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Anyone who has spent hours shoveling snow after a big snowstorm knows that it can be back-breaking work. If you’re looking to upgrade your snow removal equipment to minimize the manual labor of shoveling snow, an electric snow shovel can be a good choice.
An electric snow shovel is smaller than a snow blower, which also means that it’s more budget-friendly if you’re not willing to shell out hundreds of dollars for a more powerful machine. Electric snow shovels average around $100 to $200 in price, but higher performing models can run from $300 to $400. Consider how much snowfall you get each season and how big your property is to help you decide how much you’re willing to spend.
We evaluated a number of electric snow shovels to help you choose the best one. Here are our top picks.
Top 5 Electric Snow Shovels
- Best Overall: Greenworks Brushless Cordless Snow Shovel
- Best for Big Storms: Earthwise Electric Corded Snow Shovel
- Best Lightweight: SuperHandy Snow Thrower/Power Shovel
- Best Budget Model: Greenworks 8 Amp Electric Snow Shovel
- Best Kit: Snow Joe 24V Cordless Snow Shovel Kit
Compare Top Electric Snow Shovels
| Product | Weight | Shovel Width x Clearing Depth | Throwing Distance | Power Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenworks Brushless Cordless Snow Shovel | 19.2 lbs | 12 x 6 inches | 25 ft | Cordless |
| Earthwise Electric Corded Snow Shovel | 15.7 lbs | 16 x 8 inches | 30 ft | Corded |
| SuperHandy Snow Thrower/Power Shovel | 10 lbs | 10 x 6 inches | 25 ft | Cordless |
| Greenworks 8 Amp Electric Snow Shovel | 14.4 lbs | 12 x 8 inches | 20 ft | Corded |
| Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel Kit | 19 lbs | 13 x 6 inches | 20 ft | Cordless |
| Product | Weight | Shovel Width x Clearing Depth | Throwing Distance | Power Source |
Best Overall
Courtesy Best BuyGreenworks Brushless Cordless Snow Shovel
- $350
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone with very little garage or storage space.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers are impressed by the way this lightweight and quiet shovel moves snow. Most felt that they were able to clear decent amounts of snow in one charge. However, one reviewer complained that the battery drained quickly.
Best for Big Storms
Courtesy AmazonEarthwise Electric Corded Snow Shovel
- $
- $121.80
- % off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Small business or homeowners who need to clear walkways and driveways quickly after a storm.
What Customers Are Saying
Reviewers are impressed by the way this power shovel moves large amounts of snow quickly. Many were thrilled to discover that the battery life allowed them to clear entire driveways. A few reviewers mentioned that this unit would not be a good fit for someone with back problems due to the effort needed to push its weight.
Best Lightweight
Courtesy AmazonSuperHandy Snow Thrower/Power Shovel
- $68.50
- $189.99
- 64% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who needs an easy-to-use cordless snow blower for clearing pathways and narrow areas.
What Customers Are Saying
Customers praise the strong performance of this lightweight, easy-to-use power shovel. Many were surprised by how much snow they were able to clear in a short amount of time. While the adjustable handle earns praise from many, a few reviewers shared that they wished the angle could be adjusted to make shoveling more comfortable for shorter people.
Best Budget Model
Courtesy AmazonGreenworks 8 Amp Electric Snow Shovel
- $47.61
- $99
- 52% off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: Someone who just needs to clear a front porch or walkway easily.
What Customers Are Saying
This electric snow shovel is highly regarded among customers for its fast performance, ergonomic design and ability to easily direct snow 10 to 12 feet away. Customers generally recommend this for use on smooth and even surfaces. One customer shared their disappointment that this shovel couldn’t handle the hard, chunkier snow left at the end of the driveway by the plow.
Best Kit
Courtesy AmazonSnow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel Kit
- $
- $232.48
- % off
Prices taken at time of publishing.
Good for: First time homeowners who need a complete kit or will be doing DIY snow removal for the first time.
What Customers Are Saying
People who have used this shovel share that it works beautifully on lighter, fluffier snow. Reviewers generally agree that this shovel is designed for walkways, areas in front of garages and spaces around cars instead of full driveways.
What To Know Before Buying an Electric Snow Shovel
Finding the right electric shovel can be intimidating if you’ve only used traditional snow shovels or blowers before. The first step is simply mapping out the area you plan to shovel when snowfall hits. This buying guide will help you consider the important points for making the best purchase.
Size
The size of the shovel will directly impact its weight, clearing depth, and ergonomics. The width of the shovel, generally between 8 and 14 inches, determines how much clear space you get per push. This will influence how long it takes you to clear a specific area, so consider the size of your driveway or walkway to estimate the time needed.
