The 9 Best Electric Snow Shovels of 2023 | by The Spruce

We researched the best electric snow shovels and evaluated them based on their overall design, amperage and voltage, snow intake capacity, and battery life. Our top pick is the EGO POWER+ 56-volt 12 in. Cordless Electric Snow Blower because it has a variable speed trigger and 2-speed switch for added control as you clear your driveway or walkway. Plus, it can be paired with EGO’s other POWER+ attachments for a full suite of reliable and efficient power tools.

Shoveling snow is a tiring task and one that makes you break a sweat—despite the freezing working conditions. An electric snow shovel not only alleviates the unnecessary stress on your body but also makes the task of shoveling snow much more efficient. “Electric snow shovels—whether they’re corded or battery powered—are typically just for a small sidewalk or your back deck,” says Dave Sents , store manager at O’Donnell Ace Hardware in Des Moines, Iowa. As Sents points out, electric snow shovels are not a cure-all for every snow removal need you may have, but they are a great tool to have on hand, especially if you live in a snowy climate.

Best Overall

EGO POWER+ 56-Volt 12-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower

4.9

Lowe’s

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What We Like

• Powerhead can power different tool attachments

• Variable speed trigger

• Warranties provided for both tool and battery

• Snow direction is adjustable

What We Don’t Like

• Heavy

• Cannot clear deep snow

The EGO POWER+ 56-volt 12-inch Cordless Electric Snow Blower is our best overall pick because its universal powerhead can be used with the entire suite of Ego POWER+ tool attachments and it also promises an efficient clean of an entire four-car driveway in just minutes. The multipurpose powerhead on this tool is powered by a 56-volt battery and can also be used to power the brand’s edge trimmer attachment, cultivator, pole saw, and more. This electric snow shovel has a push drive and a variable speed trigger with a 2-speed switch, so you can find the setting that’s best for your snow plowing needs. 

This shovel also has a wide snow clearance of 12 inches wide, and it can easily tackle up to 6 inches of snow on a 4-car driveway with one battery charge. The louver adjustable knob also ensures that you can direct snow exactly where you want it to go in your yard. The throwing distance is also quite impressive on this shovel at up to 25 feet. A 5-year warranty for the tool and a 3-year warranty for the battery are also provided when you purchase this model. 

We recommend operating this shovel with two hands (as suggested in the operator manual) because it is rather heavy, which might make it difficult to maneuver for some users. We also wish this snow shovel had a higher snow clearance, but we recognize that its battery pack can only handle so much snow at once, and don’t completely fault this as a design flaw, since it’s an otherwise quite universal tool to have on hand.

Price at time of publish: $400

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 4 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 29.98 pounds

Best Budget

Snow Joe 323E 13-Inch 10-Amp Electric Snow Blower

Lowe’s

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What We Like

• Larger snow intake capacity

• Adjustable handle height

• Storage hook provided for extension cord

What We Don’t Like

• Must have long extension cord

If it doesn’t snow often in your hometown, or you’re looking to save some money and still purchase a reliable snow shovel, we recommend the Snow Joe 10-amp 13-inch Corded Electric Snow Blower. This electric snow shovel is equipped to handle snow paths up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep. It can throw snow up to 20 feet as well, so you’re sure to have your walkway, driveway, or back deck cleaned in no time.

This electric snow shovel is corded, so you will need to use a long extension cord, especially if you have a large driveway. However, its corded power status means that you can easily clean your entire driveway or yard without worrying about a battery running low. This shovel has an adjustable secondary handle, which makes it more comfortable for operators to use for a long period of time. A storage hook for the power and extension cord junction is also housed on the top handle. You really can’t go wrong purchasing this power shovel that clocks in under $100 and has a large snow intake capacity.

