Electric Snow Blowers

Electric snow blowers are best for handling light, dry snow a few inches at a time

Electric snow blowers are likely to bog down in even a few inches of wet snow, so be prepared to make multiple snow-clearing trips during big storms. Yet given enough time, patience and strategic help from a snow shovel, an electric blower will eventually work its way through almost anything. They're uniformly smaller and lighter than gas-powered blowers, but this doesn't always translate to easy maneuverability. The biggest advantage the top-rated, 25-pound Toro 1800 Power Curve (*Est. $300) has over competitors is a convenient handle on the body to help move it around.

The 1800's 15-amp motor is also stronger than most other electric models, and its remote chute control works well and stays put when you release it, unlike the 31.5-pound Snow Joe SJ620 (*Est. $200) and the 35-pound Greenworks 20\" 12A (*Est. $200). Owners say the Greenworks blower is otherwise a well-balanced, efficient machine, except the chute tends to freeze in place. If you try to adjust the chute while it's frozen, the control lever can break right off. The crank lever that controls the discharge chute on the 26.5-pound Worx WG650 (*Est. $230) is similarly problematic, sometimes falling off all by itself. User reviews say you must apply pressure to keep it in place as you work.

The Toro Power Shovel 38361 (*Est. $100) is essentially a smaller, wheel-less version of the 1800 Power Curve. It's meant more for clearing patios and small walking paths than entire driveways. The Power Shovel fires snow only straight forward and, because it has no wheels, you have to scoot it across the surface you're clearing. At just 13 pounds, the shovel is easy to manage, but works only for infrequent deck or walkway clearing in occasional light, dry snowfalls.