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

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.

If you’re looking for a budget-friendly snowblower alternative like an electric snow shovel, keep scrolling for the best electric snow shovel, assisted snow shovel, and snowblower deal recommendations from Amazon.

Budget-Friendly Snowblower Alternatives from Amazon

• Senix 60-Volt 21-Inch Cordless Snowblower, $599 (was $999)
• Snow Joe Snow Shovel, $40
• Snow Joe 24-Volt Cordless Electric Shovel Kit, $160
• Westinghouse WSnow11S 24-Volt Cordless Snow Shovel, $120
• Bsolus Snow Whiz Turbo Blower, $30 (was $37)
• PowerSmart 18-Inch Corded Electric Snowblower, $120

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

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.

“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.”

Senix 60-Volt 21-Inch Cordless Snowblower

This snowblower’s less expensive little sister is a fan-favorite among Amazon shoppers, but sold out after the last East Coast storm. You can, however, still grab this 40%-off electric snowblower version for heavy-duty snow-lifting jobs. It has a 21-inch snow-clearing width, 13-inch depth, and 45-foot throw distance that makes it ideal for both sidewalks and driveways. Its brushless motor and dual blade auger allow it to throw up to 1,200 pounds of snow removal per minute, and its chute adjusts up to 200 degrees for your preferred snow placement as well.

One reviewer bought this Senix model for their grandpa, writing, “My grandpa said it’s the best snow blower he’s used,” they said, adding that they previously considered another for nearly $900. “The design is great—between how easy it is to put together,” and how quickly it worked. “He finished making paths in 20 to 30 minutes. It usually takes almost an hour.”

Snow Joe Snow Shovel

This snow shovel looks like a regular old shovel, but it’s a best-seller that has sold more than 3,000 times in the past month—for good reason. It only weighs two pounds by itself, but its razor-sharp blade and spring-assisted handle give you added leverage so you can move hundreds of pounds of snow while putting yourself through significantly less strain.

One reviewer out of the nearly 3,000 other five-star reviewers called it a “back-saver,” and said it “really makes shoveling snow so much easier” especially with their “lower back issues.” They added that they experienced “no back soreness after several days of shoveling the 2026 East Coast ‘snowcrete,’” and greatly appreciated how “the blade part is decently sharp and works well for pushing and scraping regular snow on pavement.”

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.”

Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel Kit

Purchased 2,000 times in the past month, the Snow Joe Cordless Snow Shovel Kit is now $20 off. With the ability to cut 10 inches wide and five inches deep through snow, it’s perfect for shoveling out your decks, walkways, porches, and steps. It offers 20 Volts of cordless power and a two-blade paddle auger that’s powerful enough to throw snow up to 18 feet away, while still offering 45 degrees of directional control. That means you can throw snow where you want it rather than just creating a directionless disaster you’ll have to deal with later. It’s also only 8.4 pounds, making it easy to maneuver, and has a telescopic handle that can adjust to up to 52 inches.

Someone called it “a lifesaver this winter,” and said that it’s “very easy to handle and lift.” It “cleared snow from my steps easily and I was able to make a path for my doggy through almost a foot of snow.”

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.”

Bsolus Snow Whiz Turbo Blower

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 WSnow11SD Corded Snow Shovel

For under $100, this cordless snow shovel is ideal for compact areas and can remove up to 300 pounds of snow per minute. It clears 11 inches wide and 6 inches deep in every pass, making it perfect for standard driveways. One reviewer who used the snow shovel during Michigan’s last snowstorm was “amazed at how well this snow shovel worked” on up to “12 inches of snow, due to blowing and drifting—sometimes much more.” They called it “tremendously powerful” for a little shovel, and said it ended up working “even better than our electric snow blower.”

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.”

Keenstone 12-Inch Electric Snow Shovel

This Amazon new release has an upgraded battery that supplies up to 30 minutes of uninterrupted snow-clearing time, fast recharging, and—because it’s electric—zero fumes. It has an impressive 12-inch width and 8-inch clearing depth, which will get you to the bottom of even the heaviest of snowfalls in record time. And with significantly less passes than your standard shovel. Use it for sidewalks, pathways, patios, and decks, clearing up to 300 pounds of snow per minute. A five-star reviewer called it “compact but mighty,” lauding the electric snow shovel for its ability to provide “quick cleanups.” “It’s lightweight, easy to maneuver, and strong enough to handle packed snow without bending,” they said, and called it “reliable” and “no-fuss” for “light to moderate snow and everyday winter use.”