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The Spruce / Kevin Liang
Shoveling snow is a tiring task and one that makes you break a sweat—despite the freezing working conditions. An electric snow shovel not only alleviates the unnecessary stress on your body but also makes the task of shoveling snow much more efficient. “Electric snow shovels—whether they’re corded or battery powered—are typically just for a small sidewalk or your back deck," says Dave Sents, store manager at O'Donnell Ace Hardware in Des Moines, Iowa. As Sents points out, electric snow shovels are not a cure-all for every snow removal need you may have, but they are a great tool to have on hand, especially if you live in a snowy climate.
We researched the best electric snow shovels and evaluated them based on their overall design, amperage and voltage, snow intake capacity, and battery life.
Best Overall
EGO POWER+ 56-Volt 12-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower
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Lowe's
Powerhead can power different tool attachments
Variable speed trigger
Warranties provided for both tool and battery
Snow direction is adjustable
Heavy
Cannot clear deep snow
The EGO POWER+ 56-volt 12-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower is our best overall pick because its universal powerhead can be used with the entire suite of Ego POWER+ tool attachments and it also promises an efficient clean of an entire four-car driveway in just minutes. The multipurpose powerhead on this tool is powered by a 56-volt battery and can also be used to power the brand’s edge trimmer attachment, cultivator, pole saw, and more. This electric snow shovel has a push drive and a variable speed trigger with a 2-speed switch, so you can find the setting that’s best for your snow plowing needs.
This shovel also has a wide snow clearance of 12 inches wide, and it can easily tackle up to 6 inches of snow on a 4-car driveway with one battery charge. The louver adjustable knob also ensures that you can direct snow exactly where you want it to go in your yard. The throwing distance is also quite impressive on this shovel at up to 25 feet. A 5-year warranty for the tool and a 3-year warranty for the battery are also provided when you purchase this model.
We recommend operating this shovel with two hands (as suggested in the operator manual) because it is rather heavy, which might make it difficult to maneuver for some users. We also wish this snow shovel had a higher snow clearance, but we recognize that its battery pack can only handle so much snow at once, and don’t completely fault this as a design flaw, since it’s an otherwise quite universal tool to have on hand.
Price at time of publish: $400
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 4 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 29.98 pounds
Best Budget
Snow Joe 323E 13-Inch 10-Amp Electric Snow Blower
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Lowe's
Larger snow intake capacity
Adjustable handle height
Storage hook provided for extension cord
Must have long extension cord
If it doesn’t snow often in your hometown, or you’re looking to save some money and still purchase a reliable snow shovel, we recommend the Snow Joe 10-amp 13-inch Corded Electric Snow Blower. This electric snow shovel is equipped to handle snow paths up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep. It can throw snow up to 20 feet as well, so you’re sure to have your walkway, driveway, or back deck cleaned in no time.
This electric snow shovel is corded, so you will need to use a long extension cord, especially if you have a large driveway. However, its corded power status means that you can easily clean your entire driveway or yard without worrying about a battery running low. This shovel has an adjustable secondary handle, which makes it more comfortable for operators to use for a long period of time. A storage hook for the power and extension cord junction is also housed on the top handle. You really can’t go wrong purchasing this power shovel that clocks in under $100 and has a large snow intake capacity.
Price at time of publish: $99
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 10 amps | Power Type: Corded | Weight: 13.7 pounds
Best Splurge
Toro Flex Force 60-Volt Battery Cordless Electric Snow Shovel
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Toro
Battery can be used with entire line of Toro 60V Flex Force tools
Long battery life
Easy to use
Heavy
If you’re looking for a cordless model that’s worth the high price tag, this model from Toro is part of their well-trusted 60-Volt Flex Force line of tools, which deliver powerful and consistent results. This shovel can run for up to 45 minutes and the battery only needs 1 hour to completely recharge, which is enough time to step inside for some hot cocoa, if you’re between portions of your sidewalk and driveway. The one-touch button system and adjustable two-speed switch make this shovel easy to use and understand, so there are no surprises while operating.
Similar to our best overall pick, this shovel’s battery can also be used across Toro’s suite of 60V Flex Force tools, which is super convenient, if you already own tools and additional batteries from the brand. This shovel is rather heavy, so it may be tiring to use for extended periods of time. However, we still recommend it for its efficient snow clearing power and long-lasting battery.
Price at time of publish: $299
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 2.5 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 25 pounds
Best Cordless
RYOBI 40-Volt HP Brushless 12-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Shovel (with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger)
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The Home Depot
Compatible with all RYOBI 40V batteries
Compact design
Large secondary handle
Short battery life
If you’re going to purchase a cordless power shovel, you should pay attention to the brand that you’re purchasing, especially if you already own other power tools in your garage. RYOBI is one of the most popular power equipment companies, and their 40V HP 12-inch Cordless Electric Snow Shovel lives up to its name. It’s compatible with all RYOBI 40V batteries, so you can swap out pre-charged batteries, if needed, and you can also swap out power shovel attachment for one of RYOBI’s other attachment capable tools.