Weight
It’s important to be realistic about how much weight you feel comfortable pushing around. Keep in mind that the weight of any electric shovel will always feel a little heavier due to the fact that you will also be pushing snow forward. Typical electrical shovels weigh between 8 pounds and 25 pounds.
Clearing Depth
Clearing depth essentially represents how much clear space you get per push. Generally, anything between 6 inches and 12 inches is considered acceptable. It’s important to take clearing depth into consideration because it will ultimately determine how long it takes you to clear a specific space. When shopping for the best electric snow shovel, you can consider measuring your driveway or walkway in inches to see how long it will take you to cover the entire area based on a product’s clearing depth.
Corded vs. Cordless
This category has the greatest impact on your user experience. People have different reasons for choosing between corded and cordless electric snow shovels. With a cordless option, you’re getting the freedom to travel as far away from the house without restriction. You can also shovel without dealing with the hassle of getting tangled up in a cord. You also don’t need to worry about extension cords or GFCI outlets.
With a corded option, you don’t have to feel like the countdown for battery life is always on, and you also won’t need to remember to recharge the shovel battery between uses. Finally, corded options can sometimes be lighter to operate compared to cordless options because there’s no battery to add weight to the unit.
Ergonomics
The handle is generally the most important feature when considering the ergonomics of an electric snow shovel. If your hands, wrists, arms or back are prone to stiffness or aches, prioritize designs with adjustable handles. Some ergonomic designs also allow you to swivel the handle to steer the shovel with less effort.
Prolonging the Life of an Electric Snow Shovel
Electric snow shovels aren’t quite as rugged as snow blowers. With cost being much higher compared to a traditional shovel you can pick up at a hardware store, an electric snow shovel is not quite as disposable as plastic or metal shovels. Here are some tips for prolonging the life of your new electric snow shovel:
- Remove the battery after use and store it separately.
- If a cover is not included, consider purchasing one to keep your electric shovel safe from water damage, dust, and dirt.
- Gently clean your electric shovel between uses to prevent sand and salt from causing corrosion.
- If using a corded option, consider purchasing a waterproof extension cord to prevent tugging on the cord and plug.
Of course, it’s also important to only use an electric snow shovel for its intended purpose. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations regarding how many inches a unit can handle. Trying to force an electric shovel to plow through heavier snow can cause the motor to burn out.
Frequently Asked Questions About Electric Snow Shovels?
How do electric snow shovels work?
These snow shovels use powered motors that propel blades forward into snow. These blades throw snow into the air to clear paths. Electric shovels can be thought of as battery-operated versions of snow blowers.
What’s the difference between a snow shovel and a snow thrower?
While a snow shovel manually lifts snow out of place, a snow thrower uses blades to disperse snow into the air.
How are electric snow shovels different from snow blowers?
In general, electric snow shovels are less powerful than gas snow blowers. However, the main difference is that they do not use gas. Snow blowers are more suited to clearing large areas of snow, rather than just walkways. Electric snow blowers, also called electric snow throwers, are battery-powered alternatives to gas-powered snow blowers and generally require less maintenance.
When’s the best time to use an electric snow shovel?
The best time to use an electric snow shovel is when snow is still relatively light and powdery. Electric shovels generally don’t perform well on dense, heavy snowfall.
Our Methodology
This Old House has empowered homeowners and DIY-ers for more than four decades with top-notch home improvement advice in the form of television programs, print media, and digital content. Our team focuses on creating in-depth product and service review content. To date, we’ve published over 1,600 reviews on products in the home space, including power tools, outdoor equipment, major appliances, kitchen gadgets, electronics, and more that focus on product quality and helpfulness to our readers.
To provide our readers with the best recommendations possible, we rely on several key sources of information to help guide our selection process.
Initial Research: Our research process began by generating a list of electric snow shovels with a significant number of verified buyer reviews and an average customer review rating of 4–5 stars. We looked at positive and negative reviews alike, focusing on information from both satisfied and critical buyers.
Expert Insights: To complement our in-house expertise, our team looked at reviews and videos from trusted publications and independent testers, spoke with subject matter experts, and drew insights from reader contributions.
Final Product Selection: We then began fine-tuning our list by replacing older models with the latest versions and eliminating any discontinued models. From there, we compared each model’s feature set to create a final short list, selecting the best-in-class options for various buyers, budgets, and scenarios.
Once we conclude our research, we craft a comprehensive, user-friendly article of recommended products and additional information to help our readers make the right purchase.
Questions or Comments?
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