Price at time of publish: $99

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 10 amps | Power Type: Corded | Weight: 13.7 pounds

Best Splurge

Toro Flex Force 60V Power Shovel

4.3

Toro

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What We Like

• Battery can be used with entire line of Toro 60V Flex Force tools

• Long battery life

• Easy to use

What We Don’t Like

• Heavy

If you’re looking for a cordless model that’s worth the high price tag, this model from Toro is part of their well-trusted 60-Volt Flex Force line of tools, which deliver powerful and consistent results. This shovel can run for up to 45 minutes and the battery only needs 1 hour to completely recharge, which is enough time to step inside for some hot cocoa, if you’re between portions of your sidewalk and driveway. The one-touch button system and adjustable two-speed switch make this shovel easy to use and understand, so there are no surprises while operating. 

Similar to our best overall pick, this shovel’s battery can also be used across Toro’s suite of 60V Flex Force tools, which is super convenient, if you already own tools and additional batteries from the brand. This shovel is rather heavy, so it may be tiring to use for extended periods of time. However, we still recommend it for its efficient snow clearing power and long-lasting battery. 

Price at time of publish: $299

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 2.5 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 25 pounds

Best Cordless

RYOBI 40-Volt HP Brushless 12-Inch Cordless Electric Snow Shovel (with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger)

The Home Depot

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What We Like

• Compatible with all RYOBI 40V batteries

• Compact design

• Large secondary handle

What We Don’t Like

• Short battery life

If you’re going to purchase a cordless power shovel, you should pay attention to the brand that you’re purchasing, especially if you already own other power tools in your garage. RYOBI is one of the most popular power equipment companies, and their 40V HP 12-inch Cordless Electric Snow Shovel lives up to its name. It’s compatible with all RYOBI 40V batteries, so you can swap out pre-charged batteries, if needed, and you can also swap out power shovel attachment for one of RYOBI’s other attachment capable tools. 

We love this snow shovel’s compact design, especially for navigating tight corners and steeper hillsides. It has a large secondary handle, which makes it more comfortable to grip, and it’s also lightweight, so you don’t have to worry as much about feeling top heavy while using an electric snow machine. We do wish this model had a longer battery life, as 18 minutes isn’t quite enough time to fully clean most driveways. However, if you have multiple batteries at the ready, you can easily swap them out and plug them into the charging system. This snow blower may be one of the more expensive options on the market, but its upfront cost prevents you from needing to purchase additional batteries the next time you add a new RYOBI tool to your collection.

Price at time of publish: $299

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 4 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 17 pounds

The 8 Best Snow Shovels of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Battery Life

GreenWorks GLSS802100 PRO 12-Inch Cordless 80-Volt Snow Shovel (2Ah Battery and Charger Included)

Tractor Supply Co.

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What We Like

• Button start

• Can clear large areas on one battery charge

• Ergonomic handle design

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

This cordless model from Greenworks has a 45 minute battery life, which allows homeowners with larger driveways—who might benefit from a heated driveway—or walkways to easily clear light snow on just one charge. This electric snow shovel features a button start with just one speed, making it simple to use. It also has an ergonomic handle that’s designed to relieve back strain during long periods of use. 

Although we love this model’s long battery life, it’s quite expensive compared to other picks in this list, especially when it has a lower amperage compared to other models. While the 80-volt battery is sure to offer enough power for most light snow falls, we wish it had an adjustable speed setting or other unique feature to help justify the steep expense. Nevertheless, this model’s simpler design and long-lasting battery make it a great option for anyone that’s looking for a reliable, no-frills electric snow shovel.

Price at time of publish: $400

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 2 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 15 pounds

Best Lightweight

SuperHandy 10-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower

Amazon

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What We Like

• Compact design

• Easy to store

• Adjustable pole height

What We Don’t Like

• Expensive

A lightweight power shovel is a great option not only for its usability but also for storarge. This model from SuperHandy packs a punch in a small frame. Although it has a smaller coverage area—10 inches wide by 5 inches deep—this snow shovel can throw up to 300 pounds of snow per minute at up to 25 feet away. It weighs about 11 pounds, making it the perfect tool to quickly pull out after the weather clears, plus it has an adjustable pole that can telescope between 46 and 54 inches tall. 

The pole also splits into two parts, so you can easily store this snow blower in a crawl space, or small closet. This model is slightly more expensive, compared to larger models throughout this roundup, but we think its unique design justifies the added expense. Who knew that productivity and comfort could be delivered in such a small package.

