By Mike Szostech Last updated
It’s a great time to get the best electric snow blower on sale as stores clear out their inventory for the new year!
Battery electric snow blowers have finally reached a point where they can compete with gas engines in the cold winters of Canada. However, gas-comparable cordless snow blowers still aren’t cheap.
If you’re looking for a snow blower for moving deep wet snow (thing West coast snow or spring snow on the East coast), be prepared to spend some money. At the same time, there are also cheap battery snow blowers available that do a great job of clearing a driveway of a up to 12 inches of fresh fallen fluffy snow.
Here are some of the latest models available, from different retailers across Canada. Easily compare the specs of the best battery snow blowers by using our comparisons below.
Make sure you get a snowblower that has enough battery power to clear your whole driveway and walkways without a recharge. Otherwise you’ll need to take a break and go inside and warm up part way through (not a bad thing!) or you’ll have to have a second set of batteries ready to swap.
If you buy a cordless snowblower based on our recommendations, we’d love to hear from you (and we have a free gift for you just for contacting us!). Click here to send us a message.
As always, with any of our cordless tool reviews like this one for the best cordless drills, if you already have a tool set (like Ryobi 40v tools, or EGO+ tools), it’s likely that the best cordless snow blower for you will be the one that can share batteries with your other tools.
If you’re a commercial snow clearer, you’ll want the biggest amp-hour rated battery pack you can get, or or be prepared to buy multiple sets of batteries so that one can charge while you’re clearing with the first battery pack.
And make sure you look at getting a 2-stage cordless snowblower to handle any conditions you might come across. They can handle ice and wet snow better than the single stage cordless snow blowers can. Of course you may need to just stick with a high-powered gas snow blower for now (and we have some recommendations for that as well).
Whatever you do, make sure you carefully read whatever information you find on the internet (this site included – if we have an error, please let us know!). We noticed that even on the Lowe’s Canada website in their buying guide for the best cordless snow blower, they say that electric snow blowers are single stage models – and that’s not always true. We have some electric two stage snow blowers listed in our top picks.
Comparing the Battery Snow Blowers
Hey Canada! This section helps you compare the features of these products to help you choose the best option for you! Click on the product name to jump down to that specific review.
Throwing Distance
This is the distance that the snow thrower can throw the snow. If you are clearing a wide space like a driveway or other parking spot for cars rather than a sidewalk, being able to throw the snow a long distance is important. Of course the throw distance is also not a science, and there isn't any details provided by manufacturers as to how they test this. It will depend largely on how wet and heavy or dry and light the snow is. Dry snow will fly farther through the air, but it is also more susceptible to being blown around in windy conditions. Heavy wet snow won't fly far, but it can get there regardless of wind direction etc.
Clearing Width
There is no testing required for this metric, the clearing width of a snow thrower is determined by the width of the auger in the machine. The auger spins through the snow and throws it up and out the chute. Considering the width of the machine is useful depending on the type of clearing you need to be doing. Obviously a wider clearing width will allow you to clear a larger area, but it also requires more power to throw more snow out the chute than a narrower machine.
Clearing Capacity
This is the test of how long these cordless power snow blowers can operate before their battery dies. Calculating the runtime and the width of the machine gives an overall capacity for this comparison test.
Batteries Included
Warranty
Features
Best Battery Snow Blower - Snow Joe 48v
Although it's one of the cheapest on our list, this cordless snowblower from Snow Joe still comes with a high quality rubber-tipped steel auger blade just like the more expensive options.
It's light and portable and cheap, so don't expect it to perform like a $2000 gas powered snow blower. If you're looking to clear your driveway and path to your front door, this is the best battery snow blower for most people.
Snow Joe saves money by making a narrower machine that only clears 18" at a time, and can't throw the snow quite as far. All in all, a great choice for an entry-level cordless snow blower, and it's only $529 with batteries!
Equipped with a heavy-duty, rubber-tipped steel blade auger, SNOW JOE electric snow blower clears an 18-inch wide by 10-inch deep path in a single pass. The powerful 1200-Watt brushless motor plows through up to 14 tons of snow per charge — up to 700 lbs per minute — while the integrated scraper bar clears right to the ground.
