The best snow blower for most paved driveways is the EGO Power+ SNT2405, a 56V battery two-stage kit with a listed throw up to 50 ft, a 20 in intake, and push-button start. We checked Amazon on 2026-09-11: Ariens Deluxe listings were out of stock, and Amazon listed no Toro Power Max machine, only parts.
A snow blower has two jobs that matter: it has to gather the snow in front of it, and it has to throw that snow far enough that the next pass does not bury the last one. Stage count and power type decide which job it can finish when the storm turns wet. This page is one stop on our fall yard cleanup tools checklist, which puts every fall job in order.
One thing before the list: we make digging spades, not snow blowers, so nothing here is ours. Each pick is judged on clearing width, stage, start type, and listing specs verified through Amazon Creators API features on 2026-09-11.
Disclosure: as an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. It does not change what we recommend or what you pay. Prices and availability were checked on 2026-09-11 and can change.
Best snow blowers at a glance
| Machine | Stage / power | Width | Throw | Start | Best for | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V 24 in kit (best overall) |
Two-stage 56V battery | 24 in | up to 50 ft | Push-button | Most paved suburban drives | amazon, about $1,649 |
 PowerSmart 26 in two-stage gas (208cc) |
Two-stage gas | 26 in | up to 45 ft | Electric start | Long drives, unlimited runtime | amazon, about $999 |
 NOVUS 18 in single-stage gas (99cc) |
Single-stage gas | 18 in | up to 23 ft | Not listed | Short paved paths on a budget | amazon, about $374 |
 Snow Joe 48V 18 in kit (24V-X2-SB18-TV1) |
Single-stage 48V battery | 18 in | up to 20 ft | Not listed | Walks and light storms | amazon, about $550 |
 EGO Power+ SNT2112 56V 21 in kit |
Single-stage 56V battery | 21 in | up to 40 ft | Not listed | 56V EGO owners, medium walks | amazon, about $749 |
 PowerSmart 21 in 15-amp corded |
Single-stage corded | 21 in | up to 30 ft | Push-button | Cheapest electric entry | amazon, about $230 |
How we picked
We picked from Amazon listings only. On 2026-09-11 we verified titles, features, prices, and stock through the Creators API for every ASIN below. We did not hand-test these machines in a storm. Buy in September or October, because two-stage stock thins by the first storm.
| Drive length | Typical snowfall | Stage and width to start with |
|---|---|---|
| Under about 50 ft (walks, short pads) | Light to moderate | Single-stage, 18 to 21 in (NOVUS, Snow Joe, SNT2112, or corded) |
| About 50 to 150 ft (one or two cars) | Moderate to wet | Two-stage, 24 in battery (EGO SNT2405) or 26 in gas (PowerSmart) |
| Longer suburban or rural lanes | Heavy or wet banks | Two-stage gas, 26 in, for runtime and width |
What is the best snow blower?
The best snow blower overall is the EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V kit: 24 in two-stage clearing, push-button start, self-propel, and a listed throw up to 50 ft. Buy it when you want two-stage performance without gas and can order today.
The best snow blowers, by job
1. EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V kit: best snow blower overall
The EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V (model SNT2405) is the one to buy if you want two-stage clearing and a push-button start. Listing features call out a 24 in clearing width, 20 in intake height, Peak Power from two included 7.5Ah ARC Lithium batteries compatible with EGO 56V packs, variable-speed self-propel forward and reverse, four bright LEDs, and a throw up to 50 ft. EGO also lists clearing up to an 18-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on that battery set. At about $1,649 with batteries in the box, it is the in-stock Amazon machine that still clears wet snow like a two-stage. Where it loses: runtime is finite, wet cement snow drains packs fast, and a gas two-stage still wins when the storm lasts longer than the charge.
2. PowerSmart 26 in two-stage gas (208cc): best wide gas 2-stage snow blower
The PowerSmart 26 in two-stage uses a 208cc Briggs and Stratton 950 snow series engine with steel construction in the housing, frame, deflector, and chute, an all-steel auger, a high-speed steel impeller with a listed throw up to 45 ft, electric start, handle warmers, variable-speed self-propel, 26 in clearing width, and 20 in intake height. At about $999 it undercuts the EGO SNT2405 56V kit while adding width and unlimited runtime; for the value slot, our best 2-stage snow blower guide names the PowerSmart 24 in HB7109A at about $700. Where it loses: you still store fuel, change oil, and live with exhaust.
