Snow Blowers by Type
A light single-stage for the city driveway, a two-stage for snow country, or a battery machine to escape the carburetor ritual? Start with the class that fits your driveway and snowfall, then compare the best picks in each — tradeoffs included.
Two-Stage Gas
27 modelsSteel auger plus impeller: deep snow, wet snow, gravel, and the plow pile. The Ariens-vs-Toro heartland, $800 to $2,500.
Single-Stage Gas
8 modelsOne rubber auger scoops and throws — light, cheap, and scrapes pavement clean. Tops out around 8 inches of snow, and gravel is off-limits.
Two-Stage Battery
7 modelsFull two-stage architecture on big lithium packs. Genuinely capable on suburban driveways; long rural runs still outrun the batteries.
Single-Stage Battery
6 modelsPush-button start at 0°F and zero fuel fuss — EGO and Toro made this class real. Runtime claims assume fluffy snow; batteries live indoors.
Corded Electric
3 models$100-$250, unlimited runtime, nothing to maintain. Terrific for sidewalks and short city driveways — if you can live with the cord.
Three-Stage Gas
3 modelsAn extra accelerator auger for dense, plow-packed snow. Sometimes worth it — cross-shop a strong two-stage before paying the premium.