Get the best price Snow Joe 48V Cordless Snow Blower in Canada from:
Best Battery Snow Blower - Snow Joe 48v review details:
Snow Joe 48V Cordless Snow Blower Reviews
Bob Vila ranked it as the #3 on their list claiming it was the 'Best Bang for the Buck' in their product review. [January 2023]
Other than getting hung up on small bumps, it truly performed well on fairly smooth surfaces and given the price it's a solid option.
Family Handyman ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Best single stage cordless' in their product review. [January 2023]
Simple to use cordless snowblower with a scraper bar at the base
Upgrade Pick: EGO Power+ Cordless Snow Blower SNT2112
This battery snow blower has 2 - 5.0 Ah batteries and can clear a path 21 inches wide and throw it up to 40 feet away!
This or very similar models (like the SNT2012 which is the same except for it has a rubber auger instead of this model's steel auger) are consistently ranked at the top of comparison charts for the best snow blower.
The main disadvantage listed is always related to the cost of the Ego snow blowers. More expensive (over $1100) than the entry level cordless snow blowers, it's still much less than the self-propelled 2-stage options below.
Featuring Peak Power technology, this cordless snowblower combines the power of any two EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries for the power to clear heavy, wet snow with a throwing distance up to 40 ft. Built with a high-efficiency brushless motor and a variable speed steel auger, the Cordless Snow Blower handles what the city snow plow leaves behind with ease; cutting through ice and snow 50% faster.
Get the best price EGO Power+ Cordless Snow Blower SNT2112 in Canada from:
Upgrade Pick: EGO Power+ Cordless Snow Blower SNT2112 review details:
EGO Power+ Cordless Snow Blower SNT2112 Reviews
Bob Vila ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best overall' in their product review. [January 2023]
It was easy to operate and push, it threw snow the advertised 40 feet, and enjoyed the folding handle with quick-release levers.
NY Times Wirecutter ranked it as the #4 on their list [February 2023]
Great snow blower, but no self propulsion, which it should have for the cost.
LeafScore ranked it as the #1 on their list claiming it was the 'Best battery powered snow blower' in their product review. [June 2023]
Capable of heavy and wet snow, unlike competitors more aimed at a fluffy downfall
Upgrade Pick: Toro 60 Volt 21-inch Cordless Snow Blower
If you're looking for a quality product from a company that's been dealing in snow clearing for over 100 winters, then check out this snow blower from Toro. It works on the same 60v batteries as their other lawn and garden equipment.
While it's a little bit more expensive (right around the $1000 mark) it's consistently rated 4.5 out of 5 stars by customers.
3-phase brushless motor with RunSmart® onboard optimizes for peak performance in the toughest conditions, giving you more power, runtime, and extended tool life. Toro's patent-pending all-steel Power Edge auger is all business. It scoops and sweeps right down to the pavement, clean as a whistle.
Get the best price Toro 60V 21-inch Electric Cordless Snow Blower in Canada from:
Upgrade Pick: Toro 60 Volt 21-inch Cordless Snow Blower review details:
Toro 60V 21-inch Electric Cordless Snow Blower Reviews
Bob Vila ranked it as the #2 on their list claiming it was the 'Runner-Up' in their product review. [January 2023]
Lost out to the cordless snow blower from Ego. We found that its best attribute was that it really dug into the snow...Awkward weight distribution can cause it to tip over when not in use.
Wirecutter [January 2023]
Wirecutter loved the gas powered Toro snow blower, and this cordless snowblower model has the same method for engaging the auger and the same chute control that they loved.
LeafScore - Runner Up [June 2023]
A bit heavy, but comparable to gas-powered competitors.
Another Great Choice - Ryobi 18inch 40v Cordless Snow Blower
This snow blower from Ryobi uses metal parts for clearing hard packed snow, and costs $748 ($200 more than last winter!). It does come with a fast charger too.
The premium brushless motor provides more power, longer runtime, and a longer motor life on this cordless snowblower from Ryobi. This snow blower has 10-inch premium wheels for added durability that powers through the toughest conditions. It's heavy duty construction -a metal auger, metal side panels, and 10" wheels - gets the job done quickly with an 18-inch clearing width and 10-inch clearing depth.
Get the best price Ryobi 18inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower in Canada from:
Another Great Choice - Ryobi 18inch 40v Cordless Snow Blower review details:
Greenworks PRO 40 volt Cordless Snow Blower
If you already have a cordless lawnmower or string trimmer that uses the 40 volt battery, get this snow blower and your cordless yard tools can share batteries.
