Toro Power Shovel

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 manual shovel. The Toro has an electric auger that shoots snow forward; it clears a path 12 inches wide and can throw the snow up to 20 feet. If you don't mind dealing with a cord and want more power, wheels and a wider clearing path, reviews say the Toro 1800 Power Curve ( *Est. $300) will better meet your needs.

Fairly easy to operate

Reviewers say the Toro Power Shovel has easy-to-use controls, and since it weighs only 13 pounds, it's easy to move around. It's also small enough to store easily, needs no gas or oil and requires little maintenance. Most owners say using the Toro is much easier than manually shoveling snow except that it throws snow straight ahead, into the user's path. One points out, "You have to really plan how you are going to attack the situation, or else you'll be doing more work than if you had just shoveled the old-fashioned way. You have to move this around like a weedwacker, except you go forward, pick it up and go back." The Power Shovel is very quiet, so hearing protection isn't required. The cord restricts its range to 150 feet.