Price at time of publish: $160

Maximum Snow Depth: 5 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 25 feet | Power: 2 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 10.98 pounds

Best Heavy Duty

GreenWorks 8-Amp 12-Inch Corded Electric Snow Shovel

Amazon

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What We Like

• Unlimited run time

• Double safety lock

• Foldable design

What We Don’t Like

• May require several passes to fully clear snow

If you live in a climate where frequent and heavy snowfall is common, we recommend the Greenworks 8-amp 12-inch Electric Snow Shovel. This workhorse of a power tool clears snow up to 6 inches deep and 12 inches wide. It can also throw up to 300 pounds of snow per minute. While this shovel’s heavy duty design may lack the cleaning power for a precise surface clean after one pass, it can easily clear snowy patches that may still remain on your driveway or sidewalk with a few additional passes. 

This tool is an especially great option for parents that may find themselves multitasking between building snowmen and path clearing because it has a double safety switch to prevent curious young ones from accidentally powering it. The handle also folds in half, so you can easily store this shovel in a garage, crawl space, or attic. While the corded design does somewhat limit overall mobility, we appreciate that you won’t have to race against a battery to finish clearing snow. 

Price at time of publish: $99

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 8 amps | Power Type: Corded | Weight: 14.4 pounds

The 7 Best Snow Blowers of 2023

Best Quiet

Snow Joe 13-Inch 4-Ah Cordless Snow Shovel

The Home Depot

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What We Like

• Wide clearing path

• Durable scraper blade

• Wide handles

What We Don’t Like

• Top heavy

• Long charge time

Snow blowers and electric snow shovels can be quite noisy, so if you’re hoping to be productive without disturbing your neighbors or your child’s nap time, we recommend the Snow Joe 24-volt ION+ 13-inch Cordless Snow Shovel. It has great clearing capabilities—up to 13 inches wide and 6 inches deep—plus, the scraper blade is sharp and won’t pop off, meaning you get a clean path after just one pass. The battery pack on this shovel is easy to connect and disconnect when charging, but it can take up to 5 hours to fully charge. 

The battery pack also makes this shovel top heavy, since it is situated under the handle. However, this shovel is designed with a wide main handle and large secondary handle, so you can maintain a comfortable grip while clearing snow. 

Price at time of publish: $199

Maximum Snow Depth: 6 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 20 feet | Power: 4 amps | Power Type: Cordless | Weight: 13.5 pounds

The 8 Best Ice Scrapers of 2023, Tested and Reviewed

Best Throwing Capability

Earthwise SN70016 16-Inch 12-Amp Corded Electric Snow Thrower

Courtesy of Amazon

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What We Like

• Extra large clearing path

• Can clear snow on gravel

• Wheels provide added traction

What We Don’t Like

• Assembly required

Based solely on the specs and pros of this pick, you may be wondering why it’s not our best overall. The Earthwise 16-inch 120-volt Corded Electric Snow Thrower is a reliable power shovel for both big and small tasks, but it requires a little more work on the front end, which kept it from our best overall spot. This snow shovel requires full assembly before you can use it, which may be daunting for anyone not experienced in building or modifying power tools. Thankfully, detailed instructions are listed in the use and care manual along with photos to guide you through the process. Once you’ve successfully built this electric snow shovel, you’ll be pleased with its powerful motor and never-ending battery life, thanks to its—albeit outdated—corded status. 

This shovel can clear paths up to 16 inches wide and easily tackles snow as deep as 8 inches. You may find it is best to tackle deeper snow drifts with only half of the shovel’s capacity to prevent clogs or overworking the motor. This shovel is also equipped to clear snow from gravel, a feature that’s especially helpful for anyone lacking a paved driveway or pathway. Be sure to wear protective eyewear in case the shovel does throw a random rock while running. It also has back wheels, which help keep it stable as you clear snow and make it easy to transport, once you’re done using it.

Price at time of publish: $119

Maximum Snow Depth: 8 inches | Maximum Throwing Distance: 30 feet | Power: 12 amps | Power Type: Corded | Weight: 16 pounds