3. NOVUS 18 in single-stage gas (99cc): best gas snow blower on a short path
The NOVUS 18 in is the compact gas pick when the path is paved and short. Listing features show a 99cc engine, 18 in clearing width, 10.5 in intake height, steel-reinforced rubber auger, one-hand 190 degree remote chute control, a throw up to 23 ft, soft-grip handle, and 7 in never-flat wheels, with cold-start engine technology called out for winter starts. At about $374 it is the cheapest gas machine here. Where it loses: single-stage scraping is wrong for gravel, and an 18 in path means more passes on a two-car drive.
4. Snow Joe 48V 18 in kit (24V-X2-SB18-TV1): best cordless snow blower kit for walks
The Snow Joe 48V kit (24V-X2-SB18-TV1) covers walks and light storms without a cord. Features list a 1200W brushless motor, 18 in clearing width, 10 in depth, dual 24V batteries for 48V total, 180 degree chute, LED headlight, and a throw up to 20 ft. At about $550 it undercuts the EGO SNT2112 56V kit (stock was scarce at check time). Where it loses: the 18 in single-stage path and 20 ft throw are the wrong tools for long wet drives. Reach for the SNT2405 56V or the PowerSmart gas unit when the storm stacks up.
5. EGO Power+ SNT2112 56V kit: best EGO compact single-stage
The EGO SNT2112 56V (model SNT2112) is the compact EGO if you already own 56V packs or want a steel-auger cordless without stepping up to the 24 in two-stage. The listing title includes two 56V 5.0Ah batteries and a dual-port charger. Features list Peak Power from two EGO 56V ARC Lithium batteries, a 21 in clearing width, variable-speed auger control, a steel auger, two LED headlights, handle-mounted chute adjustment, a quick-fold handle, and a throw up to 40 ft. At about $749 it sits between Snow Joe and the SNT2405. Where it loses: it is not a two-stage machine, so wet banks are the wrong job, and the kit price approaches gas two-stage money.
6. PowerSmart 21 in 15-amp corded: best corded electric snow blower
The PowerSmart 21 in 15-amp corded is the entry electric if you accept an outdoor-rated cord. Features cite a 15-amp motor clearing up to 1020 lb/min, a throw up to 30 ft, push-button start, an LED light, an adjustable 180 degree chute, and a reinforced auger. At about $230 it is the cheapest way onto this list. Where it loses: the cord is the product, so plan the outlet path before the storm, and do not pretend a corded single-stage replaces a two-stage gas machine on a long rural lane.
What about Toro and Ariens?
Toro Power Max and Ariens Deluxe are the dealer names many readers search first. We checked Amazon on 2026-09-11: Ariens Deluxe ASINs were out of stock, and no sellable Toro Power Max full-machine listing existed (parts only), so they are not pick slots. Buy those housings from a local dealer; otherwise order one of the six Amazon machines above.
Which electric snow blower is best?
For single-stage electric machines, our best electric snow blower guide names the Snow Joe SJ627E, a 15-amp corded machine at about $250, for paved walks and one-to-two-car drives. On this list the EGO Power+ SNT2405 56V two-stage kit is the electric pick for heavy wet snow: Peak Power and a listed throw up to 50 ft, no cord.
Do you need a 2-stage snow blower?
You need a 2-stage snow blower when wet snow or a long drive beats a single-stage auger. Choose the EGO SNT2405 56V kit for battery two-stage clearing, or the PowerSmart 26 in when you want gas runtime and a 26 in path.
Our best 2-stage snow blower guide ranks five two-stage machines by width, intake and start type, with the value pick at about $700.
When does a shovel still win?
A snow blower is the wrong tool on stairs, a small deck, and the last iced seam at the apron. Keep a shovel for those edges, and keep a Spear Head Spade in the shed for the rest of the yard year. For melt on the apron, see our ice-melt and snow-shovel guides linked below.
For melt on the apron, see our best ice melts guide. For shovel-sized jobs, see the best snow shovels and best cordless electric snow shovels guides, and how to winterize your garden for the rest of the cold-season list.
What is the difference between single-stage and two-stage snow blowers?
Single-stage machines use one auger to gather and throw, so they stay light and fit short paved walks. Two-stage machines feed an impeller that throws denser loads farther, which is why they win on long drives and wet snow. Match stage to driveway length and storm weight before you shop width.
| Single-stage | Two-stage | |
|---|---|---|
| How it throws | Auger gathers and throws | Auger feeds an impeller that throws |
| Intake / depth | NOVUS lists 10.5 in intake; Snow Joe lists 10 in depth; SNT2112 and the corded PowerSmart do not list intake | Both two-stage picks here list 20 in intake |
| Wet snow | Struggles when snow packs | Built for denser loads |
| Gravel | Scrapes and throws rock; pavement only | Still careful, but the better habit for mixed surfaces |
| Weight / storage | Lighter, easier to hang or tuck | Heavier; plan garage floor space for a 26 in gas unit |
Should you buy gas, corded electric, or battery?
