10 Best Snow Blowers for Wet & Heavy Snow – Reviews 2024

Snowblowers are essential in many parts of the country during the winter season. February, March, and even April can bring heavy wet snow that’s difficult for even the most physically fit people to remove. A snowblower that can move this wet and heavy snow can make the job a lot easier but sorting through all of the models presents another challenge.

We’ve chosen ten brands to review for you so you can see the differences and which kind is right for you. We’ll fill you in on each one’s pros and cons and tell you about any features they might have that put them ahead of the rest. We’ve also included a short buyer’s guide where we take a close look at the snowblower to see how it works. We’ll also look at the vital components so you know what to look for as you shop.

Join us while we discuss engine size, clearing path, intake, starting, and more to help you make an educated purchase.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites

Rating	Image	Product	Details
Best Overall		Briggs & Stratton S1227 Snow Blower	27” clearing path 20” intake 250cc engine	CHECK PRICE
Best Value		EGO Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower	35-ft throwing distance Variable speed control LED headlights	CHECK PRICE
Premium Choice		Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm Snow Blower	Heated hand grips 4-way chute control Self-propelled	CHECK PRICE
		Husqvarna ST224P Gas Snow Blower	208cc engine Remote chute rotator Electric start	CHECK PRICE
		Snow Joe iON8024-XR Two Stage Snow Blower	4 speed settings 24” cutting path Battery-powered	CHECK PRICE

The 10 Best Snow Blowers for Wet and Heavy Snow – Reviews 2024

1. Briggs & Stratton S1227 Snow Blower – Best Overall

The Briggs & Stratton S1227 Snow Blower is our pick for the best overall snow blowers for wet and heavy snow. It uses a 250 cubic centimeter (cc) engine to create up to 11.5 foot-pounds (ft/lbs.) of torque. It can clear a 27-inch-wide path with its 12-inch steel auger blades and 20-inch intake. It has five forward speeds and two reverse speeds for maximum control and comfort while working. Free-hand control allows you to operate the controls with one hand while you guide the machine with the other, and it has an electric start for convenience.

We enjoyed using the Briggs & Stratton S1227 and found it more than capable of moving wet and heavy snow. The only thing we can complain about is that it was slightly hard to assemble, but once put together, it started on the first pull.

2. EGO Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower – Best Value

EGO Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower is our pick for the best snow blower for wet and heavy snow for the money. It’s battery-powered and uses two 5-amp batteries to create 56 volts of power that can throw snow up to 35 feet. It can cut a 21-inch path and has an 8-inch intake. You can adjust the auger speed, and it has LED headlights to help you work in the dark. You can also adjust the chute direction so the snow goes where you want it, and you start it with a simple -on-off button. It’s lighter than most other brands at only 25 pounds, and it’s quiet, so you can use it at any time of the day.

We were surprised by the power that the EGO Power+ SNT2102 delivered using batteries, and the only thing we can complain about is that the wheels are not powered. You must push it into the snow, which can cause considerable fatigue, especially when working on an incline. With all that being said, this is the best snow blower for wet snow for the money available this year.

3. Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm Snow Blower – Premium Choice

The Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm Snow Blower is our premium choice snow blower for wet and heavy snow because it features an extremely powerful 357cc engine that can cut a 30-inch path with ease. It’s self-propelled and has power-assisted steering, so it does most of the work for you, and the heated handgrips are comfortable even in the coldest snowstorms. It has 4-way chute control so you can point the snow where you need it, and electric start takes the work out of getting it going.

The Troy-Bilt Arctic Storm Snow Blower is huge and powerful, but it might be too big for those with a smaller area or mostly narrow sidewalks. At 352 pounds, it’s hard to move around when it’s not running, and the electric start is somewhat inconvenient because it requires you to run an extension cord to plug it in. There is no onboard battery.

4. Husqvarna ST224P Gas Snow Blower

The Husqvarna ST224P Gas Snow Blower features a 208cc engine that can deliver 9.6 ft/lbs. of torque to help remove wet and heavy snow. It cuts a 24-inch path using a 12-inch steel auger, and it features a remote chute rotator to point the snow where you need it. It’s self-propelled and features power-assisted turning, so it’s easy to maneuver over your sidewalks and driveway. It also has heated handles and LED headlights for maximum convenience, and an electric start mechanism reduces the need for string-pulling.

