Gas powered Snow Blowers
Spring may be on the horizon, but I’d be willing to bet that the next snow storm is even closer. Although I love watching the snow fall, I hate cleaning up after it. In fact, I made a pact with my boyfriend so I wouldn’t have to shovel at all (don’t worry, I do my fair share of work in the summer).
I’ve been thinking about buying a snow blower to make the job easier, and there are more options then I imagined. However, consumers can pick from two main models – electric and gas powered. If you’re in the market too for a new snow blower or just tired of using the ol’ shovel, I’m going to break down some pros and cons of each one.
Electric Snow Blowers
Honestly, I didn’t even know electric snow blowers existed. I had heard of electric lawn mowers and kind of laughed a bit. The risk of running over the chord and electrocuting myself seemed all too real, so I’ve steered away from them.
Despite what I think, I did discover that electric snow blowers have some great benefits:
- They don’t require gasoline.
- They don’t require any engine oil.
- They’re much lighter than gas snow blowers.
- They’re quieter than traditional snow blowers.
- Most offer push button starts (no more ridiculous pull cords!).
- They may be more affordable than gas snow blowers.
While these are all great reasons, before you jump on buying the next electric snow blower you see, consider a few of these drawbacks as well:
- They’re limited by the length of the cord.
- May overheat quickly.
- The cord may get in the way, which could be dangerous.
- Water and electricity don’t mix, so you have to be cautious.
- They may not be able to handle more than a couple of inches of snow.
- Most run about 12 – 14 inches in length – limiting size options.
Gas Snow Blowers
Nothing says winter quiet like the sound of gas snow blowers breaking the silence after a blizzard. Although they have some drawbacks, which I’ll go over in a second, traditional gas snow blowers are also another option you have.
Gas-powered snow blowers have a few basic, yet powerful, benefits:
- They’re more durable than electric snow blowers.
- They can handle heavier snow more efficiently.
- No electrical chord to get in the way.
- They come in a variety of sizes – from 12 inches to over four feet in length.
- Most models are self-propelled.
Don’t forget to think about some of the things that might make owning a gas snow blower difficult:
- They’re bulky and heavy.
- They’re loud – deafeningly loud.
- Pull-start cords may make them difficult to start – at least if you’re a weakling like me.
Now that you have the facts, what type of snow blower should you buy? If it were up to me, I’d probably stick with the tried-and-true gas snow blower. I just don’t feel comfortable dragging around an electrical chord while I’m trying to clear snow.


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Snow Joe SJ621 18-Inch 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Thrower With Headlight Lawn & Patio (Snow Joe)
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Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Brushless Snow Blower with Rechargeable Ecosharp 40-volt Lithium-Ion Battery Lawn & Patio (Snow Joe LLC)
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GreenWorks 26032 12 Amp 20" Corded Snow Thrower Lawn & Patio (GreenWorks)
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Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO Cordless Snow Blower, 21-Inch Lawn & Patio (Snow Joe LLC)
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Power Smart DB7659A 24-inch 208cc LCT Gas Powered 2-Stage Snow Thrower with Electric Start Lawn & Patio (Amerisun Inc.)
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