Snow Blowers: Reviews

If your snow-clearing needs amount to removing light snow from short sidewalks or a deck, the electric Toro Power Shovel will make the job easier, especially on your back. It doesn't have wheels, so you still need to push… expandit, but no bending or lifting is required. The Power Shovel sends snow straight ahead into your path rather than blowing it off to the side, which users say can be tricky. Despite initial skepticism, reviewers say the Toro Power Shovel works surprisingly well for its intended purpose. It's also quiet enough that you don't need to use hearing protection. collapse

The Toro 1800 Power Curve is appropriate for clearing light snowfalls from short, flat driveways. The Power Curve has a movable chute and an 18-inch clearing path. Reviews say it does a nice job, but definitely isn't… expandbuilt to handle 6 to 8 inches of wet snow on a long driveway. Although you have to deal with a power cord, you won't have to worry about the engine maintenance and fueling required with gas-powered snow blowers. collapse

It's heavier and lacks the features of the best-reviewed single-stage gas snow blower, but the Craftsman 88780 gets the job done for substantially less money. An electric starter means no pulling a recoil cord, and a… expand21-inch-wide clearing path matches the best-reviewed Toro Power Clear 621 QZE. However, at 100 pounds the 88780 will require more effort to move around, and you must stop the blower every time the chute needs adjusting. Users say it can also run into trouble on the thick snow piles left in front of driveways by snowplows. Still, it's a good value for shoppers on a tighter budget. collapse

For moderate snowfalls of up to 8 to 10 inches on flat, paved driveways, a single-stage gas snow blower like the top-rated Toro Power Clear 621 QZE is your best bet. A single-stage blower clears snow right down to the… expandpavement, and reviewers say this model is particularly good at the task. It has a 21-inch clearing path and a throwing distance of up to 35 feet. The rubber auger actually scrapes the pavement and propels the blower forward so it's easy to push. Its weight (just more than 80 pounds) also makes turning and maneuvering relatively easy. The 621 QZE has an electric starter; for $100 less you can get the 621 QZR with recoil start. But if you have a gravel driveway, skip a single-stage blower altogether and look at a two-stage model. collapse

Two-stage snow blowers can operate in reverse, and are generally heavier and more powerful than single-stage models. If you have a long, hilly or gravel-covered drive, reviewers say the Craftsman 88957 is a great value as… expandlong as typical snowfalls don't exceed about 10 inches. This machine has a 24-inch clearing width and a 21-inch intake height. Features include a push-button electric starter and a joystick that allows you to change the direction of the chute without stopping the blower. Its four-cycle engine runs cleaner than two-cycle engines do, and you don't have to mix gas with oil. This is also relatively quiet for a gas blower, coming in below the threshold at which hearing protection is recommended. The Craftsman 88957 has six forward and two reverse speeds, and big tires help keep you from getting stuck. If you routinely face deeper snowfalls and must clear larger areas more quickly, you'll want to consider buying a more expensive model. collapse

Reviews say the two-stage Troy-Bilt Storm 3090 XP has enough muscle to handle those piles left at the end of your driveway by the snowplows. Like the Craftsman 88957, it features one-handed operation and a four-cycle… expandengine; nice extras include heated handgrips and a headlight. Its 30-inch clearing path means your driveway will require fewer passes. With power steering and six speeds, the 3090 XP is easy to maneuver, even though it weighs 370 pounds. If you have a long or sloping driveway and don't want to spend all day plowing it, reviewers say this machine is worth the money. However, it's overkill for smaller drives and/or moderate snowfalls. This is essentially the same model as the Craftsman Pro 88830; both are manufactured by MTD. collapse