8 Best Small Snow Blowers (Lightweight & Compact) – Reviews 2024
- Pete Ortiz
- Last updated:
Don’t you hate having your sidewalk and driveway covered in snow and being forced to lug out a giant snow blower to clear it? A small, portable snow blower is the better option. You will still have to plow snow, but at least it will not be a struggle from the moment you get it out of your garage.
You may have noticed countless small snow blowers on the market and wondered where to start. Luckily, we’ve done the hard work for you. We have compiled a list of the eight best small snow blowers, with reviews of each one. There’s also a buying guide about which features to look for. Read on to find the best small snow blower for your needs.
Comparison of Our Favorite Products in 2024
Rating | Image | Product | Details | |
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Best Overall
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The Toro 38381 Compact 18-inch |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Best Value
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WEN 5662 |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Premium Choice
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Craftsman 179cc Electric Start |
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CHECK PRICE | |
Best Electric Snow Shovel
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Toro 38361 Power Shovel |
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CHECK PRICE | |
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Earthwise SN74018 |
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CHECK PRICE |
The 8 Best Small Snow Blowers
1. Toro Compact Electric Snow Blower – Best Overall
The Toro 38381 Compact 18-inch Electric Snow Blower is one of the best snow blowers because it’s lightweight but still powerful. It’s the number-one brand of snow blower in the U.S. for a reason: It can move up to 700 pounds of snow per minute. The curved rotor moves more snow in less time and can throw it up to 30 ft. We liked that it has a chute lever that allows you to adjust where the snow gets tossed. The motor is 15 amps and has an 18-inch clearance, which is great for sidewalks and driveways.
The only problem we found with this one is that it’s not designed for deep snow. It can handle light snow accumulation with no problem, but deep snow can clog it and prevent it from clearing. Despite this, we think this is the best overall small snow blower on the market this year.
- Number-one brand of snowblower in the US
- Moves up to 700 lbs. of snow per minute
- 15-amp motor
- 18-inch clearance
- Curved rotor moves more snow in less time
- Throws snow up to 30 ft
- Chute lever allows you to adjust where snow goes
- Not for deep snow
2. WEN 5662 Electric Snow Thrower – Best Value
The WEN 5662 Snow Blaster is our best blower for the-money pick because it’s nearly as powerful as our number-one choice but costs less. It can throw up to 490 pounds of snow per minute and has a 13.5-amp motor, which is fairly powerful. The 18-inch clearance is great for sidewalks and driveways. It can throw snow up to 20 feet away, which is far enough to clear the typical driveway. The snow chute is easy to adjust, so you can change the angle and direction the snow blows. It’s also lightweight and has 6-inch wheels.
The WEN Snow Blaster has the same problem as the previous snow blower: It’s not to be used in deep snow. It can be used in heavy snowstorms, but you must stay on top of the snow accumulation and not let it get too deep. It also does better with powdery snow. Slush causes it to clog.
- Throws up to 490 lbs. of snow per minute
- 18-inch clearance
- 13.5-amp motor
- Throws snow up to 20 feet away
- Snow chute is easy to adjust
- Lightweight with six-inch wheels
- Not for deep snow
- Clogs easily with slush
Single stage vs Two-stage snow blow – How to choose?
3. Craftsman 179cc Gas Powered Snow Blower – Premium Choice
We like the Craftsman 179cc Electric Start Single Stage Gas Powered Snow Blower as a premium option. For starters, the push-button electric start is convenient. It’s also easy to maneuver when it’s not throwing snow and has a 21-inch clearance. The special Snow Claw Auger grips the pavement to provide more stability. The engine is high-powered and well-made, and it can clear snow up to 13 inches deep.
We noticed a couple of problems with this model, however. It can ice up easily around the battery, which can affect the electric start. It can also be difficult to push in deep snow, so it requires a great deal of strength.
- Gas engine with push-button electric start
- Easy mobility when not throwing snow
- 21-inch clearance
- Snow Claw Auger grips the pavement to give more stability
- 179cc 4 Cycle OHV Craftsman engine
- Clears snow up to 13 inches deep
- Can ice up around the battery
- Difficult to push
4. Toro 38361 Power Shovel – Best Electric Snow Shovel
The Toro 38361 Power Shovel is a great lightweight option, as it only weighs 12.5 pounds. The curved rotor and inverted funnel housing efficiently remove snow and reduce clogging. At only 7.5 amps, it doesn’t require vast amounts of electricity. It can move up to 300 pounds of snow per minute and blow snow up to 20 feet.
This power shovel is best used in small areas with light snow, as it doesn’t handle deep snow well. The motor isn’t that powerful, and the unit overall is limited in maneuverability.
- Special parts to efficiently remove snow and reduce clogging
- 5-amp electric snow blower
- Moves up to 300 pounds of snow per minute
- Blows snow up to 20 feet
- Lightweight
- Only for small areas and light snow
- Motor not very powerful
- Limited in maneuverability
5. Earthwise Small Electric Snow Blower
For a cordless option, we recommend the Earthwise Small SN74018 Cordless Electric, which comes with a battery and charger. It has attached dual LED lights so you can see what you’re doing at night. It has an 18-inch clearing width and a 12-inch clearing depth, so it does well with sidewalks and small driveways. It can throw up to 500 pounds of snow per minute, up to 30 feet. You can also rotate the discharge direction without having to stop.
