An Expert Shares Common Snowblower Mistakes—Plus, What to Use Instead for Clearing Snow Efficiently

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Better Homes & Gardens / Amazon

It’s not hard to see why people prefer snowblowers to standard, manual shovels. While snowblowers might have a learning curve, once you get the hang of it, they’re infinitely easier and more convenient. They’ll do all the digging, moving, and throwing on their own with minimal effort, whereas a regular shovel requires a lot more time, labor, and back strain. The best of both worlds is an electric snow shovel that combines the ease of a machine with simple manual controls.

To find the best electric snow shovel for you and your home, I reached out to snowblower expert Chris Ramos who knows the ins and outs of home, farm, auto, and outdoor products at Blain’s Farm & Fleet. He shared common snow-blowing mistakes and what factors to consider when shopping for a machine to bring home. Plus, we curated some snowblower styles worth considering for the upcoming snow season.

Using the wrong size, power, or machine type for your area

“Size, power, and machine type are the most important factors,” says Ramos. “The size of the auger should match how much area you need to clear; around 8 horsepower is sufficient for most snowstorms.”

There are two main kinds of machines: single-stage and two-stage snowblowers. While single-stage snowblowers are optimal for light dustings, two-stage blowers are ideal for heavy-duty conditions and larger spaces. “A two-stage machine is often the best option because it pulls snow in and throws it farther with less effort from the user,” Ramos says.

Not preparing the snowblower for next season

Giving your proper maintenance before putting your snowblower away for the season is crucial to keeping in good shape for next year. Improper maintenance—or worse, no maintenance at all—could cause your machine to stop working.

“Run the snow blower dry at the end of the season so fuel doesn’t sit in the system,” Ramos explains. “Old fuel can gum up the engine and make it difficult to start after sitting all summer.”

Using old fuel

Have you ever started up your snowblower for the first time in a while and noticed there’s still fuel left from the last snowfall? Yeah, that’s not a good thing. Though you may be tempted to get your money’s worth out of the fuel, it’s best practice to replace it. Ramos says, “Fuel is only good for about 30 days, and using old fuel can cause starting and performance issues.”

Buying too large or too small of a model

Buying the wrong size snowblower could make or break your ability to efficiently clear snow. If you have a huge driveway or a long pathway, be careful not to go too small. Lightweight snowblower alternatives, like an electric snow shovel, will require more effort than they’re worth if you have a lot of ground to cover or live where snowstorms are an everyday occurrence. In those instances, investing in a heavy-duty machine makes much more sense.

That being said, snowblowers are a big investment, often costing close to $1,000—if not more. If you have a compact surface area to tackle, it’s okay to size it down. Don’t think you have to buy bigger in order for it to be better. A single-stage machine, or even an electric snow shovel, might be a more appropriate fit for your particular space. Both are certainly more affordable, too.

“Smaller or single-stage machines and snow throwers are more affordable and easier to handle,” Ramos says, but warns that “they require more physical effort from the user.” Ramos adds, “They work best for light snow and smaller areas but can be difficult to use in heavy or wet snow and aren’t ideal for larger driveways.”

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly snowblower alternative like an electric snow shovel, keep scrolling for nine electric snow shovel and snowblower recommendations from Amazon—all under $250.

Budget-Friendly Snowblower Alternatives from Amazon

Senix 12-Amp Electric Snow Shovel, $79 with coupon(was $119)
Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel, $230 (was $255)
Bsolus Snow Whiz Turbo Blower, $35 with coupon (was $44)
Westinghouse WSnow11S 24-Volt Cordless Snow Shovel, $120
Earthwise 12-Amp Electric Corded Snow Shovel, $119
Mzk 16-Inch Electric Walk-Behind Snowblower, $100 (was $130)
Voltask 24-Volt 12-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Shovel, $$130
PowerSmart 18-Inch Corded Electric Snowblower, $120
Snow Joe 24-Volt Cordless Electric Shovel Kit, $160

Senix 12-Amp Electric Snow Shovel

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Amazon

This two-blade, 12-amp electric snow shovel is ideal for decks, sidewalks, steps, and driveways. Even though it is slim and relatively lightweight (13 pounds), it is surprisingly heavy duty. It shoots snow up to 26 feet away and easily clears snow up to 8 inches deep.

One reviewer wrote, “Wow, this was more powerful than I expected.” They said, “The snow shot out at least 20 feet” and that “if you take it in small passes, it cut[s] like butter in 6-inch deep, heavy snow.” As a 5-foot, 100-pound woman, they also mentioned that it “saved [their] back” and “was still easy to maneuver” despite their petite frame.

Earthwise 40-Volt Cordless Electric Snow Shovel

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Amazon

With 40 volts of battery power, this cordless Earthwise model can clear up to 300 pounds of snow per minute with its 16-inch clearing width and 8-inch depth, plus it throws snow up to 32 feet away. For easy clearing, it has a comfortable, ergonomic handle and 6-inch rear wheels that can navigate sleek conditions. The chute also rotates 180 degrees, which allows you to better control the direction from which the snow exits.

One reviewer ordered this electric snow shovel after experiencing an overwhelming amount of heavy snow the previous year. “It works great,” shared a Michigan resident in his 70s. “This thing goes down to the concrete” for sleek cleaning. They used it to clear a 40-foot long, two-lane driveway on a single charge.”

Bsolus Snow Whiz Turbo Blower

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Amazon

For quicker, smaller snow removal jobs, this tiny handheld is surprisingly powerful. It has a maximum output speed of up to 130,000 RPMs to quickly dry and even reduce water stains and marks. It features multiple airflow levels, which can be used for different cleaning jobs; use level three or four for snow removal or level one or two for blowing dust off of plants and pet hair off of upholstery. Keep it at the office or in your car so if it snows while you’re out, you can clear off the car before driving away.

Westinghouse WSnow11S 24-Volt Cordless Snow Shovel

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Amazon

Purchased more than 1,000 times in the past month, this cordless snow shovel is ideal for compact areas and can remove up to 75 pounds of snow per minute. It clears 11 inches wide and 7 inches deep in every pass, making it perfect for standard driveways. It quickly recharges in over one hour and provides a working time of 25 minutes per every 2 inches of snow.

One reviewer with a driveway and roughly 2,500 square feet of sidewalks called it a “great investment” that’s “great for little jobs.” They added, “The operation is not complex, and [it] runs with little effort with snow approximately 6 to 7 inches.”

Keep reading for more budget-friendly electric snow shovels from Amazon.