We love this snow shovel’s compact design, especially for navigating tight corners and steeper hillsides. It has a large secondary handle, which makes it more comfortable to grip, and it’s also lightweight, so you don’t have to worry as much about feeling top heavy while using an electric snow machine. We do wish this model had a longer battery life, as 18 minutes isn’t quite enough time to fully clean most driveways. However, if you have multiple batteries at the ready, you can easily swap them out and plug them into the charging system. This snow blower may be one of the more expensive options on the market, but its upfront cost prevents you from needing to purchase additional batteries the next time you add a new RYOBI tool to your collection.
Price at time of publish: $299
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 4 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 17 pounds
Best Battery Life
GreenWorks GLSS802100 PRO 12-Inch Cordless 80-Volt Snow Shovel (2Ah Battery and Charger Included)
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Tractor Supply Co.
Button start
Can clear large areas on one battery charge
Ergonomic handle design
Expensive
This cordless model from Greenworks has a 45 minute battery life, which allows homeowners with larger driveways—who might benefit from a heated driveway—or walkways to easily clear light snow on just one charge. This electric snow shovel features a button start with just one speed, making it simple to use. It also has an ergonomic handle that’s designed to relieve back strain during long periods of use.
Although we love this model’s long battery life, it’s quite expensive compared to other picks in this list, especially when it has a lower amperage compared to other models. While the 80-volt battery is sure to offer enough power for most light snow falls, we wish it had an adjustable speed setting or other unique feature to help justify the steep expense. Nevertheless, this model’s simpler design and long-lasting battery make it a great option for anyone that’s looking for a reliable, no-frills electric snow shovel.
Price at time of publish: $400
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 2 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 15 pounds
Best Lightweight
SuperHandy 10-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower
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Amazon
Compact design
Easy to store
Adjustable pole height
Expensive
A lightweight power shovel is a great option not only for its usability but also for storarge. This model from SuperHandy packs a punch in a small frame. Although it has a smaller coverage area—10 inches wide by 5 inches deep—this snow shovel can throw up to 300 pounds of snow per minute at up to 25 feet away. It weighs about 11 pounds, making it the perfect tool to quickly pull out after the weather clears, plus it has an adjustable pole that can telescope between 46 and 54 inches tall.
The pole also splits into two parts, so you can easily store this snow blower in a crawl space, or small closet. This model is slightly more expensive, compared to larger models throughout this roundup, but we think its unique design justifies the added expense. Who knew that productivity and comfort could be delivered in such a small package.
Price at time of publish: $160
Maximum Snow Depth: 5 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 2 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 10.98 pounds
Best Heavy Duty
GreenWorks 8-Amp 12-Inch Corded Electric Snow Shovel
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Amazon
Unlimited run time
Double safety lock
Foldable design
May require several passes to fully clear snow
If you live in a climate where frequent and heavy snowfall is common, we recommend the Greenworks 8-amp 12-inch Electric Snow Shovel. This workhorse of a power tool clears snow up to 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide. It can also throw up to 300 pounds of snow per minute. While this shovel’s heavy duty design may lack the cleaning power for a precise surface clean after one pass, it can easily clear snowy patches that may still remain on your driveway or sidewalk with a few additional passes.
This tool is an especially great option for parents that may find themselves multitasking between building snowmen and path clearing because it has a double safety switch to prevent curious young ones from accidentally powering it. The handle also folds in half, so you can easily store this shovel in a garage, crawl space, or attic. While the corded design does somewhat limit overall mobility, we appreciate that you won’t have to race against a battery to finish clearing snow.
Price at time of publish: $99
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 8 amps | Power Type: Corded | Weight: 14.4 pounds
Best Quiet
Snow Joe 13-Inch 4-Ah Cordless Snow Shovel
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The Home Depot
Wide clearing path
Durable scraper blade
Wide handles
Top heavy
Long charge time
Snow blowers and electric snow shovels can be quite noisy, so if you’re hoping to be productive without disturbing your neighbors or your child’s nap time, we recommend the Snow Joe 24-volt ION+ 13-inch Cordless Snow Shovel. It has great clearing capabilities—up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep—plus, the scraper blade is sharp and won’t pop off, meaning you get a clean path after just one pass. The battery pack on this shovel is easy to connect and disconnect when charging, but it can take up to 5 hours to fully charge.
The battery pack also makes this shovel top heavy, since it is situated under the handle. However, this shovel is designed with a wide main handle and large secondary handle, so you can maintain a comfortable grip while clearing snow.
Price at time of publish: $199
Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 4 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 13.5 pounds
Best Throwing Capability
Earthwise SN70016 16-Inch 12-Amp Corded Electric Snow Thrower
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Courtesy of Amazon
Extra large clearing path
Can clear snow on gravel
Wheels provide added traction
Assembly required
Based solely on the specs and pros of this pick, you may be wondering why it’s not our best overall. The Earthwise 16-inch 120-volt Corded Electric Snow Thrower is a reliable power shovel for both big and small tasks, but it requires a little more work on the front end, which kept it from our best overall spot. This snow shovel requires full assembly before you can use it, which may be daunting for anyone not experienced in building or modifying power tools. Thankfully, detailed instructions are listed in the use and care manual along with photos to guide you through the process. Once you’ve successfully built this electric snow shovel, you’ll be pleased with its powerful motor and never-ending battery life, thanks to its—albeit outdated—corded status.
