Electric Snow Blowers

Electric throwers are a good value for light snows

Electric snow blowers both cost and weigh less than their gas-powered counterparts. They're also quieter. You'll have to contend with an electrical power cord, but not with the engine maintenance that's required with a two-stage blower. Electric blowers aren't as powerful as gasoline-powered blowers, however, and they are only appropriate for clearing small areas, such as flat, paved sidewalks and short driveways. They're also best suited for dealing with snowfalls of 4 inches or less; they tend to get bogged down in deep or compacted snow. If you live in an area where winters are harsh, a gas-powered snow blower would be a better choice for you.

The least expensive electric snow blowers are called power shovels. These feature a small motor and auger assembly that pushes snow ahead of the operator. There are no wheels, so you have to push a power shovel along the driveway or sidewalk. Owners say you'll still get a good workout with one of these, but you'll save your back from the strain of bending over and lifting loads of snow.

The Toro Power Shovel 38361 (*Est. $110) is rated highly by owners posting reviews at Amazon.com. Professional reviewers agree that if your needs don't amount to much more than clearing your front porch, deck, patio and sidewalk in light snowfalls, the Power Shovel is up to the job. The Toro Power Shovel is powered by a 7.5-amp motor; it has a 12-inch clearing path and a 20-foot throwing distance. If you flip it over and change the rotor, it converts into a broom and can clear leaves, debris and dirt. Toro electric snow blowers come with a two-year warranty.

An even smaller electric power shovel, the Snow Joe 322P (*Est. $90), gets very good scores overall from owners posting comments to Amazon.com and Walmart.com. Weighing in at around 13 pounds, the Snow Joe 322P's power comes from a 6.6-amp motor, and the shovel has a 4-inch maximum snow cut depth, a 12.5-inch clearing path, and a 20-foot throwing distance. Reviewers say the Snow Joe works best in fresh snowfalls of a few inches on small driveways, walkways and steps. Like the Toro Power Shovel, the Snow Joe has a two-year warranty.

A more powerful electric snow blower, the Toro 1800 Power Curve (*Est. $330) has a 12-amp motor with a bit more oomph, though it's still only appropriate for light snowfalls. Unlike the Power Shovel, the Power Curve has wheels, so it's easier to push. It clears an 18-inch path and has a 10-inch maximum snow cut depth, hence clearing an area will take less time than with a power shovel. This electric snow blower weighs 24 pounds, throws snow up to 30 feet and has an adjustable chute, so you can angle the snow discharge off to the side. Experts say the Toro 1800 Power Curve does a nice job as long as it's used in appropriate conditions. Over 600 owners posting user reviews at Amazon.com and Epinions.com give it very high marks as well.

A larger Snow Joe blower, the 622U1 (*Est. $230), clears a path 19 inches wide and up to 11 inches deep (depending on the type of snow); it has a 13.5-amp motor and a 180-degree adjustable chute. Like the Toro Power Curve, it features built-in wheels so it's easier to push. While the Snow Joe sure looks like the better deal over the Toro 1800 Power Curve, user reviews gave us pause. The Snow Joe 622U1 gets as many one-star ratings as five-star ratings at Amazon.com. Reviews at Walmart.com are a little better. The major complaint is that the Snow Joe 622U1 isn't very powerful, and there are complaints that it clogs easily and breaks down too quickly. While it's certainly cheaper than the similar-sounding Toro 1800, the Toro snow blower is pretty clearly the better deal.