The Husqvarna ST224P Gas Snow Blower is an impressive machine, but it can be hard to start at times, even with the electric start, which needs to be connected to a house outlet. Our heated handles also stopped working after a few storms.

5. Snow Joe iON8024-XR Two-Stage Snow Blower

The Snow Joe iON8024-XR Two Stage Snow Blower is the second battery-powered snow blower on this list. It uses two 5-amp batteries to create 40 volts of power that cat cut a 24-inch cutting path with a 13-inch intake. It has four-speed settings that self-propel the machine at the optimal speed and an LED indicator that lets you know which settings you are using. The brushless motor reduces friction, allowing the machine to run longer and produce more torque to throw the snow further. It comes with two batteries and a charger, and it also comes with a protective cover that you can use when storing it for the summer.

The downside to the Snow Joe iON8024-XR is that the battery charger is very slow and takes several hours to get the batteries ready. The button to rotate the chute also gets cold and is hard to press. We were worried that it would crack.

6. YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower

The YARDMAX YB5765 Two-Stage Snow Blower features a large 208cc engine that gives you enough power to cut a 24-inch cutting swath through wet and heavy snow. It has one of the best throwing distances on this list, and it provides you with six forward and two reverse gears for maximum flexibility while you work. The headlight makes it much easier to remove snow at night, and the heated handle keeps your fingers nimble. It has an electric start and an extended chute to improve ease of use and visibility.

The only real problem we had while reviewing the YARDMAX YB5765 was that it was difficult to assemble, and the instructions were unclear. The chute also tends to ice up, and the flimsy chute crank uses plastic gears that you can strip easily with minimal force.

7. Poulan Pro PR241 Electric Start Snow Blower

The Poulan Pro PR241 Electric Start Snow Blower features a 208cc engine that provides you with enough power to cut a 24-inch path through the densest snow. A 23-inch intake means you can let the snow pile up before removing it. It has heated handles and a remote-control chute rotator that allows you to point the snow in any direction. An electronic start means you don’t have to pull out your back to get it running, and you can also adjust the handles to suit your height.

The downside to using the Poulan Pro PR241 is that the headlight is very dim and doesn’t do much to increase visibility. The drive belt wears out quickly, and we needed to replace ours. We also found it hard to start, requiring several pulls because the electric starter didn’t always get it running.

8. Honda 659760 Single-Stage Snow Blower

The Honda 659760 Single-Stage Snow Blower uses the popular Honda 187cc engine to clear away a 20-inch cutting path. It features an electric start and is one of the lighter machines at only 93 pounds. Dual chute control lets you adjust the chute in two spots for maximum control over where the snow goes.

Honda makes great engines known for their durability, but the problem we had with the Honda 659760 was that it was a little underpowered compared to many of the others on this list. It didn’t throw the snow very far and couldn’t dig through the icy snow left by the plow. The smaller cutting path can significantly increase work time if you need to clear a large area, and we found that the handle, wheels, and chute showed serious signs of wear after the first year.

9. Ariens ST24LE Deluxe Snow Blower

The Ariens ST24LE Deluxe Snow Blower features a large 254cc engine that delivers enough power to cut a 24-inch path through the thickest snow. It has a 24-inch intake, so deep snow is no problem, and it moves easily on its 16-inch wheels. Six forward and two reverse speeds help you maintain a comfortable pace, and an electric start is a back saver.

The biggest problem we had with the Ariens ST24LE was the automatic turn control and steering assistance. It’s very hard to steer it properly, and it lunges to the left and right quite often while you are going in a straight line. Trying to stay in control of this model takes a lot of effort, and it could be tiring if you have a large area to clear.

10. Champion 100434 Gas Snow Blower

The Champion 100434 Gas Snow Blower is another snowblower with a large 224-cc engine to cut a 24-inch path with a 21-inch inlet. It has six forward and two reverse speeds for extreme versatility when clearing snow. A manually adjustable chute lets you adjust the angle and height of the blower. It also features an electric starter to get it going without excessive string-pulling.

The biggest problem we had with the Champion 100434 was that it had a very flimsy belt. We needed to replace it twice in a single season, which was expensive, time-consuming, and frustrating. Another problem we had was with the assembly of the machine. The instructions were very poor, and as a result, it took us more than four hours to get it running, and this was after we had already built several other models.