Despite the advantages of this cordless model, we encountered a few problems. One is that it’s difficult to assemble, and the directions are confusing. This is also not the best model for deep snow or snow with a hard top crust. The model isn’t powerful enough to handle either condition.
- Attached dual LED lights
- 18-inch clearing width and 12-inch clearing depth
- Throws 500 pounds/minute
- Up to 30-foot throwing distance
- Rotate discharge direction without stopping
- Difficult to assemble
- Not for deep snow
- Not for snow with a hard top crust
- Not as powerful as other options
6. Snow Joe Electric Stage Snow Thrower
This model of Snow Joe has a powerful 15-amp motor that can clear up to 720 pounds of snow per minute, up to 25 feet. It has a decent clearing width of 18 inches and a depth of 10 inches. We also liked that it includes headlamps for blowing snow at night.
This model shouldn’t be used for deep snow, however. It also clogs easily with wet snow. The quality is also questionable since there are many plastic parts. Lastly, you’ll have to buy an all-weather extension cord since one isn’t included.
- 15-amp motor
- Can clear up to 720 pounds of snow per minute
- Throws snow up to 25 feet
- 18-inch clearing width and 10-inch clearing depth
- Includes headlamps
- Not for deep snow
- Clogs with wet snow
- Many plastic parts
- Does not include a cord
7. Snow Joe Electric Snow Thrower
This is an even more compact model of the Snow Joe, with an 11-amp motor that can still move up to 440 pounds of snow per minute. We liked the 180-degree adjustable chute that allows you to change the direction that the snow is thrown easily. It can toss snow up to 20 feet, and its compact wheels allow for easy maneuverability.
Unfortunately, this model is another one that’s unsuitable for deep snow. It’s also not for clearing large areas, as it can only clear a 15-inch-wide, 8-inch-deep space at a time. The quality is questionable, as it clogs easily, especially in thicker snow.
- 11-amp motor moves up to 440 pounds of snow per minute
- 180-degree directional adjustable chute
- Throws snow up to 20 feet
- Compact wheels for easy maneuverability
- Not for deep snow
- Clogs easily
- Poor quality
- Only a 15-inch clearing width and 8-inch clearing depth
- Underpowered
8. Greenworks Corded Snow Thrower
The Greenworks Snow Thrower has a moderately-powerful 13-amp motor capable of clearing a 20-inch width of space 10 inches deep. Like the Snow Joe, its chute is adjustable, so you can easily change the direction that the snow is being thrown, which can be up to 20 feet.
However, one of the biggest problems with this model is the battery. It’s not made for cold weather. The instructions state that it must be stored at room temperature, and if the snow blower has trouble starting, you must take the battery inside to warm it up for 10 minutes or longer. Obviously, this is inconvenient when you’re trying to blow snow in cold weather. It’s also not made for deep snow and clogs easily. Because of its small wheels, it’s difficult to push through the snow. Lastly, it’s made of many plastic parts, so the quality is questionable.
- 13-amp motor
- 20-inch clearing width and 10-inch clearing depth
- Adjustable 180-degree directional chute
- Throws snow up to 20 feet
- Battery should be stored at room temperature
- Battery must be warmed up if snow blower won’t start
- Not for deep snow
- Clogs easily
- Questionable quality
- Difficult to push through snow
Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Small Snow Blower
If you’re searching for a lightweight and compact snow blower, there are certain features and options to look for. To help you navigate the market for snow blowers, we’ve created a buying guide. Here’s what you need to know.
Clearance Width
The clearance width refers to how wide an area the snow blower can clear in one go. The minimum clearance width you want for small snow blowers is 18 inches. That will allow you to clear your sidewalk easily and blow the snow from a standard driveway with just a few passes.
Throwing Distance
Like the clearance width, the throwing distance is crucial because it gives you an idea of how far the snow will be cleared. For your driveway, the minimum you want the snow blower to throw snow is 20 feet. That way, the snow can pile up on the edges of your driveway.
Pounds of Snow Moved
This refers to the amount of snow the snow blower can get through per minute. Our number-one choice can move 700 lbs. of snow per minute, so you’ll spend less time out in the cold clearing the snow.
Electric or Gas
There are advantages to both, but gas models are more powerful than electric snow blowers. Electric blowers are light, compact, and quiet. Gas models are louder, heavier, and require fuel. An electric snow blower will have a cord that will restrict your movement and keep you tied to an outlet. But that may be a small price to pay to keep from having to deal with the smelly emissions, oil changes, and loud volume of a gas snow blower.
Special Features
Extras include changing the direction and angle of where the snow is blowing.
Conclusion
The Toro 38381 Compact 18-inch Electric Snow Blower is our best overall choice because it’s the number-one brand of snow blower in the U.S. It’s lightweight and powerful, capable of throwing up to 700 pounds of snow per minute. It can toss snow up to 30 feet, and it has an adjustable lever so you can control where the snow goes.
The WEN 5662 Snow Blaster is our best-value pick because it’s nearly as powerful as the Toro. It throws up to 490 pounds of snow per minute and has an 18-inch clearance. The snow chute is easy to adjust and can throw snow up to 20 feet. We hope our reviews and buying guide have made it easier for you to narrow down your list of snow blowers .
You might also be interested in:
- 5 Best Budget Snow Blowers – Reviews & Buying Guide
- 7 Best 24 Inch Snow Blowers – Reviews & Buyer’s Guide
- 5 Best Snowblowers under $500 – Top Picks & Reviews
Featured Image Credit: JillWellington, pixabay
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