Toro 1800 Power Curve

Ease of Operation

Anybody can use it. The Toro 1800 Power Curve earns high scores for handling and ease of use in one series of comparison tests. Owners agree wholeheartedly, except for a few complaints about maneuvering a long extension cord, which you'd have to do with any electric snow blower. This small unit is quiet, so you can use it without hearing protection; at just 25 pounds with an ergonomic handle and lift handle, reviewers say anybody can use it.

One owner, a woman in her 70s posting on AceHardware.com, says, "This little machine works great and is really fun to use... I would advise anyone who has [a] short double drive and little sidewalk to buy one of these." The ability to adjust the chute remotely with a lever instead of stopping the blower to adjust it manually is helpful, but the biggest thrill for many owners is never having to add gas or change the oil. Although the up to 150-foot extension cord you'll need limits your snow blowing range, that's a non-issue in small spaces, and hundreds of users are willing to put up with that inconvenience in return for the Toro's quiet, maintenance-free operation.

Snow-clearing Effectiveness

Great in light and crusty snow. Reviewers say the Toro is best at clearing relatively small paved areas and, because it clears right down to the ground, should not be used on gravel or other loose surfaces. One independent research organization gives it very good scores for surface clearing, but only fair to poor scores for throwing distance and performance while clearing away snowplow berms.

This blower has an 18-inch clearing path, and although Toro says it can handle snow up to 12 inches deep, most owners prefer to clear the snow about 6 inches at a time -- sometimes less if it's wet and heavy. They say you can clear more snow at once, but it takes more time and effort. "I do use the machine carefully, going out and clearing up to 6 inches of snow in a big storm," says one Amazon.com user who is very pleased with his purchase.

"It is surprisingly powerful," writes a reviewer on AceHardware.com who bought the Power Curve because he says a gas-powered blower is overkill. Many echo this sentiment and also praise the Toro's throwing power, but always within the context of electric snow blowers. Several owners say it removes dry snow well, but more than a couple of inches of heavy, wet snow tends to clog the chute -- a problem we found in all electric snow blower reviews.

The Bottom Line

A low-maintenance winner. Ultimately, the Toro 1800 Power Curve is the best choice if having a quiet, maintenance-free snow blower is your priority. Although it's perched at the high end of the single-stage electric snow blower price range, the Power Curve is a bargain compared to most gas-powered blowers.