You’ve been seeing the weather reports. We all know what this means, right? Winter has finally come. In as much as snow looks fun from a distance when it’s in your yard, it’s always shovel duty. Fortunately for you, there is a new tool in town – the electric snow shovel.
With this gem of a tool, clearing the snow doesn’t have to be a hard task. It not only makes your work much faster and easier but also eliminates some of the risks associated with overexertion. Some of these include fatigue, acute joint pain, serious back damage, and even heart attacks; which goes double for people with complications such as arthritis or high blood pressure.
Now that you’ve seen how much better life is with your own electric snow shovel, we know you want to get one. However, there are so many models out there, so getting one that is perfect for you can be a bit of a hassle. But don’t worry – folks that’s where we come in. We have compiled a list outlining, for your choosing pleasure, the best electric snow shovels.
Read on
Top 7 Electric Snow Shovels Of 2020 Reviewed
1. Snow Joe 324E 11-Inch 10 AMP Electric Snow Shovel
Snow Joe is also a trusted brand in the world of snow shoveling so it’s no surprise another model made it on our list. Similar to the GreenWorks 26022, it also has a 10 Amp motor through its two-blade paddle auger is only capable of clearing 300 lbs of snow per minute. The shovel can clear a path 11 inches wide and 6 inches deep, definitely narrower than our other picks. But what makes this stand out is the 2-watt LED lights that allow you to see what you’re shoveling in the predawn hours or during the darkness of night.
Pros:
- LED lights
- 10 Amp motor
- Features a safety switch to prevent accidental starting
Cons:
- Tosses the snow right in front of you
- Too heavy to maneuver for some users
- Not for stone driveways
2. Snow Joe iON13SS-HYB
If you’re planning on buying an electric shovel, you might as well get one that can go corded or cordless as the situation warrants. And the Snow Joe iON13SS-HYB is the only one that has this hybrid technology. You get a 40 v 4.0 Ah Eco Sharp rechargeable lithium-ion battery that can help you throw snow up to 25 feet for up to 52 minutes. The 500 W brushless motor allows you to run through 300 pounds of snow per minute. And the adjustable handle allows saves you from breaking your back.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Clears a path 13 inches wide, 6 inches deep
- Heavy-duty blades
Cons:
- Less than 1-hour battery runtime
- Using the battery adds to the weight of the shovel, making it heavy
- Difficult to assemble
3. Toro 38361 Power Shovel Electric Snow Thrower
TORO is the leading brand of electric snow throwers in the US. It has a 7.5 amp motor that can blast through 300 lbs of snow per minute. It’s perfect for sidewalks, walkways, steps, and decks. The snow gets blown as far as 20 feet away. It cuts a path 12 inches wide, 6 inches deep – just 1 inch narrower than our number 1 pick. It’s also much lighter at 12 1/2 lbs. And it also has a cord lock system so you won’t have to worry about unplugging the Toro unintentionally. However, it doesn’t come with the cord and you need to keep pressing the trigger to operate the shovel continuously.
Pros:
- 300 lbs of snow per minute
- Lightweight
- Affordable
Cons:
- The trigger needs to be pressed to operate; can get tiring
- Does not come with the cord
- Not good for heavy snowfall
4. GreenWorks 26022
This electric snow shovel from Greenworks is perfect for heavy-duty jobs. It has a powerful 10 Amp motor, a clearing width of 16 inches, a discharge distance of up to 25 feet, and blasts through 600 lbs of snow per minute. The rubber grip handlebar is adjustable so individuals of various heights can use it without having to hunch over. And it also features a cord lock to keep your extension cord in place. As an added bonus, Greenworks offers a 4-year warranty for this baby.
Pros:
- 4-year warranty (double the industry standard)
- Powerful 10 Amp motor
- Quiet
Cons:
- Heavy (26 lbs)
- Some users have reported that the small plastic parts (washers and nuts) fall off
- Doesn’t work well on lawn paths
5. Earthwise SN72018 Electric Snow Thrower
Earthwise, American Lawn Mower’s innovative and efficient brainchild, brings you the Earthwise SN72018 Electric Snow Thrower. Run with a no-nonsense 13.5 Amp motor; this baby is powerful enough to clear snow blankets up to a width of 18” and a depth of 12”. It can throw snow like it’s nothing to distances of 30’, with the dual-blade augur capable of moving 700 pounds of snow in a minute. It has a pair of rear wheels that facilitate moving when clearing snow and transporting it back to the tool shed. Make your driveways, patios, and walkways usable hassle-free this winter.
