How to choose the right snow blower: buyer's guide

How to choose the right snow blower?

The definitive guide to choosing the perfect snow blower for your property and local climate.

Did you wake up in a winter wonderland or are you a step ahead planning for next winter? Whatever your current situation, we know how overwhelming the range of different types of snow blowers can be. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know in order to choose the right snow blower for your needs. So let's take a look at the different types of snow blowers and all the points you need to be aware before the purchase.

Stage selection: single-stage vs. two-stage snow blowers

Power source: gas, battery, or corded options

Property assessment: area size and terrain considerations

Essential features for a snow blower

Conclusion

1. Stage selection: single-stage vs. two-stage snow blowers

Depending on the type of snow and the surface you want to clear you can either go for a one stage snow blower or a two-stage snow blower.

A one stage blower is ideal for light and soft snow. The main benefits lie in its manoeuvrability. It clears snow from all hard surfaces swiftly and effortlessly. The downside is that you cannot use it on gravel, since there is the risk that gravel will also be picked up and thrown.

Dual stage snow blowers are great for heavy and packed snow on any surface, even on gravel. They are a great choice for large or inclined areas, since these machines are self-propelled. The main cons are that these type of snow blowers are large and heavy, which makes them harder to manouevre. It's also important to bear in mind that they don't clear the surface completely, but leave a layer of packed snow to walk on.

2. Power source: gas, battery, or corded options

Choose your power source depending on the snow condition of your outdoor.

With no cable to get in the way, a battery snow blower lets you achieve great results with less noise and low-to-no maintenance. You can remove fresh snow and tackle any winter needs effortlessly.

Petrol snow blowers on the other hand are more powerful and designed to clear even the most challenging build-ups of snow from large areas. They are sturdy machines often equipped with integrated insulation, that keeps cold and humidity away and ensures great performance even in temperatures down to -30°C.

You can also opt for a corded snow blower. These typically come with a lower price tag, but decrease the flexibility since you are restricted by the cord length. A cost-effective choice for occassional use in small areas, like your driveway or terrace.

3. Property assessment: area size and terrain considerations

For an average driveway, flat and large areas a wheeled snow blower will provide you with great results and ensure manouevrability is great. However when it comes to clearing inclines, slopes and uneven surfaces, like gravel, a tracked model could be a better choice. It provides a better grip, stability and traction than its wheeled partner.

4. Essential features for a snow blower

After having assessed your property and the type as well as amount of snow you need to clear, there are some main features to consider when picking your most suitable model.

For smaller areas with little amount of snow you surely can opt for a push snow blower, however a self-propelled blower is worth the extra cost, when it comes to large areas with heavy, built-up snow to clear. You should also take into consideration the time of day you usually clear snow, since during dark hours a snow blower with LED lights could be a great choice to increase visibility. An electric start button makes the handling even more customer friendly and chute controls allow you to deflect the snow in your preferred direction.

One of the more important considerations is however the auger size. Its width and height play a vital role when it come to the size of the area you want to clean and the depth of snow you want to clear. The bigger the surface, the wider you want the auger to be. This saves you precious time. Opt for a taller auger if the area you live in typically experiences heavy snow fall.

5. Conclusion

When it comes to picking a snow blower it is absolutely essential to carefully assess the area you live in and the amount of snow it typically brings, as well as the surface size you need to clear. There is the right type of snow blower for any situation and you want to be sure your money is spent wisely. From battery-powered push snow blowers for clearing fresh snow from your standard driveway, to self-propelled petrol powered models with LED lights to clear heavy, bulit-up snow in the dark, you decide what is right for you! You can find even snow blowers on tracks, ideal for steeply inclined areas.

Make sure you are aware of the main feature that will make your snow clearing experience a walk in the park.