- Features brushless motor technology for 80% longer life and 30% more torque than a motor with brushes
- Powered by a 40V Lithium-Ion Battery that is compatible across the entire 40V Greenworks program
- 20" (51 cm) clearing width and 12.6" (32 cm) intake height, 16" (41 cm) polyethylene impeller gathers and expels snow through 180 degree directional chute, discharges snow up to 30' (9 m)
Get the best price Greenworks PRO 40V Cordless Snow Blower 2600200 in Canada from:
Greenworks PRO 40 volt Cordless Snow Blower review details:
Best 2-stage Snow Blower - EGO Power+ Cordless Snowblower SNT2405
At $1999, this cordless snowblower is now our top pick for a 2-stage option. The price on this is the same as last year, making it $500 cheaper than the Ryobi option!
If you already have EGO products, this is still a great choice and it'll be the best battery snow blower option for you so you can share batteries among your tools.
The new EGO POWER+ 2-Stage electric Snow Blower is the only 2-stage cordless snowblower that delivers the power and performance of gas without the noise, fuss and fumes.
Get the job done quickly with the 24-in clearing width and 20-in intake height to handle even the deepest snow. 4 LED lights make it easy for use in early morning or evening. Variable speed auger and 200 degree chute direction give you complete control to throw snow where you need it, up to 50-ft!
Get the best price EGO Power+ Cordless Snow Blower SNT2405 in Canada from:
Best 2-stage Snow Blower - EGO Power+ Cordless Snowblower SNT2405 review details:
EGO Power+ Cordless Snow Blower SNT2405 Reviews
Bob Vila - Upgrade Pick [October 2022]
Power comparable or better than a gas powered snow blower. It's heavy at 143 pounds, but it is self propelled to help reduce fatigue - and it can throw snow over the 50-foot rated range!
Another 2-Stage - Ryobi 24inch Battery Snow Blower
Ryobi's top-of-the-line battery snow blower has all the bells and whistles. It costs more, but it has long-lasting rugged construction, faster clearing speed, and 4 high-capacity 6.0 Ah batteries to make sure you have the power to get the job done.
Unfortunately, this one has gone up in price by $800 in the past year. That puts it as more expensive than the EGO 2-stage above which has a longer run time and more refined features.
Combining the convenience of cordless technology with Two independent High Performance Brushless Motors. This provides independent self-propelled speed and auger control delivering 2X more power. Adjust the all metal 180° directional chute to throw snow up to 55 ft. away. The intelligent control panel has an Easy Push Button start, fuel gauge, auger and drive speed control, chute control and LED lights. The heated hand grips with forward/reverse switch enhances ultimate control and user comfort. With the heavy duty all metal, variable speed serrated auger it powers through the toughest conditions.
Get the best price Ryobi 24inch 2-stage Cordless Electric Snow Blower in Canada from:
Another 2-Stage - Ryobi 24inch Battery Snow Blower review details:
Other Top Options and Competition for Cordless Snow Blowers in Canada
As battery powered tools become more popular, and the technology gets better and cheaper, more and more companies are entering the electric cordless snow blower space.
That means there are literally hundreds of options to narrow down when searching for the best cordless snowblower. There’s complete no-name companies selling on Amazon (like GYMAX, Goplus that look identical and cost the same amount), and then there’s all of the house brands from the big stores as well.
There’s a Worx cordless snow blower, but it’s more expensive than some of the Ryobi models. And since the Ryobi brand is available at local Home Depots, it’s easier to deal with warranty claims or any problems you might have.
Lowes Canada carries a few Kobalt cordless snow blowers which would be a good option if you already have some Kobalt batteries from other power tools. They seem to have comparable specs to the options from Ryobi.
Canadian Tire has carried a Yardworks electric cordless snowblower for a few years, and they also now have a Mastercraft branded model. Again, if you already own battery packs these could be the best battery snow blower for you, but there’s very few customer reviews of feedback on the machines.
At least there are Canadian Tire stores across the country if you have troubles after purchase, and we love how Canadian Tire honors their lifetime warranties on their hand tools.
Another great option if you’re just looking to clear a driveway, sidewalk, or parking space for your car is corded electric snowblowers. While you do have the hassle of dealing with an extension cord, they are much cheaper because they don’t have the added cost of a battery, and if you end up with deep heavy snow, they can work away at it slowly without fear of running out of battery power.
