How to Pick a Snowblower That Might Just Make Snow Fun Again

The time has come. You’ve flung your last shovelful of snow. You need to upgrade your snow removal routine, and “getting a snowblower” has made it to the top of your to-do list, right after “taking a nap by the fireplace to recover from your latest snow-clearing session,” of course.

It’s a great idea. What chores aren’t made more fun when they include a sweet piece of power equipment?

But there’s a problem: searching for a new snowblower immediately causes you to be bombarded with hundreds of options. It’s overwhelming, but you don’t want to settle for the first snowblower you find.

Imagine picking a single-stage electric snowblower to save some cash only to find that it’s entirely unable to put a dent in the wet, heavy snow your region gets every winter. That snow stays on your driveway, mocking you until you return to the back-breaking method of clearing it with a shovel.

In short, getting the wrong snowblower can make your snow clearing just as miserable as it was before. But we’re here to help you avoid that.

How to choose a snowblower

There are several important factors that can go into determining what snowblower will best meet your needs, such as the following:

• The surfaces you’ll be clearing
• The type of snow you get
• Your preferences and capabilities

We’re going to walk you through some questions to help clarify all of this. So, put your snow shovel down and follow along if you want to determine what snowblower to buy.

For example, Toro recommends using a single-stage snowblower for 4 to 10-car driveways.

With this logic, if your driveway is larger than this, then you should eliminate single-stage snowblowers from consideration.

(Wondering what on earth we mean by snowblower stages? You can check out our article on snowblower tips and tricks for a more detailed explanation, but in a nutshell, the more stages a snowblower has, the more snow it can handle.)

How sloped is the area I’ll be clearing?

Why it matters: all else being equal, if you’re looking to clear a driveway (or other surface) with a steep slope, a single-stage snowblower probably won’t be enough to do the job well. Two-stage snowblowers, on the other hand, are self-propelled with a drive system and larger, more aggressive tire treads, making them better suited for use on slopes.

What type of surface is the area I’ll be clearing?

Why it matters: if you have a gravel driveway, the best snowblower for your needs will probably be a two-stage snowblower. The augers on these snowblowers don’t fully reach the ground. This means that assuming the skid shoes have been adjusted properly, they won’t be digging into surfaces and pulling gravel away.

On the other hand, if you will be clearing lots of paved surfaces, then you could get away with using a single-stage model.

What kind of snow does my area get?

Why it matters: not all snowblowers have the same capacities when it comes to clearing large or wet and heavy deposits of snow. For instance, someone who’s clearing snow in Minnesota probably won’t be pleased with the performance of a single-stage snowblower. However, such a snowblower might be perfect for someone living somewhere farther south who has a shorter or milder winter.

If you’ll be clearing snow deposits higher than 12 inches or that have become hard and compact, then a two-stage snowblower will do a better job of meeting your needs.

What is my budget?

Why it matters: snowblowers are available at a wide range of price points, from a hundred dollars or so up to a few thousand. Going in with a budget in mind will help you eliminate options right off the bat. For example, if you’re in the market for a more economical snowblower, you’ll probably want to look for a single-stage or electric model.

Additionally, on a more psychological level, having a boundary already established may help you avoid the temptation to spend more than you really should. You’ll reduce the risk of gradual “price creep” as you discover more snowblowers with bonus features that seem nice but ultimately wouldn’t be kind to your budget.

There are trade-offs to having an electric snowblower, of course. For instance, if you have a cordless model running on battery power instead of a corded one that plugs into an outlet, you’ll be limited by the battery’s runtime. However, as far as maintenance goes, electric blowers undoubtedly have the advantage here.

What other features might I need, and which snowblowers have those options?

Why it matters: You’ll be the one using the snowblower. It’s great to have a unit that is suited for your driveway size and the amount of snow your area gets, but you can’t forget the importance of your actual user experience with it.

For example, do you have limited mobility or energy and need a snowblower that is self-propelled? If so, you can immediately take any single-stage models off your list.

Here are some other features you might find helpful on a snowblower:

• Power steering—for those who prefer not to have a WWE-style wrestling match with their snowblower to make it turn.
• Heated handles—blue isn’t a bad color, but it’s not great on your fingers.
• Headlights—because “snowblowing in poor lighting” has not yet made the list of expert recommendations.
• Electric start—wrenching your shoulder pulling a frozen start cord is so last year.
• Single-handed operation—lets you adjust your snowblower on the go without needing a third arm.
• Dash-mounted chute controls—you want to make sure that even your most annoying neighbors stay out of the line of (snow) fire, so you might as well make it convenient.

Will I be able to find reliable replacement parts for my snowblower?

Why it matters: no matter how carefully you maintain your snowblower, you’ll probably encounter problems with it at some point or another.

However, if you opt for a model from a less well-known brand or get it used and the brand/model no longer exists, finding parts for it could be a challenge.

In the long run, it could be worth it to go for a well-known brand (despite the increased price tag) if its popularity means that there will be more OEM and aftermarket parts available if something fails.

Otherwise, you might find yourself spending loads of time scouring the furthest reaches of the internet and your local equipment store trying to find the parts you need—and paying exorbitant prices when you do find them.

The question of parts availability will most likely come into play when you’re further along the process of finding the right snowblower for you and are weighing specific brands and models. However, it definitely merits some consideration once you get to that point.

When you do need to find parts, we—ahem—humbly suggest that you check out our selection of snowblower replacement parts.

Are there alternate forms of snow removal that might work better?

Why it matters: you may realize that a different method of snow removal (like a snowplow) might wind up being better for your situation than a snowblower.

Snowblowers are nice, but they’re not the right solution for everyone. They do have potential downsides associated with them compared to other forms of snow removal—maintenance needs and safety, for example.

Bottom line: if you need a snow clearing solution, you don’t have to default to a snowblower just because you see other people using them.

That said, we’ll admit there’s something fun about watching snow fly out of the discharge chute that you might not get with a different method of snow removal.

Where should you purchase your snowblower?

As you’re considering various snowblower options, don’t hesitate to visit a local dealer (like our friends at Outdoor Concepts). They can answer your questions about specific models and help you further clarify exactly what snowblower you need.

Aside from providing you with personalized service, a local dealer can be a resource for you as you become more experienced using your new equipment and give you assistance if you’re having trouble.

Conclusion

There are a lot of snowblowers out there, but hopefully our snowblower buying guide has helped you get your wheels spinning as you peruse your many options and narrow them down to find the right snowblower for you.

Once you’ve made your decision and your new snowblower is in your hands (or perhaps in your shed), you might find yourself looking forward to the next snowfall for a change.

While you’re here, why not check out our other snow removal blogs? We cover a variety of topics, including how to maintain your snowblower in both the preseason and at the end of the season.