Buyer’s Guide – Choosing the Best Snow Blower for Wet Snow

Let’s look at some of the most important things to consider when choosing a snow blower for wet and heavy snow.

Battery Power vs Gasoline

The first thing you will need to decide when choosing a snow blower is to use battery power or gasoline.

Gasoline

Gasoline is the standard engine for snowblowers, and it’s what you will compare to the electric and cordless models. It has the most power and is the most reliable. It has a four-stroke engine that does not require you to mix oil with gasoline, but it will require regular maintenance, like spark plug changes and carburetor cleaning. It also emits exhaust that’s harmful to the environment and your health and is much heavier and noisier than the electric models. It can also be hard to start.

Battery Power

Battery-powered motors are much cleaner than the gasoline types and require much less maintenance. They usually need two lithium-ion batteries with 40 or more volts to power the machine. Battery-powered devices don’t produce any dangerous exhaust, and they are easy to start. Battery power is quiet, so you can use it late at night or early in the morning without bothering the neighbors.

They are often as powerful as gasoline engines when fully charged, but many models will lose their charge quickly and won’t complete the task in a single charge before losing too much power and bogging down. The batteries can also take a long time to charge, and replacements or extras are expensive.

Engine Size

The first thing you are likely to examine when choosing a snow blower for wet and heavy snow is the engine size. A larger engine has more muscle to spin the auger that digs into the snow, and it can throw the snow further. Larger engines also have the power to provide you with a self-propelled feature and assisted steering.

Gasoline engines use cubic centimeters (cc) to measure engine size, while battery-powered models use volts. We chose our models because they can move wet snow, but you should look for a brand with a minimum engine size of 200cc or 40 volts.

Cutting Path

Another important thing to look for when choosing your next snowblower for wet and heavy snow is the cutting path’s width. A wider cutting path will allow you to remove more snow with each pass, significantly reducing the time required to complete the job. If two snowblowers are the same in every other way, choose the one with a wider cutting path.

Intake

The intake refers to how tall the mouth is. A taller intake will allow you to work with deeper snow, and we recommend at least 15 inches to deal with the snow that falls in most parts of the country. If you rarely get snow in your area and only need to deal with the occasional slushy kind, you can go with a smaller intake.

Headlight

It gets dark quickly in the winter, and you will often find yourself snow blowing in the dark. A headlight will make it easier to see what you are doing and creates a safer environment with less risk of an accident. We tried to list the models on our list with headlamps, and we recommend choosing one that uses LEDs over a standard bulb.

Single or Double Stage

You will see many of the snow blowers on this list marked as single or double-stage machines.

Single-Stage Snow Blower

A single-stage snow blower chops the snow and ice using an auger. The engine spins the auger, and it does all of the work. These machines are usually smaller, have less power, and don’t throw the snow as far. They take a little more effort to remove the snow and often don’t provide a self-propelling mechanism, though some do. A single-stage machine’s main advantage is cost, which we recommend for small areas like a sidewalk and a single parking area.

Double Stage Snow Blower

A double-stage snow blower has the same parts as a single-stage but places an impeller fan behind the auger to suck in and throw the snow as the auger chops it. These machines can throw the snow much further, and since they are evacuating the snow behind the auger, you can move the machine much faster, significantly reducing your work time. They usually have larger engines that can also power self-propelling and assisted steering mechanisms making the task even easier. However, double-stage machines are often much larger and more expensive, so they are better suited for people in snowy areas with multiple parking areas to clear.

Conclusion

When choosing your next snowblower for wet and heavy snow, we highly recommend our pick for the best overall. The Briggs & Stratton S1227 Snow Blower has plenty of power and cuts a 27-inch path through your snow, making short work of even large jobs. You can control it with one hand, and its power assist provides you with five forward speeds and two in reverse. For those looking for a greener solution, we recommend our choice for the best value. EGO Power+ SNT2102 Cordless Snow Blower is a battery-powered unit that provides you with a 21-inch cutting path and a bright LED headlight. It’s extremely lightweight at only 25 pounds and has onboard chute control so you can effortlessly point where the snow goes. It’s impressively strong and comes with batteries and a charger.

We hope you have enjoyed reading our reviews and found them helpful for sorting out the many options. If we have answered your questions, please share our guide to the best snowblowers for wet and heavy snow on Facebook and Twitter.