Snow Blower Reviews

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Written by admin on October 30, 2009 – 10:05 pm -

Updated October 2009

Some are excited winter is near, others are dreading yet another winter. Whether you love it or hate it the fact of the matter is there will be snow. And why not remove it with one of the top-rated snow blowers reviewed below.

Best Electric Power Shovel
Toro Power Shovel
*Est. $110
If your snow-clearing needs amount to cleaning off light snow from short sidewalks or a deck, the Toro Power Shovel will save wear and tear on your back. However, since it does not have wheels, you'll still need to do thepushing. Despite initial skepticism, testers say the Toro Power Shovel actually works surprisingly well for its intended purpose.

If you just need to clear light snow off a sidewalk, porch or deck, reviews suggest the electric Toro Power Shovel. It has no wheels, but you won't have to bend or lift as you would with a traditional manual shovel. The Toro Power Shovel incorporates an electric auger that shoots snow forward. The Power Shovel clears a path 12 inches wide, and can throw the snow up to 20 feet. If you flip it over and change the rotor, it converts into a broom, which can be used to clear leaves, dirt and other debris. If you don't mind dealing with a cord but want more power, wheels and a wider clearing path, reviews say the Toro Power Curve 1800 (*Est. $335) will better meet your needs.

ConsumerReports.org includes the Toro Power Shovel in its latest ratings, which subscribers can access online. We found over 110 owner reviews for the Toro Power Shovel at Amazon.com and about 20 at Epinions.com; they are overwhelmingly positive. It's not clear whether ConsumerGuide.com did any hands-on testing, but its editors give a Budget Buy award to the Toro Power Shovel. SnowBlowersDirect.com reviews the Power Shovel, and offers owner reviews as well.

Best Single-stage Electric Snow Blower
Toro 1800 Power Curve
*Est. $330
Although it's only appropriate for light snowfalls and short, flat driveways, the Toro Power Curve snow blower has wheels, so it's easier to push than a power shovel. The Power Curve has a movable chute and an 18-inchclearing path. Reviews say the Toro 1800 Power Curve does a nice job, but definitely isn't built to handle 6 to 8 inches of wet snow on a long driveway. You'll have to contend with a power cord, but you won't have to worry about the engine maintenance and fueling required with gas-powered snow blowers.

Reviews say the Toro 1800 Power Curve is a good electric snow blower for light snow accumulations on small, paved areas such as sidewalks or short driveways. It has a 12-amp motor, an 18-inch-wide clearing path, and a 10-inch snow cut depth. This snow blower weighs just 24 pounds; it also has wheels, throws snow up to 30 feet and has an adjustable chute so you can discharge snow off to either side. If you'd rather not deal with a power cord or need to cover a bigger area, experts recommend a single-stage gas blower, the Toro Power Clear 210R (*Est. $520).

ConsumerReports.org has the best snow blower ratings overall and includes four electric blowers in its rankings, including the Toro 1800 Power Curve. Amazon.com has over 600 owner reviews of this model. We found fewer user reviews at Epinions.com and HomeDepot.com, but those that are there are useful. ConsumerGuide.com doesn't always base its ratings on hands-on use, but it says it tested the Toro 1800 and calls it a best buy. And SnowBlowersDirect.com recommends the Toro Power Curve as one of the best for homeowners.

Best Budget Two-stage Gas Snow Blower
Craftsman 88957
*Est. $600
Two-stage gas snow throwers are the best choice for gravel or sloping driveways. They also can operate in reverse, and they are generally more powerful than single-stage snow blowers. However, they are heavier, and they can't clean as close to paved surfaces as single-auger blowers. If you do have a long, hilly or gravel drive, reviewers say the budget Craftsman 88957 is a great value, as long as your typical snowfalls don't exceed about 8 inches. Nice features include a push-button electric starter and one-handed operation (which means you can adjust the chute without stopping). Its four-cycle engine is less polluting than two-cycle models, and you don't have to mix gas with oil. There are six forward and two reverse speeds, and big tires means you're not likely to get stuck. For deeper snows, however, you'll need a more expensive model.

Experts recommend the two-stage Craftsman 88957 for moderate-duty use. It is self-propelled, with six forward and two reverse speeds, and has a 24-inch clearing width. Like more expensive Craftsman models, the 88957 features single hand operation; you can steer with one hand and use the other to adjust the chute direction without stopping the machine. The Troy-Bilt Storm 2410 (*Est. $600) is virtually identical, but lacks single-hand operation; MTD manufactures both the Troy-Bilt and Craftsman brands. If you want a more powerful two-stage blower with a wider clearing path, reviews indicate that the Troy-Bilt 3090 XP (*Est. $1,100) should perform well.

ConsumerReports.org tests an earlier version of this blower, the Craftsman 88955, and includes it in the magazine's most recent ratings chart. Paul Sikkema at MovingSnow.com reviews the 88957, while the equivalent Troy-Bilt model, the Storm 2410, has received high marks from owners at Lowes.com and on the Troy-Bilt website.

Best Powerful Two-stage Gas Snow Blower
Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP 31AH55Q5711
*Est. $1,100
According to reviews, the two-stage Troy-Bilt snow blower has enough oomph to plow though those piles of snow left at the end of your driveway by city snow-removal teams. Plus, it has nice extras like heated handgrips anda headlight. Its 30-inch clearing path means your drive will need fewer passes. Power steering and six speeds means you won't be struggling to maneuver it, even though the Troy-Bilt Storm weighs 370 pounds. If you have an average-sized driveway and get only moderate snowfalls, then this snow blower is overkill. But if you have a long or sloping driveway and don't want to spend all day plowing it, reviewers say the Troy-Bilt Storm is worth the money. Like the Craftsman 88957, it features one-handed operation and a four-cycle engine.

The two-stage Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP can handle heavy snowfalls and wet, heavy snow, but it incorporates features that make it easy to handle as well: power steering, single-hand operation, heated handgrips, a headlight and joystick chute control. With a 30-inch clearing path and a single-pass snow cut depth of a maximum of 21 inches, this model can clear lots of snow quickly. The Craftsman Pro 88830 (*Est. $1,000) is essentially the same snow blower as the Troy-Bilt model; both are manufactured by MTD. If you don't need this much size and power and are willing to forego extras like power steering and a headlight, experts recommend the Craftsman 88957 (*Est. $600) or its Troy-Bilt equivalent, the Storm 2410 (*Est. $600).