snow shovel. Price at time of publish: $257 The pole also splits into two parts, so you can easily store this snow blower in a crawl space, or small closet. This model is slightly more expensive, compared to larger models throughout this roundup, but we think its unique design justifies the added expense. Who knew that productivity and comfort could be delivered in such a small package. Price at time of publish: $160 This tool is an especially great option for parents that may find themselves multitasking between building snowmen and path clearing because it has a double safety switch to prevent curious young ones from accidentally powering it. The handle also folds in half, so you can easily store this shovel in a garage, crawl space, or attic. While the corded design does somewhat limit overall mobility, we appreciate that you won’t have to race against a battery to finish clearing snow. Price at time of publish: $160 The battery pack also makes this shovel top heavy, since it is situated under the handle. However, this shovel is designed with a wide main handle and large secondary handle, so you can maintain a comfortable grip while clearing snow. Price at time of publish: $145 This shovel can clear paths up to 16 inches wide and easily tackles snow as deep as 8 inches. You may find it is best to tackle deeper snow drifts with only half of the shovel’s capacity to prevent clogs or overworking the motor. This shovel is also equipped to clear snow from gravel, a feature that’s especially helpful for anyone lacking a paved driveway or pathway. Be sure to wear protective eyewear in case the shovel does throw a random rock while running. It also has back wheels, which provide additional traction as you clear snow and make it easy to transport, once you’re done using it. Price at time of publish: $119
Type
When browsing online, you may see electric snow shovels listed as “snow blowers” or “snow throwers.” All three title are used somewhat interchangeably, but keep in mind that traditional snow blowers are much larger, and look similar to a lawn mower in size and motor style. Electric snow shovels are available with two different power types: corded or cordless. Corded electric snow shovels, like any other corded electric appliance or tool, have an endless power supply and are often more effective, especially on coarse ice-like snow. Cordless electric snow shovels are easier to maneuver across large pathways and driveways, but you’re racing against their battery time to complete your task. If you already own a tool from RYOBI, EGO, Toro, or another popular power tool brand, it’s best to stick with that platform, as you can interchange batteries and overall have more available operating time.
Clearing Depth and Width
Electric snow shovels are capable of clearing snow anywhere from 4 inches deep up to 8 inches deep, based on the size of the intake area. Shovels also range from 10 inches to 16 inches wide, which make them capable of a variety of snow clearing tasks. If you have a narrow walkway, you may only need a snow shovel that’s 10 inches wide. Large paved areas such as a deck or driveway are easier to clear with a wider electric snow shovel. You should decide what clearing depth you need on a snow shovel based on your region’s average snowfall. While year-to-year trends are up to nature, if you live in a colder-than-average climate, a shovel with a higher intake capacity is always a good idea.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Phelps, updates writer for The Spruce, researched and wrote this article. For this topic, Emma considered the most popular brands that design electric snow shovels and then she closely analyzed dozens of electric snow shovel models to determine which designs had the most reliable power sources, strong motors, wide clearing paths, and were easy to operate. Emma also spoke with Dave Sents, store manager at O’Donnell Ace Hardware in Des Moines, Iowa, to learn more about popular electric snow shovel models and their basic functions. Emma has covered a variety of topics under the gardening, outdoor, and home improvement beat at The Spruce including pool cleaners, ash vacuums, patio umbrellas, and Adirondack chairs. She has also previously worked at Southern Living as a part of their online editorial team.