What to consider when choosing the best cordless snow blower
There are many different factors to look at when choosing the best battery snow blower for your needs. Consider the amount of snow that your region typically gets, and also think of what type of snow, and how much of it falls at the same time.
A region that gets a few large dumps of wet, heavy snow, will require different features than an area that gets many lighter snowfalls of dry, fluffy snow.
Click here to find out the average annual snowfall in your city of Canada.
Also think of the area you want to clear with the snow blower – is it a narrow path, or a wide driveway, or some of both? If you are just looking to clear large areas, then a larger machine will work well. However, if you need to navigate tight spots or narrow sidewalks, a smaller snow blower machine might work better for your needs.
Do you need a self-propelled snow blower? Will you be clearing large areas at once and growing fatigued? Do you have any steep hills you want to clear that will be particularly difficult to push a snowblower up? Of course a self-propelled snow blower is bigger and will weigh more but since it moves itself around it is easier to maneuver – it just requires more storage space.
Will you need a single stage or two-stage cordless snow blower? Single-stage snowblowers only have one snow auger that will propel the snow from 15 to 25 feet away. They typically have the auger very close to the ground, so they aren’t suitable for any surfaces that aren’t pavement or concrete.
A two-stage battery snow blower has a second impeller fan to help throw the snow farther away. This works better for clearing wide areas where you need to throw the snow a greater distance, and it also helps when clearing deeper snow. Since their auger blades sit slightly higher, they are more suitable for gravel driveways. This can also be fixed if the snow blower has adjustable glide shows, but it’s usually the more expensive 2-stage blowers that have this feature anyways.
Typically, dry, fluffy snow will get cleared fine with a single stage battery powered snow blower, while wet, heavy snow will not get blown as far unless you have a 2 stage snowblower.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are cordless snow blowers good enough for commercial use?
Battery powered snow blower excel at their intended use - and that means selecting a snow blower that is rated to clear the size of your area and the depth of snow you typically end up with. However, charge time is a big deterrent for commercial snow clearing that requires clearing large areas as quickly as possible. So, in short, if you have a small sidewalk in front of a shop then a cordless snow blower will work for your needs. If you need to clear multiple parking lots and driveways at different locations then a gas powered will still be the best snow blower for you.
Can a snow thrower be used on gravel?
Some cordless snow blowers come with a steel auger, and others come with a rubber auger. Typically, the steel auger is better at cutting through hard snow and ice, but it can cause problems on uneven surfaces like a gravel driveway.
If you're concerned about striking the ground, then a rubber auger is a better choice. Another option is to set the auger height a little bit higher on rough surfaces to avoid striking the auger on the ground.
Do I need a single stage snow blower or a 2-stage?
The biggest difference is not so much the distance the snow blower can throw the snow, but that the 2 stage models are self-propelled. If you have a steep driveway, then a 2 stage self propelled snow blower is really nice for going up the slope. A 2-stage is larger and heavier and can be slightly more difficult to maneuver.
How do I get a cheap snow blower?
The best way to save money on a battery powered snow blower is to watch for sales at the start and the end of the season - don't wait until the snow starts to fall! Also, if you already have cordless lawn care machines or cordless tools, see if there is a snow blower that uses the same batteries. That will allow you to buy just the blower without batteries which can save you a few hundred dollars.
You clearly can’t read, the Toro Cordless 60 V Snow Blower is mentioned in every category.
I am interested in the tallest blower.
Last year my 2 stage Snow Joe XRP wasn’t tall enough at 14″.
You also should add details like harden snow capacity.
Throwing fresh powder is one thing but cutting through hard snow and not stalling due to getting blocked is another.
Battery replacement cost also can play a factor because if you have a 2 battery model it can only run as long as the weakest battery.
I’m surprised that the Snow Joe is rated at the top of the list. I just researched the reviews, and they are not great. Overall, it only received 3.9 at Rona. Where’s the disconnect?
I would recommend the battery snow blower from Canada to anyone in need of a good snow blower. It is easy to use and very powerful.
I’m curious about these reviews in that none of them ever include and mention of Toro cordless snow-blowers. They seem highly regarded by buyers of these machines but still no mention of the m in these “best of” reviews. Why is that?
It could be because Toro cordless snow blowers are harder to find, or because they are quite expensive. However, we have noticed the prices of the name-brand cordless snow blowers are coming down closer to the electric-only brands like Ego etc.