Gas wins on unlimited runtime once the engine is maintained. Corded electric wins on price and a wall outlet. Battery, led by the EGO SNT2405 56V push-button kit, wins on quiet mornings when packs stay charged. Pick power type from outlet access, storm length, and how you store the machine.
- Gas wins on unlimited runtime and cold-weather certainty once the engine is maintained. You pay with fresh gas plus stabilizer, a fall oil change, storage space, exhaust, and noise.
- Corded electric wins on price (the PowerSmart corded is about $230 here). You lose the moment the outdoor-rated cord is too short or buried. The listing also cites up to 1020 lb/min; that is a corded figure, not a claim that it beats gas throughput.
- Battery wins on quiet mornings when packs stay charged. The EGO SNT2405 56V kit lists push-button start and an 18-car driveway with 8 inches of snow on the included packs; you lose when packs are flat and the second storm arrives before they recharge.
How do you choose a snow blower?
Choose by surface, storm size, and start type. Paved walks under about 50 feet can stay single-stage at 18 to 21 in; two-car drives usually want two-stage width at 24 to 26 in. Pick battery for push-button mornings, gas for unlimited runtime, and corded only when the outlet path is honest.
- Measure the drive. Under about 50 feet can stay single-stage. Two-car suburban drives usually want 24 to 26 in two-stage width.
- Name the surface. Pavement only for single-stage. Gravel wants higher shoes and usually a two-stage habit.
- Match the snow you actually get. Light powder forgives almost any machine. Wet March snow is where stage and throw distance show up.
- Count start type. Electric start or push-button start matters more at 5 a.m. than brochure horsepower when the listing states it.
- Plan storage. A 26 in gas two-stage needs garage floor space. Corded machines hang on a wall.
- Keep a shovel. Decks, stairs, and iced seams still want a shovel.
What maintenance matters on a snow blower?
Gas machines want fresh gas plus stabilizer, a fall oil change, and shear pins in the drawer before the first storm. Store lithium packs partly charged indoors, because capacity drops below freezing in an unheated garage. Corded machines want an outdoor-rated cord that reaches the far corner without a mid-drive splice.
Skid shoes and scrapers wear. Check them when you put the machine away in March, not when November snow shows daylight under the housing.
Frequently asked questions
Should I buy a single-stage or two-stage snow blower?
Use a single-stage machine on short paved walks and light snow, because the auger both gathers and throws. Use a two-stage machine when the driveway is long or the snow turns wet and heavy, because the impeller is what throws that load.
Are electric snow blowers worth it?
Yes if your driveway is paved, your storms stay modest, and you want a push-button start more than unlimited runtime. A 56V two-stage kit like the EGO SNT2405 can replace gas for many suburban drives. Corded machines win on price and lose on cord management.
What is the best snow blower for a long driveway?
The best snow blower for a long driveway is a self-propelled two-stage machine with a wide housing. The PowerSmart 26 in gas unit covers more width per pass with unlimited runtime. The EGO SNT2405 56V kit is the battery path if you keep packs charged.
Can you use a single-stage snow blower on gravel?
Usually no. Single-stage augers scrape the surface and will throw gravel, which is why our glance table keeps those machines on pavement only. Use a two-stage habit on mixed surfaces, and keep the shoes set carefully if you must cross gravel briefly.
How much should you spend on a snow blower?
Corded electric starts around $230 on this list. Cordless single-stage kits land near $550 to $750. Gas or battery two-stage machines that clear a real driveway usually start near $1,000 and climb past $1,600 when the kit batteries are included.
Should I buy a snow blower or a cordless snow shovel?
A cordless snow shovel wins on decks, stairs, and the last ten feet by the door. A snow blower wins once the path is longer than about 50 feet, which is where the PowerSmart corded or a cordless single-stage starts to earn the garage space.
For shovel-sized jobs, see our best snow shovels and best cordless electric snow shovels guides.
The bottom line
Buy the EGO SNT2405 56V if you want the best overall snow blower you can order today without gas, the PowerSmart 26 in if you want two-stage gas width for less money, and the PowerSmart corded if the job is short and the outlet is close. Keep a shovel for the edges, and do not force a single-stage machine onto gravel.