This shovel can clear paths up to 16 inches wide and easily tackles snow as deep as 8 inches. You may find it is best to tackle deeper snow drifts with only half of the shovel’s capacity to prevent clogs or overworking the motor. This shovel is also equipped to clear snow from gravel, a feature that’s especially helpful for anyone lacking a paved driveway or pathway. Be sure to wear protective eyewear in case the shovel does throw a random rock while running. It also has back wheels, which help keep it stable as you clear snow and make it easy to transport, once you’re done using it.
Price at time of publish: $119
Maximum Snow Depth: 8 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 30 feet | Power: 12 amps | Power Type: Corded | Weight: 16 pounds
Our favorite electric snow shovel, the EGO POWER+ 56-volt 12 in. Cordless Electric Snow Blower, has a power head and battery that's compatible with EGO's entire POWER+ tool attachments, plus it can clear snow drifts as deep as 4 inches and has a variable speed trigger added control while clearing snow. If you're looking for an affordable electric snow shovel that still delivers reliable power, we recommend the Snow Joe 10-amp 13 in. Corded Electric Snow Blower, which has a a wide intake area to quickly clear your home's pathways.
What to Look for in an Electric Snow Shovel
Size and Weight
You should consider your personal preference and experience in using a manual snow shovel to determine the best size and weight of electric snow shovel you may need. Heavier snow shovels tend not to be battery operated, or have a larger motor. While they are often more powerful models, their weight makes them tiring to use for long periods of time, especially if you have to drag an extension cord behind it. Many battery-powered models are designed to be lightweight, but they are in turn top heavy because of the battery pack's location near the handle. You should also pay attention to whether a snow shovel has an adjustable handle, especially for taller users.
Type
When browsing online, you may see electric snow shovels listed as "snow blowers" or "snow throwers." All three title are used somewhat interchangeably, but keep in mind that traditional snow blowers are much larger, and look similar to a lawn mower in size and motor style. Electric snow shovels are available with two different power types: corded or cordless. Corded electric snow shovels, like any other corded electric appliance or tool, have an endless power supply and are often more effective, especially on coarse ice-like snow.
Cordless electric snow shovels are easier to maneuver across large pathways and driveways, but you're racing against their battery time to complete your task. If you already own a tool from RYOBI, EGO, Toro, or another popular power tool brand, it's best to stick with that platform, as you can interchange batteries and overall have more available operating time.
Clearing Depth and Width
Electric snow shovels are capable of clearing snow anywhere from 4 inches deep up to 8 inches deep, based on the size of the intake area. Shovels also range from 10 inches to 16 inches wide, which make them capable of a variety of snow clearing tasks. If you have a narrow walkway, you may only need a snow shovel that's 10 inches wide. Large paved areas such as a deck or driveway are easier to clear with a wider electric snow shovel. You should decide what clearing depth you need on a snow shovel based on your region's average snowfall. While year-to-year trends are up to nature, if you live in a colder-than-average climate, a shovel with a higher intake capacity is always a good idea.
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Do electric snow shovels really work?
Electric snow shovels are a reliable and efficient snow removing tools to have on hand, especially if you live in a region that sees a lot of snow. We recommend considering your lifestyle and pathway size before purchasing a corded or cordless model. Keep in mind that snow shovels aren't high-capacity snowblowers and are limited to clearing relatively light snow from smaller areas. They won't effectively clear heavy, wet snow from a large driveway.
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What is the difference between an electric snow shovel and snow blower?
An electric snow shovel is much more compact than a snow blower. A snow shovel’s throwing capability is also lower than a snow blower because of their smaller motors and intake areas. If you’re clearing a large space like a field or your yard, a snow blower is much more equipped for the task.
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How does a power snow shovel work?
Power snow shovels operate on a battery or via a cord and have a blade (also referred to as an auger), which rotates and consumes snow as it is pushed into the intake area. The snow is then ejected from the shovel through a blower that can shoot the snow from anywhere between 20 to 30 feet away into a pile.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Phelps, update writer for The Spruce, researched and wrote this article. For this topic, she considered the most popular brands that design electric snow shovels and then she closely analyzed dozens of electric snow shovel models to determine which designs had the most reliable power sources, strong motors, wide clearing paths, and were easy to operate. Phelps also spoke with Dave Sents, store manager at O'Donnell Ace Hardware in Des Moines, Iowa, to learn more about popular electric snow shovel models and their basic functions.
Phelps has covered a variety of topics under the gardening, outdoor, and home improvement beat at The Spruce including pool cleaners, ash vacuums, patio umbrellas, and Adirondack chairs. She has also previously worked at Southern Living as a part of their online editorial team.
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