Pros:
- The instruction guide is easy to follow
- Very easy to use
- Comes with a battery and charger
Cons:
- Cannot penetrate an ice layer beneath the snow blanket
- Not powerful enough for heavy/deep snow
- The battery doesn’t last too long
6. Earthwise Snow Thrower Snow Shovel
Earthwise is a small company that is slowly making waves in this industry. One of their bestselling models to date is this 9 Amp Corded Electric Shovel. It cuts a path that’s 10 inches wide and 5 inches deep, blowing snow as far as 25 feet away. It can clear 300 lbs of snow per minute. And at 11 lbs, this is one of the most lightweight shovels on our list.
Pros:
- Incredibly lightweight
- Clears a 10-inch wide path efficiently
Cons:
- Not for big snow jobs
- More expensive than some models that have stronger motors and cut wider paths
7. GreenWorks 2600702 G-MAX
We added this GreenWorks model to our list because it offers a cordless alternative for those who are scared of running over their cord. It comes with a 40v lithium-ion battery that has a runtime of 30 minutes. The shovel can clear a 12-inch wide path. While it is a bit heavier to lug around (15 lbs) compared to most of our other picks, a lot of users didn’t have any difficulty in pushing it around. It can kick snow as far as 20 feet in front of you. This is perfect for fans of GreenWorks products because it utilizes the same batteries as that of the lawnmower, blower, and other tools.
Pros:
- Works with the same batteries found in other GreenWorks products
- Perfect for small jobs like your sidewalk
- The instruction sheet is very informative and helpful
Cons:
- Battery runtime is only 30 minutes
- No direction control for the thrown snow
- Heavy (15 lbs)
Choosing The Best Electric Snow Shovel – The Ultimate Buying Guide
Electric snow shovels are perfect for clearing snow from small to moderately-sized spaces. And while the pickings are a bit slim, the industry has been growing enough that there are several that you can choose from to get the job done. But how does one know which one is perfect for his/her needs? That’s where our guide comes in.
What’s Your Preferred Clearance Width and Depth?
These two specs are two of the most important things you’ll need to look at when choosing an electric snow shovel. It will tell you how quickly and efficiently you’ll be able to shovel all the snow out of the area you’re eyeing – deck, patio, sidewalk, driveway, etc.
The clearance width lets you know how wide the path of snow will be when the shovel passes through it once while the depth lets you know the maximum depth of snow the shovel can efficiently clear. The GreenWorks 26022 can clear a 16-inch wide path while the Earthwise Snow Thrower Snow Shovel can only clear a 10-inch path. The first model is perfect for clearing larger areas while the second model may easily clear snow from your steps or small patio.
How Much Weight Can You Comfortably Carry?
Electric snow shovels tend to weigh, more or less, around 11 to 15 pounds. Though there are some heavy-duty ones that are incredibly heavy. Some individuals will have no problem dealing with a 15-pound shovel while others, particularly seniors, may have difficulty using it on stairs or transporting it from the garage and back.
Does it have an Adjustable Height?
One of the reasons you’re buying an electric snow shovel is to prevent you from breaking your back. So, it totally defeats the purpose if you can’t customize the length of the shovel’s handle to ensure you’re comfortable. Most of our picks such as the Snow Joe iON13SS-HYB have this feature.
Do You want to go Cordless: Better than a Snowblower?
Some people dislike the idea of using an electric snow shovel because they’re afraid of running over the cord. Some even consider going for snowblowers. While this is highly improbable (unless you’re incredibly clumsy), they can then opt for models that allow them to lock the cord in place or get models that are battery-operated.
The Snow Joe iON13SS-HYB is a hybrid – able to run on battery and use a cord, whichever you feel like using at the moment. If you own GreenWorks products, you might be better off with the GreenWorks 2600702 G-MAX which uses the same batteries in its other products.
Conclusion
After all these considerations, you’re ready to go look for your very own electric snow shovel. But what about the price? Well, prices for this kind of product tend to vary from really cheap to incredibly expensive. But that doesn’t mean the cheapest is the worst of the lot or that the most expensive one is the best there is. Some of our favorite picks are one of the lowest-priced options in the market today.
So how does one choose? Base it on your budget. Don’t go overboard if you don’t have to. Find a trusted brand that has the specifications you need and goes from there. Your wallet (and your credit) will thank you for it.